Fun Games to Play During Thanksgiving

November 20th, 2024 | Holidays

Spice Up Your Thanksgiving With These Games

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends, enjoying delicious food, and creating lasting memories. One way to add extra fun to your celebration is by playing games. Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering or a small dinner party, these Thanksgiving-themed games will entertain guests of all ages and keep the holiday spirit alive.

Thanksgiving Trivia

Challenge everyone’s knowledge of Thanksgiving history, traditions, and fun facts with a trivia game. Prepare a list of questions in advance or find a printable set online. Include questions like, “What year was the first Thanksgiving celebrated?” or “Which U.S. president declared Thanksgiving a national holiday?” Divide guests into teams, and let the competition begin. Bonus: Offer a small prize for the winning team!

Turkey Bowling

Turkey bowling is a hilarious twist on traditional bowling. Use empty plastic bottles or soda cans as bowling pins and a small pumpkin as the bowling ball. Set up a “lane” in your backyard or a spacious room, and take turns rolling the pumpkin to knock over the pins. It’s guaranteed to get everyone laughing.

Gratitude Guess

This heartwarming game encourages everyone to reflect on their blessings. Have each guest write down something they’re thankful for on a slip of paper. Collect the papers in a bowl, and take turns reading them aloud. Players guess who wrote each note. It’s a meaningful way to connect and learn more about each other.

Thanksgiving Pictionary

Get creative with Thanksgiving Pictionary! Prepare a stack of cards with Thanksgiving-themed words or phrases, such as “turkey,” “cornucopia,” “football,” or “pilgrim.” Players take turns drawing the words while their teammates guess. This game is ideal for all ages and a great way to keep everyone engaged.

Turkey Tag for Kids

If you have children at your gathering, Turkey Tag is a great way to let them burn off some energy. Give each child a clothespin “feather” to clip onto their clothing. The goal is to collect as many feathers as possible by “tagging” other players. The child with the most feathers at the end wins.

Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe

Elevate a classic game with a festive twist. Use a large piece of cardboard or a chalkboard to create a tic-tac-toe grid. Replace X’s and O’s with mini pumpkins or gourds in two different colors. This game is simple enough for kids to enjoy but also fun for adults.

Thanksgiving Bingo

Make or print Thanksgiving-themed bingo cards featuring items like pie, cranberries, football, and turkeys. Use candy corn or small snacks as markers. This game works well while waiting for dinner to finish cooking or for those who prefer a relaxed activity.

Leftover Lottery

After dinner, organize a “Leftover Lottery.” Assign each leftover dish a number and write the numbers on slips of paper. Guests take turns drawing numbers to determine which leftovers they get to take home. It’s a playful way to share the bounty and avoid food waste.

Family Charades

Charades is a timeless favorite, and it’s easy to customize for Thanksgiving. Prepare a mix of Thanksgiving-related actions, like “stuffing a turkey,” “watching the parade,” or “eating too much pie.” Divide into teams, and let the fun ensue!

Thanksgiving games are a fantastic way to bring people together and make the holiday even more memorable. Whether you prefer active games like Turkey Tag or low-key activities like Gratitude Guess, there’s something for everyone. So, after the turkey is carved and the pie is served, gather your loved ones and let the games begin!