The Whole Family Will Love Playing These Fun Thanksgiving Games
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Every household has its own Thanksgiving traditions that help make the holiday special. Nothing can beat watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with your cousins or even just breaking the wishbone. But any family that enjoys a bit of friendly competition (other than watching football on Thanksgiving) will want to add a few Thanksgiving games to their lineup. These activities will keep everyone entertained while the chefs concentrate on the most important thing of all—the Thanksgiving menu! Even Ree Drummond has a game idea from her crew: "Start a new around-the-table tradition of vocalizing things you're thankful for," she says. "You can even turn it into a game by following the alphabet and seeing how far you can get."
For more fun ideas, check out this list of the best DIY Thanksgiving games for kids and adults to play before and after the big feast. You'll find plenty of options for the whole family, as well as great ways for your little turkeys to burn off some energy after all that pumpkin pie. Family bowling contests, counting challenges, Thanksgiving trivia, and icebreakers are included. There are even some games that double as Thanksgiving decorations!
These Thanksgiving activities can be played indoors, outdoors, or in some cases, both. Some are twists on old favorites, and some are entirely new. You can even turn Thanksgiving crafts into a fun competition! But no matter how different these family Thanksgiving games are, they have a couple things in common. They're all easy to play, and even easier for everyone to enjoy. In fact, they're so much fun, they might even turn out to be the highlight of the holiday—besides the food, of course!
Sack Race
The best thing about this classic game is that there's no age limit! Grab a few sacks and see who in your family can cross the finish line first.
Turkey Alphabet Race
This turkey alphabet race is a fun craft and game all in one! To get started, make turkeys with letter stickers and attach them to several bowls. Fill a few more bowls with alphabet cereal pieces, then have the kids use spoons to hunt for specific letters and carry them to the labeled letter bowls.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Thanksgiving Photo Scavenger Hunt
Challenge the whole family to a scavenger hunt that involves scrolling through your camera roll to find photos of the things listed on this printable. Set a timer to see who can find pictures the fastest!
Get the tutorial at Overstuffed Life.
Turkey Trike Trot
You've heard of a turkey trot... now get ready for a turkey trike trot! To play, give each kiddo a DIY turkey hat with no feathers. As they ride around the course you've mapped out in your neighborhood, they'll get a feather for each lap they complete. The first to fill their hat wins!
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Hand Turkey Race
Who doesn't love making their own hand turkey? Now you can turn it into a little game by seeing which member of the kids' table can trace their hand the fastest.
Pumpkin Patch Stomp
This year's pumpkin patch visit is going to look a *little* different. Fill orange balloons with candy or small coins and watch as the little ones stomp through the "pumpkin patch" to collect the mini prizes inside!
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Count Your Blessings Tree
Celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving by having everyone create a blessings tree. You can write out your answers or get creative with stickers.
Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.
Thanksgiving Would You Rather
Would you rather not be allowed to talk during Thanksgiving dinner or not be allowed to have dessert on Thanksgiving? Questions like this will get the whole family laughing!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Turkey Feather Matching
Got young kiddos? Here's a game that'll really tickle their feathers! Once you've got the turkey template and feathers made, hide the feathers and then let the kids find and match them to the drawing.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Thanksgiving This or That Game
Nobody likes holiday squabbles but you'll love the friendly debates that come with this game! Everyone should take time to circle their choice for each pair, then read their picks aloud.
Thanksgiving This or That Game
etsy.com
$3.00
EtsyTurkey Tag
Tag, you're it! Pin these tiny turkeys on everyone's clothes, then watch to see who can keep them on the longest. That's the premise of this hilarious, perfectly on-theme game.
Get the tutorial at Let's Get Together.
Flag Football
You may be planning to watch the game, but why not play it yourself? Gather your family and get out in the fresh fall air for a match before the big feast. Flag football is just as fun as the real deal and is a bit gentler, so the little kids can participate, too.
Turkey Clothespin Puppets
We're calling it: Your little turkeys will love these little turkey puppets! Make a cute game out of them by having everyone put on a mini puppet play that tells a Thanksgiving story. Whichever tale captures the spirit of the holiday best wins!
Get the tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.
Football Bingo
If football and food are your favorite parts of Thanksgiving, you aren't alone! Aren’t you grateful there are three NFL games airing on the holiday? While you watch the games, play your own with football bingo! Place M&Ms or Skittles on your board each time you see a play that matches your squares.
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
Turkey Fortune Teller
Holiday tip: Paper fortune tellers can keep kids entertained for hours! Now, you can make the simple craft Thanksgiving-themed with this adorable turkey tutorial. Write predictions for the holiday, and see how many come true.
Get the tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.
Shake Your Tail Feathers
This game will be a dancing delight for anyone who chooses to play or watch! First, empty tissue boxes and stuff them with craft feathers. After the boxes are made, you'll tie them around each player's waist and shake until all the feathers fall out. Bonus step: Throw on some Thanksgiving tunes while you're shaking!
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Pumpkin Pie
Grab the napkins! If you don't mind getting a little messy, you'll love this fun twist on the classic pie-in-the-face gag. Fill pie plates with whipped cream and candy pumpkins, then use only your mouths to get all the pumpkins out. It's deliciously fun!
Get the tutorial at The Chaos and the Clutter.
Pumpkin Sweep
We have to say it: This game will sweep everyone off their feet! To play, you'll split into teams then give each player a broom. The first team to sweep the pumpkins over the finish line wins!
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do.
Pumpkin Twister
Here's how to put a festive twist (pun totally intended) on the classic game of Twister! You'll just create an exciting layout using white poster paper, colored paper pumpkins, and a printable spinner board for an activity that everyone is sure to love!
Get the tutorial at Pint-Sized Treasures.
Thanksgiving Bunco
Love playing Bunco with your best friends? Have fun with this Thanksgiving-themed version around the holiday. When a post-dinner nap sounds great, the fast-moving dice game is just what you need to get the energy back up!
Get the tutorial at Over the Big Moon.
Pumpkin Toss
Who doesn't love a classic game of cornhole―especially when it's designed to look like pumpkins! Use a thick poster board to create jack-o'-lanterns with wide-open mouths and eyes that can work as goals. Add a few bean bags, and you're in business for the rest of the season.
Get the tutorial at Lolly Jane.
Turkey Balloon Game
Grab some balloons, a few markers, and nerf guns...then get ready to aim and fire! Each turkey balloon has a different point amount written on it so be sure to keep score. Your kiddos won't be able to get enough of this arcade-style game.
Get the tutorial at A Girl and a Glue Gun.
Kids Thanksgiving Activity Placemats
These printable placemats will be a hit at the kids' table. They feature classic games like mazes, word searches, and more!
See more at My Pinterventures.
Thankfulness Tag
This sweet take on tag allows kids to sit down and avoid being tagged if they can shout out something they're thankful for. It's a great way to keep them moving—and feeling grateful!
See more at Meaningful Mama.
Pass the Turkey
This Thanksgiving-themed spin on Hot Potato involves passing a stuffed turkey around until the music stops. Whoever is left holding the turkey is out!
See more at The Resourceful Mama.
Thanksgiving Icebreaker Game
This DIY game also doubles as a table decoration. Print out these leaves, each with an icebreaker question on the back. Connect them together with a string and have everyone answer one during dinner.
Get the tutorial at Home Made by Carmona.
Paper Joke Tellers
This free printable works like the paper fortune tellers from your childhood—but instead of fortunes, you'll find punny Thanksgiving jokes inside!
See more at Persia Lou.
Thanksgiving Trivia
Kids and adults can both get in on the fun with this simple Thanksgiving trivia game. Everything you need is provided—all you have to do is print the cards.
Get the tutorial at Craftaholics Anonymous.
Gratitude Game
Gratitude is at the heart of Thanksgiving. Use these printables and packets of M&Ms to play a meaningful (and sweet!) game that honors the theme.
Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky.
Turkey Bowling
Who wants to go bowling? Make plastic cup turkeys, then arrange them just like the pins. Use a mini pumpkin as a bowling ball for added Thanksgiving flair.
Get the tutorial at The Seasoned Mom.
Roll-a-Turkey Game
In this fun dice game, players compete to be the first person to add all of the finishing touches to their turkey. All you'll need to play are these cute printables and a die.
See more at Somewhat Simple.
Thanksgiving Mad Libs
Unleash your inner wordsmith with this Thanksgiving-themed Mad Libs game. Make them for the kids and adults to enjoy.
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
Thanksgiving Bingo
Bingo will be the name-o of your family's new favorite Thanksgiving game, thanks to this printable. Think about laminating the cards to keep them looking great year after year.
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Your little turkeys aren't the only ones who will get a kick out of this tic-tac-toe game! With the wee pumpkin game pieces, it's charming enough that adults will want to try their luck too.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Thanksgiving Guess How Many
This game is great way to use the last bit of candy corn from Halloween. Whoever guesses closest to correct amount of the sweet stuff wins it all.
Get the tutorial at The Simple Parent.
Printable Memory Game
Memory is a classic game that's fun for all ages. This Thanksgiving-themed version has plenty of food-related cards to get you excited for the big dinner!
See more at Happiness Is Homemade.
Turkey Feather Counting Game
Another fun math game, this one uses a comical turkey face made out of felt and craft feathers.
Get the tutorial at Stir the Wonder.
Don't Eat Pete Thanksgiving Game
Besides the printable board, all you need to get the littles going on this game are the snack food pieces they'll place in each square.
Get the tutorial at Landeelu.
Turkey Hunt
This printable game allows kids to burn off some energy before sitting down to dinner.
Get the tutorial at The Dating Divas.
Rolling for Turkeys Game
You've got to love this printable, which is both an exciting Thanksgiving dice game for children and an opportunity for them to practice their numbers too.
Get the tutorial at Joy in the Works.
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