Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and fun! While the turkey roasts in the oven and the pumpkin pies cool on the counter, it’s the perfect opportunity to engage in some lighthearted games that bring everyone together. Whether you’re looking to entertain little ones or get the adults involved in some friendly competition, these 42 fun Thanksgiving games are sure to keep the whole family entertained throughout the day.
- Turkey Bingo
A Thanksgiving twist on the classic bingo game. Create bingo cards with Thanksgiving-themed pictures, such as pumpkins, pies, turkeys, and autumn leaves. Use candy or coins as markers, and the first person to get a row or full card wins a prize.
- Pin the Wattle on the Turkey
This Thanksgiving spin on the popular “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” will have the kids laughing as they try to pin a wattle (the fleshy part under the turkey’s beak) onto a large turkey poster while blindfolded.
- Thanksgiving Charades
This classic game never gets old! Write down Thanksgiving-related words or phrases, such as “baking a pie,” “fall harvest,” or “watching the parade,” on slips of paper. Players take turns acting them out without speaking while others guess.
- Pumpkin Bowling
Set up a few empty cans or plastic bottles as bowling pins and use a small pumpkin as the bowling ball. See who can knock down the most pins with their pumpkin roll! It’s a fun outdoor or indoor game that’s easy to set up.
- Thanksgiving Pictionary
Pictionary is a family favorite, and for Thanksgiving, you can fill the drawing board with items like “cornucopia,” “harvest,” “family feast,” and more. It’s a great way for everyone to unleash their creativity while celebrating the season.
- Turkey Hunt
Hide small turkey-themed items (such as plastic or paper turkeys) around the house or yard. Give kids clues or a list of items to find. The one who finds the most turkeys wins a prize. It’s a great way to get everyone moving after a big meal!
- Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Set up a Thanksgiving-themed scavenger hunt by hiding clues or items around the house or yard. Each clue leads to the next, with a final hidden treasure or prize. You can incorporate things like “find a mini pumpkin” or “search for a turkey figurine.”
- Thanksgiving Word Search
Create a Thanksgiving word search with words like “gravy,” “cranberry,” “autumn,” and “family.” It’s a relaxing activity for all ages and can be easily made for kids or more challenging for adults.
- Pumpkin Spoon Race
Have each participant balance a small pumpkin (or plastic pumpkin) on a spoon and race to the finish line without dropping it. This game tests both skill and patience and is great for both kids and adults.
- Cornhole
Cornhole is a classic backyard game that can be easily adapted for Thanksgiving. Use a turkey design for the boards or even paint corn kernels on the bags. It’s perfect for playing outside while everyone waits for dinner to be served.
- Guess the Number of Candy Corn
Fill a jar with candy corn and have everyone guess how many pieces are inside. The person who guesses closest wins the jar of candy corn as a prize!
- Thanksgiving Trivia
Create a set of trivia questions related to Thanksgiving history, food, and traditions. Divide the family into teams, and see who can answer the most questions correctly. From historical facts to pop culture references, this game will engage everyone.
- Hot Potato with a Pumpkin
Play a round of hot potato, but instead of a ball, use a small pumpkin or gourd. Players pass the pumpkin around while music plays, and when the music stops, whoever is holding the pumpkin is out.
- Thanksgiving Movie Bingo
Create bingo cards with scenes or characters from popular Thanksgiving-themed movies, such as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Watch the movies together and mark off your bingo cards as you see each item.
- Fall Leaves Toss
Gather a bunch of fake autumn leaves or colorful paper leaves and scatter them around the yard or inside. Players toss bean bags or small pumpkins at the leaves to “collect” them. The person who gathers the most leaves in their pile wins.
- Turkey Tag
A fun outdoor game where one person is the “turkey” and others try to catch them. Once someone tags the turkey, they switch roles. This game is especially fun for kids to run around and get some energy out.
- Thanksgiving 20 Questions
Pick a Thanksgiving-related object, person, or item (like a pilgrim hat or mashed potatoes), and the other players have 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. It’s a fun way to test everyone’s deductive reasoning.
- Harvest Relay Races
Set up an obstacle course in the backyard using fall-themed items like pumpkins, hay bales, or corn stalks. Players take turns racing through the course and completing challenges like carrying a pumpkin from one end to the other.
- Guess the Thanksgiving Scent
Place a variety of Thanksgiving-related items (such as cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, apple cider, or gravy) in jars with their scent sealed. Players take turns smelling the jars and guessing what’s inside.
- Toss the Turkey
Create a turkey target on the wall using paper plates or large cardboard cutouts. Players stand at a distance and try to toss soft “turkey feathers” (e.g., bean bags or small cushions) into the target to score points.
- Thanksgiving Memory Game
Create cards with Thanksgiving images or words and place them face down. Players take turns flipping two cards at a time, trying to match pairs. The person with the most matched pairs wins.
- Pumpkin Hunt Bingo
Instead of traditional bingo numbers, fill the bingo card with pictures of pumpkin-related items like jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin pie, or pumpkin spice. Whoever gets five items in a row wins.
- Thanksgiving Karaoke
Set up a karaoke session with Thanksgiving-themed songs. From “Thanksgiving Day” by George Winston to classic fall tunes, singing is a great way to bring everyone together and have fun after a delicious meal.
- Pie-Eating Contest
If your family has a competitive streak, host a pie-eating contest! Whether it’s pumpkin pie, apple pie, or pecan pie, see who can finish their slice the fastest—hands behind your back, of course!
- Fall-Themed Crafts
For a calmer activity, gather craft supplies and create fall-themed decorations like leaf garlands, pumpkin carvings, or even custom thank-you cards. It’s a perfect way to keep kids engaged while also adding a festive touch to the home.
- Pumpkin Toss
Create a large target with different point values. Players throw small pumpkins (or bean bags) at the target, trying to land in the highest-scoring areas. You can also make it a team game for added fun!
- Pin the Feather on the Turkey
An easy game for younger children, it’s just like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” but with a turkey. Blindfolded players attempt to pin feathers on a turkey poster—whoever gets the closest wins a prize.
- Thanksgiving Jenga
Play a few rounds of Jenga with a twist! For every block pulled, players must answer a Thanksgiving-related question or complete a fun challenge like “name three Thanksgiving foods” or “do a turkey dance.”
- Turkey Toss Game
Create a simple turkey toss game using small foam turkeys or bean bags. Players throw them into a bucket or through hoops, trying to score points.
- Who Am I? Thanksgiving Edition
Write down Thanksgiving-related characters or things on sticky notes and stick one on each player’s forehead. Players then ask yes-or-no questions to figure out who or what they are.
- Family Photo Challenge
Set up a mini photo booth with Thanksgiving props, and challenge family members to take creative, funny photos. Choose categories like “most hilarious,” “most creative,” or “best Thanksgiving spirit.”
- Spice Quiz
Set up a quiz about Thanksgiving spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and more. Let participants taste-test a variety of spices (without knowing which is which) and see who can guess the most accurately.
- Holiday Costume Contest
Host a fun costume contest where everyone dresses up as their favorite Thanksgiving-themed character, such as a turkey, pilgrim, or cornucopia. Let the family vote on the best costumes, and hand out prizes.
- Pumpkin Painting Contest
Instead of carving pumpkins, have a pumpkin painting contest. Set out paints, markers, and glitter for everyone to create their masterpieces. You can even assign themes, like “best fall design” or “most colorful pumpkin.”
- Thanksgiving Jeopardy
Create a Jeopardy-style quiz game with categories like “Thanksgiving Facts,” “Famous Thanksgiving Movies,” and “Fall Traditions.” Compete in teams and see who knows the most about Thanksgiving!
- Cornucopia Building Challenge
Give each team a basket of fall-colored plastic fruits and veggies and challenge them to build the most impressive cornucopia (the traditional symbol of abundance) in 10 minutes or less. The team with the best creation wins.
- Guess the Pie Flavor
Set up a pie-tasting station where players blindfolded taste different pies (pumpkin, apple, pecan, etc.) and try to guess which flavor they’re eating.
- Pin the Pilgrim Hat on the Turkey
A twist on “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” and “Pin the Wattle on the Turkey,” this game requires participants to pin a pilgrim hat onto a turkey poster while blindfolded.
- Holiday Dance-Off
Let the whole family get their groove on with a Thanksgiving dance-off! Play some fun music and see who can bust the best moves. The most energetic dancer wins a prize.
- Thankful Tree
Create a thankful tree by cutting out tree branches or creating a paper tree on the wall. Have family members write what they’re thankful for on paper leaves and attach them to the tree. It’s a fun activity that also reminds everyone of the meaning of Thanksgiving.
- Autumn-themed Twister
Take the classic game of Twister and make it seasonal by using autumn colors like orange, brown, and yellow for the spots. It’s a great way to get everyone moving and laughing.
- Harvest Festival Photo Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items and situations for players to capture on camera, like “two people with turkey hats” or “someone making a pumpkin pie.” The first group to snap a picture of everything wins a small prize.
Thanksgiving is a time for joy, laughter, and creating lasting memories with the people you love. With these 42 fun Thanksgiving games, you can keep everyone entertained, engaged, and enjoying each other’s company all day long! From competitive outdoor games to cozy indoor challenges, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. So gather your loved ones, put on your game face, and get ready to make this Thanksgiving one to remember!
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