Thanksgiving Games for Kids: Fun Activities to Celebrate the Holiday

Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings, delicious food, and creating lasting memories. Engaging your kids with Thanksgiving games not only keeps them entertained but also strengthens family bonds during the holiday celebrations.

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These fun activities offer opportunities for laughter and connection, ensuring that everyone, from the youngest family member to the oldest, can join in on the festivities.

With a variety of Thanksgiving games available, you can tailor activities to suit your family’s interests and age ranges. Whether it’s crafting a Thanksgiving-themed scavenger hunt or playing classic board games with a festive twist, there’s something to delight every child.

Make this Thanksgiving memorable by incorporating engaging games that keep the holiday spirit alive and the kids happily busy.

So, gather your loved ones, set up some fun games, and watch as laughter fills the room. By incorporating these activities into your Thanksgiving celebration, you’ll create an atmosphere that fosters joy and connection for everyone involved.

Classic Thanksgiving Games

This section features several engaging games that can have your kids laughing and bonding during the Thanksgiving celebration. These classic games can be easily set up and are sure to create memorable moments.

Thanksgiving Pictionary

Thanksgiving Pictionary is a fun drawing game that challenges players to illustrate Thanksgiving-related words or phrases. Start by creating a list of terms, such as “turkey,” “pumpkin pie,” or “harvest.”

Divide the kids into two teams. Each team takes turns having one member draw a chosen word while their teammates guess what it is. You can use a timer to add excitement, giving teams only 60 seconds to guess. Make it festive by using Thanksgiving-themed decorations and props as clues!

Thanksgiving Charades

Thanksgiving Charades is a lively game that combines acting with guessing. Prepare a list of Thanksgiving-themed actions, such as “carving the turkey,” “watching the parade,” or “setting the table.”

Players take turns acting out these actions without speaking, allowing the others to guess what they are portraying. Set a time limit of 30 seconds for each turn. This game encourages creativity and laughter, making it a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving festivities.

Related Article: 7 Thanksgiving Drinks for Kids

Thanksgiving Bingo

Thanksgiving Bingo adds a twist to the traditional bingo game. Create bingo cards with various Thanksgiving symbols such as turkeys, corn, and autumn leaves.

As you call out the items, players mark them on their cards. To increase engagement, consider using candy corn or small Thanksgiving-themed treats as markers. The first player to complete a row, column, or entire card wins a fun Thanksgiving prize!

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

A Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt can serve as an exciting activity for kids. Create a list of Thanksgiving-related items, such as a small turkey decoration, a pumpkin, or a recipe card.

Hide these items around your home or yard. Provide the kids with a checklist and set them loose to find everything. Set a timer for a thrill, and consider providing small prizes for those who collect the most items. This game promotes teamwork and exploration.

Related Article: Thanksgiving Blessing Tree

Thanksgiving Word Scramble

Thanksgiving Word Scramble is a simple yet entertaining game for kids. Prepare a list of scrambled Thanksgiving-themed words such as “cranberry,” “feast,” and “pilgrim.”

Distribute the scrambled lists to the kids, challenging them to unscramble as many words as possible within a set time limit. This game is not only fun but also helps improve spelling and vocabulary.

Prizes can be given for the most words decoded or for the fastest time! You can download a pre-made Thanksgiving Word Scramble from my Etsy shop.

Creative Crafts and Activities

Engaging your kids in creative crafts and activities can make Thanksgiving memorable. These fun projects not only encourage creativity but also foster family bonding during the holiday.

Related Article: Turkey Pretzel Bites

Roll a Turkey

“Roll a Turkey” is a playful game that blends fun and creativity. You need a large sheet of paper and a few basic materials.

Materials: Gather markers, crayons, and decorative items like stickers.
Instructions: Draw a large outline of a turkey on the paper. Then, have your children take turns rolling a die.
Scoring: Each number correlates with a specific turkey feature—like beaks, eyes, and feathers. Players color or attach items based on the rolled number.

This game helps preschoolers develop fine motor skills while being creative. They’ll love seeing their unique turkey creations come to life!

Related Article: Cheeseball Turkey

Turkey Feathers Craft

The “Turkey Feathers Craft” is a classic activity that combines artistry and learning. It allows your children to personalize their turkeys with colorful feathers.

Materials: You’ll need colored paper, scissors, glue, and markers. Choose vibrant colors to make the feathers stand out.
Instructions: Cut out feather shapes from the colored paper. Each child can decorate their feathers with drawings or messages of gratitude.
Assembly: Attach the feathers to a cut-out turkey body. You can display these on the dining table or around your home.

This craft encourages preschoolers to express themselves while learning about Thanksgiving themes. It’s a great way to spark discussions about gratitude!

Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe

“Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe” adds a festive twist to a classic game. This activity is simple to set up and offers loads of fun.

Materials: Use small pumpkins or paper squares for game pieces. You’ll also need a larger board, which can be drawn on a poster or cardboard.
Instructions: Create a 3×3 grid on the board. Assign one type of pumpkin as “X” and another as “O.”
Gameplay: Players take turns placing their pumpkins on the grid until someone wins. Keep track of scores to see who wins the most rounds.

This game enhances critical thinking and encourages friendly competition among kids. Plus, it’s visually appealing with the seasonal decor!

Related Article: Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids

Thanksgiving I Spy

“Thanksgiving I Spy” is an interactive game that keeps kids engaged and observant. It’s perfect for larger family gatherings.

Materials: Prepare a list of Thanksgiving-themed items like pumpkins, turkeys, and cornucopias.
Instructions: Hand out the list to each child. As they explore, they must find items in the environment or on display.
Scoring: The first child to spot all items wins a small prize, like a sticker or a fun snack.

This game enhances observation skills and keeps children entertained during family meals. It’s a fun way to incorporate Thanksgiving themes into play!

If you don’t have time or want to create your own Thanksgiving I Spy game, download the one I made from Etsy.

Active Play for All Ages

Incorporating active play into your Thanksgiving festivities can create lasting memories for families. Fun games keep everyone engaged, providing an opportunity for laughter and teamwork.

Turkey Trot

The Turkey Trot is a fun and energetic game perfect for all ages. Set up a racecourse in your backyard or a nearby park. Participants can choose to run, jog, or walk, adding their style to the race.

You can even incorporate challenges along the way—like hopping on one leg or doing a silly dance for a few seconds.

To make this race more exciting, create teams and have them compete against each other. Use colorful turkey-themed bandanas to distinguish team members. This adds a festive touch while promoting teamwork.

Stuff the Turkey Game

For this activity, you’ll need a large cardboard Turkey cutout with a hole in the center and small plush balls or beanbags. Players take turns tossing these items into the hole, aiming to “stuff the turkey.”

Set a time limit and keep score to determine which player or team can stuff the most turkey items. Feel free to get creative with the Turkey cutout, decorating it with bright colors and funny faces to attract the kids.

This game encourages hand-eye coordination and teamwork while keeping the spirit of Thanksgiving alive.

Candy Corn Ring Toss

Transform some simple materials into a festive ring toss game with a candy corn theme. Create or buy cone-shaped “candy corn” targets, and use rings made from rope or hula hoops. Set the targets at varying distances to adjust the difficulty levels based on participants’ ages.

Each player gets a set number of rings to throw. You can keep score to determine the winner, or just play for fun! This game promotes precision and focus while involving a beloved seasonal treat.

Turkey Waddle Relay

The Turkey Waddle Relay is a hilarious game that will have everyone in stitches. Create teams and give each team a balloon between their knees, simulating the waddle of a turkey. Players must race to a designated spot and back without dropping their balloon.

If they drop it, they must start over. Add an extra twist by requiring participants to “gobble” like a turkey as they waddle! This game emphasizes coordination and teamwork, while bringing out everyone’s silly side.

It’s a great way to mix laughter with activity, ensuring that all ages participate and enjoy themselves during your Thanksgiving gathering.

Quick and Fun Minute Games

These quick and engaging games bring excitement to your Thanksgiving gathering. They can be played in groups, making them perfect for kids and adults alike.

Thanksgiving Minute to Win It

“Minute to Win It” games are energetic, timed challenges that last just one minute. You can set up various stations around your space with different tasks.

Examples of fun challenges include:

Stack Attack: Stack 36 plastic cups into a perfect triangle and then back into a single stack.
Cookie Face: Place a cookie on your forehead and use your face muscles to move it to your mouth without using your hands.
Penny Tower: Stack as many pennies as you can using only one hand.

These games encourage teamwork and laughter, as participants race against the clock!

Feather Hunt

The Feather Hunt invites players to search for hidden feathers in your home or yard. You can use colorful feathers to make it more visually appealing.

How to play:

Hide a set number of feathers around the designated area.
Set a timer for one minute.
Players must collect as many feathers as they can before time runs out.

To make it competitive, you can assign point values based on feather colors. The child with the most points at the end wins a small prize, such as a Thanksgiving-themed treat.

Mad Libs Challenge

Mad Libs are a hilarious way to prompt creativity. In this challenge, players fill in the blanks of a Thanksgiving-themed story to create a funny narrative.

How to play:

Prepare a Mad Libs template in advance.
Without sharing the story, ask players for nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
Once complete, read the story aloud for everyone to enjoy.

This activity fosters laughter and imagination, making it a great addition to your Thanksgiving festivities. Encourage participants to illustrate their favorite parts as a fun follow-up project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to engage kids with fun and interactive games. Below are some commonly asked questions that can help you plan entertaining activities for your little ones.

What are some easy DIY Thanksgiving games for children?

You can create simple games like a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, where children search for themed items around the house. Another idea is a turkey ring toss using homemade bean bags and bottles decorated as turkeys.

Which Thanksgiving-themed games are great for a family gathering?

Consider playing “Thanksgiving Bingo,” where players mark off items related to the holiday. “Turkey Tag” is another fun option where kids dress up as turkeys and try to avoid being tagged by other players.

How can I keep kids entertained during Thanksgiving with games?

Set up a crafting station with Thanksgiving-themed art projects. Organizing group games like charades with holiday prompts can also keep the kids engaged and entertained throughout the day.

What are some fun Thanksgiving icebreaker games suitable for kids?

A great icebreaker is “Two Truths and a Lie,” where kids share facts about themselves. You can adapt it to fit Thanksgiving themes by having them include holiday-related statements.

Can you suggest interactive Turkey-themed games for children?

Try a “Turkey Bowling” game, using plastic bowling pins decorated as turkeys. Another option is “Pin the Feather on the Turkey,” which is a fun play on the classic party game.

What family-friendly activities can make Thanksgiving fun for kids?

Hosting a Thanksgiving-themed trivia game can be educational and entertaining. Additionally, consider storytelling sessions where kids can share their favorite Thanksgiving memories or participate in a collective story-building activity.

Follow my Thanksgiving board on Pinterest.