17 Fun Thanksgiving Games to Keep Kids Happy All Day Long
Okay, it’s true that Thanksgiving can be a real snooze-fest for kids.
While we adults are busy stuffing our faces and pretending to care about Uncle Harold’s latest fishing trip, the kids are left twiddling their thumbs and wondering why they can’t just play Fortnite instead.
But, I’ve got your back with a list of Thanksiving games for kids that’ll keep those rugrats entertained faster than you can say “pass the gravy.”
These activities aren’t just fun – they’re your ticket to a relatively peaceful holiday where you might actually get to enjoy that second (or let’s be real, third) slice of pie.
Psst! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases-at no extra cost to you. But, I’m picky: I only share the good stuff. If it’s not useful or fun, it’s not on my list. Check this out if you wanna know more.
Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Games
1. Thanksgiving Bingo
Overview: It’s like regular bingo, but with a turkey-tastic twist!
How to Play:
- Create bingo cards with Thanksgiving-themed items (turkey, pumpkin pie, pilgrim hat, etc.).
- Call out items randomly.
- Players mark off items on their cards.
How to Win: First player to get five in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) yells “GOBBLE GOBBLE!” and wins.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a classic game with a holiday spin that even Grandma can get behind. Plus, it’s a great way to teach kids about Thanksgiving traditions without them realizing they’re learning. Sneaky, right?
I once made the mistake of using real cranberries as markers. Let’s just say red stains and white tablecloths don’t mix. Stick to paper cutouts or candy corn instead.
2. Turkey Tag
Overview: It’s like regular tag, but with more gobbling and less dignity.
How to Play:
- Designate one player as the “turkey.”
- The turkey tries to tag other players.
- Tagged players must freeze and gobble like a turkey.
- Untagged players can unfreeze others by gobbling back at them.
How to Win: Last player untagged becomes the new turkey.
Why It’s Fun: It gets kids moving and burning off that sugar rush from Aunt Edna’s “famous” marshmallow-covered sweet potatoes. Plus, there’s something hilarious about watching Uncle Dave try to gobble his way out of being frozen.
If you’re playing indoors, remove any breakables from the area. I learned this the hard way after the Great Vase Incident of 2018. RIP, Grandma’s antique urn.
3. Thanksgiving Mad Libs
Overview: It’s the classic fill-in-the-blank game, but with a hefty dose of turkey-day humor.
How to Play:
- Create or buy Thanksgiving-themed Mad Libs stories. Here’s a hilarious Mad Libs book you can snag on Amazon.
- Without seeing the story, players provide words based on the requested parts of speech (noun, verb, adjective, etc.).
- Read the completed story aloud, hilarity ensues.
How to Win: There’s no winner, except maybe the person who manages to keep a straight face while reading about “stuffing the turkey with smelly gym socks.”
Why It’s Fun: It’s a great way to sneak in some grammar practice (don’t tell the kids!) while creating absolutely ridiculous stories that’ll have everyone in stitches.
Think you can transfer candy corn using only a straw in under a minute? Prove it with these hilarious, family friendly Thanksgiving Minute to Win It games! Click here for fun ideas and prepare to dominate!
4. Pin the Feather on the Turkey
Overview: It’s like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, but with 100% more gobble.
How to Play:
- Create a large turkey poster, minus the tail feathers.
- Cut out colorful paper feathers.
- Blindfold players, spin them around, and have them try to pin the feather on the turkey’s behind.
How to Win: The player who gets their feather closest to the correct spot wins.
Why It’s Fun: There’s something inherently hilarious about watching people stumble around blindfolded, trying to pin a feather on a turkey’s backside. It’s comedy gold, I tell you.
5. Thanksgiving I Spy
Overview: It’s a holiday-themed version of the classic car trip game, minus the “are we there yet?” whining.
How to Play:
- Create a list of Thanksgiving-related items (or use the table below).
- Players search for items around the house or yard.
- Cross off items as they’re found.
How to Win: First player to find all items on their list wins.
Why It’s Fun: It keeps kids occupied and out of the kitchen while you’re trying to remember if you remembered to take the giblets out of the turkey. (You did remember, right?)
| Easy Items | Medium Items | Hard Items |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey decoration | Pilgrim hat | Cornucopia |
| Pumpkin | Cranberry sauce | Gravy boat |
| Fall leaf | Stuffing mix | Turkey baster |
6. Thanksgiving Charades
Overview: If kids ever wanted to flail around like a headless turkey without getting in trouble, here’s their chance. The ultimate game of pretend, but everyone joins the fun.
Objective: Act out words or phrases without speaking. It’s like playing Pictionary, but with your whole body and a lot more flop sweat.
How to Play
- Get into teams (maybe kids vs. grown-ups?).
- Pick a secret word from a bowl of secret words.
- Act it out for 60 seconds.
- Team tries to guess what the person is acting. If they fail, the other team can steal.
Why It’s Fun
There’s something magical about watching Uncle Bob try to mime “cranberry sauce” while Grandma shouts increasingly bizarre guesses. It’s comedy gold, I tell ya!
Action! Get the full scoop on Thanksgiving Charades plus a free printable. Your audience awaits!
Creative Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities
6. Handprint Leaf Turkey
The Handprint Leaf Turkey is the perfect way to immortalize your child’s adorably chubby hands while also creating a masterpiece that’ll make your fridge look like it belongs in the Louvre.
Or at least that’s what you’ll tell yourself.
Overview: This craft involves tracing your kid’s hand on colorful paper to create turkey feathers, then assembling it all into a turkey shape. You’re basically giving the bird a makeover with fall fashion.
How to Play:
- Trace your child’s hand on various colors of construction paper.
- Cut out the handprints.
- Arrange the “feathers” in a fan shape.
- Add a body, head, and legs to complete your turkey.
How You Win: If your turkey doesn’t look like it was mauled by a cat, congratulations! You’re a winner in my book.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a great way to get messy with paint, paper, and glue while creating a keepsake that’ll make you go “aww” for years to come. Plus, it’s a perfect opportunity to remind your kids how small their hands used to be when they’re teenagers and rolling their eyes at you.
7. Thanksgiving Pictionary
You’re trying to draw a turkey, but it looks more like a blob with legs. Welcome to the hilariously frustrating world of Thanksgiving Pictionary!
Overview: It’s regular Pictionary, but with a gobble-gobble twist. You’ll be drawing everything from pilgrims to pumpkin pie, and probably questioning your artistic abilities along the way.
How to Play:
- Divide into teams.
- One person draws a Thanksgiving-related word or phrase.
- Their team tries to guess before time runs out.
How You Win: The team with the most correct guesses wins. Or, in my family, the team that argues the least about whether that scribble was supposed to be stuffing or a very lumpy gravy.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a great way to bond over shared laughter at everyone’s terrible drawing skills. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to see your uncle struggle to draw a cornucopia.
Here’s a handy table of some Thanksgiving Pictionary words to get you started:
| Easy | Medium | Hard |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Pilgrim | Black Friday |
| Pie | Mayflower | Tryptophan |
| Football | Cornucopia | Parade Float |
Trust me, after a few rounds of this, you’ll never look at a turkey the same way again.
One time, my brother spent a full minute trying to draw cranberry sauce, only to have his team guess “bloody snowball.”
Close enough, right?
8. Make-A-Turkey Stickers
Get ready to stick it to boring Thanksgiving activities with Make-A-Turkey Stickers! It’s like Mr. Potato Head met a turkey and had a craft baby.
Overview: This activity involves using stickers to create your own unique turkey design. It’s perfect for kids who love stickers and adults who never grew out of that phase (no judgment here).
How to Play:
- Start with a blank turkey body.
- Use various stickers to add feathers, eyes, beaks, and other turkey-esque features.
- Create the most fabulous turkey this side of the barnyard.
How You Win: The turkey with the most pizzazz wins. Or, if you’re like me, the one that uses ALL the stickers wins because more is always more, right?
Why It’s Fun: It’s a low-mess, high-reward activity that lets creativity soar. Plus, it’s a great way to keep kids occupied while you pretend to listen to Aunt Mildred’s story about her cat’s latest adventures.
I once tried to create a disco turkey complete with a tiny sticker afro and bell-bottom feathers. Let’s just say it wasn’t my finest artistic moment, but it did get a lot of laughs. Sometimes, that’s all that matters in family gatherings, folks.
9. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Move over, boring pencil and paper! Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe is here to gourd your socks off. It’s like regular tic-tac-toe, but with 100% more autumn vibes.
Overview: This game involves creating a tic-tac-toe board and using mini pumpkins or pumpkin-themed pieces as X’s and O’s. It’s so seasonal, it’ll make your PSL jealous.
How to Play:
- Create a tic-tac-toe board on a piece of wood or sturdy cardboard.
- Paint half your mini pumpkins one color, and half another (or use pre-made pumpkin pieces).
- Play tic-tac-toe as usual, but with pumpkins!
How You Win: Get three in a row, just like regular tic-tac-toe. But this time, you get to dramatically place a pumpkin for added effect.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a classic game with a festive twist that’s sure to squash boredom. Plus, it doubles as decor when you’re not playing. Talk about a multi-tasking craft!
Active Thanksgiving Games
10. Turkey Leg Wrap Game
Alright, folks, get ready to turn your family members into human turkeys! Because nothing says “I’m thankful for you” quite like mummifying your loved ones in burlap, am I right?
Overview: This game involves wrapping a teammate in burlap strips (or brown crepe paper) to look like a turkey leg. It’s like preparing dinner, but with people. But, no actual cooking involved – you’re not that hungry.
How to Play:
- Divide into teams of two.
- Give each team a roll of burlap.
- One person is the “turkey,” the other is the “chef.”
- On “go,” the chef wraps their turkey in burlap from neck to ankle.
- First team to fully wrap their turkey wins.
How You Win: The first team to create a human turkey leg without suffocating their partner takes the drumstick… I mean, the win.
Why It’s Fun: It’s hilarious watching people try to wrap each other up without falling over. Plus, it’s a great way to work up an appetite before dinner. Just don’t get any ideas about actually putting Aunt Edna in the oven, okay?
11. Thanksgiving Sack Race
Remember those potato sack races from elementary school field days? Well, they’re back, but with a turkey twist! It’s time to hop your way to Thanksgiving glory.
Overview: Participants race while their legs are confined in a sack. It’s like trying to run after your third helping of mashed potatoes, but more dignified.
How to Play:
- Mark a start and finish line.
- Give each participant a burlap sack.
- Players step into their sacks and hold them at waist level.
- On “go,” hop to the finish line.
How You Win: First person to cross the finish line without face-planting wins. Bonus points if you can do it without looking like a deranged kangaroo.
Why It’s Fun: It’s impossible not to laugh while watching people hop around in sacks. Plus, it’s a great way to work off that extra slice of pumpkin pie.
Here’s a handy table of sack race variations to spice things up:
| Variation | Description |
|---|---|
| Team Race | Two people per sack |
| Relay | Pass the sack to teammates |
| Obstacle Course | Add hurdles or zigzags |
I once participated in a Thanksgiving sack race where I got a little too competitive and ended up rolling across the finish line like a human burrito. Lesson learned: sometimes it’s better to hop with dignity than to roll with glory.
12. Turkey Bowling
Who says turkeys are just for eating? It’s time to give these birds a chance to shine in the world of sports. Move over, bowling balls – there’s a new pin-knocker in town!
Overview: It’s bowling, but with a frozen turkey as the ball. Because nothing says “family fun” like hurling poultry down a makeshift alley.
How to Play:
- Set up 10 empty 2-liter soda bottles as pins.
- Mark a bowling line.
- Take turns rolling (or sliding) a frozen turkey towards the pins.
- Keep score just like in regular bowling.
How You Win: Highest score after 10 frames wins. Or, you know, whoever doesn’t throw out their back trying to lug around a 15-pound bird.
Why It’s Fun: It’s absurd, it’s hilarious, and it’s a great way to tenderize the turkey before cooking. Just kidding about that last part… maybe.
Word to the wise: Make sure your turkey is thoroughly frozen. And if you don’t want to go with a turkey, using a small pumpkin or even a small ball for the game.
13. Turkey Feather Race
Get ready to channel your inner turkey and strut your stuff in the most ridiculous race you’ll ever participate in. It’s time for the Turkey Feather Race!
Overview: Players race while balancing a feather on a spoon. Good luck!
How to Play:
- Give each player a spoon and a feather.
- Mark a start and finish line.
- Balance the feather on the spoon.
- Race to the finish line without dropping the feather.
- If the feather falls, yell “Gobble Gobble” and take three steps back.
How You Win: First person to cross the finish line with their feather intact wins. Bonus points if you can do it without looking like you’re constipated from concentration.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a hilarious test of balance and coordination that levels the playing field. Even your athletic cousin who brags about running marathons might struggle with this one.
Stick to craft feathers unless you want your race to turn into a sneeze-athon.
Educational and Gratitude-Focused Games
14. Gratitude Game (with M&Ms)
Get ready to turn your Thanksgiving into a sweet gratitude fest with this M&M twist. Because nothing says “I’m thankful” quite like a sugar rush, am I right?
Overview: It’s like regular M&M snacking, but with a side of warm fuzzies. Each color of M&M corresponds to a gratitude prompt, so you’re not just eating candy, you’re gobbling up good vibes.
How to Play:
- Pour the M&Ms into a bowl or into individual containers for each person (try not to eat them all immediately).
- Take turns picking an M&M from the bowl.
- Based on the color, share something you’re grateful for using the corresponding prompt. After sharing, you get to eat the M&M. Yum!
How You Win: The person who shares the most genuine gratitudes wins. But let’s be real, we’re all winners when we’re grateful (and full of chocolate), right? (Cue the sugar-induced giggles.)
Why It’s Fun: It combines the mouth-watering allure of M&Ms with the heart-warming feels of gratitude. Plus, it’s a great way to find out who in your family can resist eating all their M&Ms before their turn.
Attitude of gratitude incoming! Grab game tips and your free Gratitude game printable before the turkey’s done.
15. Thanksgiving “Would You Rather?”
Get ready to make some tough choices, folks. It’s time for Thanksgiving “Would You Rather?” – the game that’ll have you questioning your life decisions faster than you can say “pass the gravy.”
Overview: Players take turns choosing between two Thanksgiving-themed scenarios. It’s like Sophie’s Choice, but with more turkey.
How to Play:
- Take turns asking “Would you rather…?” questions.
- Players must choose one option and explain why.
- Debate, argue, and judge each other’s choices mercilessly (kidding… sort of).
How You Win: There’s no real winner, except maybe the person who comes up with the most outrageous scenarios. Or the one who manages to avoid family therapy after some of these revelations.
Why It’s Fun: It’s hilarious, thought-provoking, and a great way to learn way too much about your family members. Plus, it’s the perfect distraction when Aunt Mildred starts asking why you’re still single.
Here’s a sample to get you started:
| Would You Rather… | Or… |
|---|---|
| Eat only turkey for a year | Never eat turkey again |
| Have fingers like drumsticks | Have toes like cranberries |
| Be a turkey on Thanksgiving | Be the person who has to clean up after dinner |
I once asked my vegetarian cousin if she’d rather eat a whole turkey or wear a turkey costume for a week.
Let’s just say I learned some new creative insults that day. Choose your questions wisely, folks!
Hungry for more dilemmas? Feast on game details and grab your free ‘Would You Rather’ printable!
16. Feed the Turkey (counting game)
Get ready to stuff a turkey without the risk of salmonella! It’s time for “Feed the Turkey” – the game where you can finally put those Thanksgiving leftovers to good use. Well, sort of.
Overview: Players take turns “feeding” a cardboard turkey with pom-poms or small objects, counting as they go. It’s like that game where you guess how many jellybeans are in a jar, but with more gobbling.
How to Play:
- Create a cardboard turkey with a hole for its mouth or bin decorated as as turkey
- Players take turns tossing pom-poms into the turkey’s mouth, counting aloud. They only count the pom-poms that made it into the turkey’s mouth(or the turkey bin).
- The next player must remember the count and continue.
- If someone messes up the count, they’re out.
How You Win: Last player standing wins, or whoever correctly guesses the total count at the end. Either way, you’ll be counting sheep in your turkey coma later.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a sneaky way to practice math skills while pretending to stuff a turkey. Plus, watching Grandpa try to remember if we’re on 37 or 73 is pure comedy gold.
17. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Alright, treasure hunters, it’s time to put down that drumstick and embark on a quest for Thanksgiving glory! Get ready for a scavenger hunt that’ll have you rummaging through your house like it’s Black Friday at a department store.
Overview: Players search for Thanksgiving-themed items around the house or yard. It’s like an Easter egg hunt, but with more gravy stains and less chocolate.
How to Play:
- Create a list of Thanksgiving-related items to find.
- Give each player or team a list and a time limit.
- Scavenge like your life depends on it (or at least like the last piece of pumpkin pie is at stake).
- Reconvene and tally up the finds.
How You Win: The person or team with the most items wins. But let’s be honest, the real winner is whoever finds that missing TV remote while searching for a “turkey baster.”
Why It’s Fun: It gets people moving (crucial after that third helping of mashed potatoes), encourages teamwork, and might even help you find that Tupperware lid you lost last Thanksgiving.
Here’s a sample scavenger hunt list to get you started:
- Something orange
- A leaf
- Something a pilgrim might have used
- A festive napkin
- Something you’re thankful for
I once included “Uncle Bob’s toupee” on our family’s scavenger hunt list. Turns out, Uncle Bob wasn’t as amused as the rest of us. Lesson learned: know your audience, folks!
Tips for Organizing Thanksgiving Games
Adapting Thanksgiving games for different ages is like trying to please everyone at the dinner table – nearly impossible, but we’re gonna try anyway!
Here’s how to keep everyone from tots to gramps entertained:
- Little Ones: Keep it simple. Think “Pin the Feather on the Turkey” or “Turkey Coloring Contest.”
- Teens: Amp up the competition with “Thanksgiving Trivia” or “Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest” (just make sure you have a mop handy).
- Adults: A little “Thanksgiving Mad Libs” after a glass of wine can lead to some hilariously inappropriate dinner conversation. Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything…
| Age Group | Game Ideas | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Kids | Pin the Feather, Coloring | Easy |
| Teens | Trivia, Eating Contest | Medium |
| Adults | Mad Libs, Charades | Challenging |
Remember, the key is flexibility. Be ready to simplify rules for Grandma or add a “dare” element for your thrill-seeking cousin.
And always have a backup plan. Trust me, nothing kills the holiday spirit faster than a game that falls flatter than your failed soufflé.
Keep a stash of age-appropriate prizes on hand. From candy for the kiddos to gift cards for the adults, a little reward can turn even the most reluctant player into a game night enthusiast.
Incorporating Games into the Day’s Schedule
Timing is everything, folks. You don’t want to start a rousing game of “Turkey Tag” right after everyone’s stuffed themselves into a food coma. Been there, done that, got the gravy stains to prove it.
- Pre-meal: Light, active games to build up an appetite. Think “Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt” or “Gratitude Relay Race.”
- During cooking: Quiet, seated games that won’t interfere with the kitchen chaos. “Thanksgiving Mad Libs” or “Would You Rather?” are perfect here.
- Post-meal: Gentle movement games to aid digestion. “Charades” or “Pictionary” work well, just don’t expect any Oscar-worthy performances from your turkey-stuffed actors.
Remember, flexibility is key.
Prizes and Rewards Ideas
Alright, let’s talk turkey about prizes. Because nothing says “I’m thankful” quite like a little healthy competition, am I right?
First rule of Thanksgiving game prizes: Know your audience.
Grandma might not appreciate that “World’s Best Turkey Carver” novelty apron as much as Dad would.
And please, for the love of cranberry sauce, don’t give the kids anything with sugar. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
Here are some prize ideas that won’t break the bank or your sanity:
- The Golden Drumstick Award: Spray paint a turkey bone gold. It’s cheap, it’s tacky, it’s perfect.
- The Pilgrim’s Pride Certificate: A homemade certificate for “Excellence in Thanksgiving Spirit.” Bonus points if you use fancy font.
- The Leftover Lottery: Winner gets first dibs on leftover containers. It’s like Black Friday shopping, but for turkey sandwiches.
Remember, the best prize is bragging rights. And maybe not having to do the dishes. Now that’s something to be thankful for!
Your Turn
What’s the most hilarious Thanksgiving game fail you’ve ever witnessed? (Bonus points if it involved a frozen turkey or Aunt Edna!)