Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather with family and friends, share delicious food, and create lasting memories. And what better way to enhance those memories than with some engaging family games? Whether you’re looking for video game adventures or tabletop challenges, there’s a game out there to bring everyone together this Thanksgiving. This year, we dove into a variety of games perfect for holiday gatherings, offering something for every age and interest. Here are some top picks for Thanksgiving Family Games that are sure to entertain and delight.
LEGO Horizon Adventures
Aloy and a child character building LEGO structures in LEGO Horizon Adventures, showcasing cooperative thanksgiving family game fun.
For a delightful cooperative experience that’s perfect for families, LEGO Horizon Adventures is a standout choice. This game brilliantly reimagines the world of Horizon Zero Dawn in LEGO form, making it accessible and appealing to a younger audience while still captivating adults. Available on platforms like the Switch, it avoids the performance issues sometimes seen with larger LEGO titles. The charm of seeing the Horizon universe rendered entirely in LEGO bricks, from snowy landscapes to flowing rivers and robotic dinosaurs, is truly captivating. Even better, Sony has brought back the original voice cast, with Ashly Burch’s Aloy feeling particularly well-suited to this more lighthearted take on the character. It’s a fantastic way to introduce younger family members to the Horizon universe and enjoy a linear but cleverly designed adventure together as a Thanksgiving family game.
Monkey Palace
Children and adults playing Monkey Palace LEGO board game at a table, demonstrating a thanksgiving family game activity.
If you’re looking to bring the LEGO fun to the tabletop, Monkey Palace might seem like a natural fit. However, this competitive brick-building board game has some quirks to consider for your Thanksgiving family games lineup. Firstly, the age recommendation of 10+ on the box is accurate; the rules and strategy are likely too complex for younger children who might be drawn to the playful LEGO theme. Secondly, the LEGO pieces themselves, while charming, don’t always connect as reliably as expected. During gameplay, we found ourselves accidentally knocking over the decorative leafy elements while building towers more often than we’d like. While younger nephews (ages 4 and 8) enjoyed simply building freely with the pieces, the structured gameplay of Monkey Palace itself didn’t quite capture their attention as much as other, simpler Thanksgiving family games might. It’s something to be aware of if you’re planning on including this in your Thanksgiving festivities with younger participants.
Rivals of Aether 2
Three people playing Rivals of Aether 2 on a monitor, showcasing competitive thanksgiving family game action.
For families with older kids and adults who enjoy a bit of competitive gaming, Rivals of Aether 2 offers a fresh and engaging fighting experience. While clearly inspired by the Super Smash Bros. series – even to the point where one publisher is named Offbrand Games – Rivals of Aether 2 brings its own unique innovations to the genre. Players familiar with Melee will find the character archetypes recognizable, yet each fighter boasts unique abilities that set them apart. Imagine a beetle creating earth pillars, a hyena becoming invisible in self-summoned dust clouds, or a raccoon tethering opponents with ropes. While it might not have the sheer depth and character variety of its inspiration, Rivals of Aether 2 is an impressive achievement from an indie development team. It’s a surprisingly fun and competitive option for Thanksgiving family games, particularly for those who appreciate fighting games with a twist.
Jackbox Survey Scramble
A group of people laughing and playing Jackbox Survey Scramble on a Steam Deck, enjoying a thanksgiving family party game.
No list of family games, especially for a holiday gathering, is complete without mentioning Jackbox Games. This year, they released Survey Scramble, a standalone title that’s a fantastic addition to their catalog of party games and makes for an excellent Thanksgiving family game. Priced affordably, Survey Scramble feels like a hidden gem, possibly spun off from their main party packs. It offers a unique take on the “Family Feud” format, using survey data that’s constantly updated by a global player base. The “Hilo” mode is a particular highlight, but the entire game provided hours of entertainment. Despite some initial tech hiccups with the Steam Deck, Survey Scramble proved to be a hit, easily shared and enjoyed with family members across different locations. If you’re looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for your Thanksgiving family games night, Jackbox Survey Scramble is a top recommendation.
This Thanksgiving, consider adding these games to your family gathering for extra fun and connection. From collaborative LEGO adventures to competitive fighters and hilarious party games, there are plenty of options to make your holiday even more memorable. Embrace the joy of gaming together and create some new Thanksgiving traditions!
