Thanksgiving is more than just a feast; it’s a cherished time for families to come together, share laughter, and create lasting memories. While delicious food and heartwarming conversations are central to the celebration, adding some fun and engaging games can truly elevate your Thanksgiving gathering. If you’re looking to inject extra joy and excitement into your holiday, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a fantastic list of Family Thanksgiving Games that cater to all ages, ensuring everyone from grandparents to toddlers can participate and have a blast. Whether you’re hosting a large extended family or a cozy intimate gathering, these games will keep everyone entertained before, during, or after the big meal.
four images showing a family playing Thanksgiving games
Delightful Thanksgiving Games for Every Family
Planning Thanksgiving festivities often involves finding activities that bridge the generation gap and appeal to diverse interests. The beauty of family Thanksgiving games lies in their ability to foster connection and create shared experiences that everyone will treasure. From quick and energetic minute-to-win-it challenges to more relaxed and strategic group games, our selection offers something for every family dynamic. These games are not only entertaining but also provide a wonderful opportunity to step away from screens, engage with each other, and make the most of this special holiday.
Thanksgiving Minute to Win It Games: Fast-Paced Fun for All Ages
Minute to win it games are a fantastic option for keeping energy levels high and attention spans engaged, especially when you have a mix of ages in your family gathering. These quick, simple, and often hilarious challenges are perfect for pre-dinner entertainment or to inject some excitement after the Thanksgiving meal. You can easily set up a series of these games and rotate through them, keeping everyone on their toes and eager to participate. For those unfamiliar, minute to win it games are challenges designed to be completed in under a minute using readily available household items. They are adaptable for individual play or team competitions, adding to their versatility for family Thanksgiving games.
1 – Face the Pie: A Whipped Cream Challenge
Supplies: Gummy alphabet letters, pie tins, and whipped cream (spray or real).
How to Play: Before your Thanksgiving gathering, prepare pie tins by placing gummy letters spelling “P-I-E” in each tin. Cover the letters generously with whipped cream and refrigerate until game time. Players must race to eat through the whipped cream to find all three letters in their pie. Once found, they need to unscramble the letters to spell “PIE”. Provide extra pie tins for players to place their found letters for easier unscrambling. The first to correctly spell “PIE” wins this deliciously messy family Thanksgiving game.
Pie eating Thanksgiving games are such fun
2 – The Mayflower Race: Cork Boat Challenge
Supplies: Under-the-bed storage container, small corks, fake flowers, and plastic straws (optional).
How to Play: Fill a large under-bed storage container with water. Give each player a small cork with a fake flower inserted into it – this is their “Mayflower”. Players start at one end of the water container and must blow their cork boat to the opposite end. They can blow directly or use a plastic straw. The first “Mayflower” to reach the other side wins this breath-powered family Thanksgiving game.
3 – Shake Your Tail Feathers: Feather Frenzy
Supplies: Rectangular tissue boxes, pantyhose, and craft feathers.
How to Play: Prepare each game set by emptying a tissue box and filling it with craft feathers. Secure a pair of pantyhose to each box so the box sits in the middle. Players tie the pantyhose around their waist, positioning the tissue box at their lower back. The goal is to shake and move until all the feathers fall out of the tissue box. The first player to empty their box wins this silly and active family Thanksgiving game.
4 – Feather Float: Keep it Airborne
Supplies: Lightweight craft feathers.
How to Play: Give each player a light feather. The challenge is to keep the feather floating in the air for as long as possible by only blowing on it. For individual play, aim for a full minute. For team or head-to-head play, the person who keeps their feather aloft the longest wins. This simple yet engaging game is perfect for all ages and skill levels, making it an inclusive family Thanksgiving game.
Boys blowing feathers in some Thanksgiving family games
5 – Football Flick: Paper Football Accuracy
Supplies: Paper footballs (or mini footballs), buckets or pots, masking tape, and markers.
How to Play: Set up various buckets or baskets at different distances. Assign point values to each target using masking tape and markers – further buckets get higher points (e.g., 7 points for farthest, 3 for middle, 1 for closest). Players flick paper footballs (or mini footballs) into the buckets, trying to score as many points as possible within one minute. Alternatively, teams can compete to reach 21 points first using different colored footballs. This game combines skill and friendly competition, making it a hit among family Thanksgiving games.
Flicking footballs in hilarious Thanksgiving family games
6 – The Goblet Gobble: Chin-to-Neck Transfer
Supplies: Plastic goblets and orange ping pong balls.
How to Play: Place a goblet for each player or team on a table at one end of the room. At the opposite end, set up a pile of orange ping pong balls. Players must transfer three ping pong balls from the starting point to their goblet. The catch? They can only hold the ping pong ball between their chin and neck – no hands allowed! The first to successfully transfer three balls wins this challenging and humorous family Thanksgiving game.
7 – Please Pass the Corn: Candy Corn Relay
Supplies: Candy corn, popsicle sticks, and shallow bowls or pie tins.
How to Play: This game is played in pairs. Each team gets two popsicle sticks, a bowl of candy corn, and an empty bowl. Both players put a popsicle stick in their mouth. The first player uses their popsicle stick to pick up a piece of candy corn and then transfers it to their teammate’s popsicle stick (no hands!). The teammate then transfers the candy corn to the empty bowl. The team that transfers the most candy corn in one minute wins this sweet and skillful family Thanksgiving game.
8 – Traffic Yam: Spoon and Yam Race
Supplies: Raw yams (sweet potatoes), metal spoons, and painter’s tape (or line marker).
How to Play: Give each player a raw yam and a metal spoon. Players start with their yam on the ground at one side of the room. They must use the spoon to push their yam across a finish line marked with painter’s tape on the other side and then back to the starting line. The first to complete the round trip wins. The chaos of multiple yams rolling in different directions makes this family Thanksgiving game incredibly funny, and players can even strategically (or accidentally!) push opponents’ yams off course.
Using a spoon to roll a yam in a Thanksgiving games competition
9 – Reverse Traffic Yam: Yam and Spoon Balance
Supplies: Raw yams, metal spoons, and painter’s tape (or line marker).
How to Play: Similar to Traffic Yam, but with a balancing twist. Players place a yam on their spoon and walk across the room to a marked line and back, holding the yam on the spoon like an egg race. If the yam falls, they must return to the start. For added difficulty, have them walk backward! The first to cross the finish line with their yam still on the spoon wins this test of balance and coordination, perfect for family Thanksgiving games.
10 – Corn to Copia: Blindfolded Corn Toss
Supplies: Fake corn, empty cornucopia, and a blindfold.
How to Play: This game requires teams of two. One player on each team is blindfolded and holds a cornucopia on one side of the room. Their teammate stands about ten feet away with a bucket of fake corn. The sighted player must throw the corn “football style” to their blindfolded teammate, who tries to catch it in the cornucopia. Teams can decide if they need to catch one or three corns to win, depending on difficulty preference. Communication and teamwork are key in this engaging family Thanksgiving game.
These 12 Thanksgiving games are not only funny, they’re perfect for any age – for kids, for teens, for adults, for family, and even for toddlers! Played in minute to win it style, you can DIY these quickly then play inside or outdoor. So skip the scavenger hunt and other activities and try these Thanksgiving party games this Thanksgiving instead. I know I will be!
11 – Turkey Bowl: Ping Pong Toss
Supplies: Fish bowl, stuffed or plastic turkey, and colored ping pong balls.
How to Play: Place a fish bowl with a plastic or stuffed turkey inside in the center of the playing area. Set up bowls of different colored ping pong balls in four directions (front, back, left, right) around 10 feet away from the fish bowl. Players try to bounce ping pong balls into the turkey bowl. Teams can use different colored balls to compete. The first player or team to successfully land a ping pong ball (or more, for a greater challenge) into the turkey bowl wins this simple and fun family Thanksgiving game.
12 – A Bit Corny: Candy Corn Balance
Supplies: Popsicle sticks and candy corn.
How to Play: Players hold a popsicle stick in their mouth. Starting with just the stick, they must carefully balance and add candy corn one by one to the stick. The first player to successfully balance six candy corns on the popsicle stick wins this test of steadiness, perfect for family Thanksgiving games.
13 – Hut, Hut, Hoop: Toilet Paper Hike
Supplies: Toilet paper rolls and a hoop (like a toy hoop or even a hula hoop).
How to Play: Place a hoop about 15 feet away. Players must bend over and “hike” toilet paper rolls through the hoop, football style. Set a target number of rolls to get through the hoop within one minute. This combines physical activity with a touch of football fun, making it an energetic family Thanksgiving game.
Collage of two images showing a girl holding a hoop and hutting toilet paper
14 – Linemen Challenge: Oreo Slide
Supplies: Oreo cookies and a football-themed tablecloth (or any lined surface).
How to Play: Players stand at one end of a table covered with a football tablecloth (or a surface with lines). They slide Oreo cookies, trying to land them so they are touching a line on the tablecloth. The first player to land an Oreo (a “lineman”) on each of the lines fastest, or within a minute, wins. This is a fun and strategic family Thanksgiving game that’s easy to set up.
Floor Inspired Thanksgiving Game: Picture Guessing Fun
Inspired by popular game shows, this interactive game brings a unique twist to family Thanksgiving games. Players compete head-to-head to guess Thanksgiving-themed images – foods, movies, and more – displayed in a slideshow format. This game is easily accessible with free downloadable slideshows, making it a convenient and engaging option for all ages.
collage of images showing people playing a floor inspired thanksgiving game
Thanksgiving Price is Right: Guess the Feast Costs
Add a touch of friendly competition to your Thanksgiving preparations with this engaging game. “Thanksgiving Price is Right” challenges players to guess the prices of common Thanksgiving feast ingredients. It’s a fun and educational game that the whole family can enjoy, perfect for pre-dinner entertainment or a post-meal activity. This game provides a lighthearted way to appreciate the effort and cost that goes into the Thanksgiving meal, making it a unique family Thanksgiving game.
Thanksgiving Wishes Game: A Game of Majority Rules
This is a delightful family Thanksgiving game that encourages interaction and reveals family preferences. Someone reads an “I wish…” statement, and everyone chooses their favorite option from four provided choices. Players earn points for matching the majority answer. This game is perfect for playing around the Thanksgiving table and sparks interesting conversations as family members discuss their choices. Printable versions of the game are readily available for easy setup.
colored pieces of paper with numbers of them, white pieces of paper and scissors
Pumpkin Roll: Fall-Themed Target Game
Embrace the fall spirit with a Pumpkin Roll game! Players roll a pumpkin and try to land it within a taped-out game board to win prizes. This simple and adaptable game is perfect for Thanksgiving and other fall parties. It’s easy to customize the game board size and prize levels to suit your family’s preferences, making it a versatile family Thanksgiving game.
Turkey Hunt: A Thanksgiving Scavenger Adventure
Turn your Thanksgiving celebration into an exciting adventure with a Turkey Hunt! The host hides a turkey (stuffed animal or decoration) and everyone searches for it throughout the day. The finder wins a prize and then re-hides the turkey for another round. This game can continue throughout the day, offering ongoing entertainment and prize opportunities. Alternatively, it can be adapted into a more structured Thanksgiving scavenger hunt with clues and riddles. Printable turkey hunt game materials are available to simplify setup, making it an engaging family Thanksgiving game.
Ceramic turkey being held in a woman
Thanksgiving Family Feud: Holiday Edition
Bring the excitement of a classic game show to your Thanksgiving gathering with Thanksgiving Family Feud! This version features Thanksgiving-themed questions, making it a fun and engaging way to test your family’s holiday knowledge. It’s a fantastic game for larger family gatherings and encourages team participation and friendly competition. You can find question sets online that are specifically designed for Thanksgiving, ensuring relevant and entertaining content for this family Thanksgiving game.
Thanksgiving Bingo: Festive Card Fun
Bingo is a timeless classic that gets a Thanksgiving makeover with Thanksgiving Bingo! Use printable Thanksgiving bingo cards featuring holiday-themed images or words for a fun and relaxed game suitable for all ages. It’s a great option for quieter moments during Thanksgiving or for entertaining younger guests. Thanksgiving bingo cards are readily available online, making it an easy-to-implement family Thanksgiving game.
Thanksgiving bingo card with bingo markers
Thanksgiving Outburst: Category Yelling Game
Outburst is a high-energy word association game that’s always a crowd-pleaser. Thanksgiving Outburst uses Thanksgiving-themed categories, challenging teams to shout out words that fit the category within a time limit. It’s a fast-paced and hilarious game that’s easy for even younger children to participate in, especially with categories like “Thanksgiving Desserts” or “Football Teams.” Downloadable Thanksgiving outburst cards are available for convenient play, making it a lively family Thanksgiving game.
Thanksgiving Pictionary: Holiday Drawing Guesses
Unleash your family’s artistic (or not-so-artistic!) talents with Thanksgiving Pictionary. This classic drawing and guessing game gets a Thanksgiving twist with holiday-themed words and phrases. Divide into teams and take turns drawing Thanksgiving-related items for your team to guess. It’s a simple yet engaging game that encourages creativity and laughter, making it a staple for family Thanksgiving games.
Thanksgiving Pictionary words and other Thanksgiving items
Gratitude Punch Game: Expressing Thanks with Treats
Combine the fun of a punch game with the spirit of Thanksgiving gratitude with the Gratitude Punch Game. This creative game involves creating a punch board with cups filled with gratitude prompts and Thanksgiving snacks. Players punch through a cup, answer the gratitude question inside, and enjoy the treat. It’s a meaningful and interactive way to encourage reflection on thankfulness while enjoying some holiday goodies, making it a heartwarming family Thanksgiving game.
Gratitude Skittles Game: Colorful Conversation Starters
For a simpler gratitude-focused game, try the Gratitude Skittles Game. This game uses a bag of Skittles and a printable gratitude game sheet. Players take turns picking a Skittle and answering a gratitude question based on the color they chose. It’s a low-prep and engaging way to spark conversations about thankfulness and appreciation around the Thanksgiving table, making it a thoughtful family Thanksgiving game.
Gratitude game board
Thanksgiving Charades: Act Out the Holiday
Charades is a timeless party game that’s easily adapted for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Charades involves acting out Thanksgiving-themed words or phrases for your team to guess. It’s a fun and active game that gets everyone moving and laughing. For a twist, try Reverse Charades, where the whole team acts out the word while one person guesses. Charades is a guaranteed hit for family Thanksgiving games, bringing out the silly side in everyone.
Thanksgiving Would You Rather: Hilarious Holiday Choices
Spark laughter and lively debates with Thanksgiving Would You Rather questions. These questions present funny and thought-provoking holiday scenarios, prompting players to choose between two equally amusing (or challenging) options. Turn it into a game by having players try to guess the majority answer, adding a competitive element to the fun. This game is perfect for relaxed Thanksgiving gatherings and encourages everyone to share their opinions and senses of humor, making it a lighthearted family Thanksgiving game.
Thanksgiving Dice Game: Rolling for Kindness
Another variation on a gratitude game is the Thanksgiving Dice Game. This game incorporates dice to prompt players to express appreciation for each other. Players roll a die, and the number rolled corresponds to a direction to say something nice about a specific person at the table. It’s a simple and heartwarming game that promotes positive interactions and expressions of gratitude, making it a meaningful family Thanksgiving game.
Cup Football Game: Tabletop Touchdowns
For football-loving families, the Cup Football Game is a quick, easy, and fun tabletop game to play during Thanksgiving. Using just plastic cups and a football, players try to score “touchdowns” by throwing the football into the cups. It’s a fast-paced game that’s perfect for playing between watching football games on TV or as a warm-up activity. Each round takes just minutes, ensuring everyone can participate in this engaging family Thanksgiving game.
Man throwing a football at yellow and brown cups on a table
Pick a Play Game: Football Prediction Fun
Extend the football theme with the Pick a Play Game. This simple game is ideal for families who enjoy watching football on Thanksgiving. Players get cards representing football plays (long pass, run, short pass) and choose which play they think the team will make next. Correct guesses keep players in the game, while incorrect guesses eliminate them. It’s a quick and engaging way to add an interactive element to watching football, making it a perfect family Thanksgiving game for sports enthusiasts.
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Conclusion: Games for a Memorable Thanksgiving
Incorporating family Thanksgiving games into your holiday celebration is a wonderful way to create joyful memories and strengthen family bonds. From minute-to-win-it challenges to word games and gratitude activities, there’s a wide variety of options to suit every family’s preferences and age ranges. These games not only provide entertainment but also encourage interaction, laughter, and shared experiences that will make your Thanksgiving truly special. So, this year, go beyond the feast and elevate your Thanksgiving with some fun and engaging games that everyone will love and remember for years to come.
