acozyfuture.com – Planning activities to keep the kids entertained during Thanksgiving can be a challenge, especially when you're juggling family, food prep, and festivities. The last thing you want is bored children creating chaos while you're trying to enjoy the holiday.Â
Luckily, there are plenty of Thanksgiving games that will keep the kids engaged and even get the whole family involved. In this blog, we’ve compiled the 15 best Thanksgiving games for kids; fun, easy to set up, and guaranteed to bring laughter and joy to your family celebration!
Top 15 Fun Thanksgiving Games to Keep the Family Entertained
Thanksgiving is an ideal occasion to come together with family, savor a delicious feast, and create lasting memories following Halloween. But once the turkey is carved and everyone’s settled in, what better way to keep the energy high than with some fun games?Â
Check out these top 15 Thanksgiving games for kids that are sure to entertain the whole family!
Thanksgiving Games for Kids: Turkey Hunt
Hide small toy turkeys or turkey cutouts around the house or yard. Give each child a list of clues to find them. You can also number the turkeys and assign point values for each one. The player with the most points at the end wins a prize.
Similar to an Easter egg hunt, this game creates excitement as kids search for hidden turkeys. It can be played indoors or outdoors, making it versatile. The hunt also adds an element of friendly competition.
Thanksgiving Charades
Image from 'hips hearstapps'
Write down Thanksgiving-themed words or phrases on pieces of paper (e.g., "carving a turkey", "watching the parade", "eating pie"). Players take turns drawing a slip of paper and acting out the word or phrase without speaking while others try to guess what it is.
Charades is a classic family game that can get everyone laughing. The Thanksgiving theme adds a festive twist, and even younger kids can join in by acting out simpler actions like "eating" or "running".
Thanksgiving Game for Kids:Â Turkey Tag
This is a lively version of the freeze tag. Designate one player as “it” who chases the other players, trying to tag them.Â
Once tagged, a player has to freeze in place and flap their arms like a turkey while making gobbling sounds. Another player who hasn't been tagged can "unfreeze" the player by tagging them.
The turkey theme adds humor to a classic game. Kids usually love pretending to be turkeys, keeping them physically active. A good way to burn off energy before or after a big meal!
Thanksgiving Pictionary
Image from Chris Glass
Divide players into teams. Each player takes turns drawing a Thanksgiving-related word or phrase (e.g., a turkey, mashed potatoes, or a pilgrim) while their team guesses what it is within a set time limit. You can use a whiteboard, chalkboard, or large sheets of paper for drawing.
Pictionary brings out creativity and laughter as players try to guess drawings that may not always turn out as expected. The Thanksgiving theme makes it festive, and it’s a perfect game for a mixed-age group.
Thanksgiving Games for Kids:Â Feather Relay Race
Divide kids into teams. Each player must balance a lightweight craft feather on a spoon and race from one end of the room or yard to the other without dropping it. If the feather falls, they have to start over from the beginning. The team that finishes first wins.
This Thanksgiving game encourages teamwork and coordination. Balancing a feather on a spoon is harder than it looks, and kids love the challenge. The race element keeps the energy high and adds a bit of friendly competition.
A Game for Thanksgiving:Â Stuff the Turkey
Create a large cardboard cutout of a turkey with a hole in its mouth or belly. Give kids small bean bags, softballs, or other items that represent "stuffing".Â
The goal is to toss the items into the turkey’s opening from a certain distance. The player who gets the most items into the turkey wins.
Kids love tossing games, and adding the theme of “stuffing the turkey” brings it right in line with Thanksgiving. It’s an engaging, active game that also helps develop motor skills.
Thanksgiving Games for Kids:Â Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Image from Toddler Approved
Create a large tic-tac-toe grid using masking tape on the floor or draw one on a chalkboard. Use small pumpkins or gourds as the "X" and "O" pieces. Players take turns placing their pumpkin in a square, trying to get three in a row.
This classic game gets a festive twist with pumpkins or gourds, making it perfect for Thanksgiving. It’s easy enough for younger kids to understand and can be played repeatedly without losing interest.
A Game for Thanksgiving: Pass the Pumpkin
Sit the kids in a circle and give them a small pumpkin. Play some festive music and have the kids pass the pumpkin around the circle. When the music stops, the player holding the pumpkin is "out". Keep playing until only one player is left.
This Thanksgiving game is similar to "Hot Potato" but uses a pumpkin instead. It’s a fun, easy game that builds excitement as kids try to avoid being caught with the pumpkin when the music stops.
Thanksgiving Simon Says
Play a themed version of "Simon Says" using Thanksgiving-related commands like "Simon says gobble like a turkey," "Simon says pretend to mash potatoes," or "Simon says pass the gravy". The key is to only follow the actions when the command starts with "Simon says".
Kids love playing Simon Says, and the Thanksgiving theme makes it even more entertaining. It’s great for helping younger kids improve their listening skills while keeping them active.
Thanksgiving Game for Kids:Â Turkey Balloon Pop
Fill balloons with small prizes or notes. Attach paper feathers to the balloons to make them look like turkeys. Kids take turns popping a balloon to find the prize inside.
Popping balloons is always exciting for kids, and the added surprise of a prize makes it even more thrilling. This game combines the fun of crafting with the excitement of a treasure hunt.
Thanksgiving Puzzle Race
Purchase or create Thanksgiving-themed puzzles. Divide the kids into teams and give each team a puzzle. The first team to complete their puzzle wins.
Kids enjoy puzzles, and the race element adds excitement. It also encourages teamwork and problem-solving, making it both fun and educational.
Thanksgiving Bingo
Create Thanksgiving-themed Bingo cards with pictures like a turkey, pumpkin pie, corn, or a pilgrim hat. As the game master, call out images from a random selection, and players mark their cards if they have the image. The first player to complete a row or column shouts "Bingo" and wins.
Bingo is fun for all ages and easy to set up. It’s a great quiet game for after dinner or during family downtime. You can offer small Thanksgiving-themed prizes for added excitement.
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Thanksgiving Games for Kids:Â Turkey Baster Relay
Give each child a turkey baster and a lightweight object like a cotton ball or feather. Set up a racecourse where kids use only the air from the turkey baster to push the object across the finish line. The first to finish the race wins.
The challenge of using a turkey baster to move an object adds a level of fun and difficulty to this relay race. Kids will love the silliness of the game, and it’s also great for developing fine motor skills.
Thanksgiving Word Search
Create a Thanksgiving-themed word search puzzle with words like "turkey", "pilgrims", "harvest", and "gravy". Give each child a copy and see who can find all the words the fastest.
Word searches are both entertaining and educational, helping kids improve their vocabulary and spelling skills. The Thanksgiving theme makes it seasonal, and it can be done individually or as a group competition.
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A Game for Thanksgiving: Pumpkin Bowling
Set up bowling pins or empty plastic bottles in a triangular formation. Instead of using a bowling ball, roll a small pumpkin toward the pins and try to knock them down.Â
Each player gets two turns to knock down as many pins as possible, just like in traditional bowling.
Using a pumpkin instead of a bowling ball adds a layer of unpredictability, making the game even more enjoyable. The pumpkin's odd shape and uneven roll can result in lots of laughter as it wobbles toward the pins.
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And there you have it! What are your thoughts?
These Thanksgiving games are simple to organize and guaranteed to bring fun and excitement to your family’s celebration. Whether you're after energetic activities, brain teasers, or team challenges, these games will keep kids engaged while helping to create lasting memories.
Looking to make Thanksgiving even more enjoyable for your kids? Here's how to do it!
How to Make Thanksgiving Extra Fun for Your Kids
Here are some fantastic ideas to make Thanksgiving even more enjoyable for your little ones:
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Get Them Involved in Cooking Thanksgiving Meals
Let kids help with simple kitchen tasks (e.g., decorating cupcakes or mashing potatoes). It will make them feel important and engaged in the holiday prep.
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Set Up a Thankful Tree on Thanksgiving
Make a Thankful Tree where kids can write down what they’re grateful for on paper leaves and hang them on a tree or board. This helps kids reflect on the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
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Create a Kids' Table for Thanksgiving
Set up a special table for kids with fun decorations, activity placemats, and colorful tableware. Include crayons, stickers, and Thanksgiving-themed crafts to keep them entertained.
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Thanksgiving Movie Marathon
After dinner, host a Thanksgiving movie marathon with family-friendly films like "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" or other seasonal favorites.
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Bake Thanksgiving Treats Together
Get the kids involved in baking fun Thanksgiving treats like turkey-shaped cookies or pumpkin pie. They'll love decorating their own desserts.
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Host a Mini Talent Show on Thanksgiving
Encourage kids to perform a mini talent show for the family, whether it's singing, dancing, or telling jokes. It’s a great way to make them feel special and keep their energy lively.
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Create a Gratitude Jar to Celebrate Thanksgiving
Throughout the day, ask kids to write down things they're thankful for and put them in a Gratitude Jar. At the end of the day, gather around and read them out loud together.
In addition to Thanksgiving games, these activities will surely make Thanksgiving a memorable experience for the whole family, especially for the little ones!
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with the whole family, and incorporating engaging games for kids can elevate the holiday experience. By selecting games that encourage teamwork, creativity, and physical activity, you not only keep the children entertained but also foster a sense of togetherness and holiday spirit.
Thanksgiving games serve as a fantastic way to break the ice, spark conversations, and ensure that every family member, young and old, enjoys the festivities.Â
So, as you plan your Thanksgiving celebrations this year, consider incorporating these fun and festive Thanksgiving games into your festivities. Watch as your holiday becomes even more memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved!
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