Take Turkey Day to the next level with these fun Thanksgiving games
It's hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is nearly here.
Along with putting the finishing touches on this year's dinner and deciding which classic holiday movie to watch on TV after dessert, you might be wondering how to fill that inevitable downtime between courses.
Of course, there's always telling a few corny dad jokes or Thanksgiving puns to get the crowd laughing. Or keep your guests entertained with some interesting trivia questions and answers that are all about Thanksgiving.
But perhaps the best way to get everyone involved is to play a few spirited Thanksgiving games.
To help get the yam rolling, we've collected a variety of Thanksgiving activities that offer a little something for just about everyone in the family, right down to preschoolers and tots.
Not to worry, there are also plenty of games for teens and adults, too, like Thanksgiving Bingo or a Turkey Day photo booth with Thanksgiving-themed props to capture the day's most memorable moments. Just think of all the cute pics you can post on Instagram with a Thanksgiving caption or a funny quote!
Play one of these fun Thanksgiving games while family and friends wait for dinner, or save them for after dessert. Either way, you're bound to have a blast. And, who knows, maybe your round of games will start a new Thanksgiving tradition to enjoy for years to come.
Gobble & Gab
Get the conversation started with this cute and clever jar of questions that are sure to break the ice and get friends and family engaged.
Get the tutorial at The Dating Divas.
Thanksgiving I-Spy
Keep the little ones busy with this Thanksgiving game that has players counting how many turkeys, pumpkins, Pilgrims and other on-theme items they can find in this cute printable.
Get the tutorial at The Crafting Chicks.
Thanksgiving sticker turkey activity
Players young and old will have fun decorating turkeys, the unofficial star of Thanksgiving. Use whatever stickers you have around the house or pick up a pack at the craft store.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Traffic yam
Kids and adults will be in stitches trying to keep their yams balanced on a spoon as they walk across the room. Whoever drops it has to start over again. The first to get their yam across the finish line wins.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Thanksgiving photo booth
Thanksgiving is all about making memories and there's no better way to capture the moment then by creating your own photo booth. Use props and Turkey Day-themed items to take fun photos, then post them with a Thanksgiving caption on Instagram.
Get the tutorial at The Dating Divas.
Paper bag turkey
This quick and easy craft will get everyone into the Thanksgiving spirit, especially elementary-aged kids. Not only do will they have a keepsake to take home, but they can use their turkeys to put on a puppet show for the gang.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas For Kids.
Shake your tailfeather game
Who knew tissue boxes could be so much fun? Hang on to your empties and use them to play this silly game that's sure to get the crowd giggling as participants shake their booties in order to win the game.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
I'm thankful from A to Z
Gratitude is the name of the game and everyone can join in expressing what they're thankful for with this easy, alphabetical prompt.
Get the tutorial at The Crafting Chicks.
Thanksgiving Scattergories
This free printable is a riff off the popular word game Scattergories, but with a Thanksgiving twist. Set the timer and see who can come up with Thanksgiving-themed words fastest.
Get the tutorial at The Crafting Chicks.
Play dough turkeys
Keep little hands busy while the real turkey cooks in the oven. When finished, these little turkeys are a fun party favor to take home.
Get the tutorial at The Littles & Me.
M&M turkey
It doesn't get much easier than this printable turkey that kids (and adults) can color, then decorate with M&M candies. It's a treat and activity all in one.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Leaf pile candy hunt
It's as straightforward as it sounds: Rake up a pile of leaves, hide some treats inside and send everyone outdoors for a scavenger hunt.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do.
Color-your-own tablecloth
Make the kids table the most popular place to sit this Thanksgiving by trading out the traditional tablecloth for a roll of white paper and some crayons. They'll love passing the time coloring and designing their just-for-them table.
Get the tutorial at The Littles & Me.
Thanksgiving cootie catchers
Talk about a blast from the past: This printable cootie catcher is filled with Thanksgiving jokes, ensuring that young and old will laugh their way through the holiday.
Get the tutorial at The Crafting Chicks.
Thanksgiving Pictionary
Take everyone's favorite drawing game to the next level by playing the Thanksgiving version. As expected, you'll be drawing and guessing holiday staples, everything from sweet potatoes to Pilgrims.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Thanksgiving charades
Everyone's favorite parlor game gets a Thanksgiving makeover. Keep the crowd guessing and laughing as they watch their loved ones try to act out whatever's on their card.
Get the tutorial at The Dating Divas.
Thanksgiving phone challengeGuests are probably on their smartphone, so you might as well make a game out of it. The object is to find photos on your camera roll that match the items on the list in as short amount of time as possible.
Get the tutorial at KC Edventures.
Roll a turkey
It's all up to chance in "Roll a Turkey," a high-stakes game that requires players to roll exactly the right number on the dice to collect each piece of the turkey. The first one to complete a gobbler wins the game.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Pumpkin number toss
This game is as easy as (pumpkin) pie! Attach pumpkin cut-outs to a blank wall, then call out a number and have kids attempt to hit it with a plush pumpkin. The one who hits the target most often wins!
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Haystack bowling
This one's bales of fun, even without the hay. Set up bowling pins in your backyard and have everyone attempt to get a strike or, at the very least, pick up the spare.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do.
Thanksgiving bingo
Sweeten things up by using candy corn to mark the squares. Even if you don't, this Thanksgiving-themed bingo is still a ton of fun for the whole family.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.
Stuff the turkey
No one will mind stuffing the turkey this year, especially since it's part of a game! The day before, assemble a turkey out of paper bags. Then challenge everyone to sink balls of tissue paper in the faux bird.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
'Would you rather?'
Would you rather eat leftovers or do dishes? See where your friends and families stand. You just might be surprised at what you discover about people you thought you knew!
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Pumpkin tic-tac-toe
Talk about functional decor: Grab the gourds off the table and use them to play a few rounds of tic-tac-toe.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Turkey bingo
Turkeys are the star of Thanksgiving, which means they their very own party game. Just print off calling cards and pick your markers — something edible (M&M's) or seasonal (pumpkin seeds or corn kernels).
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.
Thanksgiving dice game
You have two options: Roll the dice to find out who you should compliment or reflect on what you're most grateful for.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Candy corn ring toss
Get some fresh air after dinner by heading outdoors to play a game of candy corn ring toss. If you're playing at night, place a few glow-in-dark necklaces around each cone to illuminate them.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do.
Thanksgiving 'Family Feud'
If you like the game show, then you'll love this Thanksgiving-themed version that'll have the crowd battling it out to see who knows the most popular answers to various Thanksgiving trivia questions. "Family Feud" survey says? This one's a winner.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Pumpkin sweep
As pumpkin season wraps up, use up any leftover gourds to play a game of pumpkin sweep. Divide the gang into two teams and see which one can get the most pumpkins into the goal. The trick: No kicking or throwing allowed.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do.
Thanksgiving danger words game
This guessing game uses word clues to help players guess the correct Thanksgiving word on the card without guessing the "danger" word. What a challenge!
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
You've been gobbled!
Much like the "You've Been Booed" game played around Halloween, "You've Been Gobbled" is a thoughtful way to surprise friends and neighbors on Thanksgiving. Drop off a bag or basket of treats on someone's doorstep, then encourage them to pay it forward.
Get the tutorial at The Dating Divas.
Turkey wrap
Trade mummies for turkey legs this Thanksgiving. See who can successfully wrap participants in brown burlap or streamers from head to toe in one minute or less.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do.
Turkey feather hunt
Teach little ones color recognition in a fun and festive way. Hide the colored feathers around the house, then watch as they stick them to the wall, resulting in a multi-colored bird.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Gratitude sticks game
Instead of playing a traditional game of pick-up sticks, assign a task to each color. If they pick a red stick, they have to share who they'er most thankful for. Green sticks, on the other hand, are an opportunity to gush about their favorite Thanksgiving food. In the end, the person with the most sticks wins.
Get the tutorial at Game On Family.
Turkey hunt game
Send the crew on a turkey hunt — not the real kind, of course. Get their competitive juices flowing by offering prizes, including a get-out-of-doing-the-dishes reward, to the winners.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Pretend Thanksgiving feast
Let kids be a part of the day by giving them their own Thanksgiving feast to play pretend with. Grown-ups can join by letting kids serve them "dinner." Or work together to make centerpieces and other table decorations.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Thanksgiving parade scavenger hunt
Play a game while you watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Keep an eye out for this list of parade must-haves — Broadway dancers, marching bands and people holding balloons — and check them off as you see them.
Get the tutorial at KC Edventures.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
