Thanksgiving isn’t just about family anymore; Friendsgiving has become the ultimate way to celebrate with your chosen family—your friends! While sharing a meal is always the highlight, games add that extra touch to make the gathering unforgettable. Think of them as the secret ingredient to a Friendsgiving that has everyone laughing and bonding over shared memories.
Instead of just eating and chatting, games bring energy to the room and give guests a chance to connect, especially if it’s a mixed group of old and new friends. There’s something magical about that moment when everyone is laughing together, cheering each other on, or getting competitive in the best way. So if you’re ready to level up your Friendsgiving, read on to find 19 unique and fun games that are sure to be a hit.
1. Charades with a Friendsgiving Twist
Charades is a timeless game that everyone knows, but adding a Friendsgiving theme gives it a fresh, festive feel. Use words and phrases related to Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving for a funny, seasonal twist.
Split your guests into teams and give each team a set of holiday-related clues. From pumpkin pie to awkward family stories, these clues are sure to spark laughter as friends attempt to act them out. Watching someone act like a roasted turkey might just be the highlight of the night!
2. Friendsgiving Trivia
Trivia is a perfect game to add a little competition while letting everyone show off their holiday knowledge. Prepare questions centered around Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving traditions, or even personal memories of past gatherings.
Try questions like “Who hosted the first Friendsgiving?” or “What was the first dish last year?” It’s a fun way to add personal memories to the mix. Trivia is an easy, engaging activity that sparks both laughs and “a-ha” moments as people try to remember the answers.
3. Pin the Tail on the Turkey
Pin the Tail on the Turkey is a hilarious twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” This lighthearted game is sure to bring a bit of nostalgia and plenty of laughs to your gathering.
Set up a paper turkey on the wall and give each guest a paper feather. Blindfold each player, spin them around, and let them try their luck at placing their feather on the turkey! The results are often hilarious, with feathers ending up far from where they’re supposed to be, making this game a surefire crowd-pleaser.
4. Thankful ABCs
Thankful ABCs is a thoughtful game that brings everyone together to share gratitude in a fun, laid-back way. It’s also easy to play and doesn’t require any materials, making it a perfect post-dinner activity.
Start with the letter A and go around the room with each person naming something they’re thankful for. For example, someone might say “A is for apple pie,” followed by “B is for best friends.” It’s a beautiful way to hear everyone’s thoughts, bringing warmth to the celebration.
5. Pumpkin Bocce Ball
If you’re looking for a game that gets everyone outside, try pumpkin bocce ball. It’s a unique twist on traditional bocce, using small pumpkins instead of balls for a truly autumnal experience.
Create a simple target area in your yard, and have guests take turns rolling their pumpkins as close to the target as possible. It’s surprisingly challenging, and the unpredictable rolls of the pumpkins will have everyone laughing in no time. A fantastic way to enjoy the crisp fall air together!
6. Friendsgiving Pictionary
Friendsgiving Pictionary is the perfect game to unleash everyone’s creative side while adding a dose of laughter. You’ll need a whiteboard or large pad of paper, and a list of Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving-related phrases to draw.
Divide guests into teams and have one person from each team take turns drawing their clues. Watching people attempt to draw “cranberry sauce” or “turkey nap” always leads to hilarious moments. The combination of creativity and teamwork makes this game a crowd favorite.
7. Two Truths and a Turkey
Put a Friendsgiving twist on “Two Truths and a Lie” by calling it “Two Truths and a Turkey.” This game is a relaxed, fun way to learn quirky things about your friends that you may never have known before.
Each guest shares two true statements and one “turkey” (a lie) about their Thanksgiving traditions or funny holiday stories. The group then tries to guess which statement is the lie. It’s a wonderful way to laugh together and discover surprising facts about each other.
8. Turkey Bowling
Turkey Bowling adds a hands-on, silly element to your celebration. Set up a makeshift bowling alley using empty bottles as pins and a small pumpkin as the bowling ball.
Line up the bottles in a triangular formation, and let guests take turns rolling the pumpkin to knock down as many “pins” as they can. It’s an easy, energetic game that brings out everyone’s competitive side and guarantees a good time.
9. Would You Rather: Friendsgiving Edition
Would You Rather is always a hit, and for Friendsgiving, you can add a holiday twist to make it more relevant and fun. Create a list of Thanksgiving-themed “Would You Rather” questions to get everyone thinking and laughing.
Questions like “Would you rather host or attend Friendsgiving?” or “Would you rather have turkey every day or only once a year?” make for interesting answers. This game is perfect for sparking conversation and finding out what your friends really think about holiday traditions.
10. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Get everyone up and moving with a quick Friendsgiving scavenger hunt. Hide small, Friendsgiving-themed items around your home or yard for a festive twist on the classic scavenger hunt.
Pair up guests and give each team a list of items to find, like a mini pumpkin, a decorative leaf, or even a specific snack. It’s a great way to add a burst of energy to your gathering, and everyone will enjoy the thrill of racing to find each item.
11. Memory Match Game
If you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed game, try a Thanksgiving memory match game. All you need is a set of cards featuring Thanksgiving-themed images or words.
Lay the cards face down, and let each player take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find a match. It’s a simple yet engaging game that’s perfect for winding down and sharing a laugh as everyone struggles to remember where each card is.
12. Friendsgiving Bingo
Friendsgiving Bingo is an easy, ongoing game that can last throughout the evening. Create bingo cards filled with common Friendsgiving phrases, activities, or even specific foods.
Guests mark off items on their cards as they come up during the night. The first person to complete a row or column wins! It’s a fun, low-key way to keep everyone engaged and adds a little extra anticipation to the evening.
13. Name That Thanksgiving Tune
Put everyone’s music knowledge to the test with a Thanksgiving-themed version of “Name That Tune.” Choose songs that are holiday-related or bring up feelings of togetherness and celebration.
Play short clips from each song and let guests guess the title. It’s a perfect game for music lovers and brings a lively, energetic vibe to the evening as everyone tries to recognize each tune.
14. Thanksgiving Family Feud
Bring the classic game show feel to Friendsgiving with a holiday-themed Family Feud. Divide your friends into two teams and challenge them with Thanksgiving-related questions.
For instance, questions like “What’s the most popular Thanksgiving side dish?” or “Name something people do after the Thanksgiving meal” make for fun rounds. It’s a brilliant way to get everyone involved and laughing as they work together to come up with answers.
15. Pumpkin Painting
If your Friendsgiving group includes some crafty souls, set up a pumpkin painting station. It’s a relaxing, creative activity that everyone can enjoy at their own pace.
Provide mini pumpkins, paint, brushes, and a few decorative items like glitter and stickers. Friends can decorate their pumpkins and take them home as a fun reminder of the evening. It’s a perfect low-stress way to unwind and add a touch of creativity to your gathering.
16. Guess the Ingredient
Put your friends’ culinary skills to the test with a game of “Guess the Ingredient.” Choose a few dishes from the Friendsgiving table and challenge guests to identify the main ingredients.
Each guest takes turns tasting a dish and writing down the ingredients they think are included. It’s a surprising, fun challenge that also gives everyone a chance to share their food knowledge and cooking tips.
17. Post-It Note Game
Also known as the “Who Am I?” game, this activity involves writing Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving-related names or items on sticky notes for guests to guess.
Each person sticks a note on their forehead without looking and asks yes-or-no questions to figure out what’s written on their note. It’s simple, lighthearted, and a great way to bring everyone together in laughter as they guess who or what they are.
18. Truth or Turkey
A Friendsgiving twist on Truth or Dare, this game gives guests the option to share a fun truth or perform a playful dare. With a Friendsgiving twist, you can make the game holiday-themed.
For example, a dare might be to gobble like a turkey, while a truth might be sharing a funny holiday memory. This game keeps everyone laughing and brings a lighthearted touch to the
evening.
19. Hot Pumpkin
Hot Pumpkin is like the classic “hot potato” game, but with a pumpkin! It’s fast-paced, easy, and a great way to bring high-energy fun to your Friendsgiving.
Guests pass a mini pumpkin around in a circle while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the pumpkin is out, and the game continues until only one person is left. It’s a perfect way to end the night with laughter and a little friendly competition.
Conclusion
Friendsgiving is about sharing joy and creating lasting memories with friends who feel like family. Adding games to your celebration creates opportunities to laugh, bond, and share in the warmth of the holiday spirit. From creative challenges to nostalgic favorites, these games ensure everyone has a fantastic time. So gather your friends, set up these games, and prepare for a Friendsgiving celebration filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Happy Friendsgiving!