Thanksgiving brings family and friends together for a delicious meal and warm conversation. But after indulging in the feast, keeping everyone entertained is key to creating lasting memories. Instead of letting guests drift off into post-turkey naps, why not introduce some engaging Thanksgiving party games to keep the laughter going?
Below, we’ll cover 21 creative and festive Thanksgiving games to add fun and excitement to your gathering. From classics like Bingo and Charades to unique activities like a Turkey Waddle Race, there’s something here for everyone!
1. Thanksgiving Bingo
Thanksgiving Bingo is a perfect way to kick off the fun and get everyone into the holiday spirit. Create Bingo cards with Thanksgiving-themed images instead of numbers—think pumpkins, pies, and leaves.
Set up a small prize for the first one to shout “Bingo” and watch the excitement grow. This game is easy to organize and suited for all ages, keeping everyone engaged while the turkey finishes roasting.
2. Turkey Feather Relay
The Turkey Feather Relay is a hilarious game that guarantees laughs as players blow feathers across a finish line. Instead of hands, players must use only their breath to move their feather.
Create a relay course with a few obstacles for added challenge, and see who can make it to the end without losing their feather. This light-hearted game is fun for all ages and is an easy way to break the ice among guests.
3. Cornucopia Toss
Cornucopia Toss is a Thanksgiving twist on classic cornhole that’s perfect for both kids and adults. Set up baskets or cornucopia-shaped targets, then have players toss small plush fruits or balls, aiming to land them inside.
Award points based on successful throws, and consider adding challenges or different scoring zones. Cornucopia Toss can be played indoors or outdoors, and you can adjust the difficulty to suit different ages and skill levels.
4. Thanksgiving Charades
Thanksgiving Charades puts a fun, holiday spin on this classic party game. Write Thanksgiving-related actions or themes on slips of paper, like “stuffing the turkey” or “falling leaves.”
Divide guests into teams, and let them take turns acting out these phrases without speaking. Charades is always a crowd-pleaser, and adding Thanksgiving themes brings a creative twist that guarantees plenty of laughter.
5. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
A Thanksgiving Gratitude Scavenger Hunt adds a heartfelt element to your party, encouraging guests to find things they’re thankful for. Create a list of prompts, such as “something that makes you happy” or “an item that smells good.”
Players search for objects around the house that match each description, reflecting on things they appreciate. This activity aligns with the Thanksgiving spirit, encouraging everyone to share moments of gratitude and appreciation.
6. Family Feud: Thanksgiving Edition
Family Feud with Thanksgiving questions brings lively competition to your celebration. Prepare questions like “What’s a popular Thanksgiving side dish?” and divide guests into teams to see who can guess the top answers.
This game is great for large groups and gets everyone involved, with lots of chances for funny, unexpected answers. It’s an excellent way to add a bit of friendly rivalry and get guests talking and laughing together.
7. Pin the Tail on the Turkey
Pin the Tail on the Turkey is an easy, crowd-pleasing game, especially for kids. Hang a large picture of a turkey without its tail, and give each player a “turkey tail” to pin on the poster.
Blindfold each participant, spin them around, and let them try to stick the tail in the correct spot. It’s a simple game that always delivers laughs as kids (and maybe some brave adults) test their skills.
8. Thanksgiving Pictionary
Thanksgiving Pictionary is an engaging way to get guests’ creative juices flowing. Write Thanksgiving-related words on cards, like “pumpkin pie” or “pilgrim,” then have each player draw their word while others guess.
It’s a quick and fun game that everyone can join in, and it brings out surprising artistic skills from your guests. Perfect for large groups, this game keeps everyone entertained and fosters teamwork and laughter.
9. Turkey Waddle Race
A Turkey Waddle Race is guaranteed to bring the laughs as participants “waddle” like turkeys across the finish line. Players balance a balloon or small ball between their knees and try to waddle without dropping it.
Set up a simple race course and let players go head-to-head in a series of “waddle” races. This game is silly, fun, and great for burning off post-dinner energy while keeping everyone in the Thanksgiving spirit.
10. Pumpkin Bowling
Pumpkin Bowling is a great way to add some Thanksgiving flair to bowling at home. Use small pumpkins as bowling balls and set up cans or bottles as pins.
Players take turns trying to knock down the pins, keeping score along the way. This festive game is simple to set up, suitable for all ages, and a fun way to work pumpkins into the celebration.
11. Thanksgiving Trivia
Thanksgiving Trivia challenges guests’ knowledge of holiday traditions, history, and fun facts. Prepare a mix of questions and divide guests into teams to see who knows Thanksgiving best.
This game brings a bit of friendly competition and can be tailored for all age levels, adding a fun intellectual challenge to the festivities. It’s a great choice for anyone who loves a good quiz.
12. Pass the Stuffing
Pass the Stuffing is a fast-paced, musical game that’s a Thanksgiving twist on “Hot Potato.” Guests sit in a circle and pass around a small stuffed turkey or similar object while music plays.
When the music stops, the person holding it is out, and play continues until only one person remains. It’s a simple game, easy to set up, and builds suspense with each round as guests laugh and cheer each other on.
13. Thanksgiving Scattergories
Thanksgiving Scattergories is ideal for groups who love word games and thinking fast. Pick Thanksgiving categories like “foods,” “fall items,” or “family activities,” and set a timer for each round.
Players must come up with a word for each category that starts with a chosen letter, and unique answers score the most points. It’s a creative game that sparks laughter as players come up with clever, often unexpected responses.
14. Pilgrim Hat Ring Toss
Pilgrim Hat Ring Toss is a festive game that’s easy to set up and play. Arrange Pilgrim hats on the floor and give players rings to toss, aiming to land them on the hats.
Adjust the distance to increase or decrease the difficulty level to suit all ages. This game is a fun mix of skill and luck, adding a touch of Pilgrim fun to your celebration.
15. Thanksgiving Mad Libs
Mad Libs brings out laughter and creativity, making it a hit at any gathering. Create a Thanksgiving-themed story with blanks for nouns, verbs, and adjectives, then let guests fill in the words without seeing the story.
Reading the results aloud guarantees laughter, as each story becomes a silly, unique creation. It’s a fantastic game for family members of all ages to create hilarious stories together.
16. Pie Eating Contest
Nothing beats a classic pie-eating contest if you’re ready for a deliciously messy game. Set up mini pies for each participant and challenge them to finish their pie first—no hands allowed.
It’s a fun way to satisfy sweet cravings and keep guests laughing as they try to eat pie without any utensils. Plus, it makes for great photos, capturing messy faces and lots of smiles.
17. Turkey Shoot
Turkey Shoot is a target game that adds a fun carnival element to Thanksgiving. Set up a target or stuffed turkey, and let guests use soft balls or bean bags to try to hit the turkey.
It’s an easy game for all ages that combines skill with fun, keeping everyone entertained and encouraging a little friendly competition. This game works indoors or out, making it versatile for any Thanksgiving setting.
18. Memory Game: Thanksgiving Edition
Test everyone’s memory with a Thanksgiving-themed memory game that’s both fun and challenging. Set up a tray of Thanksgiving items, allow guests a minute to observe, then cover the tray.
Players then list as many items as they remember, competing to see who has the best memory. This game is perfect for a quieter moment, allowing everyone to relax and focus.
19. Musical Mayflower
Musical Mayflower is a fun, Thanksgiving-themed version of musical chairs. Set up chairs in a circle, play some Thanksgiving music, and let guests walk around the circle.
When the music stops, players must find a seat—remove one chair each round until only one player remains. This classic game is lively and interactive, perfect for large gatherings.
20. Leaf Pile Obstacle Course
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving outdoors, a leaf pile obstacle course is a fun, adventurous game. Use raked leaves to create paths or obstacles, and let guests race through the course.
It’s great for kids, burning off energy while adding a seasonal, outdoor element to the celebration. A bit of physical activity keeps the Thanksgiving spirit high and everyone smiling.
21. Thanksgiving Word Search
For a quieter activity, a Thanksgiving-themed word search is an ideal choice. Create a word search with seasonal words like “gratitude,” “harvest,” and “pumpkin pie,” and let guests tackle it individually or in groups.
It’s a relaxing game that’s easy to set up and a perfect way to wind down after a lively Thanksgiving gathering. Word searches appeal to all ages and give guests a peaceful moment to reflect on the holiday.
Wrapping Up the Fun
Thanksgiving is all about joy, togetherness, and creating beautiful memories with loved ones. These 21 Thanksgiving games will add laughter, creativity, and a touch of friendly competition to your celebration, making it truly unforgettable. From high-energy relay races to thoughtful gratitude activities, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. So, go ahead and make this Thanksgiving a day full of smiles and cherished moments!