42 Best Thanksgiving Games to Play Before the Big Feast
What better way to work up an appetite?
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Thanksgiving is all about food, family, and fun! So, while everyone's waiting for the big Thanksgiving feast to be prepared, why not make some holiday memories with your nearest and dearest? While some families spend the afternoon watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or Thanksgiving football, others like to get active with some Thanksgiving games. If your holiday crew falls in the latter camp, check out this list of the best DIY Thanksgiving games. Whether you’re aiming to entertain the little ones, break the ice with guests, or create new family traditions, these games will make your holiday even more memorable!
Family bowling contests, counting challenges, Thanksgiving trivia, and icebreakers are included. These Thanksgiving activities can be played indoors, outdoors, or in some cases, both. Some are twists on old favorites, and some are entirely new. You can even turn Thanksgiving crafts into a fun competition! But no matter how different these family Thanksgiving games are, they have a couple of things in common: They're all easy to play, and even easier for everyone to enjoy. In fact, they're so much fun, they might even turn out to be the highlight of the holiday—besides the food, of course!
Make it a Turkey Day to remember with these ideas:
Thanksgiving Pictionary Game
Get the creative juices flowing this Turkey Day with a game of Thanksgiving Pictionary! Each craft stick "feather" reads a Thanksgiving-related word, like "pumpkin" and "turkey." Split the crowd into two teams, have one team member pick a feather, and then get to drawing and guessing.
Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.
Thanksgiving I Spy
I spy with my little eye...the perfect Thanksgiving game to entertain guests before the big feast! Encourage the kiddos to search for turkey legs, pumpkin pie slices, leaves, apples, and more in this cute printable. It also doubles as a fun coloring page!
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.
Thanksgiving Dice Game
For a heartwarming Thanksgiving activity, look no further than this gratitude dice game! Each side of the printable dice has a prompt about gratitude, like "name a memory you are grateful for."
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
Winner, winner, turkey dinner! This simple game draws from the novelty of scratch-off lottery tickets with a festive turkey theme. Pass the cards out to guests before the feast, and whoever scratches off the gold turkey belly to reveal the pumpkin wins!
Turkey Leg Ring Toss
Before you tuck into your plate of turkey, play a round of turkey leg ring toss! Paper bags and duct tape hold the "turkey leg" together, and glow stick necklaces make for the perfect rings to toss over the leg. To play, divide your guests into two teams, the first team to get to 21 points wins.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
Sack Race
The best thing about this classic game is that there's no age limit! Grab a few sacks and see who in your family can cross the finish line first.
Turkey Alphabet Race
This turkey alphabet race is a fun craft and game all in one! To get started, make turkeys with letter stickers and attach them to several bowls. Fill a few more bowls with alphabet cereal pieces, then have kids use spoons to hunt for specific letters and carry them to the labeled letter bowls.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Thanksgiving Photo Scavenger Hunt
Challenge the whole family to a scavenger hunt that involves scrolling through your camera roll to find photos of the things listed on this printable. Set a timer to see who can find pictures the fastest!
Get the tutorial at Overstuffed Life.
Turkey Trike Trot
You've heard of a turkey trot... now get ready for a turkey trike trot! To play, give each kiddo a DIY turkey hat with no feathers. As they ride around the course you've mapped out in your neighborhood, they'll get a feather for each lap they complete. The first to fill their hat wins!
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Hand Turkey Race
Who doesn't love making their own hand turkey? Now you can turn it into a little game by seeing which member of the kids' table can trace their hand the fastest.
Pumpkin Patch Stomp
This year's pumpkin patch visit is going to look a *little* different. Fill orange balloons with candy or small coins and watch as the little ones stomp through the "pumpkin patch" to collect the mini prizes inside!
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Count Your Blessings Tree
Celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving by having everyone create a blessings tree. You can write out your answers or get creative with stickers.
Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.
Thanksgiving Would You Rather
Would you rather not be allowed to talk during Thanksgiving dinner or not be allowed to have dessert on Thanksgiving? Questions like this will get the whole family laughing!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Turkey Feather Matching
Got young kids? Here's a game that'll really tickle their feathers! Once you've got the turkey template and feathers made, hide the feathers and then let the kids find and match them to the drawing.
Get the tutorial at Toddler Approved.
Nobody likes holiday squabbles, but you'll love the friendly debates that come with this game! Everyone should take time to circle their choice for each pair, then read their picks aloud.
Turkey Tag
Tag, you're it! Pin these tiny turkeys on everyone's clothes, then watch to see who can keep them on the longest. That's the premise of this hilarious, perfectly on-theme game.
Get the tutorial at Let's Get Together.
Flag Football
You may be planning to watch the game, but why not play it yourself? Gather your family and get out in the fresh fall air for a match before the big feast. Flag football is just as fun as the real deal and is a bit gentler, so the little kids can participate, too.
Turkey Clothespin Puppets
We're calling it: Your little turkeys will love these little turkey puppets! Make a cute game out of them by having everyone put on a mini puppet play that tells a Thanksgiving story. Whichever tale captures the spirit of the holiday best wins!
Get the tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.
Football Bingo
If football and food are your favorite parts of Thanksgiving, you aren't alone! Aren’t you grateful there are three NFL games airing on the holiday? While you watch the games, play your own with football bingo! Place M&Ms or Skittles on your board each time you see a play that matches your squares.
Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
Turkey Fortune Teller
Holiday tip: Paper fortune tellers can keep kids entertained for hours! Now, you can make the simple craft Thanksgiving-themed with this adorable turkey tutorial. Write predictions for the holiday, and see how many come true.
Get the tutorial at Easy Peasy and Fun.
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