The short answer
The best Thanksgiving games need almost no setup: Thanksgiving charades, turkey bingo, a gratitude scavenger hunt, Minute to Win It challenges and a round of trivia work for every age. Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, so you have about six weeks to print cards and gather supplies.
- Best for the whole family: Thanksgiving charades and turkey bingo
- Best for large groups: Minute to Win It games and team trivia
- Best at the table: Would You Rather and the gratitude jar
- Best for kids: a backyard scavenger hunt and handprint turkey crafts
- Best for adults: a Family Feud-style survey game and a blind pie tasting
- Best outdoors: a local turkey trot in the morning, flag football after lunch
- Best for toddlers and seniors: playdough pies and sticker turkeys; large-print bingo and a family recipe project
- Best for classrooms: turkey feather math, a gratitude chain and a primary-source fact-or-myth sort
Nov 26
Thanksgiving Day 2026 (Thursday)
15
Fact-checked trivia questions below
1896
First Buffalo Turkey Trot
1934
First Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game
In this article
Thanksgiving games are simple group activities, such as charades, bingo, trivia and relay challenges, that keep guests of every age busy before and after the big meal. Thanksgiving itself is the US federal holiday held on the fourth Thursday of November, and in 2026 that means Thursday, November 26. For dates, recipes and the rest of the holiday plan, start with our Thanksgiving 2026 complete guide.
Below you will find 70-plus Thanksgiving games and activities sorted by who they suit: families, large groups, kids, toddlers, teens, adults, seniors, classrooms and the dinner table itself. In addition, every game card lists players, ages, time and supplies, and every activity table lists the age band, cost and time, so you can pick three or four and prep them this weekend. Finally, the trivia section gives you 15 questions with answers we checked against primary sources such as the National Park Service and the USDA.
What Are the Best Thanksgiving Games in 2026?
The best Thanksgiving games are the ones that need little more than paper, pens and a timer, because the kitchen already takes most of your energy. For that reason, this quick comparison ranks our favorites by group size, age and prep time.
| Game | Best for | Players | Ages | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving charades | Whole family | 4–30 | 5+ | 5 minutes |
| Turkey bingo | Mixed ages, kids | 3–25 | 4+ | Print cards |
| Gratitude scavenger hunt | Kids, outdoors | 2–15 | 4–12 | 15 minutes |
| Minute to Win It challenges | Large groups | 6–40 | 6+ | 20 minutes |
| Thanksgiving trivia | Teams, adults | 4–40 | 10+ | Print questions |
| Would You Rather | The dinner table | Any | 6+ | None |
| Family Feud-style survey game | Adults, big families | 6–30 | 12+ | Survey ahead |
| Backyard flag football | Outdoors | 6–20 | 8+ | Flags or ribbons |
Pro tip. Pick one active game, one quiet table game and one craft for the kids. That mix covers the hour before dinner, the lull after dessert and the moment the youngest guests get restless.
Fun Thanksgiving Games for the Whole Family
Fun Thanksgiving games for the whole family are games that a six-year-old and a grandparent can both win, such as charades, bingo and memory games. Above all, keep the rules short enough to explain in one minute.
1. Thanksgiving Charades — Best Thanksgiving game for family groups
Charades is the easiest of all Thanksgiving games for family gatherings because it needs only slips of paper and a bowl. Write holiday prompts such as carving the turkey, watching the parade, falling asleep on the couch or chasing the last dinner roll.
- Players: 4–30, split into two teams
- Ages: 5 and up (pair little kids with an adult)
- Time: 20–40 minutes
- What you need: paper slips, a bowl, a phone timer
- How to play: one player acts out a prompt without words; the team has 60 seconds to guess; most correct guesses wins
2. Turkey Bingo — Best for mixed ages
Bingo works because luck, not skill, decides the winner. Make cards with holiday words (pie, pilgrim, cranberry, football, leaves) or buy a printed set.
- Players: 3–25
- Ages: 4 and up
- Time: 15 minutes per round
- What you need: bingo cards, a caller list, candy corn or dried beans as markers
- How to play: the caller reads words at random; first player with five in a row shouts “Gobble!”
- Where to buy: Thanksgiving bingo sets on Amazon
3. I’m Going to the Feast — Best memory game
This classic memory chain gets louder and funnier with every round. Meanwhile, it takes zero supplies, so it works in the car on the way to Grandma’s house too.
- Players: 3–15
- Ages: 5 and up
- Time: 10 minutes
- What you need: nothing
- How to play: the first player says “I’m going to the feast and bringing apple pie”; the next repeats the list and adds an item in alphabetical order; anyone who forgets an item is out
4. Thanksgiving Pictionary — Best for quiet artists
Pictionary gives shy guests a way to join in without performing. Plus, a big pad of paper on the coffee table doubles as a souvenir of the day.
- Players: 4–20 in teams
- Ages: 6 and up
- Time: 20–30 minutes
- What you need: a sketch pad or whiteboard, markers, prompt slips
- How to play: draw the prompt in 60 seconds with no letters or numbers; teammates guess
5. Who Am I? Headband Game — Best for teens and adults
Write famous holiday characters, foods or parade balloons on sticky notes. Then each player sticks one on their forehead and asks yes-or-no questions to figure it out.
- Players: 3–12
- Ages: 8 and up
- Time: 15–20 minutes
- What you need: sticky notes and a marker
- How to play: take turns asking one yes-or-no question; first to guess their own card wins
Minute to Win It Thanksgiving Games for Large Groups
Minute to Win It Thanksgiving games are 60-second challenges that use cheap household items, and they are ideal for large groups because teams can rotate quickly. As a result, everyone gets a turn and nobody waits long.
What are the best Thanksgiving games for large groups?
The best Thanksgiving games for large groups run in short heats, so pair Minute to Win It challenges with team trivia. Split guests into colored teams, keep a scoreboard on a whiteboard and award a pie-shaped trophy (or the first slice of pie) to the winners.
| Challenge | What you need | How to play (60 seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| Cranberry toss | Fresh cranberries, 5 paper cups | Toss cranberries into the cups from arm’s length; most cranberries in cups wins |
| Feather blow | Craft feathers, a table | Blow a feather from one end of the table to the other without touching it |
| Candy corn chopsticks | Candy corn, chopsticks, two bowls | Move as many candy corns as possible between bowls using chopsticks |
| Pumpkin pass relay | Small pumpkin or gourd | Teams pass a gourd down the line using only elbows or knees |
| Cornucopia cup stack | 36 plastic cups | Build and take down a cup pyramid; fastest time wins |
| Pin the feather on the turkey | Paper turkey, paper feathers, blindfold | Classic blindfold game with a turkey twist; closest feather wins |
| Pie face roulette | Whipped cream, paper plates, a die | Roll the die; land on a six and you get a whipped-cream “pie” to the face |
Watch out. Keep small candies and cranberries away from toddlers, since both are choking hazards. Likewise, clear breakable dishes off the table before any blowing or tossing game.
If you need supplies in bulk, Minute to Win It party kits and party packs of plastic cups are easy to find. However, most of these challenges work with what is already in your kitchen.
Thanksgiving Table Games to Play at Dinner
Thanksgiving table games are conversation-style games you can play while seated, so they fit the long stretch between the main course and dessert. Best of all, none of them need a cleared table.
1. Thanksgiving Would You Rather — Best icebreaker
Ask silly either-or questions and let each guest defend their pick. For example: would you rather eat only stuffing or only pie for a week?
- Players: any number
- Ages: 6 and up
- Time: as long as you like
- What you need: a list of questions on your phone or a card deck
2. The Gratitude Jar — Best for a meaningful moment
Before dinner, guests write one thing they are thankful for on a slip and drop it in a jar. Then, during dessert, someone reads the slips aloud and the table guesses who wrote each one.
- Players: any number
- Ages: 5 and up (younger kids can draw)
- Time: 15 minutes
- What you need: a mason jar, paper slips, pens
3. Two Truths and a Lie, Holiday Edition — Best for blended families
Each guest shares two true Thanksgiving memories and one made-up one. Next, everyone votes on the fake, which helps new partners and in-laws learn family stories fast.
- Players: 4–15
- Ages: 10 and up
- Time: 20 minutes
- What you need: nothing
4. Question Place Cards — Best no-effort option
Write one conversation question on the back of each place card, such as “What was your favorite Thanksgiving dish as a kid?” In fact, this turns your seating plan into a game with no extra work.
- Players: every seat
- Ages: all
- Time: throughout dinner
- What you need: place cards and a pen
For the menu that these table games will interrupt, see our Thanksgiving dinner menu ideas, and for place-card and centerpiece inspiration, browse our Thanksgiving decorations guide.
Thanksgiving Activities for Kids (Plus Easy Crafts)
The best Thanksgiving activities for kids mix movement with a simple craft, because kids rarely sit still through a long meal. So set up a kids’ station with crafts, coloring and a scavenger hunt before guests arrive.
Use this quick list to match Thanksgiving activities for kids to the ages at your table. Most cost almost nothing, and every one fits inside the gap between arrival and dinner.
| Activity | Age band | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratitude scavenger hunt (yard or house) | 4–12 | Free | 20–30 minutes |
| Handprint or paper plate turkey | 3–8 | Under $5 | 15–20 minutes |
| Thankful tree with paper leaves | 4–12 | Free–$5 | 20 minutes |
| Hidden paper-feather hunt indoors | 3–8 | Free | 15 minutes |
| Printable word search, mazes and coloring pages | 5–10 | Free (print at home) | 15–30 minutes |
| Kitchen helper jobs (washing, mashing, decorating rolls) | 5–12 | Free | 30–60 minutes |
| Parade bingo during the TV broadcast | 4–12 | Free | Parade morning |
| Kids’ table placemat drawing contest | 4–10 | Free (butcher paper) | 20 minutes |
Thanksgiving activities for kids at home: if you are not hosting, the same ideas work in a small apartment. For example, swap the yard hunt for a hidden-feather hunt, print free coloring pages and let kids design a menu card for the meal.
Thanksgiving scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is the easiest way to burn off energy before dinner. Give each child a checklist with items such as a red leaf, a pinecone, something round like a pumpkin, something that makes them thankful and a feather; then send them into the yard with an adult. Younger kids can use a picture checklist instead of words.
Easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids
Thanksgiving crafts keep younger guests busy at a kids’ table, and most use supplies you already own. Here are five that take under 30 minutes:
- Handprint turkey: trace a hand on paper, then color the fingers as feathers and the thumb as the head.
- Paper plate turkey: glue colored paper strips around a paper plate as tail feathers and add googly eyes.
- Pinecone turkey: tuck felt or paper feathers into the back of a pinecone and glue on a small paper face.
- Thankful tree: tape a bare branch into a vase and let kids hang paper leaves with things they are thankful for.
- Toilet-paper-roll napkin rings: cut rolls into rings, wrap them in fall-colored paper and let kids decorate one for every guest.
Stock a craft box with Thanksgiving craft kits for kids if you want everything pre-cut. Also, a roll of butcher paper over the kids’ table makes an instant coloring placemat.
Other Thanksgiving activities for kids
- Coloring pages and placemats while the adults finish cooking
- Kid-friendly kitchen jobs: washing vegetables, mashing potatoes or decorating rolls
- A holiday movie after dinner; see our best Thanksgiving movies list
- Freeze dance to a family playlist when energy dips
Thanksgiving Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
The best Thanksgiving activities for toddlers are short, hands-on and mess-tolerant, because a two-year-old’s attention lasts minutes, not hours. Plan several 5- to 15-minute activities rather than one long craft, and keep an adult at the table for each one.
| Activity | Age band | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feather color sort into a muffin tin (large craft feathers) | 2–4 | Under $5 | 10 minutes |
| Sticker or finger-paint turkey | 18 months–4 | Under $5 | 10–15 minutes |
| Playdough pies with a pie tin and cookie cutters | 2–5 | Under $10 | 15–20 minutes |
| Gobble freeze dance or turkey hokey pokey | 1–5 | Free | 5–10 minutes |
| Leaf rubbings with chunky crayons | 3–5 | Free | 10 minutes |
| Sensory bin with big pinecones, mini gourds and wooden spoons | 2–4 | Under $10 | 15 minutes |
| Thanksgiving board books from the library | 1–4 | Free | 5–10 minutes |
| “I am thankful for” handprint card (preschool) | 3–5 | Free | 15 minutes |
Safety note. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ HealthyChildren.org choking guide advises keeping foods such as popcorn, nuts, hard candy, marshmallows and whole grapes from children until at least age 4. It also notes that balloons pose a choking risk up to age 8. So leave dried corn, cranberries, pom-poms and candy out of toddler sensory bins and crafts.
Running Thanksgiving activities for toddlers in daycare or preschool? Then choose crafts that dry quickly, such as sticker turkeys, and send them home in a labeled paper bag the same day.
Thanksgiving Activities for Teens
Thanksgiving activities for teens work when they give teenagers a real role, such as head chef, game host or team captain, instead of a seat at the kids’ table. Give them ownership of one part of the day and most will happily put the phone down.
| Activity | Age band | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pie or side-dish cook-off with family judges | 13–18 | $10–$25 in ingredients | 1–2 hours |
| Phone photo scavenger hunt (find “something you are thankful for”) | 12–18 | Free | 30–45 minutes |
| Host and score the family trivia round below | 12–18 | Free | 30 minutes |
| Video game or board game tournament bracket | 12–18 | Free (games you own) | 1–2 hours |
| Printable escape-room puzzle at home | 12+ | Free–$25 for a kit | 1 hour |
| Teen Friendsgiving the weekend before | 14–18 | $5–$15 each (potluck) | 2–3 hours |
| Volunteer shift at a food bank or meal drive | Check the organizer’s age rules | Free | 2–3 hours |
| Turkey trot with friends | 12+ | Race entry fee varies | Morning |
For a teen-run potluck, borrow the menu and game plan from our Friendsgiving ideas. In addition, older teens make great captains for the Minute to Win It Thanksgiving games above.
Thanksgiving Games for Adults
Thanksgiving games for adults lean on friendly competition, inside jokes and a little strategy. Moreover, they work best after the kids head to the TV room.
1. Family Feud-Style Survey Game — Best Thanksgiving game for adults
A week before Thanksgiving, text guests five survey questions such as “Name a side dish everyone fights over.” Then tally the answers and host your own Feud-style showdown after dinner.
- Players: 6–30 in two teams
- Ages: 12 and up
- Time: 30–45 minutes
- What you need: survey answers, a whiteboard, a bell or buzzer app
2. Blind Pie Tasting — Best for food lovers
Cut small slices of three or four pies, label them by number only, and let guests score each one. Afterward, reveal which pie came from the store and which came from a family recipe.
- Players: any number
- Ages: 12 and up
- Time: 15 minutes
- What you need: pies, numbered plates, score cards
3. Leftover Sandwich Showdown — Best for Friday
On the day after Thanksgiving, each player builds a sandwich from leftovers, names it and pitches it to judges. Notably, this game turns a fridge full of containers into a contest.
- Players: 3–10
- Ages: all ages with help
- Time: 30 minutes
- What you need: leftovers, bread, a panel of judges
4. Football Squares for Bragging Rights — Best for game day
Draw a 10-by-10 grid, let guests claim squares and assign scores at random. Then the winner each quarter picks the first slice of pie or skips dish duty. Keep it cash-free so everyone can play.
- Players: 4–50
- Ages: 10 and up
- Time: the length of the game
- What you need: a printed grid and the Thanksgiving football schedule
5. Holiday Movie Charades and Card Games — Best wind-down
Once the dishes are done, switch to quieter options like movie-title charades, a party card game or a giant tumbling-block tower. For instance, giant tumbling tower games work indoors or on a patio.
- Players: 2–12
- Ages: varies by game
- Time: 20–60 minutes
- What you need: your favorite deck or board game
Thanksgiving Activities for Adults (At Home and at Work)
Thanksgiving activities for adults go beyond the Thanksgiving games above: they are the tastings, workshops, volunteer shifts and long walks that grown-ups actually look forward to. Pick one for the morning and one for the evening, then let the meal fill the middle.
| Activity | Age band | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cider, wine or craft-beer tasting with pie pairings | 21+ | $30–$60 per group | 1 hour |
| Wreath or centerpiece workshop | Adults | $15–$40 in supplies | 1–2 hours |
| Morning hike or turkey trot | Adults | Free–race entry fee | 1–2 hours |
| Volunteer shift at a food bank or community meal | Adults | Free | 2–4 hours |
| NFL watch party with football squares | Adults | Free | 3+ hours per game |
| Jigsaw puzzle or board game marathon | Adults | Free–$25 | 2+ hours |
| Family recipe swap and shared digital cookbook | Adults | Free | 1 hour |
| Outdoor fire pit with s’mores and storytelling | Adults | $10–$20 | 1–2 hours |
For kickoff times and channels for the watch party, use our Thanksgiving football schedule. And if a holiday store run is part of your plan, check which chains are actually open first in our guide to stores open on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving activities for adults at work
Office Thanksgiving activities should be short, inclusive and optional, because people are juggling travel and deadlines that week. These work in person or on a video call:
- Potluck lunch with a sign-up sheet: free to organize, 1 hour; label dishes for allergies.
- Gratitude wall: sticky notes on a board or a shared online whiteboard; under $5, runs all week.
- Pie contest: blind tasting with paper ballots; free, 30 minutes.
- Lunch-hour team trivia: use the 15 questions below; free, 20 minutes.
- Team food drive: set a goal and track it on a chart; free to run, 1–2 weeks.
- Thank-you card exchange: each person writes one note to a colleague; under $10 for a pack of cards, 15 minutes.
Thanksgiving activities for adults with disabilities
Most activities on this page adapt easily. For instance, use large-print or picture-based bingo and trivia cards, offer seated versions of relay games, caption any movie or parade broadcast and set aside a quiet room for anyone who needs a sensory break. Above all, ask guests what works for them rather than guessing.
Thanksgiving Activities for Seniors and Grandparents
Good Thanksgiving activities for seniors are low-key, social and seated, and many of the best ones put grandparents’ stories at the center of the day. They also suit senior centers and assisted living communities, where staff can run them in short sessions.
| Activity | Best for | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large-print Thanksgiving bingo | Seniors, mixed ages | Under $5 (print at home) | 30–45 minutes |
| Family recipe card project with a grandchild as scribe | Seniors and grandkids | Free | 30 minutes |
| Memory-lane photo album or story interview | Seniors and family | Free | 30–60 minutes |
| Seated beanbag toss into a pumpkin bucket | Seniors, mixed ages | Under $10 | 20 minutes |
| Parade viewing party with warm cider | Everyone | Under $10 | Parade morning |
| Card games such as rummy, euchre or bridge | Seniors, adults | Free | 1 hour |
| Handwritten gratitude letters | Seniors | Free | 20 minutes |
| Video call with relatives who could not travel | Seniors | Free | 15–30 minutes |
| Sing-along of favorite old songs | Seniors, mixed ages | Free | 20 minutes |
Tip for senior centers. Schedule activities for late morning or early afternoon, keep each round under 30 minutes and invite residents’ families to join the bingo or recipe project. Meanwhile, print everything in large type with high contrast.
Thanksgiving Activities for Families (Beyond Games)
Thanksgiving activities for families are the shared traditions that bookend the meal, from the parade in the morning to a movie at night. Combine two or three of these with the family Thanksgiving games above for a full day.
| Activity | Age band | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watch the Macy’s parade together with parade bingo | All ages | Free | Parade morning |
| Cook one dish as a team, from kids to grandparents | 5+ | Cost of ingredients | 1 hour |
| Family walk or turkey trot | All ages | Free–race entry fee | 1 hour |
| Volunteer together or donate to a food drive | 8+ (check age rules) | Free–$20 | 1–3 hours |
| Annual family photo in the same spot | All ages | Free | 15 minutes |
| Gratitude time capsule: notes sealed until next year | All ages | Free | 20 minutes |
| Holiday movie night | All ages | Free with a streaming plan | 2 hours |
| Start a family tradition jar of next year’s ideas | All ages | Free | 10 minutes |
Our Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade guide has the start time, route and how to watch, so you can plan breakfast around it. Then, for the evening, pick a film from our best Thanksgiving movies list.
Thanksgiving Classroom Activities for Every Grade
Thanksgiving classroom activities work best when they practice a real skill, such as counting, writing or reading a primary source, while still feeling like a holiday treat. This list runs from kindergarten to high school, and nearly everything is free or under $10 per class.
| Activity | Grade band | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratitude paper chain counting down to the break | K–2 | Under $5 per class | 20 minutes |
| Turkey feather math (count, add and compare feathers) | K–2 | Free (printable) | 20–30 minutes |
| “How to cook a turkey” kid-written recipes | K–3 | Free | 30 minutes |
| Thanksgiving word search, scramble and mad libs | 1–5 | Free | 15 minutes |
| Design-a-parade-balloon STEM challenge | 3–6 | Under $10 | 45 minutes |
| Class food drive with a daily bar graph | K–8 | Free | 1–2 weeks |
| Fact or myth? Sort claims about the 1621 harvest using the eyewitness account | 4–8 | Free | 30–45 minutes |
| Close reading of Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation | 8–12 | Free | 45 minutes |
| Debate: should Thanksgiving have moved in 1939? | 9–12 | Free | 45 minutes |
| Gratitude letter to a school staff member | 3–12 | Free | 20 minutes |
For history lessons, go to primary sources. For example, Plimoth Patuxet Museums publishes an eyewitness account of the 1621 harvest celebration, the primary source behind the famous “90 men” with Massasoit, which students can compare with popular myths. Similarly, the National Archives explains how Congress fixed the date after FDR’s 1939 change, which gives high school students a ready-made debate topic. Finally, the trivia below doubles as a quick end-of-day quiz.
Thanksgiving Trivia Questions and Answers
These 15 Thanksgiving trivia questions and answers cover the holiday’s history, food and traditions, and we checked each answer against a primary or official source. Read them aloud, or print the table and fold the answer column under.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What date is Thanksgiving 2026? | Thursday, November 26, 2026 (the fourth Thursday of November) |
| 2 | Which president issued the 1863 proclamation that began the national Thanksgiving holiday? | Abraham Lincoln, on October 3, 1863 |
| 3 | Which magazine editor wrote to Lincoln in September 1863 asking for a national Thanksgiving? | Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book |
| 4 | Which nursery rhyme did Sarah Josepha Hale write? | “Mary Had a Little Lamb” |
| 5 | Which president moved Thanksgiving a week earlier in 1939 to lengthen the holiday shopping season? | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| 6 | When did Roosevelt sign the law fixing Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November? | December 26, 1941 |
| 7 | How many days did the 1621 Plymouth harvest celebration last? | Three days |
| 8 | About how many Wampanoag men came with Massasoit to the 1621 feast? | About 90 men |
| 9 | What did Massasoit’s men bring to the feast, according to Edward Winslow? | Five deer |
| 10 | How many passengers sailed on the Mayflower in 1620? | 102 |
| 11 | In what year was the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? | 1924 |
| 12 | Which NFL team has hosted a Thanksgiving game almost every year since 1934? | The Detroit Lions |
| 13 | In what year did the Dallas Cowboys play their first Thanksgiving game? | 1966 |
| 14 | Which state raises the most turkeys? | Minnesota (34.0 million forecast for 2026) |
| 15 | What do you call a male turkey and a baby turkey? | A tom (or gobbler) and a poult |
Where do these trivia answers come from?
First, the history answers come from the National Park Service page on Lincoln and Thanksgiving, which covers Hale’s September 28, 1863 letter and Lincoln’s October 3 proclamation, and from the National Archives feature on Congress and Thanksgiving, which explains the 1939 change and the 1941 law. Second, the 1621 details come from Edward Winslow’s eyewitness letter, published by Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Finally, the turkey numbers come from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Turkeys Raised report, released September 25, 2026.
How to run a Thanksgiving trivia game
- Make teams of three to five so nobody feels put on the spot.
- Read each question twice and give 30 seconds to write an answer.
- Score one point per answer and add a bonus round with a tiebreaker such as “How many million turkeys does USDA forecast for Minnesota in 2026?”
- Mix in family trivia such as “Who burned the rolls in 2019?” for extra laughs.
Pro tip. Print two sets of trivia: an easy kids’ version (questions 1, 7, 11, 12 and 15) and the full list for adults. That way, younger players can still win a round.
Outdoor Activities: Turkey Trots and Backyard Football
The two classic outdoor Thanksgiving activities are a morning turkey trot and an afternoon game of backyard football. Both get everyone moving before or after a heavy meal.
Join a turkey trot
A turkey trot is a fun run or walk held on Thanksgiving morning, usually a 5K that welcomes strollers and costumes. The tradition runs deep: the YMCA Buffalo Niagara Turkey Trot began on November 26, 1896, and bills itself as the oldest consecutively run footrace. Search your city’s name plus “turkey trot” early, because popular races can fill up before the holiday.
Backyard flag football
Backyard flag football fits every age because pulling a flag replaces tackling. Use ribbons or bandanas tucked into waistbands, play to a set time and let the youngest player throw the final pass. Besides, it is the perfect warm-up for the televised NFL games, which the Detroit Lions have hosted almost every Thanksgiving since 1934.
More outdoor ideas
- Cornhole tournament: bracket it on a whiteboard and crown a champion before pie.
- Leaf-pile jump: rake first, jump second, bag third.
- Family walk: a short post-dinner walk around the block works for every fitness level.
- Nature photo hunt: give teens a phone list of fall shots to capture.
Gratitude Activities That Don’t Feel Forced
Gratitude activities are short, structured ways to name what you appreciate, and they work best when they feel like a game instead of a speech. In fact, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center recommend simple, repeatable practices.
- Three Good Things: each guest names three things that went well this year and why; the Greater Good Science Center describes it as a short daily writing exercise, but it adapts well to a dinner round.
- Gratitude letter: write a short thank-you note to someone at the table and read it aloud; Greater Good reports the letter had the biggest short-term happiness boost in a 2005 study.
- Thankful ABCs: go around the table naming something you are thankful for, A to Z.
- Gratitude tablecloth: lay a plain cloth and let guests write on it with fabric markers each year.
- Thank-you video: record short messages for a relative who could not travel.
Need words to get started? Our Thanksgiving messages, wishes and quotes make easy prompts for cards and toasts.
What to Do on Thanksgiving Day: A Sample Schedule
If you are wondering what to do on Thanksgiving Day, build the day around the meal: active games in the morning, table games during dinner and quiet games afterward. This sample plan assumes a mid-afternoon dinner; shift it to fit your own timing.
| Time | Activity | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Turkey trot or family walk; parade on TV | Gets everyone outside before cooking takes over |
| Late morning | Kids’ craft station and scavenger hunt | Keeps little ones busy while the turkey roasts |
| Early afternoon | Charades, bingo or Minute to Win It | Fills the arrival window as guests trickle in |
| Dinner | Gratitude jar and question place cards | Starts conversation without leaving the table |
| After dinner | Trivia, survey game or flag football | Breaks up the food coma |
| Evening | Holiday movie, card games, pie tasting | A calm close to a long day |
Our verdict
For most families, the winning lineup of Thanksgiving games is simple: charades or turkey bingo before dinner, the gratitude jar at the table, and team trivia after dessert. If you host a large group, add two or three Minute to Win It challenges; if you have lots of kids, set up a craft station and scavenger hunt.
Above all, prep early. Print trivia and bingo cards, gather cups and cranberries, and register for a local turkey trot before Thursday, November 26, 2026. That way, you spend the holiday playing instead of planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fun Thanksgiving games for the whole family?
The most fun Thanksgiving games for the whole family are charades, turkey bingo, Pictionary and the I am Going to the Feast memory game, because they need few supplies and toddlers through grandparents can all play. Split guests into mixed-age teams, keep rounds under a minute and pair young kids with an adult so everyone has a fair shot at winning.
What are good Thanksgiving games for large groups?
Good Thanksgiving games for large groups include Minute to Win It challenges, team trivia, a Family Feud-style survey game and charades. These games run in short heats, so teams rotate quickly and nobody waits long. Divide guests into color-coded teams of four to six, keep a scoreboard on a whiteboard and give the winning team first pick of dessert.
What are good Thanksgiving activities for adults?
Good Thanksgiving activities for adults include a cider or wine tasting with pie pairings for guests 21 and over, a wreath or centerpiece workshop, a morning hike or turkey trot, a volunteer shift at a food bank and an NFL watch party with football squares. At work, a potluck, a pie contest, a gratitude wall and lunch-hour trivia are easy, low-cost options that take under an hour.
What are good Thanksgiving activities for seniors?
Good Thanksgiving activities for seniors are seated and social: large-print bingo, card games such as rummy or bridge, a family recipe card project with a grandchild writing things down, a photo-album story interview, a parade viewing party and handwritten gratitude letters. Most cost nothing, and keeping each round under 30 minutes works well at home or in a senior center.
What are good Thanksgiving activities for kids and toddlers?
Good Thanksgiving activities for kids include a gratitude scavenger hunt, handprint and paper plate turkeys, a thankful tree, printable coloring pages and simple kitchen jobs. For toddlers and preschoolers, choose 5- to 15-minute activities such as feather color sorting, sticker turkeys and playdough pies, and keep popcorn, nuts, hard candy and whole grapes away from children under 4.
What should you do on Thanksgiving Day?
On Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, many families start with a turkey trot or the Macy’s parade on TV, play games while dinner cooks, share a gratitude round at the table and watch football or a holiday movie afterward. Plan active games before the meal and quieter activities after it, and prep supplies a few days early.
