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Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey and pumpkin pie — it’s about laughter, connection, and enjoying time together. Once the dishes are cleared and everyone’s full, a few fun games are the perfect way to keep the celebration going.
Whether you’re looking for something active, funny, or heartwarming, there’s a game here for every age and personality.
Here are 13 family-friendly Thanksgiving games that’ll make this year’s gathering one to remember.
1. Turkey Tag
Perfect for kids and adults, Turkey Tag gets everyone moving before or after dinner. Create paper feathers or use clothespins decorated as “turkey feathers.” Clip one on the back of each player’s shirt.
The goal is to collect as many feathers as possible without losing your own. It’s simple, silly, and great for burning off that second slice of pie.
2. Thankful Scavenger Hunt
Hide small items or cards with gratitude prompts around the house or yard. Each clue leads to the next, ending with a small treat or family prize.
You can make the clues Thanksgiving-themed — “Find something you’re thankful for that smells good” or “Look under something cozy.” It’s fun, thoughtful, and gets everyone talking about gratitude.
3. Thanksgiving Charades
Classic charades but with a festive twist. Write Thanksgiving-related words or phrases — “carving the turkey,” “watching football,” “grandma’s stuffing,” or “falling asleep on the couch.”
Split into teams and act them out while everyone guesses. It’s hilarious and totally family-friendly, especially when the kids get dramatic.
4. Family Trivia Night
Create trivia questions about your family history, favorite traditions, or funny memories. Mix in a few Thanksgiving facts like “When was the first Thanksgiving held?”
It’s an easy, no-prep way to get everyone laughing and reminiscing — and maybe learning a few things about each other along the way.
5. Pass the Pumpkin
This is a Thanksgiving version of “Hot Potato.” Sit in a circle, play music, and pass around a small pumpkin. When the music stops, the person holding it has to answer a fun question or complete a challenge.
The questions can be silly (“What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?”) or heartfelt (“What are you most thankful for this year?”).
6. Turkey Bowling
Turn empty plastic bottles into bowling pins by decorating them with paper feathers and turkey faces. Use a small ball or a mini pumpkin as your “bowling ball.”
It’s a hit with kids and adults alike — easy to set up, full of laughter, and perfect for the backyard or living room.
7. Guess the Pie
Blindfold the player and give them small bites of different pies — pumpkin, apple, pecan, or sweet potato. They have to guess which flavor they’re tasting.
You’ll get a lot of laughs watching everyone try to figure it out, and you can give a small prize to the best “pie expert.”
8. Thanksgiving Pictionary
Draw Thanksgiving-themed words like “cornucopia,” “gravy boat,” or “family dinner.” Everyone takes turns sketching while the others guess.
Even if your drawing skills aren’t great, that’s half the fun — it’s guaranteed to have everyone laughing by the end of the round.
9. Gratitude Jar Game
Before dinner, place a jar in the center of the table with slips of paper and pens. Everyone writes one thing they’re thankful for. After dinner, take turns drawing and reading them aloud.
It’s a sweet and meaningful way to reflect as a family — and it often leads to some heartfelt (and funny) stories.
10. Minute-to-Win-It Thanksgiving Edition
Set up a few quick mini challenges using everyday items — like stacking candy corn, tossing marshmallows into cups, or balancing a pumpkin on your head for 30 seconds.
Keep the games under a minute each for fast, competitive fun. These short bursts of energy are great for keeping kids entertained between dinner and dessert.
11. Family Talent Show
Encourage everyone — kids, grandparents, and even the shy ones — to show off a small talent. It could be singing, telling jokes, doing impressions, or even juggling napkins.
It’s a lighthearted tradition that makes everyone laugh and gives each family member a chance to shine.
12. The Gratitude Alphabet Game
Sit in a circle and go through the alphabet, each person naming something they’re thankful for that starts with their letter — “A for apple pie,” “B for blankets,” and so on.
It’s simple, requires no setup, and gets surprisingly creative as the game goes on.
13. Thanksgiving Bingo
Make or print bingo cards with squares like “someone mentions leftovers,” “a child falls asleep,” “football on TV,” or “grandma tells a story.”
Play during the day and mark things off as they happen. The first one to get five in a row wins a small prize — it’s hilarious because you’ll realize just how predictable Thanksgiving really is.
