Easy Thanksgiving Games for Families: Kids, Teens & Adults

Thanksgiving games for families can be as simple as acting out a holiday scene, remembering an increasingly ridiculous dinner menu, or guessing who wrote a thankful note. Start with a seated game while everyone settles in, then bring out a team activity if the group wants more.

The eight ideas below include options with no supplies, games using everyday household items, and ways to include younger children alongside teens and grandparents. No printer or purchased game kit is required.

The American Academy of Pediatrics explains how children learn through play, including cooperation and problem-solving. Keep the rules flexible so younger players can join in.

Pick a Thanksgiving game for your group

These are suggested ages and approximate playing times; adjust them for your group. If you also want a boxed game for after dinner, our guide to choosing board games for family game night covers age ranges, playing time and complexity.

Thanksgiving games with no supplies

1. Thanksgiving charades

Split into two teams. One player silently acts out a Thanksgiving scene while teammates guess. Allow about 60 seconds per turn and award one point for each correct answer. Alternate teams for five turns each; the highest score wins.

Try these prompts: carrying an enormous turkey, stirring gravy, watching a parade, washing dishes, sneaking a dinner roll, or falling asleep after dinner.

Family adjustment: Give younger children simple actions like eating pie. Seated players can use their hands and facial expressions.

2. Dinner-menu memory game

The first person says, “At Thanksgiving, I ate turkey.” The next repeats that food and adds another. Keep going around the table, repeating the growing menu in order.

For a cooperative game, allow one group hint per turn and count how many foods everyone remembers together. Try to beat that total in a second round. Silly additions are welcome.

Family adjustment: Pair younger children with a helper instead of eliminating anyone who forgets.

3. Thanksgiving Would You Rather?

Pair up. One partner predicts the other’s choice before they answer. Give the pair one point for a match, then switch roles. Play all six questions; the pair with the most matches wins.

• Cook dinner or wash every dish?
• Have extra stuffing or extra mashed potatoes?
• Watch the parade or play a backyard game?
• Eat pumpkin pie or apple pie?
• Host a big gathering or attend a small one?
• Enjoy leftovers as a sandwich or another full dinner?

Family adjustment: Skip scoring and let everyone explain a choice if the group prefers conversation.

4. Thanksgiving trivia

Read these questions aloud. Players can answer individually or in mixed-age teams. Award one point per correct answer; tied teams share the win.

1. Which bird shares its name with a common Thanksgiving main dish? Turkey.
2. What red berry is commonly made into Thanksgiving sauce? Cranberry.
3. Which orange squash gives pumpkin pie its name? Pumpkin.
4. What is the term for cooking stuffing outside the bird, especially in Southern usage? Dressing.
5. What thickened sauce is commonly served over mashed potatoes? Gravy.
6. Which pie typically has a filling made with pecans? Pecan pie.

For teens and adults: Add a 30-second challenge to name Thanksgiving side dishes. Each distinct, agreed-upon dish earns one bonus point.

Between rounds, take a laugh break with these family-friendly Thanksgiving dad jokes. Let each player choose one to read aloud.

Easy Thanksgiving games using household supplies

5. Thanksgiving drawing game

Make two teams and give each paper and pencils. Whisper a prompt to the first artist. Their team has 60 seconds to guess the drawing, with no letters or spoken clues. A correct guess earns one point. Switch artists each turn and play five rounds per team.

Prompts: a gravy boat, a wishbone, a parade balloon, a slice of pie, a crowded dinner table, or a tower of leftovers.

Family adjustment: Let younger artists draw one object; challenge adults with a whole scene.

6. Turkey bowling

Arrange six empty plastic bottles in a triangle on a clear floor. Each player rolls a soft ball twice, scoring one point per bottle knocked over. Reset the bottles for the next player. Add scores across three rounds to find the winner.

Optional paper turkey faces make it festive, but decorating is not required. For a separate craft activity before the games, browse our Dollar Store Thanksgiving crafts for inexpensive decorations and table projects.

Family adjustment: Move the starting line closer for children or seated players.

7. Thanksgiving scavenger hunt

Have teams locate something orange, something soft, a leaf, a wooden spoon, a napkin and something they feel thankful for. Players point out items rather than removing decorations or interrupting cooking.

Award one point per item found within ten minutes. Let each team explain its thankful choice; matching scores are a shared win.

Family adjustment: Pair children with adults. A seated player can direct teammates or identify objects visible from their chair.

8. Guess the thankful note

Everyone writes one specific thing they appreciate without signing their name. Fold the notes into a bowl. A reader opens them one at a time, and everyone else writes down who they think submitted each note.

Reveal the writers after all guesses are recorded. Award one point per correct guess, excluding your own note.

Family adjustment: Help children write their answers. Keep sharing optional and choose comfortable topics, such as a favorite meal, pet or shared activity.

For more ways to make thankfulness part of everyday family life, ZERO TO THREE shares practical ideas for nurturing gratitude in young children.

Frequently asked questions

What Thanksgiving games need no supplies?

Thanksgiving charades and the dinner-menu memory game need no supplies. You can also read the trivia and Would You Rather questions from this page without printing them.

What Thanksgiving games can everyone play sitting down?

The memory game, trivia, Would You Rather, drawing game and thankful-note game can all be played seated. Charades also works with hand gestures and facial expressions.

How do you include children and adults in the same game?

Use mixed-age teams, give children simpler prompts and let them work with a helper. Adjust throwing distances and avoid elimination when you want everyone involved throughout the game.

How many games should you plan for Thanksgiving?

Start with two or three: a short table game, a team game and an optional active game. Keep another idea ready, but let the group's interest decide whether to continue.