Awesome Thanksgiving Games for the Whole Family

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You’re going to love these Thanksgiving family games perfect for the whole family!

Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, football, pumpkin pie, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (although ALL of those things are part of what make it the best holiday of the year!). It’s also about spending quality time with family members and creating lasting memories. Once the Thanksgiving dinner dishes are cleared and everyone’s feeling the afterglow of a great dinner, it’s the perfect time to gather around for a few fun Thanksgiving family games.

Whether you’re hosting a big Thanksgiving gathering or keeping things small and cozy, these playful activities are a wonderful way to keep kids of all ages (and adults, too!) entertained. From fast-paced games for large groups to easy options for younger kids, here are some of the best Thanksgiving games to make your favorite holiday even more fun.

Thanksgiving Games for Large and Small Groups

When the entire family is together, you need games that get everyone laughing and enjoying themselves. These are perfect for before or after the big meal.

1. Thanksgiving Charades or Pictionary

This classic game gets a Thanksgiving twist with themed words and phrases like: watching the parade, pumpkin, catch a football. Download my free Thanksgiving Charades printable, which also works great for families who prefer Pictionary. It’s a simple game that kids, teens, and adults will all enjoy, and it’s sure to bring out plenty of laughter!

2. Thanksgiving Bingo

Bingo is always a hit with the entire family. My free Thanksgiving Bingo printable includes colorful cards that make this the perfect game for kids of all ages. Add small prizes like candy corn, stickers, or Thanksgiving treats to make it even more fun.

3. Thanksgiving Family Feud

If your family loves a little friendly competition, a Thanksgiving version of Family Feud is the perfect activity! Divide into teams and race to guess the most popular answers. You’ll feel like you’re on a real game show!

4. Thanksgiving Scattergories

This is a classic game for a reason! This Thanksgiving Scattergories is the perfect game to play if everyone wants a less lively game for right after dinner. It’s a fun game for the whole family that engages the brain and brings the laughter when everyone is stumped on a Thanksgiving word that starts with “X”!

5. Danger Word: Thanksgiving Edition

This fast-paced word game will have everyone laughing as team members try to guess the right word without accidentally saying the “danger word.” My Thanksgiving Danger Word Game printable includes both easy and challenging options so the whole family can play together.

6. Would You Rather: Thanksgiving Edition

This is another one of those games that easy to play around the dinner table or sitting around in the family room after dinner. It’s also a great way to learn new things about friends and family!

7. Thanksgiving Trivia

Put everyone’s Thanksgiving fun facts to the test! You can assign point values and keep score, or just play for fun while you wait for dinner to finish cooking.

8. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

A Thanksgiving scavenger hunt is a great way to get everyone moving and exploring. You can do my free photo version (snap pictures of Thanksgiving-related items) and make some memories as you travel around the house or neighborhood looking for the items on the list. It’s the perfect way to keep kids (or adults) busy while you finish up cooking dinner.

9. Thanksgiving Minute-to-Win-It Games

Turn your turkey day into a mini competition! Each game has a one-minute time limit, making it a great game format for small or large groups alike.

10. Mad Libs with a Thanksgiving Twist

Grab this Thanksgiving-themed Mad Libs printable. This silly Thanksgiving game is perfect for younger kids and always gets plenty of laughs as you fill in the blanks with outrageous words.

Don’t Forget the Fun Outdoor Games

1. Spikeball

Spikeball is a fast-paced, energetic game that’s perfect for playing outside after your Thanksgiving dinner. It’s played with a small, round net set on the ground and a lightweight ball. Two teams take turns bouncing the ball onto the net so it ricochets toward the opposing team, kind of like a mix between volleyball and four square. It’s easy to learn, fun for all ages, and adds some activity to your Thanksgiving festivities. Spikeball is a great way to get everyone moving, laughing, and burning off a little of that pumpkin pie energy before heading back for leftovers!

2. Kan Jam

Kan Jam is a fun, outdoor disc-tossing game that’s perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings. Players take turns throwing a flying disc toward a large can with a slot in the front, aiming to hit or land the disc inside to score points. It’s simple to learn, exciting to play, and a great activity for both kids and adults. Kan Jam adds just the right amount of family-friendly competition and laughter to your Thanksgiving day festivities.

3. Corn Hole

Corn Hole is a classic backyard game where players take turns tossing bean bags onto a raised board, aiming to land them in the hole for points. It’s an easy, laid-back game that’s perfect for all ages and adds a fun, festive touch to any Thanksgiving gathering.

4. Bocce Ball

Bocce Ball is a relaxed yet competitive lawn game where players roll balls to get closest to a small target ball, called the pallino. It’s simple, social, and perfect for family fun on Thanksgiving Day.

5. Flag Football

A classic game for a reason! A little backyard football is the perfect way to balance out that second slice of pumpkin pie. Split into teams, set a time limit, and enjoy some outdoor fun before your Thanksgiving meal, or after if everyone’s up for it.

Board Games and Card Games for Thanksgiving

After a big dinner, sometimes everyone just wants to relax and play something easy. Board games and card games are the perfect way to spend time together without needing to move around.

Some of the best family-friendly options include:

• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza – a fun, fast-paced card game that’s great for older kids and adults.
• Ticket to Ride – travel across the country while trying to build train routes, ideal for strategic thinkers.
• Uno or Phase 10 – easy, colorful classics that even younger children can join in on.
• Telestrations – like a mix between Pictionary and telephone, this is a great game for big laughs.

These are all great ways to wind down after the big meal and enjoy some lighthearted family memories.

Create New Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving is one of those rare times when the whole family gathers together, so make the most of it! Whether you’re cheering at a backyard football game or laughing around the dinner table over a silly Thanksgiving game, these playful activities are the perfect way to build connection.

So this year, try a few new Thanksgiving games. You’ll have so much fun, and you might just start a new family tradition.

Happy Thanksgiving!