Discover 10 fun and easy Thanksgiving games for the whole family. Great for kids and adults, these simple activities bring energy and connection to your holiday.

Quick Summary

• Thanksgiving games add connection, energy, and fun to the holiday with very little prep.
• Activities like charades, bingo, trivia, and pumpkin bowling work well for mixed-age groups.
• Active games help kids burn energy before dinner, while conversational games keep adults engaged.
• Most games require only simple materials you already have at home.
• 53% of Americans say they'll watch football games on Thanksgiving Day, showing that shared activities are a big part of the holiday experience¹.

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1. Thanksgiving Charades (Family Favorite)

What it is: A classic acting game with a holiday twist.

How to play:

• Write prompts on slips of paper (foods, chores, traditions, fall activities).
• Split into two teams.
• Players act out prompts without speaking. First team to guess earns a point.

Make it fun: Add silly prompts like “burned rolls,” “cranberry sauce disaster,” or “after-dinner nap.”

2. Turkey Bowling (Kids + Adults)

What it is: Pumpkin bowling using bottles as pins.

How to set it up:

• Line up 6–10 empty water bottles.
• Use a mini pumpkin as the bowling ball.
• Play in rounds or sudden-death style.
  

Make it fun: Decorate bottles as turkeys or set up different “lanes” in the driveway or hallway.

3. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt (Great for Kids)

What it is: A simple indoor or outdoor hunt themed around gratitude.

How to play:

1. Hide clues around the house or yard.
2. Each clue leads to something you’re thankful for (ex: “something shared,” “something warm”).
3. Finish with a small treat, note, or surprise.
   

🧠 Genius Tip: Post the start time on your sign up so kids and adults know when to gather.

4. Thanksgiving Trivia (Adults + Teens)

What it is: A question-and-answer game mixing real facts and family memories.

How to play:

• Create 20–30 questions about food, history, sports, and your own family traditions.
• Read questions aloud or display them on a TV/tablet.
• Keep score or play casually.
  

Fun question ideas:
• “Which state produces the most turkeys?”
• “Who hosted last year’s dinner?”
• “Who always takes leftovers home?”

5. Pie Walk (All Ages)

What it is: A Thanksgiving spin on the classic cake walk.

How to play:

• Tape numbers in a circle on the floor.
• Play music while participants walk.
• When the music stops, pick a number from a bowl.
• Whoever stands on that number wins a slice of pie.
  

🧠 Genius Tip: Use a Donations sign up to collect pies from guests and save yourself a shopping trip.

6. Pass the Pumpkin (Simple + Hilarious)

What it is: Hot potato using a small pumpkin.

How to play:

• Sit in a circle.
• Pass the pumpkin while music plays.
• When the music stops, whoever has it completes a Thanksgiving-themed challenge (ex: “name three fall foods,” “strike a turkey pose”).
  

Good for: Pre-dinner downtime or after-dinner laughs.

7. Thanksgiving Bingo (Kids + Mixed Ages)

What it is: A printable or DIY bingo board filled with holiday items.

How to play:

• Print or draw bingo boards with Thanksgiving foods, traditions, and inside jokes.
• Use candy corn, beans, or paper squares as markers.
• First person to complete a row wins.

8. Friendsgiving Feud (Adults)

What it is: Your own version of Family Feud using answers from your guest group.

How to play:

• Survey guests before the event with 6–8 questions (“Most overrated Thanksgiving food”).
• Compile common answers.
• Divide into teams and reveal results game-show style.

9. Dinner-Time Guess Who (Conversation Starter)

What it is: A great game for blending families or reconnecting with relatives.

How to play:

• Everyone writes a surprising fact about themselves on a slip.
• Mix all slips in a bowl.
• Read each one and guess who wrote it.

Why it works: It sparks conversation and helps everyone get to know each other.

10. Emoji Thanksgiving Challenge (Teens + Adults)

What it is: Players guess Thanksgiving phrases written only with emojis.

How to play:

• Create 10–20 emoji prompts (ex: 🦃🥧 = turkey and pie).
• Hold up each one or send to a group chat.
• First to guess correctly earns a point.
  

Why it works: Fast, funny, and easy for phone-loving teens.

How SignUpGenius Makes Thanksgiving Easier

Coordinate Food and Supplies Without Group Text Chaos

Create a Thanksgiving sign up to organize dishes, drinks, and essentials. Guests see what’s needed and choose what to bring, preventing duplicates and reducing host stress.

🧠 Genius Tip: Use our Potluck Template to quickly create a sign up and get your menu organized.

Plan Games and Activities With Clear Roles

Add a tab for “Activities” and list small roles like “Trivia Question Writer” or “Pumpkin Bowling Setup.” It's an easy way to share responsibility so you’re not running everything yourself.

Keep RSVPs and Arrival Times in One Place

Use your sign up to collect RSVPs, arrival times, and headcounts so you can plan seating, portions, and timing without chasing anyone down. See How

FAQ

Q: What are the best Thanksgiving games for mixed-age groups?

A: Charades, Bingo, Pass the Pumpkin, and Turkey Bowling work well because they’re simple and easy to scale for kids and adults.

Q: How early should I prepare Thanksgiving games?

A: Most require little prep. You can gather materials a day or two ahead and print or list prompts the morning of.

Q: What if I have a small group?

A: Choose low-prep games like Trivia, Emoji Challenge, or Dinner-Time Guess Who. These work even with 3–4 people.

Q: How do I keep kids entertained while cooking?

A: Active games like a scavenger hunt or Turkey Bowling are great for pre-meal energy.

Q: What supplies do most games require?

A: Common items include paper, markers, mini pumpkins, bottles, tape, or printed cards—things most households already have.

Ready to put Thanksgiving planning on easy mode?

Siena College Research Institute. (2024, November 26). 93% of NYers Celebrate Thanksgiving; Turkey Tops Stuffing as Favorite Food; 53% Plan to Watch Football.