Thanksgiving ideas for family: 30 Best Thanksgiving Activities for Kids & Adults

30 Best Thanksgiving Activities for Kids & Adults

Play a Gratitude Game

Happy go Lucky

Keep everyone’s minds on the reason for the season with this free printable. It makes asking everyone what they’re thankful for even sweeter, plus encourages more creativity in people’s answers. Use game pieces instead of candy if you don’t want to spoil any appetites.

Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky »

Participate in a Turkey Trot Near You

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Whether your town has an organized Turkey Trot road race or you just lace up and head out on your own, a pre-dinner run is a great way to get your blood moving before all that pie.

Host a Mini Pumpkin Hunt

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Coming up with genius places to hide the eggs before the big Easter egg hunt is just as much fun for adults as finding them is for kids. But don’t limit the hunting fun to spring! Instead of eggs, hide miniature pumpkins or gourds and let the kids loose in the yard to find them all. They can double as a centerpiece once they’re all discovered.

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Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or Food Pantry

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Before your own meal goes in the oven, get a group together to serve others. Lots of soup kitchens and food pantries welcome volunteers to give the less fortunate a happy Turkey Day. See if one near you does, too.

RELATED: 6 Surprising Benefits of Volunteering You Didn’t Know About

Thanksgiving Bingo

Happiness Is Homemade

It doesn’t get much more classic than a rousing game of holiday bingo! Give the game a festive spin by downloading free printable Turkey Day-themed cards online. Use pieces from other board games, hard-shelled candies, buttons or even pennies to cover the squares.

Download the printable at Happiness Is Homemade »

Write Thank-You Cards

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Thank-you cards aren’t just for gifts anymore. Set the kids up with some crayons and blank cards and encourage them to write (or draw) cards to their loved ones, teachers and friends as an exercise in gratitude.

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Thanksgiving Coloring Pages

Thirty Handmade Days

Not only is coloring a relaxing (and stationary!) activity for children and grown-ups alike, you also end up with a holiday decoration for the fridge. Everyone will love filling in these gratitude-themed coloring pages, and they’ll help everyone focus on what’s most important.

Download the printables at Thirty Handmade Days »

Break the Wishbone

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When carving the turkey, set aside the wishbone to dry. Then, after the dishes are done, have a wishbone-breaking contest. Whoever ends up with the biggest piece gets to make a wish!

Craft a Family Tree

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When the whole family gathers for the holiday, put together a family tree to commemorate your connection. Experts say that when children know their family story, they’re happier and have higher self-esteem — and teaching them all about it couldn’t be easier thanks to this hands-on project. Using everyone’s fingerprints as the leaves will make it even more personal. Opt for red and orange ink to give this craft a Thanksgiving spin.

RELATED: 30 Easy and Fun Turkey Crafts for Kids of All Ages

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Play Thanksgiving Trivia

VanillaMintPrints

Ignite some friendly competition by putting your group’s knowledge of Thanksgiving trivia to the test. You’ll have fun seeing everyone get riled up over history, and might even learn a little something along the way. You can find inexpensive Turkey Day trivia cards on Etsy, or make your own.

SHOP THANKSGIVING TRIVIA CARDS

Settle in for a Thanksgiving Movie Marathon

Apple

Play Turkey Tag

A Girl and A Glue Gun

Things can get competitive when you play turkey tag. Stick this adorable DIY turkey clip on other family members’ clothes when they’re not looking then, when they find it, it’s their turn to do the same.

Get the tutorial at A Girl and A Glue Gun »

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Bake a Thanksgiving Dessert

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Who says the whole family can’t help with the big meal? Bake some Thanksgiving shape cookies and have the kids decorate them, get grandma in on rolling out the pie dough, or enlist a few cousins to frost a cake. Many hands make light (and delicious) work.

RELATED: 75 Incredible Thanksgiving Desserts You Need to Make

Make a Plan for Black Friday Shopping

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Go Outside for a Game of Touch Football

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Grab a football and divide the crew up into teams for an old-fashioned game of touch or flag football. Just don’t get too rough; nobody wants to head to the ER on a holiday.

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Play Harvest Bowling

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Head to your local hardware or gardening store to pick up enough hay bales to create your own driveway or backyard bowling lane. It doubles as decor after you’re done making strikes and spares. Just don’t forget to grab some bowling pins, too!

Craft a Fall Wreath

Tatiana Soares / EyeEm//Getty Images

Get some wreath forms and supplies at your local craft store, then set them out on a table so your guests can get crafty making pretty fall wreaths. Then, proudly display the results for all to see!

RELATED: 25 DIY Thanksgiving Wreath Ideas to Amp Up Your Front Door

Say What You’re Grateful For, From A to Z

Ariel Skelley//Getty Images

To keep conversation rolling at the table, ask everyone what they’re grateful for — with a twist. The first answer has to start with A, then the next one starts with B, and so on throughout the alphabet. Start brainstorming your answers for the trickier letters now!

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Play “Who’s the Baby?”

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Pull out all your old family photo albums or tell guests to email you a photo of themselves as babies before they arrive. Then, attach the photos to a bulletin board and number each one. Ask everyone to write down their guesses of who’s who, then announce the correct answers after dinner. It’s fun to see how much your loved ones have changed over the years!

Host an Ugly Thanksgiving Sweater Contest

Clothing that’s so ugly it’s cool is not just for Christmas anymore. When you give everyone the invitation details, ask them to make or buy or DIY their own Turkey Day-themed top. On Thanksgiving Day, pick a winner and don’t forget to take pictures of everyone’s silly duds!

SHOP THANKSGIVING SWEATSHIRT

Lizz Schumer

Senior Editor

Lizz (she/her) is a senior editor at Good Housekeeping, where she runs the GH Book Club, edits essays and long-form features and writes about pets, books and lifestyle topics. A journalist for almost two decades, she is the author of Biography of a Body and Buffalo Steel. She also teaches journalism as an adjunct professor at New York University’s School of Professional Studies and creative nonfiction at the Muse Writing Center, and coaches with the New York Writing Room. 

35 Best Thanksgiving Activities for the Whole Family

1

Host a Pie Swap

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What’s better than a Thanksgiving pie? Having all the best Thanksgiving pies! If you host a pie swap, you’ll only be responsible for making one kind, but then you get to enjoy so many other flavors.

SHOP PIE PANS

2

Capture the Moment

Lane Oatey / Blue Jean Images//Getty Images

Whether you snap a few impromptu family photos or organize a more formal photoshoot, don’t forget to capture the special moments. After all, Thanksgiving is all about spending time with those you love, so it’s important to remember it always.

3

Watch the Parade

Getty Images

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a tradition shared by millions of Americans, thanks to the magic of television. Whether you just keep it on in the background while you prep food or look at every single float, it’s so easy to enjoy the festivities.

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4

Go for a Walk

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Getting some fresh air in between all those food courses is a great idea. It helps get your blood circulating again to take a walk around the neighborhood. Plus, it might give you a chance for some one-on-one time with someone you haven’t been able to connect with yet.

5

Hold an Ugly Sweater Contest

Amazon

Why wait for Christmas for an ugly sweater contest? Start early with a Thanksgiving-themed contest instead! Your family and friends will gobble up the idea of starting the high jinx early.

SHOP SWEATERS

6

Craft a Fall Wreath

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Create a beautiful fall wreath to welcome in your guests during Thanksgiving and beyond! For the simplest options, all you really need is a wreath form and some craft leaves. Add some berries and gourds if you want it to pop a little more.

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7

Run in a Turkey Trot

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Never heard of a Turkey Trot? Prepare to work up a sweat! The idea is a short run typically held on Thanksgiving morning so you can enjoy the crisp fall air while making room for the feast to come.

8

DIY Wool Pumpkins

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Wool pumpkins encapsulate all of the coziness of fall in craft form! You can make n0-sew options using leftover fabric, wrapping it with twine, and using dried twigs for the stem. They’re the cutest last-minute Thanksgiving table or porch décor!

9

Get Ready for Black Friday

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Once Thanksgiving passes, you’re straight onto the biggest shopping day of the year. That means there’s little time to take stock of what you actually want to buy! Create a Black Friday shopping list for your friends and family so you can take advantage of the deals without purchasing goods you don’t really need.

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10

Bake Thanksgiving Cookies

Will Dickey

Yes, pies are great and a thanksgiving must-have, but they’re not the only delicious sweet on Turkey Day! Bake a batch of Thanksgiving cookies like these pecan sandies and let the kids help decorate.

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11

Volunteer

Ariel Skelley//Getty Images

Give back to your community by spending your Thanksgiving morning volunteering at a soup kitchen or food shelter.

12

Arrange a Fall Bouquet

Alison Gootee

This activity is the gift that keeps on giving. Have fun arranging beautiful fall-inspired bouquets and then use them to decorate your Thanksgiving dinner party.

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13

Thanksgiving Pictionary

Somewhat Simple

Have fun crafting this cute Thanksgiving-themed Pictionary from an empty tin can and wood craft sticks. Then, let the games begin!

See more at Somewhat Simple.

14

Break the Wishbone

skynesher//Getty Images

A wishbone-breaking contest is a classic Thanksgiving tradition in which two people hold onto opposite ends of the bone and pull until it breaks. Whoever ends up with the bigger piece gets to make a wish!

15

Play Thanksgiving Bingo

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Grandma and Grandpa will love this one! Thanksgiving bingo is the perfect game for the whole family to play while they wait for the turkey to finish cooking.

SHOP THANKSGIVING BINGO CARDS

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16

Make an Oversized Family Tree

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Trace your ancestral roots by making a family tree! For super-sized fun, you can create one on your wall using washable markers and pretty paper leaves.

17

Write Thank You Cards

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Thanksgiving is a time for expressing gratitude, so why not take this opportunity to write a few thank you cards to the people you love, whether near or far.

18

Create a ‘Count Your Blessings’ Tree

Somewhat Simple

This free printable offers a fun and meaningful way for the whole family to count their blessings. When you’re done, hang it in your home as a daily reminder of everything you have to be thankful for.

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19

Play a Game of Touch Football

franckreporter

A game of touch football is a great way to get some exercise and fresh fall air before you settle in to eat the night away. Make it an annual Thanksgiving tradition, if you haven’t already.

20

Win a Thanksgiving Word Search

Natalia Gramakova

Test your word smarts with a fun Thanksgiving word search. There are lots of free printables available online featuring festive words like harvest, feast, and pumpkin.

SHOP THANKSGIVING WORD SEARCHES

Tierney McAfee

Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.

90,000 3 Thanksgiving family traditions. Take note

Posted By: Anna Grebenyuk

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Thanksgiving is a great family holiday. Some families have special traditions, if you don’t then here are 3 ways to make Thanksgiving special. Take note.

Thanksgiving Breakfast

Early in the morning, before the bustle of the day has knocked on the door, the whole family gathers around the table. Between eating holiday pancakes and sipping tea, blessings for the new year are written on a separate sheet, what would you like to change: get a new job, learn to play the guitar, volunteer at a shelter, learn a new language. Remember Nothing is impossible for God . When the new list is ready, it’s time to get out the previous options (if any) or write down what everyone is grateful for. There are families that have kept blessing lists for decades. Every year, looking through the records, you can see how much God has done in life, which we may have already forgotten.

When tomorrow is over, and the lists are safely put away in the nightstand, you can start the day’s chores. Thanksgiving Breakfast is an opportunity to say thank you to God first thing in the morning for everything He has done and will do for your family.

Thanksgiving tree

Thanksgiving is a family holiday, but there are families where it is not accepted or they do not know how to express feelings. There is a way to change this.

The trunk and branches of a tree are cut out of brown paper and glued to the wall. Leaves are cut out of red, yellow and orange paper. Each family member takes a few pieces of paper and writes down what he/she is grateful for. The name is not required. Children can also be involved in the process. The more leaves on the branches with words of gratitude, the better. And let the tree be made of paper, but with each leaf it grows, comes to life and unites families.

Tablecloth of memories

As you might guess, this tradition needs an important element – a tablecloth.

During or after a gala dinner, you can ask everyone to take pens and write words of gratitude directly on the tablecloth. Add more stories next year. When you gather again at the same table, guests will be able to see and remember what they were once grateful for and write new words. It may not be possible for all family members or friends to be around, but their words remain on the fabric, reminding you to say a prayer of gratitude for each of them

Source Focus on the Family

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26 Thanksgiving traditions to start with family in 2020

Your Best Life

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Every Thanksgiving celebration has a few essentials: family, friends, holiday tunes, a few bottles ok wines, delicious cocktails, even tastier menu, pie…and more pie. Besides, it’s up to you. Over the years, your family has probably developed some favorite traditions associated with Turkey Day, from the food you serve for Thanksgiving dinner (hello, grandma’s famous sauce recipe) to what you do before and after the holiday (watch Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in bed, break out a good book or a hard puzzle, or maybe even play midday football).

However, this year’s celebrations are bound to look a little different in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and social distancing. Yes, you may have to skip a few of your old traditions, but that also makes this the perfect time to add a few activities over and over again that you didn’t do. Ahead, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite modern Thanksgiving traditions — and not all of them are about food: start the day with a turkey (or, if you’re like us, at the Bloody Mary bar), host a post-dinner virtual game night or movie marathon, take a group photo in matching, holiday pajamas, make DIY location cards and other embellishments with thoughtful captions, make a video call with your farthest loved ones, and more.

Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving with friends, family, or just a couple, these ideas for Thanksgiving traditions around the country are sure to make you count your blessings and feel more grateful than ever.

In all the fun and madness, it’s easy to forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving: gratitude. Hand out black felt-tip pens and before digging, invite each guest to write what they are grateful for on a meat paper rag placed on the table. You can archive the sheets to look at them lovingly.

media photoGetty Images Treat yourself to breakfast with pie.

Instead of starving yourself before 3:00 pm, start your day right (and expand your belly a bit!) With a pie breakfast. Invite guests to bring their favorites or try one of these killer recipes.

Lauri PattersonGetty ImagesCreate a Bloody Mary bar.

While dinner is cooking and baking, open the Bloody Mary Bar so guests can prepare their own classic brunch while chatting and watching the parade. Bonus points for unusual side dishes such as bacon, shrimp and lobster.

FG TradeGetty ImagesCommunicate with family members far away.

In light of social distancing and the coronavirus pandemic, Thanksgiving may look a little different this year, with many families skipping their big annual gatherings for something smaller. But even if some of your loved ones and loved ones can’t make it to the celebration, they can still join the celebration – virtually. Set up a virtual happy hour or video call before, after, or even during meals with those who can’t make it to the table to make them feel like they’re there.

mixettoGetty ImagesCollect canned food.

It’s only natural to show gratitude by trying to give thanks, but instead of volunteering in a charity kitchen, many of which are overflowing on that single day but then forgotten about, why not invite your guests to each of them to bring canned food? donate?

PeopleImagesGetty ImagesCreate personalized place cards.

Before the big day, send out the guest list and ask everyone to share what they love or respect about each guest. Compliment a place card with each guest’s name so they sit down and find a touching list of anonymous thanks.

belchonockGetty ImagesHold a jar of gratitude.

Make Thanksgiving a 365 day affair. Throughout the year, keep a jar of gratitude for the gestures you appreciate from family and friends you know you’ll see in November. Pull out the jar after dinner and share heart-warming gestures.

Photography by Christina ReichlGetty ImagesOrganize an ornament exchange.

When Santa’s sleigh arrives at the end of Macy’s Parade, the holiday season officially begins. For those celebrating Christmas, invite every Thanksgiving guest to bring in an ornament to exchange to start the holidays and keep the joy going into December.

Archive PhotosGetty ImagesWatch a classic holiday movie.

Break the turkey coma by gathering in front of the TV after dessert to watch the classic Thanksgiving movie together: choose the same movie every year or have fun letting another family member choose the movie each time.

Irina_BarcariGetty ImagesCreate a beautiful centerpiece.

Few things are more annoying (and potentially dangerous) to Thanksgiving hosts than having literally too many chefs in the kitchen. So, to keep your guests entertained while you finish preparing the big feast, ask them to create a show stop centerpiece for the table. Depending on how much time you’re trying to kill, you can either set up whatever your guests will need – fall flowers, pint-sized pumpkins, wispy twigs, colorful pumpkins, fragrant pine cones, a few fallen leaves – or you can send them outside to harvest seasonal supplies first.

SolStockGetty Images Play charades.

Gather your friends after dinner and play an old-fashioned game of charades that’s sure to make you laugh (and impress you with skills you never knew you had). Or, try one of these games.

Lauri Patterson Getty Images Host a Thanksgiving dinner.

No need to sit alone in the kitchen for hours. Everyone has their own recipe for superstardom: one passed down from generation to generation or borrowed from friends they swear by. Entertain guests by inviting everyone to bring their best dish. If you have all the basics, who says you can’t have four different types of toppings?

skynerGetty ImagesAsk all toast to Thanksgiving.

Invoking the popular phrase “everybody says what you’re grateful for” – encourage every guest at the table to stand up and make their Thanksgiving toast, reflecting on the past year. Here are some Thanksgiving Quotes to get everyone started.

Maren CarusoGetty ImagesSend guests home with leftover food.

Thanksgiving dinner is a meal that continues to provide benefits, especially if, like us, you always get a mountain of extra food. To avoid overloading your fridge with leftovers, send each guest home with a few leftovers and a couple of recipes for turning them into something new, like a turkey sandwich or waffles topped with cranberry sauce. Even better, ask everyone to bring their own container so you don’t waste the rest of the year chasing yours.

Hoxton / Sam Edwards Have the children serve dessert.

Why should adults have all the fun? Invite your children to join the action by inviting of them to serve dessert. Better yet, let them help make the cake and serve up their own delicious creations (along with more professional suggestions, of course).

Alexander NakichGetty ImagesDine al fresco.

If you live in a favorable climate, consider having your Thanksgiving dinner outside. Closer to nature reminds of the most important thing – literally a breath of fresh air.

LavenderGetty ImagesTry a new recipe.

Who said Thanksgiving requires toppings, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce? Spice things up this year and replace one holiday meal with something a little different, from delicious dishes that reflect your strong cultural ties (like vegetable chapcha or baked flan) to family favorites passed down from generation to generation. (like the sweet potato casserole recipe your mother cut out of the box at 1950s, or your great-great-grandmother’s handwritten sticky bun recipe) to a fresh take on your favorite holiday side dish (think smoked turkey and spicy cranberry sauce).

Johner ImagesGetty ImagesWrite down your wishes.

If you’re like most people, you’re likely to share your thanks every Thanksgiving, but the holiday is a great time to also reflect on your hopes and aspirations for the year ahead. A day or two before Thanksgiving, gather some pretty branches from the outside, cover them with gold, silver, or copper paint, and secure them in a vase or pot of rocks at the base. Then, when your guests arrive, invite everyone to write what they want on a tag or card that they can hang on the branches you’ve collected. You will not only have a bright centerpiece for your table is the year , but hopefully you will have even more, for which you will be grateful next year .

Noel HendricksonGetty ImagesGo for a walk after dinner.

Taking a walk after dinner not only burns off all those calories in gravy, it also allows you to slow down and enjoy the moment together – perfect to make room before heading home for dessert.

fstop123 Play football.

Thanksgiving is synonymous with football, so even if you don’t like pork skins, why not take it? Get everyone together for a rousing game of touch football before dinner, guaranteed to become one of the family’s favorite traditions. Take it to the next level by turning it into the Thanksgiving Olympics and handing out mini prizes at the end.

FG TradeGetty ImagesShare your favorite family stories.

Instead of fighting a food coma by spending a lot of time in front of a screen, watching a few episodes of the latest Netflix show mindlessly scrolling through your Instagram feed – ask your older relatives to share some of your favorite family stories. This activity will not only fill the evening with laughter (and perhaps tears), but also create deeper bonds that will last long after the holidays. According to the Emory University Family Stories Lab, families who know and tell family stories are emotionally closer and report stronger bonds than families who do not know or do not tell such stories.

Klaus WedfeltGetty ImagesTake a themed group photo.

It may seem obvious, but with the hustle and bustle surrounding Turkey Day, it’s easy to forget to take a picture to mark the occasion. For the perfect group shot, surprise your guests with a pair of coordinating, party pajamas placed in every space they can change into after a hearty meal. (Or ask guests to bring their own.) Then gather your friends and family for a group photo that you can share on social media. those smart signatures.

Donald Ian Smith Getty Images Break the wishbone.

Here’s a fresh take on a centuries-old Thanksgiving tradition: Hide a turkey bone in a secret indoor or outdoor location before dinner. When you’ve finished eating, send the little ones out in groups of two to find them. A team that finds a hidden wishbone will not only break it, but may also skip the line for dessert.

kirin_photoGetty Images Decorate cookies for Thanksgiving.

Another way to keep the kids entertained, before you sit down, set up a cookie decorating station, including freshly baked sugar cookies in a variety of shapes (think turkeys, leaves and pumpkins), mini bottles filled with different colors. frosting and a variety of toppings so that the little ones can get to work after dinner. Even sweeter: adults can not only relax a little longer, but also go home with a delicious souvenir!

JGI / Tom GrillGetty ImagesWrite a thank you note.