Thanksgiving is all about gathering together, sharing a good meal, and making memories.
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But if you’re looking for ways to keep everyone entertained while the turkey cooks—or after everyone has finished eating—a few fun Thanksgiving games can make the day even more memorable.
Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering, celebrating Friendsgiving, or looking for activities to keep the kids busy, these Thanksgiving games offer something for everyone.
From silly challenges and guessing games to word puzzles and scavenger hunts, they’re easy ways to bring a little extra fun to your holiday.
Thanksgiving Icebreaker Questions
Sometimes the best part of a holiday gathering is the conversation around the table.
Thanksgiving icebreaker questions are a fun way to get everyone talking, especially when you’re bringing together relatives, friends, and guests who may not know one another very well.
Questions about favorite Thanksgiving foods, family traditions, childhood memories, and holiday preferences can lead to funny stories and unexpected conversations.
Try these questions before dinner, use them as table conversation starters, or let guests draw a question and answer it aloud.
Best for: Family gatherings, Friendsgiving, office parties, and mixed-age groups.
Want an easy way to get the conversation started? Check out the Thanksgiving Icebreaker Questions printable on Etsy.
Thanksgiving Minute to Win It Games
If your group enjoys a little friendly competition, Minute to Win It games are a great choice. These quick challenges usually involve completing a silly task in about a minute, often using simple household or party supplies.
You might challenge guests to move objects, stack items, or complete a task against the clock. The fun comes from watching everyone try to beat the timer—and seeing who can keep a straight face!
These games are especially good when you have a group that enjoys being active and laughing together. You can play individually or divide everyone into teams.
Best for: Families with older children, teens, adults, and lively holiday parties.
Make planning easier with these Thanksgiving Minute to Win It Games on Etsy.
Thanksgiving Charades
Charades is a classic party game for a reason: you don’t need much equipment, and almost everyone can join in.
For Thanksgiving charades, players act out holiday-related words or phrases while their teammates try to guess what they are.
Think turkey, pumpkin pie, watching football, preparing Thanksgiving dinner, or falling asleep after a big meal!
Write the prompts on slips of paper, place them in a bowl, and take turns acting them out without speaking. For larger groups, divide into teams and keep score.
Best for: Family game time, Friendsgiving, classroom celebrations, and holiday parties.
Get ready for some laughter with this Thanksgiving Charades Game printable on Etsy.
Thanksgiving Word Scramble
Looking for a quieter activity that guests can enjoy at the table? A Thanksgiving word scramble is an easy option.
Players unscramble letters to discover words related to Thanksgiving, fall, food, and holiday traditions.
You can hand out copies before dinner, set them on the kids’ table, or use them as an activity while everyone waits for dessert.
Make it a friendly competition by giving everyone a time limit and awarding a small prize to the person who finishes first.
A word scramble is also a handy choice when you want an activity that doesn’t require everyone to participate at the same time.
Best for: Kids who enjoy puzzles, classroom parties, family dinners, and guests who prefer a seated activity.
Try this Thanksgiving Word Scramble for Kids printable on Etsy.
Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
A Thanksgiving scavenger hunt gives kids something fun to do while the adults prepare the meal or visit with guests.
Players search for seasonal items, familiar holiday decorations, or things associated with Thanksgiving.
Depending on the ages of your players, you can make the hunt simple or more challenging.
Younger children might look for a pumpkin, a turkey decoration, or an autumn leaf. Older kids can work from a checklist and race to find everything.
You can play indoors, around the house, or outside if the weather cooperates. Just be sure to set clear boundaries so everyone knows where they can look.
Best for: Kids, cousins visiting for the holiday, and families looking for an activity before dinner.
Make it easy to get started with this Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt printable on Etsy.
Thanksgiving I Spy
For younger children—or anyone who enjoys a visual puzzle—Thanksgiving I Spy is a simple, screen-free activity.
Players look at a page filled with Thanksgiving-themed pictures and count or identify the items they are asked to find.
It’s a good option for the kids’ table, a quiet moment before dinner, or a little activity to keep children occupied while the grown-ups finish cooking.
You can also turn it into a group challenge by having everyone search the page together and compare answers.
Best for: Younger children, preschool and elementary-age kids, and quiet holiday activities.
Take a look at this Thanksgiving I Spy Game for Kids printable on Etsy.
Thanksgiving Would You Rather?
Would You Rather is a fun conversation game that can get everyone talking. Players choose between two options, and the most entertaining part is often hearing why someone made their choice.
Thanksgiving-themed questions might ask whether someone would rather eat only mashed potatoes or only pumpkin pie, host Thanksgiving or travel for it, or help prepare dinner or be in charge of dessert.
There are no right or wrong answers, which makes this a relaxed game for a group with different ages and personalities. Use it around the dinner table, during a family game night, or as an icebreaker while guests arrive.
Best for: Families, teens, adults, Friendsgiving gatherings, and holiday conversation.
Bring some fun questions to your gathering with this Thanksgiving Would You Rather Game printable on Etsy.
Make Your Thanksgiving Gathering More Fun
You don’t need an elaborate party plan to make Thanksgiving special. A few simple games can give guests a reason to laugh, help people get to know one another, and create memories that last long after the leftovers are gone.
Choose a lively game like charades or Minute to Win It if your group enjoys competition.
If you need something quieter, try a word scramble or I Spy. And when you want everyone talking, icebreaker questions and Would You Rather are easy places to start.
You can even set out a few different activities and let guests choose what sounds fun. The goal isn’t to fill every minute of the day—it’s to make room for connection, laughter, and a little holiday fun.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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