35 Best Family-Friendly Thanksgiving Activities to Try This Year
There are so many great ways for kids and adults to give back.
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Food tends to take center stage at Thanksgiving — there's a reason turkeys say "gobble gobble" after all. But when you've got kids at the table or out-of-town guests in for the long weekend, chances are good you've got as much time to fill as bellies. Besides, spending quality time with the people around the table is just as big a part of the holiday as what's on it. Whether you're cooking or just eating, Thanksgiving Day can be a marathon, so you'll need some fun Thanksgiving activities to occupy everyone before and after the feast.
If you're looking for a unique Thanksgiving tradition to add meaning to the festivities, we've got a great list of fun, funny an offbeat things to do on Turkey Day that everyone from grandma to the youngest cousins can enjoy. Our favorite Thanksgiving activities and Thanksgiving games will help eat up the time before or after dinner, not to mention stock up the ol' memory bank. Don't forget to snap some photos to memorialize all that togetherness (and yes, we've got the perfect holiday Instagram captions to go along with them)!
And because we've all got different preferences and crafting abilities, these ideas range from Thanksgiving themed-arts and crafts, to ideas that require no materials at all and everything in between. And when the food coma hits, there's nothing wrong with turning on a family-friendly Thanksgiving movie while you snack on those leftover turkey sandwiches. Get ready for every kid, teen and adult to shake a tail feather on Turkey Day!
Host a Pie-Baking Contest or Swap
What's better than one pie? Two pies! Or three pies, or...you get the idea. Instead of rolling out all that dough by yourself, invite your guests to bring a favorite pie of their own. Everyone gets to partake in judging the sweetest contest ever.
Put on a Skit
If you've got a big group coming over, you've already got a cast in the making, so put on a play or skit. Or, break into teams to put your improv skills to the test and give each group a prop or theme that must be incorporated, like a mini pumpkin or the words "carve the turkey." Most gut-busting skit wins!
Explore a Corn Maze
If there's one open on the day, head out to a corn maze to walk off some of that turkey and get in some fall-flavored fun. If not, it makes a great Black Friday adventure!
Throw a Fall-Themed Scavenger Hunt
Get everybody out of the house (and out from underfoot) with a fall-themed scavenger hunt. Give each person or team a list of items to find, like naturally dried flowers, mini pumpkins or gourds or silly photos to take, like everyone in front of their favorite festive decor.
Thanksgiving Scratch-Offs
What we love about this idea is that you get to pick the prize. It can be an actual gift (BTW, we have great Thanksgiving gift options here), or something more like, "get of out helping with the dishes."
Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or Food Pantry
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: Surprising Benefits of Volunteering You Didn't Know About
Deliver Meals
If your local soup kitchen doesn't need volunteers, check with organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, where you can hand-deliver food to those who live alone or who are isolated. You can also check with your own neighbors to see if anyone needs anything.
Volunteer at a Animal Shelter
Even if it can't be the exact day of the holiday, use the long weekend to check in with your local animal shelter to see if you can lend a hand walking, feeding or cuddling some of the pets.
Play a Gratitude Game
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.
Participate in a Turkey Trot Near You
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 noshing.
Host a Mini Pumpkin Hunt
Coming up with brilliant places to hide the eggs before the big Easter egg hunt is just as much fun for adults as finding them is for kids. For a fun fall twist, 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.
Thanksgiving Bingo
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.
Write Thank-You Cards
Thank-you cards aren't just for gifts. 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.
Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
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.
Break the Wishbone
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
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.
Play Thanksgiving Trivia
Ignite some friendly competition by putting your group's knowledge of Thanksgiving trivia to the test. It's so much fun seeing everyone get riled up over history, and you might even learn a little something along the way. You can find inexpensive Turkey Day trivia cards on Etsy or make your own.
Settle in for a Thanksgiving Movie Marathon
Football who? This year, pop some popcorn, cozy up on the couch and stream your favorite Thanksgiving movies or Thanksgiving episodes of marathon-worthy shows. Who can resist another viewing of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving?
Play Turkey Tag
Things can get a little 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.
Bake a Thanksgiving Dessert
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.
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