Thanksgiving is about more than just turkey and pie, it’s a chance to create memories your family will treasure for years.
But keeping everyone entertained all day can be tough, especially with mixed ages and energy levels.
This blog shares fun Thanksgiving activities that transform your holiday from a quick meal into a full day of laughter and connection.
From kid-friendly crafts to games that get everyone involved, these ideas work for families of all sizes.
Best of all, most use items you already have at home and need very little setup time.
Why Plan Thanksgiving Activities?
Thanksgiving without activities can feel long and boring, especially for kids who finish eating in ten minutes.
Planning fun things to do keeps everyone busy and happy throughout the day. It gives shy family members something to talk about besides the weather or work.
Activities also create memories that last way longer than the meal itself.
Years later, your kids won’t remember what you served for dinner, but they’ll remember the pie contest or the silly turkey hats. These shared experiences bring families closer together and give everyone something to look forward to.
Plus, activities help burn off energy before and after the big meal. Kids need something to do while adults cook, and everyone needs a reason to move around after eating too much.
Best Thanksgiving Activities for Families
Bring your family closer this Thanksgiving fun activities that create lasting memories and new traditions.
From gratitude projects to fun games, these ideas make your holiday celebration special for all ages.
1. Thanksgiving Gratitude Jar
Set up a decorated jar where family members drop in notes about what they’re thankful for throughout November.
Read them aloud during Thanksgiving dinner for heartwarming moments.
Kids can decorate the jar with fall colors, leaves, and ribbon. It’s a simple way to focus on gratitude all month long.
2. Family Recipe Swap
Each family member brings their favorite dish and shares the recipe and story behind it.
You’ll create new traditions while honoring old ones.
Write down all the recipes in a family cookbook to pass down through generations. This works great for blended families learning each other’s food traditions.
3. Pie Baking Contest
Turn dessert into friendly competition by having everyone bake their best pie. Set up categories like best crust, most creative flavor, or prettiest presentation.
Let kids be the judges and award homemade ribbons or certificates. The best part is eating all the entries afterward.
4. Thanksgiving Bingo Night
Create custom bingo cards with Thanksgiving words like “turkey,” “gratitude,” “harvest,” and “family.”
Use candy corn or cranberries as markers for extra fun. Make multiple rounds with small prizes to keep everyone engaged.
This game works perfectly for mixed age groups.
5. Thankful Tree Project
Draw or craft a tree branch and have everyone write what they’re grateful for on paper leaves.
Attach the leaves to create a colorful display that grows throughout the month.
Younger kids can draw pictures instead of writing words. Keep it up as a beautiful reminder of your blessings.
6. DIY Fall Table Centerpiece
Gather pinecones, small pumpkins, candles, and autumn leaves to build a stunning table decoration together.
Everyone can contribute ideas and arrange items to make it unique. This hands-on project doubles as quality time and beautiful decor.
Use what you already have or find materials on a nature walk.
7. Family Board Game Night
Pull out classic games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or Uno for hours of screen-free entertainment.
Rotate through different games so everyone gets to play their favorite. Set up a snack table with popcorn, apple cider, and cookies.
Board games bring out laughter and friendly competition.
8. Photo Booth with Fall Props
Create a simple backdrop using fall fabric or a decorated wall area. Gather props like pilgrim hats, turkey masks, autumn leaves, and silly signs.
Take tons of photos that capture the fun and silliness of the day. These pictures become treasured memories for years to come.
9. Storytelling by the Fireplace
Gather around the fireplace or a cozy spot and share family stories from past Thanksgivings.
Older relatives can tell tales from their childhood that younger kids have never heard.
Bring out photo albums to spark more memories and conversations. This tradition connects generations in meaningful ways.
10. Cozy Thanksgiving Movie Marathon
Line up family-friendly films like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” or “Free Birds” for a lazy afternoon. Set up a comfy viewing area with blankets, pillows, and dimmed lights.
Prepare movie snacks like popcorn, hot chocolate, and leftover pie. It’s perfect for the food coma after dinner.
11. Family Turkey Trot Walk
Take a morning walk together before the big meal to work up an appetite. Choose a scenic route through your neighborhood or a nearby park.
Make it fun by having everyone wear turkey costumes or festive colors. This healthy tradition helps balance out all the heavy eating.
Other Engaging Thanksgiving Activities for Families
Mix things up with creative options that add extra fun and meaning to your celebration, from volunteering together to outdoor adventures.
12. Thanksgiving Trivia Challenge
Create questions about Thanksgiving history, family memories, and fun fall facts.
Split into teams or play individually with point values for different difficulty levels. Include questions that get people talking and laughing about shared experiences.
Winners can get first pick of pie flavors.
13. Creative Leftover Cook-Off
Challenge family members to create new dishes using Thanksgiving leftovers the next day.
Set a time limit and let everyone get creative with turkey sandwiches, casseroles, or soups.
Taste and vote on the most creative, tastiest, and weirdest combinations. It makes cleanup and leftover eating way more fun.
14. DIY Turkey Hat Craft
Help kids make turkey hats using construction paper, feathers, and googly eyes. They can wear them during dinner for adorable photo opportunities.
Provide lots of colors and decorating supplies for personal creativity. Even teenagers might join in if you make it competitive.
15. Pumpkin Ring Toss
Set up small pumpkins at different distances and toss rings made from rope or pool toys. Keep score and offer prizes for different skill levels and age groups.
This works great in the backyard before or after dinner. Kids burn energy while adults enjoy the fresh air.
16. Thanksgiving Karaoke Party
Set up a karaoke machine or use a phone app for after-dinner entertainment.
Mix in funny Thanksgiving parodies with regular favorite songs. Encourage shy family members with group performances or duets.
The sillier everyone gets, the better the memories.
17. Kids’ Thanksgiving Craft Corner
Set up a dedicated table with supplies for multiple craft projects kids can rotate through.
Include coloring pages, turkey hand tracings, and simple building projects. Adult supervision keeps things running while letting kids explore their creativity.
This keeps little ones busy while grown-ups cook or clean.
18. Candlelight Gratitude Circle
Dim the lights and pass a candle while each person shares something they’re grateful for.
The soft lighting creates a peaceful, meaningful atmosphere for reflection.
Even quiet family members often open up in this gentle setting. End with a group hug or moment of silence.
19. Handmade Thanksgiving Cards
Set out card-making supplies and have everyone create thank-you cards for each other.
Kids can make cards for teachers, neighbors, or relatives who couldn’t attend. This activity is quiet, creative, and results in keepsakes people actually save.
Display finished cards around the house before giving them out.
20. Family Talent Show
Let everyone perform a skill, joke, magic trick, or song for the group.
No talent is too silly or small to share. Kids especially love showing off what they’ve been practicing.
Record performances to watch again later and laugh at the fun moments.
21. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of fall items to find like acorns, specific colored leaves, or pinecones.
Split into teams and set a time limit for outdoor exploration.
Take photos of items instead of collecting them to leave nature undisturbed. The first team back with everything wins a prize.
22. Thanksgiving Memory Sharing
Go around the table and have each person share their favorite Thanksgiving memory.
Write them down in a journal to read again in future years. New memories get added each year, creating a growing family treasure.
Even sad or funny disaster stories become part of your history.
23. DIY Family Banner of Gratitude
Hang a long piece of paper or fabric and have everyone write or draw what they’re thankful for.
Use markers, paint, or fabric pens to make it colorful and personal.
Display it prominently during dinner as a visual reminder of blessings. Roll it up and bring it out each year to see how things change.
24. Homemade Place Card Craft
Have family members create personalized place cards for the dinner table. Use cardstock, markers, stickers, and fall decorations to make each one special.
Kids can make cards for all the adults while adults help younger children. These small touches make everyone feel important and welcome.
25. Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Give everyone a small pumpkin and decorating supplies without carving knives.
Use paint, markers, stickers, and glued-on items for safe creativity. Create categories so everyone wins something like “funniest” or “most colorful.”
Display all the pumpkins as festive decor.
26. Apple Pie Taste Test
Buy or bake several different apple pie varieties and do a blind taste test.
Rate each pie on crust, filling, sweetness, and overall taste. Keep scores on a chart and crown the winning pie.
This works with any Thanksgiving dessert from different bakeries or recipes.
27. Neighborhood Food Donation Drive
Organize a collection of non-perishable foods to donate to a local food bank. Get neighbors involved by going door-to-door together as a family.
Kids learn about helping others while doing something meaningful. Deliver donations together and talk about gratitude and giving back.
28. Thanksgiving Pictionary Game
Draw Thanksgiving-related words while team members guess what you’re sketching.
Use a whiteboard, large paper pad, or even a tablet for drawing.
Include easy words for kids and harder ones for adults. Time each round to keep the energy high and exciting.
29. Volunteer at a Local Shelter
Spend part of Thanksgiving morning serving meals at a homeless shelter or community kitchen. Many organizations need extra help during the holidays.
Kids learn valuable lessons about kindness and community service. Call ahead to register since volunteer spots fill up fast.
30. Nature Trail Adventure
Take a family hike on a local trail to enjoy fall colors and crisp air.
Bring a camera to capture beautiful scenery and candid family moments. Pack light snacks and water for a mini picnic along the way.
This quiet activity balances out the busy indoor celebrations.
31. Bake Pumpkin Cookies Together
Mix up a batch of pumpkin spice cookies with everyone helping measure, mix, and decorate.
Little kids can use cookie cutters while older ones handle the oven.
Decorate with orange icing and fall sprinkles for festive treats. Box some up as gifts for neighbors or teachers.
32. Thanksgiving Word Scramble
Create scrambled Thanksgiving words for a quick brain teaser game.
Print multiple copies so everyone can work at their own pace. Offer small prizes for first to finish or most words solved.
This quiet activity works great while waiting for dinner to cook.
33. Family Thank-You Letter Exchange
Have each person write a letter to another family member expressing gratitude and appreciation.
Draw names from a hat to keep it fair and surprising.
Read letters aloud or exchange them privately, depending on family comfort levels. These heartfelt notes often become cherished keepsakes.
34. DIY Autumn Wreath Workshop
Gather supplies like grapevine wreaths, fall leaves, ribbons, and small pumpkins for decorating. Each person makes their own wreath to take home or gift to someone.
Provide glue guns and wire for attaching decorations securely. Play music and chat while creating together.
35. Thanksgiving Music Playlist Jam
Create a collaborative playlist with everyone’s favorite songs mixed with Thanksgiving classics.
Play it during cooking, eating, or cleanup time. Let different family members DJ for 30-minute blocks. Music keeps energy up and makes chores more fun.
36. Homemade Cranberry Sauce Challenge
Have several people make cranberry sauce using different recipes or methods. Taste test all versions to find the family favorite.
Include traditional, spiced, and creative fruit combinations. The winning recipe becomes the official family cranberry sauce going forward.
37. Create a “Why We’re Thankful” Video
Record short clips of each person saying what they’re grateful for this year.
Edit together into one video with photos and music.
Share with distant relatives who couldn’t attend or post on social media. Watch it again next year to see how answers change.
38. Indoor Obstacle Course for Kids
Set up a course using couch cushions, tape lines, and household items for climbing and crawling.
Time each kid’s run and keep a leaderboard for friendly competition.
This burns off energy when kids get restless before or after dinner. Adjust difficulty based on ages participating.
39. Backyard Mini Football Game
Play a casual touch football game with simple rules everyone can follow. Mix up teams so they’re fair and include all skill levels.
Keep it light and fun rather than intensely competitive. This tradition works great for families who love being active together.
40. Leaf Painting Activity
Collect interesting leaves and use them as stamps or painting subjects.
Provide washable paints in fall colors like orange, red, yellow, and brown. Kids can create art to hang up or give as gifts.
This messy activity is best done outdoors or with protected surfaces.
41. Virtual Dinner Toast with Relatives
Set up a video call with relatives who live far away during dinner time.
Coordinate timing so everyone can share a toast together.
Pass the device around so everyone gets face time with distant family. Technology makes it possible to include everyone in your celebration.
Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Day
- Prep the day before: Set the table, chop vegetables, and organize craft supplies so you’re not rushing on Thanksgiving morning.
- Assign tasks to family members: Share the workload so one person isn’t doing everything while others relax.
- Keep the menu simple: Stick with familiar recipes you’ve made before instead of trying complicated new dishes.
- Buy some items ready-made: Store-bought rolls or pies give you more time to focus on what really matters.
- Set up activity stations: Keep kids entertained with craft corners or game areas in different rooms.
- Have backup plans ready: Be prepared in case weather ruins outdoor activities or timing gets thrown off.
- Remember perfection isn’t the goal: A relaxed celebration with family is better than a stressful perfect one.
The Bottom Line
Thanksgiving becomes truly special when you go beyond the meal and create shared experiences together.
These Thanksgiving activities turn a single dinner into a full day of laughter, connection, and memories your family will cherish for years.
Pick a few ideas that fit your family’s style and start building traditions everyone will look forward to.
Film-buff journalist Felix Moreno earned his Film Studies degree at NYU and has reviewed cinema and streaming culture since 2012. Joining us in 2025, he spotlights must-watch releases, crafts spoiler-free synopses, and interviews behind-the-scenes talent. Felix’s playful trivia keeps readers ahead of the pop-culture curve. Offscreen, he runs a community film club and experiments with short-film screenwriting in his Brooklyn studio.
