Make This Thanksgiving Unforgettable: Creative Activities to foster connection
Macy’s Day Parade. Esquire Magazine/ Getty Images. 1979.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and delicious food—but it’s also a great opportunity to bring everyone together for some fun and memorable activities. Adding a few engaging, Thanksgiving-themed activities to your gathering can make the day feel even more special and keep guests of all ages entertained. Here are some fun, interactive activities to bring everyone together and create new Thanksgiving memories.
1. Create a Gratitude Wall
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, so why not start with a gratitude wall? This simple but meaningful activity encourages everyone to reflect on what they’re thankful for and share it with the group.
How It Works: Set up a large piece of butcher paper, a chalkboard, or a designated wall space. Provide colorful sticky notes or notecards and pens, and invite guests to write down what they’re grateful for. They can stick their notes to the wall or drop them into a jar.
Why It’s Great: This activity sets a warm, reflective tone for the day and creates a heartwarming visual display. Kids can draw or write messages, and adults can share heartfelt notes, bringing a sense of gratitude and connection.
2. DIY Thanksgiving Crafts for All Ages
A craft station is a great way to keep younger guests entertained, and it can even be enjoyable for adults looking to relax and get creative.
Craft Ideas: Set up a DIY station with supplies to make simple crafts like turkey headbands, pinecone turkeys, or leaf wreaths. Provide construction paper, markers, glue, and scissors, and let everyone’s imagination run wild!
Keepsake Cards: For an extra-special craft, have each guest create a Thanksgiving card to give to someone else. They can write a note of appreciation or a funny Thanksgiving memory.
Why It’s Great: Craft stations provide a calm activity for children and a chance for adults to engage in something hands-on. Plus, everyone leaves with a keepsake to remember the day!
3. Thanksgiving Trivia for Friendly Competition
Thanksgiving trivia is a lighthearted way to entertain guests of all ages. Create questions around Thanksgiving history, pop culture, or even funny family facts for an interactive game that everyone can play.
How It Works: Divide guests into teams, or let each person compete individually. Prepare a list of trivia questions, ranging from easy (What is the main ingredient in pumpkin pie?) to challenging (Which U.S. president made Thanksgiving a national holiday?). Offer small prizes like mini pumpkins, homemade treats, or Thanksgiving-themed candles for winners.
Why It’s Great: Trivia brings out everyone’s competitive side in a friendly way and encourages guests of all ages to join in. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn a little more about Thanksgiving and family history!
4. Photo Booth with Thanksgiving Props
Capture the memories with a DIY photo booth complete with Thanksgiving props. It’s an easy way to create fun photos and share laughs with loved ones.
How It Works: Set up a designated photo booth area with a festive backdrop—this could be as simple as a Thanksgiving banner or string lights. Provide props like pilgrim hats, turkey headbands, and “I’m Stuffed” signs. If you have a Polaroid or instant-print camera, guests can take home physical photos as keepsakes.
Why It’s Great: A photo booth gives guests something fun to do between courses and creates lasting memories. It’s also an activity that appeals to guests of all ages, from young kids to grandparents.
5. Turkey Hunt for the Kids
Keep younger children entertained with a Thanksgiving-themed scavenger hunt. A “turkey hunt” is a fun way to get them moving and exploring, especially if the event is outdoors.
How It Works: Hide small, turkey-themed items or pictures of turkeys around the house or yard. Give each child a list or clues to help them find each hidden turkey. For added excitement, make it a timed challenge or offer a small prize for finding all the turkeys.
Why It’s Great: A scavenger hunt keeps kids engaged and entertained, especially during parts of the day when they may not be as interested in sitting at the table. It’s also a great way for them to burn off energy!
6. Thanksgiving Bingo
Thanksgiving Bingo is a fun, interactive game that everyone can enjoy. You can customize the bingo cards to include Thanksgiving-related images or phrases, such as “turkey,” “pumpkin pie,” or “fall leaves.”
How It Works: Prepare Thanksgiving-themed bingo cards and give one to each guest. As you play, call out items from a list, and guests mark off the items on their cards. Provide small prizes for those who get a bingo.
Why It’s Great: Bingo is easy for all ages, from young kids to older relatives, and it can keep everyone engaged without requiring too much focus. It’s a great activity for after-dinner relaxation.
7. Pass the Pumpkin Game
This simple game is a Thanksgiving twist on hot potato, and it’s perfect for larger groups and younger guests.
How It Works: Gather guests in a circle and give someone a small pumpkin. Play music, and guests pass the pumpkin around the circle. When the music stops, the person holding the pumpkin is “out” (or, for a twist, they share one thing they’re thankful for). Continue until only one person remains.
Why It’s Great: It’s a low-prep, high-energy game that brings laughter and can be adapted to fit any crowd. It’s also a great way to break the ice with guests who may not know each other well.
8. Create a Thanksgiving Memory Jar
A Thanksgiving memory jar is a wonderful way to capture everyone’s favorite moments from the day and past family gatherings.
How It Works: Place a decorated jar in a central spot with slips of paper and pens. Encourage guests to write down a favorite Thanksgiving memory, whether it’s from this year or a past holiday. Later in the evening, read the notes aloud and enjoy reminiscing together.
Why It’s Great: This activity brings a personal touch to the gathering and encourages storytelling, laughter, and reminiscing. It also makes for a lovely tradition that you can carry forward every Thanksgiving.
9. Thanksgiving Family Journal Tradition
A Thanksgiving family journal is a heartfelt tradition that grows richer every year. By capturing what each guest is grateful for, the journal becomes a treasured keepsake that preserves memories and reminds everyone of past gatherings and shared moments of gratitude.
How It Works: Start with a dedicated journal or notebook and encourage each guest to write a short entry about what they’re grateful for this year. They can also add a favorite memory or something special about the day. Each year, bring the journal back to your Thanksgiving celebration and invite guests to add a new entry. Over time, it becomes a beautiful record of family history, gratitude, and growth.
Why It’s Great: The journal creates a meaningful tradition that guests look forward to each year, allowing everyone to reflect on past Thanksgivings, revisit fond memories, and appreciate how much they’ve grown. It’s a wonderful way to preserve your family’s gratitude stories and a cherished item you can enjoy together year after year.