25 Thanksgiving Games For Kids To Play And Give Thanks

Kids often remind us that fun and games are central to a joyful life, especially during Thanksgiving. As families gather to celebrate, providing the younger ones with Thanksgiving games for kids that amuse them is essential.

Thanksgiving Games For Kids

These games not only spice up the day and help teach valuable lessons about teamwork and thankfulness.

Whether it’s pinning the feather on the turkey or having a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, these games will surely make this holiday unforgettable. Dive into this list and find the perfect games to spice up your Thanksgiving festivities!

1. Create Turkey Crafts

Kids love getting crafty, so gather some construction paper, glue, scissors, and markers to make turkey crafts. Children can trace their hands on colored paper to create turkey feathers and add features like eyes and beaks. It’s a fun way to develop motor skills and let kids use their imagination. They'll enjoy making their own little turkeys while enhancing their creativity and fine motor skills used for writing.

2. Play the Thankful Game

The Thankful Game is a wonderful way to reflect on what we are grateful for. Each child takes turns sharing something they're thankful for. This activity encourages kids to think positively and recognize the good things in their lives, developing gratitude and verbal expression. It's enjoyable as children learn more about their friends and family members, forging deeper connections.

3. Set Up a Pumpkin Roll Contest

For this energetic game, you need a few pumpkins and a large open space. Kids can race by rolling their pumpkins to a finish line. It's not only fun but also a great way for kids to engage in physical activity. They also learn about concepts like speed and distance, making it both educational and exciting.

4. Organize a Leaf Collecting Challenge

Autumn is full of colorful leaves perfect for a collecting challenge. Give each child a bag and see who can collect the most leaves in a set time. This activity is a fantastic way for kids to explore nature and learn about different types of trees and leaves. It’s fun, and they get to run around and burn off energy!

5. Assemble a Thanksgiving Parade

Let the kids create their own parade with homemade floats, costumes, and music. They can use wagons to pull their floats, dress up, and play joyful music. Planning and preparing their parade entries teaches responsibility and teamwork, and performing their parade is just outright fun!

6. Engage in Turkey Tag

Turkey Tag is like regular tag but with a Thanksgiving twist. Whoever is ‘it’ holds a plush turkey, and when they tag someone, they yell "turkey tag!" It’s a delightful way to keep kids active and giggling. This game hones their agility and quick-thinking skills, adding a healthy dose of physical activity to their day.

7. Hold a Corn Husking Race

Find some ears of corn and see who can husk them the fastest. This challenge is enjoyable and gives children a sense of old-fashioned farm tasks, enhancing their appreciation for where food comes from and improving their dexterity.

8. Build a Mini Mayflower

Using cardboard, tape, and a small water container (like a bathtub or large bowl), kids can construct boats that represent the Mayflower. This fosters creativity and teaches a bit of history about the Pilgrims' voyage, all while offering hands-on exploration of buoyancy and simple physics.

9. Host a Pilgrim Hat Hunt

Hide paper or felt pilgrim hats around your yard or house and send the kids on a hunt to find them. Each hat could have a small prize or a historical fact inside. This game is great for teaching history in a fun way and keeps kids moving and thinking strategically.

10. Whip Up a Thanksgiving Feast

Let kids prepare a mini Thanksgiving feast with play food or real snacks. They can role-play hosting a dinner, which teaches them about planning and hospitality. It's enjoyable and gives them a sense of accomplishment in preparing a meal, even if it's just pretend.

11. Stage a Turkey Trot Race

Have a mini marathon with a "turkey trot" around your neighborhood or park. Kids can run, walk, or skip. It promotes health and fitness and provides a fun competition. Besides physical health, preparing for a race can teach kids about setting and achieving goals.

12. Enjoy Story Time

Gather some Thanksgiving-themed books and have a story time. Reading together not only is a cozy, bonding activity but it also helps develop kids’ vocabulary and listening skills. They learn about Thanksgiving traditions and histories in a fun, engaging way.

13. Craft a Native American Headdress

Using feathers, beads, and bands, kids can make their own Native American headdresses. This activity should be accompanied by a discussion about respect for different cultures and the history of Native Americans. It’s a respectful way to explore art and history together.

14. Plan a Scavenger Hunt

Organize a scavenger hunt with clues related to Thanksgiving. Kids can solve riddles to find things around the house or yard. This game is thrilling and works their problem-solving skills and understanding of the Thanksgiving story.

15. Make Pumpkin Pie Together

Baking a simple pumpkin pie is an excellent hands-on cooking lesson for kids. They measure ingredients, which helps with math skills, and experience real cooking. Enjoying the pie they made is a delicious reward for their hard work!

16. Design Thank You Cards

Have kids design thank you cards for family members or friends. They can draw, use stickers, or write messages. This crafts project helps foster a spirit of thankfulness and enhances their creative and writing skills in a joyful manner.

17. Feather Float Experiment

An educational science activity, kids can predict whether feathers will float in water, and then test their predictions. This simple experiment teaches basic scientific principles like buoyancy and hypothesis testing in a fun and interactive way.

18. Play Pin the Tail on the Turkey

This version of pin the tail on the donkey features a turkey. Kids are blindfolded and spin around before attempting to pin the tail. It’s hilarious and helps with spatial awareness and balance.

19. Construct a Cornucopia

Let kids fill a homemade or bought cornucopia basket with faux fruits and vegetables. They learn about the meaning of abundance and harvest while practicing sorting and decision-making skills.

20. Take Part in a Leaf Rubbing Art Project

Collect big leaves, place paper over them, and use crayons to make rubbings. This activity showcases the different vein patterns of leaves and sparks discussions about plant biology, offering a blend of art and science.

21. Throw a Harvest Dance Party

Put on some music and let the kids dance around. A dance party is a joyful way to express themselves through movement while also improving their physical health and rhythm.

22. Serve in a Soup Kitchen

Taking children to help out in a soup kitchen can be a profound way to teach them about giving back and compassion. It’s a life lesson in empathy, responsibility, and community service.

23. Play Pilgrim and Indian Relay Races

Set up relay races where kids can learn a bit about the challenges pilgrims and Native Americans might have faced. They can carry water, balance books, or race with spoons and eggs. It’s both historical and physically challenging.

24. Enjoy a Turkey Movie Time

Watch a kid-friendly movie about Thanksgiving. It’s a relaxing way to wind down after a busy day and can spark discussions about the themes of the movie such as sharing and family.

25. Participate in a Nature Walk

Take the kids on a nature walk to explore the outdoors and learn about the autumn changes. They can collect items for a natural DIY project or simply enjoy being in nature, which boosts their mood and curiosity about the natural world.

Each of these games and activities provides a mix of fun, education, physical movement, and creativity, ensuring that Thanksgiving offers memorable learning experiences for all kids involved.