Thanksgiving day activities are the topic of our blog post today!

Thanksgiving is a time for coming together with loved ones to express gratitude and, of course, to feast! But the holiday isn’t just about eating turkey and all the trimmings. It’s a golden opportunity to create lasting memories with fun and engaging activities for the whole family. From games that test your culinary creativity to outdoor activities that let you soak up the crisp fall air, the options are endless for making this Thanksgiving a memorable one.

The purpose of today’s post is to share with you this handy compilation of Thanksgiving day activities that will definitely add a pinch of joy and a dash of laughter to your holiday. For more suggestions and recommendations, check out our Thanksgiving . For books, check out our list of best Thanksgiving books for kids.

And if you’re on the hunt for more ways to make the most of this special time, don’t forget to check out my Thanksgiving resources section. You’ll find all kinds of treasures to enrich your holiday experience.

Related: Thanksgiving Wishes and Messages

Thanksgiving Day Activities

Here are some Thanksgiving Day activities that’ll keep the family entertained and engaged:

1. Gratitude Jar

A simple but impactful activity. Each person writes down something they’re thankful for on a piece of paper and places it in a jar. Later in the day, someone reads them aloud. It’s a heartfelt way to recognize the good things in life.

2. Turkey Trot

Get everyone moving before the big feast with a family Turkey Trot. You don’t need an official race—just a friendly jog or walk around the neighborhood will do.

3. Thanksgiving Bingo

Create Bingo cards with Thanksgiving themes—turkeys, pumpkins, Pilgrims, you name it. Use corn kernels as markers for added fun.

4. Pie Baking Contest

Split into teams and have a pie-baking contest. Each team gets to make a pie from scratch. The best-tasting pie wins bragging rights for the year.

5. DIY Place Cards

Let the kids get creative by making place cards for the dinner table. They can decorate them with stickers, markers, or even small objects like leaves or acorns.

6. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Bingo

While watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, play a game of bingo based on things you see in the parade—balloons, floats, musical acts, and so on.

7. Craft Corner

Set up a crafting corner where kids (and adults) can make Thanksgiving-themed crafts like handprint turkeys, pilgrim hats, or mini Mayflower boats.

8. Pumpkin Hunt

Like an Easter egg hunt, but with mini pumpkins. Hide them around the yard or house, and let the kids go on a hunt. They get to keep their finds!

9. Football Watch Party

What’s Thanksgiving without football? Create a cozy watch party area with blankets and snacks. Those not interested in the game can play card games or chat.

10. Memory Lane

Set up a photo booth with old family photos and props. It’s a fun way to walk down memory lane and capture new memories.

Absolutely, let’s keep the fun rolling. Here are 10 more activities to add some spice to your Thanksgiving Day!

11. Storytime Circle

Gather around for a Thanksgiving-themed story session. Whether it’s a Native American folk tale or a story about the first Thanksgiving, storytelling brings everyone together.

12. DIY Cornucopia

Hand out craft supplies and let everyone make their own miniature cornucopias. Fill them with faux fruits, vegetables, or candies. It’s a crafty way to celebrate abundance!

13. Recipe Swap

Have everyone bring their favorite Thanksgiving recipes and swap! Not only do you get new recipes to try, but it’s also a great way to honor family traditions.

14. Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt

Give kids a list of seasonal items to find—like an oak leaf, pine cone, or acorn—and send them off for a nature walk. Whoever finds all items first wins a prize!

15. “What Am I?” Game

Play a Thanksgiving-themed “What Am I?” game. Each person picks a card with a Thanksgiving item written on it, sticks it on their forehead and tries to guess what they are by asking yes-or-no questions.

16. Leftover Challenge

After the big meal, challenge family members to come up with the most creative dish using only Thanksgiving leftovers. May the best chef win!

17. Movie Marathon

Cue up a series of Thanksgiving or family-themed movies. Create a cozy viewing area with blankets, popcorn, and hot chocolate.

18. Drumstick Dash

Host a mini relay race where kids have to balance a turkey drumstick (fake or real) on a spoon and race to the finish line. The catch? They can’t use their hands to steady the drumstick!

19. Chalk Art Contest

Give everyone a section of driveway or sidewalk and some chalk to create Thanksgiving-themed artwork. The most creative drawing gets a prize.

20. Family Karaoke

End the day with a karaoke session. It doesn’t have to be Thanksgiving-themed—any songs that the family loves will do.

Related: Thanksgiving Gift Ideas

Final thoughts

As we wrap up this post, remember that Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, togetherness, and creating beautiful memories with the people you love. While the food is undeniably a significant part of the holiday, these activities bring another layer of joy and engagement to your celebration. Whether it’s a hilarious game of Turkey Tag or a sentimental moment spent sharing what you’re thankful for, each activity offers a unique way to connect and make this Thanksgiving one for the books.

The post Thanksgiving Day Activities appeared first on Educators Technology.