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Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and stretchy pants—it’s about connection, laughter, and making memories that last longer than the leftovers. Whether you’re wrangling little ones or catching up with grown-up cousins you haven’t seen since last year, planning Thanksgiving activities for adults and kids can turn your gathering from just “nice” to genuinely unforgettable.
The best part? You don’t need elaborate setups or Pinterest-level crafting skills (though glitter never hurts). Just a few creative, heartwarming ideas that bring everyone to the table—in more ways than one. From gratitude games to pie-making contests, these Thanksgiving activities for adults and kids are all about bonding, belly laughs, and maybe a little healthy competition.
So, before everyone zones out into a post-feast nap, sprinkle in some fun that feeds the soul. Because gratitude grows stronger when it’s shared—and played out with a little silliness and a whole lot of heart.
50 Thanksgiving Activities for Families
Pre-Thanksgiving Activities:
1. Gratitude Jar: Begin a gratitude jar where family members can drop notes about what they’re thankful for throughout the month.
2. Thanksgiving Menu Planning: Involve the whole family in planning and preparing the Thanksgiving menu.
3. Table Setting: Let children create personalized place cards and help set the table.
4. DIY Decorations: Create homemade Thanksgiving decorations, like paper turkeys or fall-themed centerpieces.
5. Thanksgiving Playlist: Collaborate on a Thanksgiving-themed music playlist for the big day.
6. Storytime: Share Thanksgiving stories or read books related to gratitude.
Thanksgiving Morning:
7. Turkey Trot: Participate in a local Thanksgiving Day run or walk as a family.
8. Thanksgiving Parade: Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade together.
9. Cooking Together: Get everyone involved in the kitchen while preparing the Thanksgiving feast.
During the Feast:
10. Gratitude Circle: Before eating, gather and share what you’re thankful for.
11. Themed Dinner Conversation: Use conversation starters about gratitude or Thanksgiving memories.
Post-Feast Fun:
12. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt with Thanksgiving-themed clues.
13. Family Talent Show: Showcase talents, from singing and dancing to funny skits.
14. Pie Baking Contest: Have a friendly competition to see who bakes the best Thanksgiving pie.
15. Craft Corner: Set up a crafting station for making Thanksgiving-themed crafts.
16. Nature Walk: Take a leisurely walk in nature to enjoy the fall foliage.
17. Family Photo Session: Capture memories with a family photoshoot.
18. Puzzle Time: Work on a challenging jigsaw puzzle together.
19. Outdoor Games: Play outdoor games like touch football, tag, or frisbee.
20. Movie Marathon: Watch Thanksgiving-themed movies or family favorites.
21. Book Reading: Read a Thanksgiving-themed book or story together.
Thanksgiving Weekend:
22. Visit a Farm: Go to a local farm for hayrides, pumpkin picking, or corn mazes.
23. Volunteer Together: Spend time volunteering as a family to give back to the community.
24. Tree Decorating: Begin the Christmas season early by decorating a family Christmas tree.
25. Board Games: Have a board game marathon with family favorites.
26. Thanksgiving Karaoke: Sing your favorite songs or create Thanksgiving-themed karaoke.
Throughout the Weekend:
27. DIY Table Decor: Let each family member create their own Thanksgiving table decoration.
28. Memory Sharing: Go through old photos and reminisce about past Thanksgivings.
29. Nature Crafts: Collect leaves, acorns, and pinecones for crafting.
30. Campfire Stories: Share stories and roast marshmallows around a campfire.
Sunday Fun:
31. Family Game Tournament: Compete in a family game tournament with prizes for the winners.
32. Thanksgiving Bingo: Play Thanksgiving-themed bingo with the whole family.
33. Recipe Swap: Share and exchange recipes for Thanksgiving dishes.
34. Charades: Have a game of Thanksgiving-themed charades.
35. Outdoor Adventure: Go for a family hike or bike ride to enjoy the autumn scenery.
Indoor Entertainment:
36. Movie Night: Host a movie night with family favorites and popcorn.
37. Thanksgiving Trivia: Test your knowledge with a Thanksgiving trivia game.
38. Storytelling: Take turns creating and sharing Thanksgiving stories.
Arts and Crafts:
39. Thanksgiving Coloring: Have a coloring session with Thanksgiving coloring books.
40. Create a Family Scrapbook: Work together on a scrapbook featuring past Thanksgiving memories.
41. Handprint Turkeys: Make handprint turkeys with paint or paper.
Sunday Fun:
42. Family Puzzle Challenge: Collaborate on a large jigsaw puzzle as a family.
43. DIY Thank-You Cards: Create thank-you cards for loved ones or for Thanksgiving hosts.
44. Board Game Tournament: Compete in a family board game tournament.
Seasonal Activities:
45. Apple Picking: Visit an apple orchard and pick your own apples.
46. Leaf Pile Jumping: Rake leaves into a big pile for jumping and playing.
47. Autumn Craft Fair: Attend a local craft fair for handmade autumn decorations.
48. Corn Maze: Explore a corn maze together.
49. Visit a Museum: Spend a day at a local museum or art gallery.
50. Explore a Zoo: Visit the zoo and enjoy seeing animals in the fall weather.
Final Thoughts on Thanksgiving Activities
At the end of the day—after the dishes are done and everyone’s in a food coma—what really sticks are the moments of joy, not just the perfectly roasted turkey. The beauty of Thanksgiving activities for adults and kids is that they turn an ordinary gathering into something heartfelt, hilarious, and wholly memorable.
Whether it’s a family scavenger hunt, a round of gratitude charades, or a good ol’ pie-baking showdown, these simple traditions are the glue that holds generations together. And let’s be real—grown-ups could use just as much playtime as the kids.
So as you prep for the big day, don’t just plan the meal—plan the magic. Because the best Thanksgiving activities for adults and kids are the ones that remind us to laugh more, hug tighter, and be grateful for every messy, marvelous moment we share. Pass the pumpkin pie and the paintbrushes, please.
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