20 Thanksgiving Games for Family, Kids and Adults

The easiest Thanksgiving games are table games that work while people are still eating: Thanksgiving would you rather, "most likely to", and a gratitude round where each person names something they are thankful for. After dinner, switch to team games like Thanksgiving charades or the forehead guessing game. In 2026, Thanksgiving in the United States falls on Thursday, 26 November. Below are 20 games for every part of the day, with how many players they need and how long they take.

Before dinner: games while people arrive

1. This or that (any group, 5-10 minutes). Rapid pairs: "pumpkin pie or apple pie?", "stuffing or mashed potatoes?". No setup, so it works while people take their coats off.
2. Thankful alphabet (any group, 10 minutes). Go around the room. The first person names something they are thankful for that starts with A, the next with B, and so on.
3. Guess the guest (6+ players, 10 minutes). Everyone writes a little-known fact about themselves on a slip. Read them out and guess who wrote each one.
4. Kids' scavenger list (kids, 15 minutes). A pine cone, something orange, a feather, something that smells like pie. First to find them all wins.

At the table: talking games

5. Thanksgiving would you rather (2+ players, 10-20 minutes). "Would you rather only eat sides or only eat dessert this Thanksgiving?" Turn on the Thanksgiving category, read the card and let everyone pick a side.
6. Most likely to (3+ players, 10-15 minutes). "Who's most likely to fall asleep on the couch first?" Count to three and point.
7. Gratitude jar (any group, 10 minutes). Earlier in the day, everyone writes one thing they are grateful for on a slip of paper. At the table, read them out and guess who wrote each.
8. Icebreaker questions (any group, 10-20 minutes). Good for new partners, in-laws and friends at a "Friendsgiving". The phone hands each person a question so nobody has to think of one.
9. Two truths and a lie (3+ players, 15 minutes). Pick a topic such as "family holidays". Everyone else guesses the lie.

After dinner: team games

10. Thanksgiving charades (4+ players, 20-40 minutes). Act out "carving the turkey", "watching the parade" or "falling asleep after dinner". Two teams, a timer, and the phone keeps score.
11. Forehead guessing game (3+ players, 15-30 minutes). The Thanksgiving deck includes words like "cranberry sauce" and "leftovers". Clue-givers cannot say the word.
12. Forbidden words (4+ players, 20-30 minutes). Describe "turkey" without saying "bird", "gobble", "oven", "stuffing" or "November".
13. Five-Second Challenge (3+ players, 10-20 minutes). "Name 3 Thanksgiving side dishes" before five seconds run out.
14. Imposter (3-12 players, 15-30 minutes). Everyone gets the same Thanksgiving word except one player, who has to bluff.
15. Categories game (2+ players, 15-30 minutes). A random letter and a list such as "a pie flavour", "something orange" and "a reason to be late".

Games for kids

16. Pin the feather on the turkey (kids, 10 minutes). Draw a big turkey on paper, cut out feathers, and play blindfolded.
17. Pumpkin roll race (kids, 5 minutes, outdoors). Roll small pumpkins across the yard with a stick. No throwing.
18. Thanksgiving drawing game (kids, 15 minutes). Use the drawing game with the Thanksgiving and easy categories. Kids draw, adults guess.
19. Leaf pile hunt (kids, 10 minutes, outdoors). Hide small toys in a leaf pile and let them search.
20. Freeze the parade (kids, 10 minutes). One child is the "parade leader" and marches around the room. When they shout "freeze", everyone stops like a balloon in the parade.

Tips for a relaxed Thanksgiving game day

Keep table games short. People are eating and talking. A few rounds of would you rather between courses is enough.

Save the loud games for after dinner. Team games get competitive. Start them once plates are cleared and the kitchen is calm.

Give the cook a break. Let the person who cooked pick the first after-dinner game, or let them sit one out and act as judge.

Play across generations. Put grandparents and kids on the same charades team. Acting does not depend on knowing pop culture.

Avoid heavy topics. Every question in our games is clean and avoids politics and religion, so you can hand the phone to anyone.

Playing without a phone

Each game page lists every question and word in full. Print the Thanksgiving section of would you rather or charades, cut it into slips, and draw them from a bowl. The rules work the same way.

Games by group size

Two to four people. Talking games work best: would you rather, this or that and two truths and a lie. With so few players, everyone gets many turns, so play to a set number of cards, such as 15, instead of a time limit.

Five to ten people. This is the sweet spot for most games on this page. Split into two teams for charades, forbidden words or the forehead game, and keep score on the phone so nobody argues about points.

Eleven or more. Big family gatherings need games where everyone plays at once. Try most likely to (everyone points), the gratitude jar, or imposter with two imposters. For team games, make three or four teams and rotate who acts.

Simple prizes that work for every age

Prizes keep kids playing but should never be the point. Good options cost almost nothing:

• First pick of the leftover pie.
• The right to choose the next game.
• A paper crown for the winner of the evening.
• Skipping one dish-washing turn.
• Choosing the movie later that night.

For adults, bragging rights are usually enough. Write the winner's name on a card and stick it on the fridge until next year.

A sample Thanksgiving game schedule

• While guests arrive: this or that, and the kids' scavenger list.
• During the meal: a few rounds of would you rather between courses.
• Right after dinner: a gratitude jar reading, while people rest.
• Once the table is cleared: charades or the forehead game in two teams.
• Late evening: imposter or the categories game, for those still awake.

Key takeaways

• Talking games like would you rather and most likely to suit the table.
• Team games like charades and the forehead game are best after dinner.
• A gratitude round can be a game: write, read out and guess who wrote it.
• Keep every round short and let the cook choose first.

Planning the next holiday already? Read our Christmas party games guide, or see all of our party games.