Last Updated on November 23, 2025 by ellen
Every year, as soon as the turkey goes in the oven, my kids start asking the same thing. “What can we play now?” Here are some Thanksgiving games for kids.
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Thanksgiving Games for Kids: Simple DIY Fun
They love Thanksgiving, but the waiting can feel long. Over time, I learned that a good mix of simple, homemade games works better than anything store-bought. These games keep the energy happy, give the kids something to look forward to, and help us make memories without spending extra money.
Here are my favorite Thanksgiving games for kids. They are easy to set up, use things you already have, and work for all ages. I pull these out every year, and they never fail.
1. Turkey Feather Toss
This one started as an accident when a craft bag ripped open and fake feathers went everywhere. Now it is a tradition.
All you need is a bowl or basket and some paper or craft feathers. I draw a big turkey face on the front of a bowl to make it fun. The kids stand behind a tape line and toss feathers into the bowl. Light feathers drift, so landing one takes skill. The wobbling and floating make everyone laugh. Nothing feels competitive. It is silly, easy, and perfect for little ones who want to be part of the action.
2. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
Thanksgiving should feel warm and thankful. This game makes that part easy.
I write a list of things to find around the house that connect to gratitude. A soft thing I love. Something that smells good. Something that reminds me of someone special. Then I hand each child a list and a crayon. They run around looking for items that fit each clue. When we gather again, they share their finds and the reason behind them. The answers are sweet and sometimes very funny. It gets the kids thinking and talking, which is really the heart of the holiday.
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3. Stuff the Turkey Relay
If your family likes fast games, this one is perfect.
I take two brown paper bags and draw a turkey face on each. Then I make a pile of small items like socks, cotton balls, or balled up scrap paper. Split into two teams. Each child runs to the pile, grabs an item, races back, and “stuffs” it into the turkey bag. When time is up, the fuller turkey wins. The chaos is the charm. Kids love seeing the bags puff up. Adults sometimes jump in too.
4. Pumpkin Roll Race
This game works great indoors or outdoors.
You only need two small pumpkins. We place them at a starting line. The kids get down on their knees and roll the pumpkins with one hand across the room or yard. Pumpkins never roll straight, which makes the race unpredictable. The wobble and sudden turns keep everyone laughing. If you do not have pumpkins left, a ball wrapped in orange paper works fine.
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5. Thanksgiving Charades
This is the game that brings everyone together.
Before dinner, I cut slips of paper and write Thanksgiving themed prompts. Stirring gravy. Sneaking pie. Sleeping after the meal. Carrying a heavy turkey. A giant leaf pile. Then I fold the slips and place them in a bowl. Each person pulls one and acts it out while the others guess. Kids commit harder than adults, which makes the game even better. You can keep the prompts simple for younger children.
Check out these Thanksgiving printables.
6. Pin the Feather on the Turkey
You can make this with one sheet of poster board and some paper scraps.
I draw a big body of a turkey, tape it to a wall, and cut feather shapes from colorful paper. Each feather gets a small tape loop. Then we blindfold one child at a time, spin slowly, and send them toward the turkey. They try to place their feather closest to the spot I marked as the target. The feather locations end up wild. Some stick to the wall. Some end up on the turkey’s face. The results make great photos.
7. Corn Kernel Scoop Challenge
This one keeps kids busy for a long time.
Fill a large bowl with dried corn or beans. Set out smaller bowls, spoons, and cups. The challenge is simple. Transfer as many kernels as possible from the big bowl to the small one in a set time. But you can only use the spoon with one hand. Kids focus so hard that they forget they are practicing coordination. Try it with siblings side by side. The competition stays friendly, and the clean up is easy.
8. Create Your Own Turkey Hat
This game mixes crafting with a playful contest.
Give each child a strip of paper for a headband and a pile of scrap materials. Paper feathers. Stickers. Markers. Googly eyes if you have them. The goal is to create a turkey hat they can wear for the meal. When everyone is done, we do a small “parade” around the room. Kids love showing off their designs. The hats look ridiculous in the best way.
Why DIY Wins
Store bought games can be fun, but homemade games feel warm. They invite kids to be creative. They make adults loosen up. And, they fill the long stretch of waiting with laughter and movement. Best of all, they cost nothing and fit any size gathering.
These Thanksgiving games for kids have become part of our holiday rhythm. Simple. Silly. Easy to repeat. And always worth it.
Ellen is a mom of a 25-year-old son and 30-year-old daughter. She is Grandma to one adorable toddler. In what little spare time she has, she loves to read, watch movies, and check out the latest toys and games.