Besides watching football, what else is there to do on Thanksgiving? Mediate family drama while waiting for the turkey to cook? Wallow on the couch in a food coma?
There’s so much more! Family time at Thanksgiving can be engaging, interactive and fun. Don’t break the bank (or your brain) trying to come up with exciting family activities. Here are five quick, easy and practically free Thanksgiving family games.
No. 1: Mayflower racing
Fashion some small “Mayflower” sailboats using whatever materials you have around (for example, corks with paper-and-toothpick sails). Fill a washtub, sink or other long basin with a few inches of water, and place the boats at one end of the tub. Each contestant receives one drinking straw, and, at the signal, tries to sail their boat to the finish line by blowing air through their straw. Find a fun prize for the winner — like one of the coveted turkey legs or the wishbone.
No. 2: Thorn, blossom, bud
This activity can happen while you’re preparing your feast, enjoying the food or lazing in the living room. Go around the group and have each person share three things: a thorn (something challenging that happened over the past year), a blossom (something good that took place), and a bud (something they’re looking forward to). You might be surprised at where the discussion takes you!
No. 3: Gratitude sheets
There are so many things to be grateful for! Take stock of the blessings in your life with this gratitude sheet from Scentsy:
No. 4: Face the pie
For this one, you’ll need small disposable pie tins, whipped cream, gummy letters — and probably some paper towels. Find gummy letters that spell a short Thanksgiving-themed word (like PIE, FEAST or YAM), and place them at the bottom of three tins. Fill those tins, and several empty tins, with mounds of whipped cream, and place the tins on a table. Without using their hands, each player must eat through the whipped cream, find the gummy letters and unscramble them to discover the word. Time each player to see who’s the fastest.
No. 5: Thanksgiving pumpkin hunt
Like an Easter egg hunt, but without the risk of any rotten-egg smells. Hide small gourds throughout the yard or house and let your family race to find the most. Afterwards, if you’re feeling creative, decorate the gourds with paint!
The ideas don’t stop here! Try writing thank you cards or coloring these fall-themed coloring pages from Scentsy.
Do you have any Thanksgiving party games? Tell us about them in the comments!
