41 Fun and Memorable Things to Do on Thanksgiving

Creative traditions and playful moments bring families closer and spark lasting joy.

By Medha deb

Created on Oct 1, 2025

Creative traditions and playful moments bring families closer and spark lasting joy.

Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and stuffing—it’s an invitation to connect with family, friends, and community. Whether you’re gathering in person or virtually, adding creative activities to your holiday can turn a simple meal into a cherished memory. Here are 41 inspiring things to do on Thanksgiving, ensuring your celebration is filled with fun, laughter, and heartfelt gratitude for all ages.

1. Host a Classic Turkey Trot

Kick off Thanksgiving morning with a friendly neighborhood Turkey Trot. Whether you walk, jog, or run, this activity gets everyone moving and excited for the feast to come. Organize a simple route around your block or local park, and award festive ribbons for most spirited participants.

2. Cook as a Family

Gather the whole family in the kitchen to prepare Thanksgiving staples or try new recipes together. Assign tasks by age or interest—kids can assemble pies while adults handle the turkey. Cooking alongside loved ones encourages conversation and creates lasting memories.

3. Create a DIY Thanksgiving Parade

Bring the parade to your home! Have kids design and decorate floats out of cartons, boxes, or wagons. March around your living room or yard with music playing and homemade costumes. Let everyone vote on the best float or costume for added fun.

4. Go on a Country or Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

Set up a Thanksgiving-themed scavenger hunt with clues or items related to the season—think acorns, pinecones, orange leaves, or even a hidden plush turkey. Divide into teams to see who can complete the hunt first. This is a great way to get everyone outdoors before dinner.
Tip: If you’re traveling, print a themed scavenger hunt for the car to pass the time.

5. Play Spin-the-Pie

Craft a “Spin-the-Pie” gratitude wheel using a paper plate divided into six sections, each labeled with prompts like Family, Friends, Pets, Home, Travel, and Work. Players spin the wheel, sharing a story or memory related to where the spinner lands. It’s a playful way to encourage gratitude and story sharing.

6. Set Up a Ladder Toss or Cornhole Game

Classic outdoor games like ladder toss or cornhole are crowd-pleasers for all ages. Set up in the backyard and keep score—offer small prizes for winners or most creative team names.

7. Tell Stories with Stones

For a unique twist on storytelling, collect 20 to 25 smooth stones and decorate each with a different symbol or character using paint pens. Mix them in a basket. Each player draws stones to craft a silly or imaginative Thanksgiving story, promoting creativity and laughter.

8. Make a Family Time Capsule

Encourage everyone to select items, drawings, or notes that capture their current interests, hopes, or gratitudes. Place these in a decorated box to be opened in five or ten years. It’s a sentimental activity that builds a sense of family legacy.

9. Design Your Own Magazine Cover

Let young artists in the family shine by having everyone design a Thanksgiving-themed magazine cover. Use the template provided, or make your own with markers and craft paper. Hold a vote for the winner; the best design could earn a place of honor on the fridge!

10. Create Tree Slab Tic-Tac-Toe

Pick up a wood slab and mark out a tic-tac-toe grid using leather strips or string. Choose found objects like pine cones and stones as game pieces for a rustic, outdoor twist on a classic game.

11. Organize a Thanksgiving-Themed Treat Hunt (for Pets and Kids)

Hide treats around the house or yard for kids and pets alike to find. Use clues or riddles for older children, while younger kids and pets can rely on scents or visual hints. Make sure treats for pets are safe and healthy, using flavors like turkey or pumpkin for a festive touch.

12. Get Crafty with Homemade Decor

Create handprint turkeys using paint and paper.
Assemble acorn garlands, pinecone turkeys, or felt leaf centerpieces.
Make gratitude jars—fill with written notes of appreciation to read aloud at dinner.

13. Host a Virtual Thanksgiving Gathering

If loved ones can’t attend in person, set up a virtual call for “face-to-face” connections. Share your gratitude lists, play online party games, or cook the same recipe together and compare results from afar.

14. Enjoy an Autumn Leaf Chase Outdoors

Bring everyone outside for a game of chasing or collecting falling leaves. See who can find the biggest, smallest, or most colorful leaf. Kids love the freedom to run, and adults can join in for fresh autumn air.

15. Plan a Thanksgiving Pet Parade

Invite families to dress up their pets in festive costumes such as pilgrim hats or turkey feathers. Parade around the yard or living room and let each pet show off its best trick or costume for silly photos and bragging rights.

16. Play Thanksgiving-Themed Charades

Write Thanksgiving-related words (like “pumpkin pie,” “parade,” “football,” or “stuffed”) on slips of paper for a round of themed charades. Younger kids can act out their favorite holiday foods or activities.

17. Make Homemade Place Cards and Menus

Give children the task of creating colorful place cards or handwritten menus for dinner guests. Use leaves, twigs, or prints of autumn fruits and vegetables for seasonal flair.

18. Organize a “Gratitude Roundtable”

Before dinner, have each person share something for which they are grateful. Encourage deeper reflection by asking for a specific memory or story attached to their gratitude.

19. Bake and Decorate Pumpkin-Shaped Sugar Cookies

Liven up dessert with a cookie decorating station. Provide icing, sprinkles, and an assortment of cookie cutters for guests to customize their own Thanksgiving treats.

20. Watch the Big Football Game (or Host Your Own)

For football fans, tune into Thanksgiving Day games together. For active families, host a backyard “Turkey Bowl”—a casual touch football game before or after your meal.

21. Screen a Thanksgiving Movie Marathon

Gather for cozy movie time featuring holiday classics like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Free Birds, or Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Set up popcorn, pillows, and themed snacks for a relaxing evening.

22. Host a Pie-Baking Contest

No holiday is complete without dessert! Invite everyone to bring their favorite homemade pie (or pie-inspired dessert). Set up a tasting station and vote for categories like “Best Crust” or “Most Creative Flavor.”

23. Take a Post-Dinner Nature Walk

After the meal, stroll around your neighborhood or a local nature trail. It’s a great way to digest, appreciate fall scenery, and keep the conversation flowing.

24. Capture the Day with a Family Photo Booth

Set up a corner with autumn-themed props—think faux leaves, turkey hats, or pilgrim bonnets—and let everyone take silly or serious photos. Compile them into a keepsake album later.

25. Arrange a Pumpkin Scent Tracking Activity (for Dogs)

Let your dog sniff a pumpkin, then hide small pumpkin pieces around the yard. This games sharpens their natural tracking instincts and keeps them engaged during your Thanksgiving celebrations.

26. Organize a Thanksgiving Bingo Game

Create Bingo cards using Thanksgiving words, foods, or traditions. Call out the items as they occur throughout the day for a playful way to keep everyone’s eyes peeled on the festivities.

27. Assemble a DIY Thankfulness Tree

Cut branches to arrange in a vase and provide guests with labeled leaves to write what they’re grateful for. Hang the leaves—a beautiful, growing centerpiece for your table.

28. Practice Mindfulness and Reflection

Begin the day with a short meditation, yoga session, or group reflection about gratitude. Encourage everyone, including kids, to share what they’re thankful for this year.

29. Set Up a Board Game Marathon

Pull out classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, or Uno—or choose Thanksgiving-themed games for group play. Create a mini “tournament” and tally points for each round.

30. Read Seasonal or Thanksgiving-Themed Books Aloud

Choose storybooks for children or share a favorite Thanksgiving poem aloud before dinner. Storytime can bring all ages together and spark warm conversations.

31. Decorate Pumpkins and Gourds

Let kids use paint, stickers, or markers to create funny or beautiful painted pumpkins. Arrange finished gourds as a festive centerpiece or on the porch for fall flair.

32. Light a Memory Candle

Honor loved ones who cannot be with you by lighting a special candle and sharing meaningful stories or memories about them at the table.

33. Stage a Home Talent Show

Invite family members to prepare a dance, song, joke, or magic trick to perform after dinner. Applaud everyone and give out homemade “trophies.”

34. Write and Share Thank-You Notes

Have everyone write a brief thank you to another guest, family member, or community friend.
Exchange notes just before dinner for an extra dose of warmth and gratitude.

35. Volunteer as a Family

Many communities offer opportunities to serve food, deliver meals to those in need, or participate in food drives. Giving back is a powerful Thanksgiving tradition that teaches compassion and gratitude.

36. Assemble Leftover Care Packages

Gather leftovers into containers for guests to take home—or donate meals to neighbors or local shelters.

37. Make and Share Homemade Bird Feeders

Use pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed to craft simple feeders. Hang them outside together and enjoy spotting your feathered friends through winter.

38. Host a Thanksgiving Karaoke Night

Put on your favorite tunes and sing along—include classic holiday songs or family favorites for a lively evening.

39. Create a Video Diary of Your Day

Assign a family “videographer” to capture moments throughout Thanksgiving—preparations, games, mealtime, and gratitude sharing. Edit and watch together, or post online for distant relatives.

40. Give Your Pet an Extra-Long Play Session

Most pets will love being included! Whether it’s a car ride, homemade dinner, or extra cuddle time, make Thanksgiving special for your furry friends with extra-long play sessions or new toys.

41. Try a New Thanksgiving Recipe Together

Research a unique holiday dish as a group—maybe a new vegetable side, international tradition, or homemade bread. Cook and taste it together as part of the meal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Thanksgiving Activities

Q: What are some good Thanksgiving activities for young children?

A: Easy crafts, scavenger hunts, baking, storytime, and watching the parade are all accessible and enjoyable for young kids. Activities like handprint turkeys or making thankfulness trees keep them engaged and learning.

Q: How can I include pets in Thanksgiving fun?

A: Organize treat hunts, include them in pet parades, give extra-long play sessions, or bake pet-safe holiday treats using pumpkin or turkey flavors.

Q: What’s an easy activity for guests who can’t be together in person?

A: Set up a virtual Thanksgiving call to share gratitude, play online party games, or cook the same recipe for a shared experience. You can also create a digital time capsule or photo album together.

Q: What are some ways to practice gratitude on Thanksgiving?

A: Sharing “thankful for” rounds at dinner, building a gratitude tree, writing thank-you notes, or playing Spin-the-Pie are all meaningful activities that highlight what matters most.

Q: How can I keep teens and adults engaged?

A: Board games, trivia competitions, karaoke, movie marathons, pie-baking contests, and outdoor football games all appeal to older kids and adults, fostering friendly competition and fun.

Ready to Create Your Best Thanksgiving Yet?

Thanksgiving is about cherishing moments with those you love. By mixing traditional customs with new activities, you’ll make the day special for everyone in your circle—kids, adults, and pets alike. Try out these ideas to create a holiday full of joy, gratitude, and unforgettable memories.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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