47 Party Games for Thanksgiving That Outshine the Bird in 2025

Party games for Thanksgiving aren’t just something to do. They’re what keep the day feeling alive. Eating might be the headline act, but the best memories usually happen in between — the laughter before dinner, the playful competition after dessert, the kind of moments that turn family time into real fun.

And according to the Pew Research Center, while most Americans still center their favorite November holiday on a meal, many also fill it with football, parades, shopping and long catch-ups. That’s where games come in. They create the opportunity for fun and cut through that awkward “so what do we do now?” feeling that always sneaks in after the main course.

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• Thanksgiving Games for Adults
• Funny Party Games for Thanksgiving
• Family Party Games for Thanksgiving
• Indoor Party Games for Thanksgiving
• Outdoor Party Games for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Games for Adults

Thanksgiving parties aren’t just for kids. When the drinks are poured and the pies are cooling, the right games can turn a quiet afternoon into something that actually feels like a party. Here are a few ways to keep the grown-ups laughing and engaged while the turkey rests.

1. Turkey Scratch Off 

How do you entertain adults on Thanksgiving? Well, simple and easy party games for Thanksgiving with prizes will always go over well. Create Turkey scratch-off cards with a hidden symbol under one square. Whoever uncovers it wins a prize or a silly dare.

You can get guests to purchase the scratch-off cards and create a "pot" for the winnings, or you can have physical prizes like little trinkets and goodies. It's a fun game that will surely get everybody talking.

2. Price is Right Game

This is one of the simplest party games for Thanksgiving for adults that works well before dinner as guests wait for the meal. Grab a few pantry staples or Thanksgiving ingredients and have guests guess the prices. Closest without going over wins. It’s nostalgic for anyone who grew up watching the show and surprisingly funny once people start overestimating the cost of cranberries.

3. Thanksgiving Heads Up

Heads Up is a party classic that works even better with a holiday spin. It's a fun party game for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving game to play after the meal while everyone sips and hangs out. Write Thanksgiving-themed people, foods or phrases on cards. Players hold them to their foreheads and ask questions until they guess who or what they are. It’s fast, easy and becomes even more hilarious after a glass of wine or two.

4. Host a Bake Off

If you have a lot of bakers in your family or friend group, they'll love this competitive party game for Thanksgiving. Ask each guest to bring their best pie or sweet treat, then hold a blind taste test and vote for the winner. It’s fun for bakers and non-bakers alike — and everyone gets a Thanksgiving dessert out of it.

5. Thanksgiving Taboo

Thanksgiving versions of your favorite board games tend to go over well. With this party game for Thanksgiving, players try to describe a Thanksgiving word without saying any of the “forbidden” terms. It’s quick-thinking fun that keeps energy high while dinner finishes up.

6. Punch It

This is one of the simplest Thanksgiving activities where everyone wins. To set up the punch game, you’ll need plastic cups, tissue paper, a board, glue sticks and small prizes. Place prizes in each cup and glue pieces of tissue paper over the opening to conceal them. Once everything is set up, you can play a game to decide the order and guests can punch through the tissue paper to see what they won!

7. Thanksgiving Murder Mystery

If you've got a bunch of friends who like engaging and interactive party games for Thanksgiving, you should host a murder mystery. Assign everyone a character before they arrive and let the mystery unfold as the night goes on. After the faux murder takes place after dessert, everyone will have to figure out who committed the crime and what their motive was. It’s perfect for smaller gatherings where guests like to roleplay or just need an excuse to act dramatically.

8. Forbidden Words Game

Choose a few Thanksgiving-related words that no one can say, like “turkey,” “stuffing” or “pumpkin.” When someone slips up, they lose a token or take a sip of their drink. The longer it goes, the funnier it gets — especially once everyone starts talking about dinner. Try to read your favorite Thanksgiving quotes and find synonyms for the forbidden words. 

9. Thanksgiving Chameleon

Chameleon is a clever bluffing party game for adults where everyone knows the secret word except one player — the chameleon. In this game, everyone gets clued in on a word, except the chameleon (the imposter). Each player says a word related to the main theme and the chameleon has to try to say a similar word to the theme to blend in. If the chameleon doesn’t get guessed, this slithery serpent wins the round.

Funny Party Games for Thanksgiving

The best Thanksgiving memories usually start with something that wasn’t planned — someone laughing too hard, a little friendly chaos or that pie that didn't quite make it to the table. These funny party games for Thanksgiving capture that same energy. They’re easy to set up, don’t take themselves too seriously and get everyone laughing again after the food coma sets in.

10. Make a Turkey

Let your guests get creative with this creative party game. Hand out paper, markers, feathers and glue, then challenge guests to make their own “masterpiece.” They can make the designs as silly as they want. Plus, if you’re looking for Thanksgiving decoration ideas, you can display everyone’s turkey once they’ve finished.

11. Turkey Leg Wrap Game

In this funny party game for Thanksgiving, you’ll transform some of your guests into DIY turkey legs. Have teams race to see who can wrap someone in brown burlap and place a white chef's hat the fastest. The first team to wrap their turkey wins. It’s fast, ridiculous and perfect for post-dinner giggles.

12. Would You Rather

This is one of the easiest party games for Thanksgiving that will elicit tons of laughter. Put together some Thanksgiving-themed Would You Rather questions that get progressively sillier. (“Would you rather cook dinner for 20 guests or wash all the dishes alone?”) It’s a fun icebreaker that works just as well at the dinner table as it does during cleanup.

13. Thanksgiving Charades

This classic party game for Thanksgiving will get everyone on their feet. Break into two teams and have one person try to act out a Thanksgiving-themed word — things like “cranberry sauce,” “family photo,” or “football nap.” Their team has a minute to guess correctly and the team with the most correct guesses wins.

14. Pictionary

The drawing version of charades, but with a Thanksgiving twist. Split into teams and try to guess each other's picture-drawn clues within the time limit. No words! Also, if you're following the rules closely, you aren't allowed to draw symbols (like dollar signs) or numbers. The worse the drawings, the better the laughs.

15. Mini Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Host a miniature version of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Set up craft supplies and have everyone design their own mini parade “float” out of cardboard boxes or balloons. Parade them through the living room and let the group vote for their favorite. It’s creative chaos in the best way.

16. Hit a Thanksgiving Piñata

Who says piñatas are only for birthdays? Swap birthday candy for fall treats like chocolates, trail mix or caramel corn and you've got a fun party game for Thanksgiving too. Watching your friends take a swing at a turkey-shaped piñata is almost guaranteed laughter — especially if it refuses to break.

17. Pumpkin Pie Catch

If you're looking for funny party games for Thanksgiving that are all about teamwork, this is the game for you. One person will hold an aluminum pie pan on top of their head and try to catch the pieces the other person throws. Use craft felt in different colors to represent the bottom crust, the pie filling, the top crust and the whipped cream. The first team to build a full “pie” wins. 

18. Yam Jam

This fun relay race will have everyone laughing from start to finish. The goal of the Yam Jam is to carry a yam or sweet potato on a spoon from one side of the room to the other and pass it off to the next person in line. If you drop your yam, you have to restart at the beginning. The first team to finish the relay wins. It's very much like an egg-and-spoon race, but it works better because everybody really wants less messy party games for Thanksgiving.

19. Disguise a Turkey

Print out turkey outlines and let guests use craft supplies to make their bird blend into something around the house — a bookshelf, a chair, even the wallpaper. Then hide them and let everyone go on a “turkey hunt.” The last one found wins.

Family Party Games for Thanksgiving

Family time hits differently on Thanksgiving. There’s the laughter, the storytelling and the kids running through the kitchen. There's no reason not to lean into the chaos a little. These family party games for Thanksgiving work for all ages, and those with Thanksgiving crafts for kids help keep everyone engaged between bites, stories and that second slice of pie. 

20. Set Up a Thanksgiving Photo Booth

Make a variety of props and disguises, like turkey feather masks and pumpkins on sticks. Then, have everyone pick their props and take pictures with a Polaroid to help remember the day.

You can tape the pictures onto the wall during the party for everyone to admire. Or, you can create a family Instagram account and invite all the guests to the closed group and share the images with them via email after the holidays. 

21. I Spy Thanksgiving

Kids will love playing a Thanksgiving version of I Spy. You can make a printout of Thanksgiving-themed images and a list of items to find (pumpkins, pie, leaves, candles). It’s easy enough for kids, but still fun for adults who sometimes get a little bit too competitive.

22. Turkey Feather Match

Kids will love party games for Thanksgiving like this one. Print a large outline of a turkey and stick color-coded dots on the feathers. Kids match craft feathers to the right colors to “dress” the turkey. It’s a great way to keep small hands busy while dinner finishes cooking.

23. Turkey Tag

What are some do-it-yourself Thanksgiving games? Turkey Tag is a great choice and it's an energetic way to spend the holiday. Pin small paper turkeys or feathers to everyone’s shirts, then try to grab each other’s without losing your own. The last player with their pin wins.

24. The Dice Game

If you’re looking for party games for Thanksgiving to bring you closer, look no further than the dice game. All you need is two dice and a corresponding printout.

Simply roll the dice to select a person and the other to get an action, such as "tell a funny story, a favorite memory or give a compliment,” or “say what you’re thankful for.”

25. Make Clothespin Puppets

Use markers, googly eyes and feathers to turn clothespins into mini puppets. Once everyone’s made theirs, put on a little puppet show. It’s low effort and big on charm, especially for younger guests.

26. Thanksgiving Mad Libs

Print a few Thanksgiving-themed Mad Libs and let everyone fill them in together. Once the stories are read aloud, expect big laughs — especially when Grandma’s adjectives take an unexpected turn. 

27. Thanksgiving Trivia

Mix a little history with family fun. Create Thanksgiving trivia question rounds on traditions, pop culture and your own family memories. Toss in a few Thanksgiving jokes to keep things light and get everyone laughing between questions.

28. Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe

Give a classic game a bit of a Thanksgiving twist. Get three mini white pumpkins and three mini orange pumpkins and use them as the pieces for a game of tic tac toe. Challenge your friends and family to this fun life-size version to see who can win the most games.

Indoor Party Games for Thanksgiving

When the weather turns chilly, the fun moves inside. This is where all the best post-meal moments happen — the friendly competition, the quiet crafts, the laughter that drifts in from the next room. A few simple games for Thanksgiving can turn a slow afternoon into something that feels alive again, especially while everyone’s digesting or waiting for dessert.

29. Floral Arranging Contest

Indoor party games for Thanksgiving can explore creativity in a new way. Lay out fresh, dried or faux flowers and give everyone a vase or jar. Have them create their own Thanksgiving arrangement and vote on favorites. It’s half craft, half competition and everyone goes home with a centerpiece.

30. Count Your Blessings Tree

Draw or craft a paper tree and cut out leaves for guests to write what they’re thankful for. You can display everyone’s blessing tree for the party to admire by pinning it on the wall. It’s a sweet tradition that sparks gratitude without feeling forced.

31. Make Turkey Fortune Tellers

Fold paper fortune tellers (remember those grade-school ones?) and fill them with funny fortunes or Thanksgiving gratitude prompts. Have everyone play before dinner and again after to see how their “fate” changes.

32. Football Bingo

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is synonymous with football, so why not make the big game a little more interesting? Hand out bingo cards filled with things like “touchdown,” “commercial break” or “family nap,” and mark them off as they occur during the game.

33. Ice Breaker Question Game

Write lighthearted prompts or classic ice breaker questions on colorful sticks or slips of paper — things like “What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dish?” or “What made you laugh this year?” Pass the jar around and let everyone answer one. It's a simple question game that works well for a holiday work party or even at a family gathering.

34. Shake Your Tail Feathers

This silly party game will have everyone laughing. Put craft feathers in an empty tissue box, then tie the box around a player's waist. The goal of these party games for Thanksgiving is to shake and shimmy until the feathers are out of the tissue box. 

35. Pass the Turkey

A Thanksgiving spin on hot potato. Use a plush turkey and play music as you pass it around. Whoever’s holding it when the music stops is out. Simple, fast, and way funnier than it should be.

36. Turkey Bowling

Stack or decorate brown plastic cups as bowling pins, add googly eyes and paper feathers, then use a small ball to knock them down. You can fill them with beans to make the cups heavier. It’s a fun party craft activity that doubles as a game.

37. Decorate Pumpkins

Once you’ve shown off your Thanksgiving nails, channel that same creative energy into decorating pumpkins. Skip the spooky faces and go for floral designs, bold colors or fall-inspired patterns instead. Set out supplies, let everyone craft their own and vote for the winner — instant Thanksgiving decor and bragging rights included.

38. Catch the Turkey

Catch the turkey will have everyone acting sneaky and suspicious. Each guest will get a turkey pin that they have to secure to their clothes. Players will then try to swipe the turkey pin without the person noticing. If you’re caught, you have to give up your pin. It’s sneaky fun and great for keeping guests moving indoors.

Outdoor Party Games for Thanksgiving

If the weather’s mild, take the fun outside. A little fresh air helps everyone reset after a big meal, and outdoor family games keep the day feeling spontaneous and full of life. Whether you’re in the backyard, the park or even the driveway, these ideas bring a mix of energy, nostalgia and good-natured chaos to your Thanksgiving lineup.

39. Classic Sack Race

These active party games for Thanksgiving will have everyone cheering and laughing. Slip into some burlap sacks and then bounce from one side of the yard to the other. This game also works as part of a relay race.

40. Candy Corn Ring Toss

Paint orange cones to look like candy corn and set them up at different distances. Hand out rings and assign points for each one that lands. It’s festive, easy to make and fun to play between courses.

41. Thanksgiving Relay Race

This outdoor party game for Thanksgiving will have teams running around the yard. Create a mix of mini challenges like a three-legged race, a hula hoop pass or a wheelbarrow dash. Break into teams and race through the course. The Thanksgiving relay race will quickly become a favorite holiday tradition as guests cheer on their teams during a fun medley of party games for Thanksgiving.

42. Pumpkin Patch Balloon Stomp

Blow up orange balloons and scatter them across the yard. Inside each, hide a slip of paper with a point value or prize. Players have one minute to stomp as many as they can. It's a noisy game, but it's totally worth it.

43. Flag Football

Few things say Thanksgiving like tossing a football around. Split into teams, grab some flags and get a casual game going. You can even take bets on who wins the game or give the winners of the football game a sneak peek (a.k.a. taste) at dessert.

44. Photo Scavenger Hunt

Spend some time before dinner engaging in a photo scavenger hunt. Hand out a list of photo prompts — “someone cooking,” “fall leaves,” “family laughing.” Then, every player or team of players has to gather each photo on the list. The first person or team to get every photo wins. Plus, everyone will have photo memories from the day.

45. Bob for Apples

Bobbing for apples is a classic party game for Thanksgiving. Fill a large tub with apples and water. Then, have guests try their best to pick up apples using only their teeth. It's much harder than most think and will elicit laughs from the players and the audience. Cut the leftover apples up and toss them in a fresh Thanksgiving salad!

46. Bean Bag Toss

Set up a cornhole board or make your own from plywood. Decorate it with pumpkins or leaves to fit the season, then keep score while guests take turns aiming for the holes. It’s one of those games for Thanksgiving that's surprisingly addictive.

47. Dress a Scarecrow

For this game, players will have to dress a scarecrow as fast as they can. Break everyone into teams of three or four and give each team a scarecrow and some old clothes. Teams have to work together to get all the clothes on the scarecrow and create a fun outfit before everyone else.

Thanksgiving is about more than the food (that's true whether they're with the family at the house or at one of the restaurants open on Thanksgiving). It’s about what happens in the spaces around it. The laughter in the kitchen, the competition in the backyard, the stories that come out mid-game and somehow last longer than dessert. Adding a few party games for Thanksgiving gives the day shape, breaks the ice and turns downtime into something you’ll actually remember.

Whether your crowd loves strategy, silliness or just a little friendly rivalry, games have a way of keeping everyone present, which might be the real tradition worth holding onto.

For even more fun party games for Thanksgiving, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!