Fun Activities For Thanksgiving Day That Everyone Will Love
Thanksgiving morning smells like coffee, cinnamon, and something roasting in the oven. People drift into the house one by one, coats on chairs, pies on counters, kids asking when they can eat. The day is full of promise, but if everyone just waits around for the turkey, the hours can drag.
You do not need a perfect house or fancy supplies to fill the day with fun activities for Thanksgiving Day and things to do on Thanksgiving. With a few simple ideas, you can keep kids, teens, and adults happy, inside and outside, with and without screens. These ideas work whether you are hosting an open house, a small dinner, a traditional gathering, or a Friendsgiving celebration, and they match 2025 trends like gratitude, screen-free time, and easy DIY fun.
Think of this as your menu for memory making. Choose what fits your people, your space, and your energy level.
Easy Indoor Thanksgiving Day Activities To Keep Everyone Smiling
When the weather is chilly and the kitchen is busy, cozy indoor fun keeps the day light instead of stressful. These Thanksgiving activities work for mixed ages and can grow into lasting Thanksgiving traditions you keep year after year. For even more inspiration, you can peek at family ideas like the ones shared in these Thanksgiving activities for families.
Start a Thankful Tree or Gratitude Jar Everyone Can Add To
A Thankful Tree looks fancy on social media, but it can be very simple in real life.
Grab a vase or mason jar and fill it with bare branches from the yard. If that is not possible, draw a big tree on a poster and tape it to the wall. Cut out paper leaves, hearts, or simple circles. Place them in a basket with pens, crayons, or markers.
During the day, invite everyone to:
- Take a leaf or shape.
- Write or draw something they are thankful for.
- Clip or tape it to the branches, or drop it into a gratitude jar.
Little kids can draw a picture of a pet or their favorite snack. Shy kids or teens who do not like speaking in front of others can quietly write their thoughts instead. Adults can write small, specific things, like “morning walks with Dad” or “full tank of gas.” To add depth, encourage sharing heritage or memories, turning it into a simple family tree.
Right before dessert, or after the meal when everyone is sleepy and full, pick a person to read some of the notes out loud. If anyone prefers to stay private, keep those leaves in the jar and just enjoy the sight of it filling up.
Gratitude projects like this fit perfectly with 2025 trends that focus on mental health and meaningful holiday traditions. If you want more twist-on-gratitude ideas, you might like the kid friendly suggestions in this piece on Thanksgiving fun facts and thankful activities for kids.
Create DIY Thanksgiving Crafts: Place Cards and Kid Friendly Table Decorations
Turn that “I am bored” time into a simple craft station at the kitchen table.
Set out:
- Blank index cards or folded cardstock
- Markers, crayons, stickers, washi tape
- Glue sticks and scrap paper for cutout shapes
Younger kids can make handprint turkeys, simple drawings, or sticker borders. Ask them to write each guest’s name or copy from a list. Older kids and teens can add a twist by writing a small joke, silly dare, or question on the back, like “What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?” or “Describe your perfect lazy Sunday.”
Add a paper tablecloth or a big roll of kraft paper and let kids decorate the “kids’ zone” with doodles, a printable Thanksgiving word search, or printed coloring pages. You can find many free printable Thanksgiving coloring and puzzle sheets on sites like Pinterest boards with Thanksgiving ideas for kids.
For guests with low vision or sensory needs, include:
- Textured paper or foam stickers
- Bold dark markers
- Clear, large print names
When everyone sits down and sees the table covered in the kids’ artwork, you can almost see them sit up a little taller. Their work is part of the celebration.
Play Simple Thanksgiving Games That Work In Any Living Room
You do not need fancy supplies or a big space to add some laughter.
Here are easy Thanksgiving games that work in most living rooms:
- Thanksgiving Bingo: Make or print cards with pictures like turkey, pumpkin pie, football, parade balloons, and leaves. Use dry beans or candy as markers.
- Play a board game: Choose a quick family favorite like Scrabble or a themed one with Thanksgiving words to spark conversation.
- Charades: Act out classic Thanksgiving scenes, like carving the turkey or watching the parade, without speaking.
- Pictionary: Draw items like pilgrims, cornucopias, or football plays on paper while others guess.
- Thanksgiving trivia: Quiz everyone on fun facts about the holiday, like the first Thanksgiving menu or parade history.
- Mini scavenger hunt: Give each person a simple list, like “something orange, something that smells good, something soft.” First one to find all three gets to choose the next song or dessert topping.
- Minute to Win It style games:
- Stack mini marshmallows into the tallest tower in 60 seconds.
- Move cotton balls from one bowl to another using only a spoon held in your mouth. No hands.
- Turkey Tag for small rooms: Give each player a clothespin “tail” on the back of their shirt. Everyone walks, no running, and tries to grab other tails without bumping into furniture.
Keep score with a scrap of paper or whiteboard if you like, but do not push the competition. Offer small prizes like choosing the movie, getting extra sprinkles on cookies, or skipping dish duty. For an optional twist after the games, incorporate a white elephant gift exchange with wrapped surprises from around the house.
If you want more game ideas, you might enjoy the big list of Thanksgiving party games for all ages.
Relax With the Parade or a Family Movie Everyone Can Enjoy
For many families, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the background music of the morning. Turn on the parade, keep the volume low, and let people flow in and out while they sip coffee or help in the kitchen.
Later, when dishes are stacked and the tryptophan haze kicks in, shift to a movie night. Pile blankets and pillows on the floor, pass around popcorn and leftover rolls, and dim the lights. These excellent kids activities help everyone unwind together.
Mix your choices:
- A classic family film that older relatives love
- A cozy animated movie for younger kids
- A new release or streaming hit from 2025 that teens are excited about
- Watch a movie where the group votes on the selection
Let different age groups vote from a short list so everyone feels heard. The point is not just “screen time.” It is shared jokes, whispered comments, and that soft feeling of everyone breathing the same air in the same room.
Active Outdoor Thanksgiving Activities To Burn Energy Before Dinner
A little fresh air resets moods, helps kids burn off energy, and makes that second slice of pie feel even better. Outdoor fun does not have to be long or intense. Short pockets of movement can change the whole day. Alternatively, before or after active outdoor time, families may choose to volunteer in your community as a meaningful alternative activity.
Host a Backyard Turkey Trot or Mini Obstacle Course
You do not need an official race to have a Turkey Trot. Even a short loop around the block works.
Pick a route that feels safe and easy. Invite everyone to walk, jog, or “waddle like a turkey.” Hand out funny hats, paper crowns, or scarves as “race gear.” Small kids can ride scooters or sit in strollers and cheer.
To make it playful:
- Ask everyone to carry a spoon with a small ball or acorn on top.
- Have a prize for “silliest walk” or “best turkey sound.”
If you do not have space for a walk, build a tiny obstacle course in the yard or driveway. Use cones, chalk lines, or pillows to mark places where kids can hop, spin, crawl under a chair, or walk backward for three steps.
Take photos for next year’s invite or family chat. This “not serious at all” race can become the thing people talk about later.
Take a Walk: A Fall Nature Walk and Turn Finds Into Crafts
Take a walk for 20 to 30 minutes in the afternoon to reset everyone’s mood. Choose a park, a quiet street, or even just a loop around the block.
Ask kids to collect:
- Interesting leaves
- Acorns or pinecones
- Small, smooth stones
Later, these can become:
- A simple natural Thanksgiving centerpiece in a bowl or tray
- Pinecone turkeys with paper beaks and feathers
- Leaf rubbings or leaf people glued to paper
To tie in gratitude, ask each child to find or notice three things outside they are thankful for, such as “the big tree that gives shade,” “my warm coat,” or “the neighbor’s friendly dog.”
Keep safety in mind: stay on marked paths, watch the time so you are home before dark, and check the weather before you go.
Play Thanksgiving Games: Backyard Football, Leaf Pile Games, or a Simple Scavenger Hunt
These Thanksgiving games do not need a full team or perfect yard.
Ideas for different ages:
- Soft football toss: Use a foam ball and play gentle catch. For teens and adults, try a no tackle, two hand touch game with clear sidelines.
- Leaf pile fun: If you have trees, rake leaves into one big pile. Let kids jump, then turn leaf gathering into a race.
- Mini pumpkin hunt: Hide small gourds or mini pumpkins around the yard. Give each child a limit so everyone finds some.
For a quick outdoor scavenger hunt, use a short list like:
- Something red
- Something that crunches
- Something that smells like fall
People can mix and match these ideas based on time, space, and energy. Even ten minutes outside can help everyone feel more grounded at the table later.
Fun Food Related Thanksgiving Day Activities In The Kitchen
The kitchen can feel like the center of stress, but it can also be the heart of the fun. With a little planning, kids, teens, and guests can help in ways that do not slow you down too much. Many households use food as the base for their Thanksgiving activities, as seen in this list of Thanksgiving activities for 2025.
Give Kids a Job: Simple Ways Children Can Help With Thanksgiving Dinner
Most kids love real jobs, not “fake” jobs.
Age friendly tasks include:
- Rinsing vegetables in a colander
- Tearing lettuce for salad
- Stirring batter or cranberry sauce
- Lining muffin tins with paper cups
- Placing rolls on a baking sheet
- Setting or decorating the table
Older kids and teens can handle:
- Mixing a simple cornbread
- Making a basic salad
- Stirring and seasoning a pot of mashed potatoes with guidance
- Managing drink refills or snack trays
Share a few safety rules in a calm, clear way: knives stay on the back of the counter, pot handles point inward, and only adults move hot dishes from oven to table.
When kids see their dish on the table and hear, “Jamie made this,” their face says everything. They feel trusted, capable, and proud.
Make Mini Pumpkin Pies, Turkey Veggie Trays, or Cookie Decorating Stations
Turn snacks and dessert into hands on fun.
A few simple ideas:
- Mini pumpkin pies: Use premade tart shells or graham crusts. Let kids spoon in pumpkin filling or vanilla pudding and top with whipped cream.
- Turkey veggie trays: Arrange carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, and cucumber slices like feathers around a round bowl of hummus or ranch. Add olive “eyes” and a pepper “beak.”
- Cookie decorating station: Bake or buy plain sugar cookies. Set out frosting, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and let everyone design their own dessert.
To keep the mess low, give each person a sheet pan or rimmed tray as their “work space.” Crumbs and sprinkles stay inside the edges and are easy to dump later.
These projects can happen while the main dishes cook, so the oven time feels productive instead of endless.
Shake Up Homemade Butter and Other Simple Food “Science” Fun
Homemade butter in a jar feels like a magic trick.
Here is how to do it:
- Fill a clean jar halfway with heavy cream.
- Add a pinch of salt.
- Close the lid very tight.
- Let kids and adults take turns shaking the jar.
First, it turns into whipped cream. After more shaking, the butter will suddenly clump together and separate from the buttermilk. Drain the liquid, rinse the butter under cold water, and press it with a spoon.
Everyone will want to taste “their” butter on warm rolls.
You can also:
- Stir honey or cinnamon into part of the butter for a flavored version.
- Set up a pie tasting, where everyone tries tiny slices of different pies and votes for a favorite.
These small “food science” moments keep curiosity alive and give kids a real story to tell at school the next week.
Bringing Thanksgiving Day Fun All Together
Thanksgiving activities do not need to be perfect, Instagram ready, or expensive. Simple games, short walks, easy crafts, and shared food can fill the day with laughter and quiet joy. The point is time together, not flawless plans.
Choose one indoor idea, one outdoor activity, and one food project to try this year. Next year, keep the ones that worked and add one new tradition. Over time your holiday will feel full, but not packed, with Thanksgiving traditions people actually enjoy.
When guests head home, you want them full, tired in a good way, and already talking about “that silly Turkey Trot” or “those tiny pies” for next Thanksgiving. That is how traditions start, one small, happy moment at a time. These ideas can also be adapted for an adults only celebration.
