Things to Do on Thanksgiving at Home
Thanksgiving is a day to feast on amazing food and spend time with your family and friends. Once all the food is prepped and ready for the oven, it is time to step out of the kitchen and do some fun activities before enjoying a delicious meal. Here are some fun things to do on Thanksgiving at home that will keep guests of all ages entertained this Turkey Day!
Thanksgiving Bingo
Give the classic Bingo game a festive spin by downloading free printable Thanksgiving-themed bingo cards. Consider purchasing a small gift for the card winner or have their winning present be first dibs at the food!
Download Thanksgiving Bingo
Create a Family Tree
Get the whole family involved in making a family tree this Thanksgiving. Use everyone's fingerprints as tree leaves to give it a more personal feel and share memories as you create the family tree.
Learn how to do this fun family craft here.
Check out these TikToks for more inspiration:
Thanksgiving Trivia
Get the competition started with a round of Thanksgiving trivia. Challenge your friend’s and family’s history knowledge and reward the winner with a small prize.
Touch Football
This football game is a great option for larger families and those who live in warmer climates. Gather members of your family together and separate into two different teams. Spend some time outside and enjoy an old-fashioned game of touch football.
Watch your favorite Friends characters compete in a game of touch football in the episode, The One with the Football. Check out a clip here.
Family Photo Albums
Go through some old family photos as a group and share any memories that the photos spark. This is a great way to get your older family members involved in an activity and for the younger members to learn about their history.
A lot of family and friend reunions occur over the Thanksgiving holiday. Consider participating in this popular Tik Tok trend!
Express Gratitude
Gather everyone in a circle and have each person express gratitude and why they feel that way. This activity is a great way to ensure that everyone understands the meaning of Thanksgiving and why we celebrate the holiday.
If you have younger children, here is a book to teach them all about gratitude and what it means to be thankful.
The Gratitude Jar
Volunteer
If you and your family have extra time outside the kitchen this Thanksgiving, consider donating your time to a local soup kitchen or food pantry to help the less fortunate have a great holiday.
Check out Feeding America's website for a list of places that need volunteers this holiday season.
Volunteer Opportunities
Thanksgiving Safety Tips:
- Always keep an eye on your food and stay in the kitchen when the stove and stovetop are on.
- Never leave your house when food is cooking.
- Keep children away from the stove.
- Keep knives, hot foods, and liquids away from children.
- Keep the floor clear, so no one trips and hurts themselves.
- Do not leave candles burning unattended.
- Make sure smoke alarms are working.
Holiday Travel Tips:
If you are traveling to someone’s house other than your own this Thanksgiving, make sure you are taking precautions and following these safety tips.
- Always buckle up.
- Plan your travel route ahead of time.
- Keep an emergency kit in the car.
- Be aware of weather conditions at your starting point and ending destination.
- Do not text and drive.
Thanksgiving is a time spent with family and friends, and we hope you have a safe and fun holiday.