Thanksgiving games for the whole family
Between the turkey and the pie there is always a lull, and it is the perfect time for a game that the kids’ table and the grown-ups can play together. These picks run on one phone and take seconds to explain.
Each pick has a Thanksgiving card pack with wishbones, parade floats, cranberry sauce and Black Friday. It switches on by itself in the second half of November.
The 5 best games
1. Charades (2+ players)
Act out carving the turkey, loosening your belt or queuing for Black Friday. Everyone has seen it at least once today.
- The actor holds the phone so only they can see it, then taps Start.
- Act out the word on screen. No talking, no sounds, and no pointing at things in the room.
- When someone guesses it, tap Got it. Stuck? Tap Skip for a new word.
- When time runs out, the actor scores 1 point per word guessed. Pass the phone on.
2. True or False (2+ players)
Thanksgiving trivia: did the Pilgrims eat pumpkin pie, and can wild turkeys fly?
- Read the statement out loud.
- Everyone shows thumbs up for True or thumbs down for False, all at once.
- Tap Reveal answer.
- Tap every player who got it right. They each score 1.
3. Would You Rather (2+ players)
Turkey or the sides? Pumpkin pie or apple pie? The debate the whole table already wants to have.
- Read both options out loud.
- Count to three. Everyone points left for the first option or right for the second.
- Tap every player on the bigger side. They each score 1. A tie means nobody scores.
- Tap Next turn for a new question.
4. Imposter (3+ players)
Thanksgiving words like Cornucopia, Food coma and Friendsgiving, with one relative bluffing.
- Pass the phone round. Each player taps their card to see the secret word, then hides it.
- One player sees “Imposter” instead (plus a one-word hint, if hints are on). They must bluff.
- Go round the circle. Everyone says one word linked to the secret word, then discuss and vote.
- Catch the imposter and everyone else scores 1. If they escape or guess the word, they score 2.
5. Pass the Bomb (3+ players)
Name pie flavours or things you’re thankful for before the bomb goes off.
- Read the category out loud, then tap Light the fuse.
- Say one answer that fits, tap Pass, and hand the phone to the next player.
- No repeats. If the group says an answer doesn’t count, try again before passing.
- When the bomb explodes, whoever is holding it loses. Everyone else scores 1.
The Thanksgiving card pack
69 themed cards for 8 games. It switches on by itself from 15 November to 30 November, and you can pick it any time.
Imposter (14 cards)
- Turkey
- Cranberry sauce
- Stuffing
Charades (10 cards)
- Carving the turkey
- Pulling a wishbone
- Watching the parade balloons
Would You Rather (6 cards)
- Only eat the turkey / Only eat the sides
- Host Thanksgiving / Travel to it
- Pumpkin pie / Apple pie
Most Likely To (8 cards)
- Most likely to eat until they need a nap
- Most likely to start a debate at dinner
- Most likely to bring a dish nobody asked for
Never Have I Ever (8 cards)
- Never have I ever cooked a whole turkey
- Never have I ever burnt a dish on Thanksgiving
- Never have I ever sat at the kids’ table as an adult
True or False (8 cards)
- In the US, Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November
- Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October
- The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924
20 Questions (10 cards)
- Turkey
- Pie
- Wishbone
Pass the Bomb (5 cards)
- Thanksgiving foods
- Things you’re thankful for
- Pie flavours
Tips
- Play between the main course and dessert.
- Seat the kids’ table and grown-ups on mixed teams.
- Loser does the washing-up.
Questions
What games can families play at Thanksgiving?
Charades, True or False, Would You Rather, Imposter and Pass the Bomb all have Thanksgiving cards and work for kids and adults together.
Does it work for Friendsgiving?
Yes. Add Most Likely To or Never Have I Ever for a group of friends.