Free Turkey Scavenger Hunt Printable

A turkey scavenger hunt is such a fun way to keep kids busy and smiling during Thanksgiving.

Whether you’re hosting family at home, planning a classroom activity, or just looking for a low-prep holiday game, this printable is easy to set up and works for all ages.

Kids love racing around to find the hidden turkeys, and it’s a great way to bring a little laughter and movement into a day that’s often filled with sitting and waiting.

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Setting Up the Turkey Scavenger Hunt

This free turkey scavenger hunt printable comes with two pages. The first page is the tracking sheet, which you’ll need to print once for each child or team.

The second page includes the turkeys to hide, and you’ll only need to print that one copy before cutting the pieces apart.

If you’d like to reuse the game each year, laminating the turkey cards before cutting them is worth the extra step. Each player will also need a pencil, pen, or marker to check off turkeys as they find them.

Once everything is ready, it’s time to hide the turkeys! Parents, teachers, or even older kids can get creative, tuck them under chairs, tape them to the wall, slip them behind books, or take the game outdoors and hide them around the yard.

If you’re playing with a larger group, split kids into smaller teams so everyone has a chance to participate fully.

How to Play the Turkey Scavenger Hunt

Give each child or team a tracking sheet with the 16 turkey images. Their job is to search the area for the hidden turkey cards and match each one to their sheet. As they find a turkey, they simply check it off.

You can keep the game open-ended and let kids search until they’ve found them all, or add a timer for extra excitement. When the time is up, compare sheets and see who spotted the most turkeys.

For bigger groups, turn it into a team competition, kids work together to cover more ground and cheer each other on, making the hunt both fun and cooperative.

Best Places to Play

One of the best things about a turkey scavenger hunt is how flexible it is, you can set it up almost anywhere.

• At home: Keep kids entertained while Thanksgiving dinner is cooking by hiding turkeys around the living room, kitchen, or hallway.
• In the classroom: Use the hunt as a holiday party game or an indoor recess activity. Teachers can even tape the turkeys under desks or on bulletin boards to make it more of a challenge.
• Outdoors: If the weather is nice, hide the turkeys in the backyard, on the playground, or even at a local park for a bigger adventure.

Whether you’re playing with just a few kids or a larger group, the game adapts easily, just decide how many turkeys to hide and choose spots that fit your space.

Prize Ideas for the Hunt

A turkey scavenger hunt is exciting on its own, but small prizes can make the game even more memorable. Kids love having something to look forward to at the end, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.

Some easy small Thanksgiving gifts include:

• Mini Thanksgiving treats like candy corn, small chocolate turkeys, or snack-size packs.
• Holiday trinkets such as turkey headbands, festive pencils, or sticker sheets.
• Activity-based rewards like coloring pages, mini puzzles, or a Thanksgiving bookmark to use during story time.
• Books for older kids who enjoy reading, pair the hunt with a silly turkey book for a prize that doubles as quiet-time fun.

For classrooms, consider non-food prizes so every child can participate, things like stamps, erasers, or small craft kits are always a hit.

More Turkey-Themed Activities

If your kids enjoy the turkey game, here are a few more ways to keep the Thanksgiving fun going:

• Thanksgiving scavenger hunt clues – Try a different twist with a clue-based hunt that encourages problem-solving along with holiday fun.
• Color by number turkey – A relaxing activity that builds number recognition while kids create a festive turkey picture.
• Turkey bingo cards – Gather the family or your students for a lively round of bingo with a Thanksgiving theme.
• Label the parts of a turkey worksheet – A simple science tie-in where kids learn about feathers, wattles, and other turkey features.
• Life cycle of a turkey printable – Explore the stages from egg to adult in a way that’s both educational and interactive.
• Thanksgiving bingo cards – Another printable game option to keep groups of all ages entertained.

Best Turkey Books for Kids

One of my favorite ways to wind down after a busy Thanksgiving day is to curl up with a funny turkey story. These books always got my son laughing when he was younger, and they’re a sweet way to mix silliness with gentle holiday themes.

How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace – This was always a hit in our house. The wild chase to catch the turkey is hilarious, but I love how it circles back to the idea that Thanksgiving is more about kindness and gratitude than catching a bird.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey by Lucille Colandro – If your kids enjoy silly stories, this one never fails. The over-the-top items she swallows had my son giggling every time, and it’s such a playful reminder of the holiday spirit.

Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano – This clever tale of a turkey disguising himself as different farm animals to escape dinner is both funny and smart. It’s a great way to spark conversations about creativity, problem-solving, and a little quick thinking.

Get Your Free Turkey Hunt Printable Here!

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Last Updated on 3 September 2025 by Clare Brown