Thanksgiving Word Games for Kids and Families

Thanksgiving word games are a fun way to bring everyone together during the holiday, whether it’s around the dinner table, in the classroom, or at home.

These printables add a festive twist to language practice, giving kids a chance to build vocabulary and spelling skills while having fun.

From scrambles and word searches to trivia and scattergories, they’re easy Thanksgiving activities that mix learning with laughter and keep the holiday spirit going.

Free printable Thanksgiving word games collage with word search, word scramble, scattergories, feast frenzy, and words within words activities.

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Fun Word Games for Thanksgiving

Over the years, printable Thanksgiving games have become a holiday tradition in our house.

They’re quick to set up, keep kids entertained when the kitchen gets busy, and always lead to some good-natured competition.

I love that they sneak in learning while still feeling playful. Whether it’s just us around the table or a big family dinner, these activities bring everyone together and capture the spirit of gratitude, laughter, and connection.

Thanksgiving Word Scramble

This scramble is one of those quick activities that can get everyone at the table leaning in and racing to finish first. My son always zeroes in on the longer words like Mayflower or Gratitude, while younger kids feel proud when they spot turkey or pie. Having the answer key makes it stress-free for parents or teachers, and we like to add a timer to make it even more exciting. It’s a mix of fun and skill practice that works in both small groups and big family gatherings.

Thanksgiving Word Search

The word search has become a go-to in our house for keeping kids entertained when the kitchen gets busy. I usually set out copies at the kids’ table, and it gives them something quiet but engaging to do. The variety of words, from harvest and pumpkin to gratitude, makes it fun for a range of ages. My son enjoys turning it into a race, but it also works perfectly as a calming solo activity on a cozy fall afternoon.

Thanksgiving Scattergories

Scattergories never fails to bring out creativity, and lots of laughs. We’ve had some unforgettable answers, like when the letter was “C” for “Things to be thankful for” and my son proudly wrote cranberry sauce. The beauty of this game is that everyone can join in, no matter their age, and there are no wrong answers. It’s fun, fast-paced, and sneaks in vocabulary practice while still feeling like pure holiday fun.

Printable Thanksgiving trivia game placed on a silver dinner plate with fall leaves and utensils, featuring multiple choice questions.

Thanksgiving Trivia Printable (With Answers)

Trivia is always a hit in our house because it sparks conversations we wouldn’t normally have. Over the years we’ve learned some surprising facts, like how pumpkin pie wasn’t on the menu at the first celebration. My son loves when he can beat the adults on a history question, and the answer key makes it easy for kids to lead the game. It works just as well in a classroom as it does around the dinner table, making it one of the most versatile activities we use.

Thanksgiving Mad Libs printable worksheet titled “Thanksgiving Feast Frenzy,” filled in and colored, shown next to the book How to Catch a Turkey and fall-themed decorations.

Thanksgiving Mad Libs Free Printable

Mad Libs are the loudest game we play, there’s always laughter echoing through the house once the stories are read aloud. The kids fill in the blanks with the silliest words they can think of, and before long we’ve got a tale about a purple turkey doing cartwheels across the kitchen. It’s lighthearted, but also sneaks in grammar practice without feeling like work. Every year, we end up with stories that become part of our family’s holiday memories.

Thanksgiving Crossword Puzzle

Crosswords are always a nice balance of challenge and fun, and this one fits perfectly with the holiday theme. My son enjoys tackling the clues with his grandparents, sometimes they know the history answers faster than he does, which makes it a great multigenerational activity. I like that it stretches vocabulary and encourages critical thinking, but it still feels light and entertaining. We’ve even used it as a quiet activity while waiting for dessert.

Holiday Words Within Words

The “words within words” game has become one of our favorites because it keeps kids busy for a long time. My son always tries to beat his previous score by finding as many words as possible hidden in “Thanksgiving.” It’s a fantastic way to build spelling skills without feeling like schoolwork. We sometimes make it competitive, whoever finds the most words in ten minutes wins a prize. It’s simple, but surprisingly engaging.

Gobble Gobble Mad Libs

This little booklet has provided endless laughter at our house. Unlike the single-page printable, it comes with multiple stories, so the fun can last all afternoon. My son especially enjoys coming up with the most ridiculous nouns he can think of, and we all end up with tears in our eyes from laughing so hard. It’s portable too, we’ve even taken it in the car on the way to visit family.

Thanksgiving Jeoparty

This is a fantastic choice if you have a bigger group, especially with a mix of ages. Last year we played it with cousins, grandparents, and friends, and everyone got into the competitive spirit. The editable format makes it easy to customize questions, so we added some family-specific categories, which made it even more fun. It’s a lively way to get people talking, learning, and laughing together.

Thanksgiving Friendly Feud

This game always sparks the funniest debates. Trying to guess the “top answers” leads to some hilarious arguments, my son insisted mashed potatoes had to beat pumpkin pie, while my dad refused to believe it. It works perfectly as an icebreaker when extended family or friends come together, and it gets everyone involved no matter their age. It’s less about right or wrong and more about the laughs along the way.

Friendsgiving

This game is such a good fit when teens or young adults are gathering on their own. My son and his friends played it last year, and I loved hearing their laughter from the other room. The questions are designed to spark conversation, and they often lead to silly stories or inside jokes that carry on long after the night is over. It’s lighthearted, easy to play, and creates a relaxed atmosphere that makes everyone feel included.

Thanksgiving Forbidden Words

This one always brings the challenge, and plenty of laughter. Trying to describe “turkey” without saying “bird” or “feast” is harder than you’d think, and the kids usually trip themselves up by accident. It’s fast-paced, gets everyone talking, and often ends in fits of giggles. I like using it as a quick game between bigger activities, since it doesn’t need much setup but still keeps everyone engaged.

Last Updated on 21 October 2025 by Clare

Fun Word Games for Thanksgiving

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