4 Free Printable Thanksgiving Scattergories Fun For All

We’ve been playing Thanksgiving Scattergories for years, it’s one of those easy, no-prep games that keeps everyone laughing while we wait for the turkey to finish cooking.

I print a new set every November, it’s become a bit of a tradition around our table, and somehow the kids (and adults!) still come up with wild answers that get everyone talking.

If you’re looking for a screen-free way to mix in some fun, these printable Scattergories game cards are a great fit for all ages.

Use the themed letter sets, GIVE, LEAF, FALL, and CORN, to come up with creative answers in each Thanksgiving category.

Whether you’re playing with young kids or a big family group, it’s a simple way to spark connection (and a little competition!) during the holiday.

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Scattergories to Play on Thanksgiving

This free Scattergories game never gets old. We’ve played it so many different ways over the years.

While it’s technically meant to be played with a 2-minute timer, we usually skip that part and just have fun seeing what everyone comes up with, especially the kids, who tend to get a little creative with their answers!

Just print out one game sheet per player, hand out some pens, and you’re ready to go. Each printable fits on a single page, and there’s plenty of space to write, especially if you print on white cardstock.

Here are the categories included on each sheet:

• Something thankful for
• Fall Activity
• Thanksgiving food
• Something orange
• Thanksgiving tradition
• Favorite movies set in fall.

And instead of using random letters, we’ve kept it festive with four themed letter sets:

• LEAF
• GIVE
• FALL
• CORN

The goal is to come up with unique answers for each category using the starting letter for that round. If two or more people write the same word, nobody gets a point, so thinking outside the box definitely helps!

How Do You Play Scattergories?

If you’ve never played Scattergories before, it’s a simple word game that gets surprisingly competitive, especially when someone insists “gravy” counts as a vegetable.

Here’s how we play:

• Everyone grabs a copy of the game card and something to write with.
• Pick one of the letter sets (like GIVE or FALL).
• For each category, write a word that starts with the matching letter. So if the letter is “G” and the category is “Thanksgiving food,” you might write “gravy.”
• After a few minutes (or whenever everyone’s done), go around and read your answers aloud.
• If more than one person wrote the same word, nobody gets a point. Unique answers score 1 point each.
• Keep score for a few rounds, whoever has the most points at the end wins!

We don’t always bother with a timer, especially with younger kids, but if you want to make it more of a challenge, set one for 2 minutes.

It’s an easy way to get everyone laughing and thinking, and honestly, the fun is in hearing the unexpected answers people come up with.

More Thanksgiving Games the Whole Family Will Enjoy

If your crew loves Thanksgiving word games, here are a few more we’ve used to keep the holiday fun going, especially when everyone’s full and just needs something low-key.

• Thanksgiving Bingo – A fun twist on the classic game, with printable cards full of holiday-themed items. Great for all ages and easy to set up last-minute.
• Thanksgiving Memory Game – Match the fall-themed cards in this printable game. It’s simple enough for younger kids but still fun for older siblings or adults who get a little competitive.
• Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt Riddles – Hide fall-themed clues around the house or yard. Ours usually ends with a small prize or treat.
• Thanksgiving Jeopardy – Turn your dinner table into a quiz show! We split into teams and use trivia questions about Thanksgiving history, food, and traditions.
• Family Feud: Thanksgiving Edition – This one always gets loud! See who can guess the most popular survey answers on all things Thanksgiving.
• The Great Turkey Escape – A silly board game where players help a turkey avoid becoming dinner. It’s been a surprise hit in our house.

Mix and match depending on the crowd, these games work well whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or just looking for something to do after dessert.

Want more seasonal fun? Grab our free Fall Scattergories, it’s another easy, low-prep game that works great for cozy autumn afternoons or classroom brain breaks.

More Seasonal Scattergories Boards

If your family enjoys Thanksgiving Scattergories, there are plenty of other themed versions to try throughout the year. These seasonal printables are an easy way to keep the fun going, whether you’re in the mood for spooky, sporty, or snowy.

• Halloween Scattergories – Perfect for October parties or classroom brain breaks.
• Football Scattergories – Great for game day or Super Bowl Sunday.
• Winter Scattergories – A cozy option for snow days or indoor fun.
• Christmas Scattergories – A festive favorite in our house during winter break.

Each one follows the same easy-to-play format with themed letter sets and categories to match the season.

Get Your Thanksgiving Scattergories Free Printable Here!

To get your free printables, simply add your name and email address to the form below.

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free category boards.

Last Updated on 6 August 2025 by Clare Brown