Thanksgiving Dinner Games for Adults: How to Keep Guests Engaged and Entertained
Looking to spice up your Thanksgiving dinner party with engaging activities for adults? We've compiled over 50 Thanksgiving dinner games for adults that will ensure your guests have fun while bonding over the holiday. From Thanksgiving charades to Thanksgiving Feud and scavenger hunts, these games will keep the energy high throughout the night!
Why Thanksgiving Games Matter for Adults
Thanksgiving isn't just about food—it's a time for connection, laughter, and memories. Adding games to your dinner ensures that even the quietest guests get involved, keeping everyone entertained. In my experience, Thanksgiving dinner games create those special moments people remember for years.
After the food, we often dive into activities like Thanksgiving Bingo or Thanksgiving Feud. It’s amazing how these simple games break the ice and bring everyone together. Even the most reserved adults become competitive and engaged!
Top 5 Thanksgiving Dinner Games for Adults
Thanksgiving Family Feud
One of my favorite games every Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving Family Feud. We divide into teams, and it’s always a hit! The game tests knowledge on fun holiday trivia—from Thanksgiving traditions to popular culture.
Tip: You can download pre-made question cards or create your own based on your family’s history or favorite Thanksgiving memories.
Thanksgiving Charades
Charades is a timeless classic. I remember the year we themed it around Thanksgiving: miming things like "turkey trot" or "stuffing a turkey." It was hilarious and definitely got the party going.
How to Play: Write Thanksgiving-related words on cards, place them in a bowl, and have participants act them out while others guess. Add a twist by using Thanksgiving-specific gestures or only allowing non-verbal clues.
Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
This year, we added a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt around the house, which was surprisingly competitive! The adults loved the challenge of finding items based on Thanksgiving-themed clues hidden indoors and outdoors.
How to Play: Create a list of Thanksgiving items (pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, etc.) and hide clues for your guests to find. Add a timer for extra excitement.
Thanksgiving Left Right Game
We often play the Thanksgiving Left Right Game, and it’s always a surprise who wins. As a story filled with “left” and “right” cues unfolds, everyone passes around a gift. At the end, one lucky guest keeps the prize.
My Experience: The laughter from this game is contagious—each time the narrator says "left" or "right," people scramble to pass the item in time.
Thanksgiving Bingo
Bingo is always a great way to engage everyone—it's simple but fun. Last year, we printed Thanksgiving Bingo cards with Thanksgiving food items and iconic symbols.
Make It More Challenging: Instead of just calling out the items, we gave clever clues or riddles. This variation made the game more interactive, and guests had to think quickly.
Why Choose Printable Thanksgiving Games?
One thing I’ve learned over the years is how convenient instant download games are. They’re:
- Hassle-free: No need to worry about preparation time. Just download, print, and play!
- Cost-effective: No shipping fees or waiting for games to arrive.
- Versatile: Whether it’s Mad Libs, Bingo, or a scavenger hunt, printables cover everything.
If you’re short on time, I highly recommend printable Thanksgiving games—especially for those spontaneous moments when you need something fun quickly!
Unique Thanksgiving Games to Consider
Aside from the classics, here are a few unique options I’ve tried:
Mad Libs - Fill in the blanks
This game brings out everyone's creative side! Guests fill in the blanks with random words, and the results are hilarious. One Thanksgiving, we couldn't stop laughing at the absurd story we created together!
Forbidden Words
A fun twist where certain Thanksgiving-related terms like "turkey" or "gravy" are banned. Guests give clues without using those forbidden words. It's much harder than it sounds!
My Tip: Split into teams and challenge players to see who can get their teammates to guess words while avoiding the forbidden ones.
Creating Unforgettable Thanksgiving Memories
If there’s one thing I’ve noticed over the years, it’s that Thanksgiving games bring people closer. Last year, we played Thanksgiving Charades after dinner, and even the most reluctant guests joined in. The room was filled with laughter, and it felt like everyone—regardless of age—was genuinely connecting. These games have become a tradition at our Thanksgiving dinners.
Conclusion: Plan Games to Keep Your Thanksgiving Guests Engaged
Games are a perfect way to strike the right balance between delicious food and fun interaction. Whether it’s Thanksgiving Feud, Bingo, or a scavenger hunt, adding these activities to your celebration ensures your adult guests have just as much fun as the kids. With these ideas, your Thanksgiving dinner party will be one that everyone remembers fondly for years to come.
So, as you plan your Thanksgiving dinner, don't forget to include a few games to keep the atmosphere light, fun, and filled with laughter. Happy Thanksgiving!
