12 Thanksgiving Games for Friends: Must-Try Activities to Level Up Your Friendsgiving
Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving are perfect times to gather with friends and family, enjoy good food, and create lasting memories. One way to ensure your celebration stands out is by incorporating fun and engaging games! Whether you're looking for a few casual activities or want to plan a whole Friendsgiving game night, there are countless options to entertain your guests. In this article, I’ll share a collection of the best Thanksgiving games for friends, based on popular ideas and my own personal experiences hosting Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving dinners.
Why Include Games at Your Friendsgiving Dinner Party?
Games are not just about having fun; they also break the ice, keep the energy lively, and allow everyone to participate, regardless of age or interest. If you’re hosting a Friendsgiving dinner party or planning a Thanksgiving game night, incorporating interactive activities can help transform your get-together into an unforgettable evening.
1. Friendsgiving Left or Right Game
The Friendsgiving Left or Right Game is a perfect way to get everyone laughing and mingling! To play, the host reads a playful story packed with the words “left” and “right,” and each time these words are mentioned, players pass a small gift or token in that direction. The excitement builds as the item switches hands around the table. Whoever ends up holding it at the end of the story gets to keep the prize! This game is simple, interactive, and a great way to break the ice, making it ideal for any Friendsgiving gathering.
2. Friendsgiving Karaoke
Friendsgiving Karaoke is the perfect way to keep the energy high and create some unforgettable moments! Set up a cozy karaoke corner and invite guests to belt out songs that remind them of friendships, good times, or past gatherings. Choose a mix of upbeat hits and nostalgic tunes that everyone knows and loves, turning your Friendsgiving into a lively sing-along. Whether people sing solo or as a group, it’s all about having fun and celebrating your bond through music!
3. Thanksgiving Trivia
Thanksgiving Trivia is a great way to challenge your friends’ knowledge of holiday traditions, history, and quirky fun facts! Ideal for a more laid-back setting, this game works well while guests are sipping drinks and enjoying good conversation. You can include a mix of questions—like the origins of Thanksgiving, popular dishes, or even famous Thanksgiving parades. It’s an entertaining way to learn something new and spark discussions, making it a perfect choice for a cozy, low-key gathering.
4. Friendsgiving Pass the Gift Game
This lively gift-passing game is perfect for adding a little excitement to your Friendsgiving! Each guest starts with a small, wrapped gift and listens closely as a Friendsgiving-themed story is read aloud. As the story mentions the words “left,” “right,” or “keep,” everyone passes their gift in the corresponding direction. The fun comes in the suspense of not knowing where the gifts will end up! By the end of the story, whoever is holding a gift gets to keep it, making it a lighthearted and festive way to exchange presents.
5. Thanksgiving Pictionary
Thanksgiving Pictionary is a hilarious way to bring out everyone’s creative side! Perfect for the more artistic (or not-so-artistic) friends, this game involves drawing Thanksgiving-themed words or phrases while your team tries to guess what it is before time runs out. From “pumpkin pie” to “family dinner,” the possibilities are endless, and the results are always good for a laugh. It’s a lighthearted game that gets everyone involved and keeps the energy high throughout the evening!
6. Thanksgiving Charades
Thanksgiving Charades is a fun way to get everyone moving and laughing! With a festive twist, this classic game involves acting out Thanksgiving-themed prompts like “stuffing a turkey” or “eating too much pie” without using words. Guests take turns pantomiming while their team tries to guess as many as they can before time runs out. It’s the perfect game for a diverse group, making everyone feel included whether they’re acting out silly scenarios or guessing the next move.
7. Friendsgiving Escape Room
A Thanksgiving Escape Room is a unique way to bring excitement and teamwork to your Friendsgiving! This print-and-play game challenges your guests to solve a series of themed puzzles and clues in order to “escape” or complete a Thanksgiving mission. With riddles about traditional dishes, hidden messages in holiday stories, and fun brainteasers, everyone will have to work together to crack the codes. It’s an interactive activity that’s easy to set up and perfect for creating memorable moments while adding a bit of mystery to your celebration!
8. Find Someone Who
Find Someone Who is a fantastic icebreaker game for Friendsgiving, helping guests get to know each other better. Each person gets a list of fun prompts like “Find someone who prefers mashed potatoes over stuffing” or “Find someone who’s been to more than one Friendsgiving.” Guests then mingle, trying to match each statement with a person in the room. It’s a lively way to spark conversations, discover shared interests, and make new connections, making it ideal for gatherings where not everyone knows each other well.
9. Thanksgiving Most Likely To
Thanksgiving Most Likely To is a fun and interactive way to get everyone chatting and laughing at your Friendsgiving! Each guest receives a sheet with prompts like “Most likely to burn the turkey” or “Most likely to eat the most pie,” and they have to fill in who they think fits each description. Once everyone has completed their lists, go around and share answers to see who gets the most votes. It’s a lighthearted way to learn a little more about your friends and create some inside jokes for the night!
10. Gratitude Chain Game
The Gratitude Chain Game is a heartfelt activity that adds a meaningful touch to your Friendsgiving celebration. Each guest writes down something they’re thankful for on a small slip of paper, folds it, and places it in a basket. Then, one by one, read each note aloud and have everyone guess who wrote it. It’s a wonderful way to share gratitude, spark laughter, and reminisce on happy memories, making it perfect for creating deeper connections and warm moments during your gathering.
11. Friendsgiving Memory Jar
The Memory Jar is a beautiful way to celebrate shared experiences at Friendsgiving. As each guest arrives, have them jot down a funny, touching, or memorable moment they’ve had with the group and place it in a jar. Throughout the evening, take turns reading the memories aloud and guessing who wrote each one. It’s a lovely way to reflect on special times together, spark laughter, and relive cherished moments, making your Friendsgiving feel even more meaningful and connected.
12. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
The Gratitude Scavenger Hunt is a wonderful way to blend fun and reflection at your Friendsgiving! Create a list of gratitude-themed prompts like “Find something that reminds you of a funny moment with a friend” or “Find something that represents a shared memory.” Guests then explore the space, choosing items that fit each prompt. Afterward, everyone shares what they found and why it’s meaningful, sparking great stories and deepening connections. It’s a playful yet thoughtful activity that highlights the special memories you share as a group.
Final Thoughts: Making Your Friendsgiving Memorable
Friendsgiving is all about celebrating friendship and gratitude. Including a variety of Thanksgiving games for friends can take your gathering from ordinary to extraordinary. From competitive games like Friendsgiving Feud to heartwarming activities like the Gratitude Dice Game, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to mix up the types of games to keep things interesting and let everyone contribute to the fun!
Happy Friendsgiving! Enjoy the laughs, the food, and the unforgettable moments with your closest friends.