This post contains 10 of the most heartwarming Thanksgiving gratitude games on the market!
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Do you ever feel like holidays don’t have that magical feeling that we want them to have? It is so easy to get caught up in the party planning, in the cooking, in the toddler chasing, or one of the million other things that go into holidays with the family.
Often times we get to the end of the day and realize we didn’t slow down to appreciate the family being together at all! I know I’m making it my goal to really enjoy this holiday season because it will be my son’s first Thanksgiving.
Whether you have one kiddo, a whole platoon, or even the whole extended family will be at your house, be the hero of the day by providing the opportunity for everyone to express their thanks. Check out my outdoor Thanksgiving dinner tablescape ideas to set the scene as well!
Thanksgiving can be a chaotic holiday between four burners going on the stove and football games blasting from the TV, but these Thanksgiving gratitude games are sure to get your family in the thankful spirit.
1. Turkey On the Table
This adorable Turkey on the table game would make an easy addition to any Thanksgiving celebration.
Use the turkey as a centerpiece for your table set up, then spread the turkey feathers around to each spot at the table. Have everyone write on their feather what they’re thankful for!
I love this because it could easily become a yearly tradition. Keep every past year’s turkey and have great memories to look back on in a few years.
2. M&M Gratitude Game
An easy way to get your little ones interested in playing Thanksgiving gratitude games is getting M&M’s involved!
Open these individual packets and make a gratitude statement for the corresponding M&M color on the chart. Each person will get a handful of opportunities to say what they’re grateful for.
Go through as many packets of M&M’s as everyone can handle!
3. Thanksgiving Scratch Offs
These Thanksgiving Scratch Off Cards are too fun to not include. Make an easy gratitude game by handing out scratch offs for each thing someone can name that they are grateful for!
The more things someone can think of, the more scratch off cards they get. Your family will be competing to see who can think of the most things.
Make the prize something really worth while whether it’s an extra piece of pumpkin pie, or make it really dicey by offering a cash prize to the winning scratch off card!
4. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
A fun way to get the whole family up and moving after a large Thanksgiving meal is to recruit everyone to a Thanksgiving gratitude games scavenger hunt!
What makes this game unique is it’s less about sitting and thinking about what you’re grateful for, and more about attaching your thanks to the things you can find around you in your home.
The items everyone finds will spark numerous conversations about past memories. This is such an easy way to create a lasting tradition for the family that teaches everyone to appreciate the little things around them.
5. Gratitude Card Lists
Keep things simple and classic at the dinner table with these Gratitude Cards.
Sometimes it’s much easier to write the things we’re grateful for than to say them out loud.
Have your family write their cards anonymously, then mix them up and ready them at the dinner table! This is a great way to encourage some openness in their answers since no one has to know who said what.
6. Pin the Tail on the Turkey
Bring some laughter to your day with this Pin the Tail on the Turkey game. This kit comes with everything you’ll need including eye masks!
Have everyone write what they’re grateful for on their turkey feather before attempting to pin it to the poster.
For some reason, pin the tail games never get old. Play this one after the adults have had a few Thanksgiving beers for an even better laugh!
7. Turkey Craft Kit
If you plan on having a lot of little kids running around this Thanksgiving, keep them out of the kitchen with this Turkey Craft Kit!
Everyone can customize their turkeys with the different colors and accessories. Encourage the kiddos to write the things they’re grateful for on each turkey feather.
Let them know that they more things they’re grateful for, the more turkey feathers their turkey gets!
8. Autumn Leaf Bulletin Board
Kill two birds with one stone in your home by putting up this autumn leaf Bulletin Board Activity!
Not only will this cute tree decorate a wall and add a festive feel to your home, it also creates endless opportunity for your family to express their thanks.
I think it would be so fun to put this tree up in your home in the beginning of November and add a gratitude leaf every day until Thanksgiving. Think of how many fun thanks you would have to read by dinner time!
9. DIY Turkey Crowns
These Turkey Crowns are too cute and just imagine the fun pictures you’ll get of everyone wearing their goofy turkey crowns at the dinner table.
As they’re coloring and decorating their crown, have everyone write the things they’re most grateful for front and center!
Then as they wear them throughout the day, everyone can read their statement and know what each person at the table is feeling most thankful for.
10. Customized Thanksgiving Crackers
This option takes some planning, but these Thanksgiving Crackers have the potential to become such a cute Thanksgiving gratitude game. Also a great option for an annual tradition!
When setting the table, place a customized cracker on each person’s plate. In the cracker place a handwritten note stating what you’re most thankful for about that person.
Include a couple other treats in the cracker and everyone will be so touched by the time and thought you put into your table setting.
How do you get your family to express their gratitude on Thanksgiving? Let me know in the comments!
