Thanksgiving is a special time to share food, laughter, and love with family and friends.
For older adults, it’s also a chance to enjoy fun activities that bring people together.
Playing Thanksgiving games for seniors helps everyone stay active, happy, and connected. These games are easy to set up, gentle to play, and full of smiles.
Whether you’re a caregiver, family member, or volunteer, these ideas can make the holiday more joyful.
Simple, safe, and full of warmth – these activities are perfect for creating happy memories this Thanksgiving season.
A word search is a relaxing game that everyone can enjoy. Use printable sheets with Thanksgiving words like “family,” “feast,” “stuffing,” and “gratitude.”
Players circle the hidden words in the puzzle. It’s great for quiet time or small groups.
Word searches help keep the mind sharp and focused while adding a cozy holiday touch.
Turkey Pictionary
Draw Thanksgiving items like mashed potatoes, football, or cranberry sauce, and let others guess! Hilarity guaranteed.
Turkey Pictionary brings out creativity and lots of laughs!
One player draws a Thanksgiving-related item, like “pumpkin pie,” “football,” or “cranberry sauce.” The others try to guess what it is before time runs out.
You can use a whiteboard or paper. This game gets everyone talking, guessing, and giggling – a fun way to share the holiday spirit!
Pin The Feather On The Turkey
Like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” but with a Thanksgiving twist. Use a large poster and feather cut-outs with Velcro or tape.
This game is great for the senses and lots of fun!
Use cotton balls or small jars filled with smells like cinnamon, cloves, apple pie, or pumpkin spice. Let each person take turns smelling and guessing what the scent is.
It’s a relaxing and joyful way to spark memories, especially for seniors who love the cozy smells of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Charades
Act out things like “eating too much,” “carving the turkey,” or “falling asleep after dinner.” Light physical activity + lots of laughs.
Thanksgiving Charades is full of laughter and movement!
Write down Thanksgiving actions like “carving the turkey,” “eating too much,” or “falling asleep after dinner.”
Players act out their phrase without speaking, while others guess. No special items needed – just imagination and energy!
It’s a perfect way to get everyone smiling, moving, and enjoying time together.
Pass The Pumpkin
A simple variation of “hot potato” – pass a mini pumpkin around while music plays. When it stops, the person holding it shares a memory or answers a question.
This game is calm, creative, and fun for everyone! Give out fall-themed coloring pages with leaves, pumpkins, or turkeys.
Provide crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Let everyone take their time to color.
When finished, hold a small “art show” to display all the beautiful work. You can even give small prizes or ribbons. It’s a peaceful way to enjoy the season together.
Name That Thanksgiving Tune
Play classic fall or Thanksgiving-themed songs and have everyone guess the tune. Add bonus points for singing along!
This silly and active game brings out lots of giggles!
Players balance a small ball or balloon between their knees and try to “waddle” across the room like a turkey.
No running – just slow, careful steps! You can play in teams or one at a time. It’s a fun way to get gentle exercise, improve balance, and share plenty of laughs.
“Would You Rather” – Thanksgiving Edition
Ask fun and silly questions like:
“Would you rather eat only cranberry sauce or only stuffing for a week?”
This creative and heartwarming activity helps everyone reflect on thankfulness.
Make a paper tree and give out colorful paper leaves. Each person writes something they’re thankful for on a leaf – like family, friends, or warm meals – and attaches it to the tree.
When finished, share the gratitude notes as a group. It’s a lovely way to spread joy and connection.
Pumpkin Bowling
Use mini pumpkins as bowling balls and plastic bottles as pins. Fun and safe for all abilities.
Give each person a paper turkey cutout, along with markers, feathers, googly eyes, and glue.
Everyone decorates their turkey in their own unique way – silly or beautiful!
When everyone’s done, display the turkeys and have a friendly vote for “most colorful” or “most creative.” It’s fun, social, and full of Thanksgiving cheer.
Thanksgiving Mad Libs
Fill in the blanks of a funny Thanksgiving story with nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Let the giggles begin!
Hand out a Thanksgiving-themed story with missing words. Ask players to fill in the blanks with random nouns, verbs, and adjectives – without knowing the story yet.
Then, read the finished version aloud. The results are always funny and surprising!
It’s a great way to build language skills and share some good giggles together.
Pie Tasting Challenge
Offer bite-sized samples of various pies (pumpkin, apple, pecan). Have guests vote on their favorite! Adds a delicious twist to the fun.
Set up a large jigsaw puzzle with a fall scene – like colorful leaves, a harvest table, or a pumpkin patch.
Place it on a big table where people can come and go during the day. It’s a peaceful, no-rush activity that builds focus, patience, and connection as everyone works together.
Thanksgiving Photo Booth
Set up a festive photo corner with props – pilgrim hats, feather boas, turkey masks – and take fun pictures. Great for memory books and sharing with family.
Decorate a corner with a fall-themed backdrop and props like pilgrim hats, feather boas, and turkey masks. Take photos of everyone being silly and joyful.
You can print or share the pictures later for family albums. It’s a creative way to celebrate and make lasting Thanksgiving memories.
“Thankful For…” Story Circle
Go around the room and have each person say something they’re thankful for, adding to a growing group story. Heartfelt and simple.
This heartwarming activity spreads gratitude and connection.
Sit in a circle and start a shared story where each person adds one thankful thought.
For example: “I’m thankful for warm pie,” then the next person continues, “I’m thankful for family dinners.” The story grows with each turn.
It’s a gentle, meaningful way to reflect on life’s blessings together.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is all about sharing joy, laughter, and gratitude – and these Thanksgiving games for seniors make it even more special.
Whether it’s telling stories, playing trivia, or creating crafts, each activity brings people closer together.
The best part is seeing smiles and hearing laughter fill the room. No matter which games you choose, the memories made will warm hearts long after the holiday is over.
So gather your group, grab some pumpkin pie, and enjoy a Thanksgiving filled with fun, friendship, and thankfulness!
Engage With Us
Which of these Thanksgiving games are you excited to try this year?
Do you have a favorite activity that always brings smiles to your group or family gathering?
Share your stories, ideas, and photos with us in the comments or on social media.
Your creative twists and joyful moments can inspire others to make Thanksgiving more fun and meaningful, too.
