Thanksgiving Party Games for Kids While the Turkey Cooks
Dinner is still a while away, and the cousins are looking for something to do. Put out a craft, a few familiar games and paper activities before guests arrive so children have somewhere to start. Below are simple rules, supplies and ways to include younger children, plus a three-hour example you can adjust to your dinner time. These activities can reduce how often you need to lead a game; they don’t remove the need for adult help.
What can the kids do while you cook?
Start with the children who are coming. Can they deal a matching game, read a short instruction or draw without help? Pick familiar activities for the busiest part of dinner preparation. A new craft with several steps belongs in a quieter moment when someone can explain it.
The three areas can share one room: a craft table, a side table with games, and a pile of paper activities. You don’t need three separate tables. For two to six children, check that everyone has room to sit and keep their work; use the space you have rather than assuming everyone will craft at once.
Let children move between activities when they finish. Ask a willing older cousin to explain a game, but agree with the adults who will be available when a child needs help. If every adult is busy, simplify the activities rather than expecting the children to manage everything themselves.
Three activity areas to set up before guests arrive
A craft table with thankful cards and hand turkeys
Have ready: paper or card stock, pencils, crayons or markers, and a finished example. Put scraps in one bin or a trash bag at the table edge, and leave a spot for finished pictures.
For a thankful card, fold a sheet in half. Children draw or write one thing they are thankful for inside and decorate the front. Someone who isn’t writing yet can draw a person, pet or favorite thing. If you want a display, have a helper clip finished cards to a string with mini clothespins.
For a hand turkey, trace a hand, add a beak and eye to the thumb, and turn the fingers into feathers. Older children can add a funny fact or detail to each feather; younger children can color them. Leave the example on the table so children can see what to do.
Paper and crayons keep this version simple. Beaded napkin rings are another option when someone has time to help with that project and its supplies. The craft party activities guide helps you choose a project by its steps and the help available. Save the turkey puppet craft for a time when a helper can handle the extra materials and the children can put on a show afterward.
A pile of familiar quiet games
Have ready: two or three matching or card games the children know. Add another if you expect more players, rather than opening lots of unfamiliar boxes.
For memory match, put the matching cards face down. Each player turns over two cards. A matching pair stays with that player; otherwise turn both back over and let the next player try. Finish when all pairs have been found. Use fewer pairs for a shorter round, and leave the cards together for the next group.
Picture bingo is another seated option, but someone needs to call the pictures. A willing older child or helper can draw a call card and hold it up for everyone to match. The Thanksgiving picture bingo page explains the picture format; check the materials before guests arrive.
Use quiet party games for alternatives. If you want something without supplies, try I Spy: choose an object everyone can see from their seats, give its color, and let the others guess. Reveal it if they get stuck and pass the choosing turn. There are more games to play while waiting for food for the last few minutes before dinner.
Paper activities children can pick up and put down
Have ready: one set of chosen sheets per child, three spare sets, pencils and crayons. Keep unused pages in a tray so early finishers can take another.
Use the drawing and word-game cards on this page for a paper-only activity. Let children pick a card and draw or write their answer; a reader can read a card aloud for someone younger. A child can finish one picture and stop without waiting for the whole group.
For other sheets, look through printable party games before printing. The Thanksgiving word-game pack describes scrambles, a word search and other word activities for readers. Check which sheets need preparation or an answer key; don’t assume every page is ready to hand out unchanged. Add coloring pages or a maze you already have for children who prefer pictures.
Set a timer as a reminder to put pencils back and collect loose pages. Explain that job beforehand: a timer can signal cleanup, but the children still have to do it.
When the kids want to move around
If someone is free to lead a game and you have a separate space, you could add a 20-minute movement break early in the afternoon. For example, play freeze dance: start the music, pause it for everyone to freeze, then start again. Let the group enjoy the poses without putting anyone out. Browse indoor party games for options that fit the room; a basement or yard is an option only if it suits your arrangements and someone can be there with the children.
For a prepared hunt, hide a few paper turkeys in the activity room before guests arrive. Show the children one sample, say how many they’re looking for, and have them bring the pictures back to the table. Keep a list of hiding places so a helper can offer a hint. This is a suggested simple version; scavenger hunt ideas covers other formats if you want clues or a longer route. Keep the hunt out of the kitchen and the routes people use to carry dinner.
Table jobs for kids who want to help
Offer one job at a time to children who want it. They can fold a napkin for each seat, draw place cards, count rolls for a helper to serve, or put the place cards where an adult points. Give a clear finish: “Fold six napkins and put them in this basket” is easier to follow than “Help with dinner.”
For a younger child, set out one napkin to copy. A child who can write can check names with a grown-up before making the cards. Keep these jobs at the table rather than adding more people around the cooking. If a child would rather keep drawing, let them; the jobs are an invitation to help.
An example three-hour wait before dinner
This example runs from 1:00 p.m. arrival to 4:00 p.m. dinner: 180 minutes. It shows where you might offer each activity, not how long every child will stay interested. Leave the quiet options available throughout and move the times to fit your meal.
- 1:00–1:15 · Welcome the children — 15 minutes. Show them the activity room, where supplies go back, and who they can ask for help.
- 1:15–2:00 · Offer crafts — 45 minutes. Start thankful cards or hand turkeys. Children who finish can move to a familiar game. If you have a helper, an optional 20-minute movement break can replace part of this slot.
- 2:00–2:45 · Offer quiet games — 45 minutes. Play matching rounds or helper-led picture bingo. Let children return to unfinished drawings instead if they prefer.
- 2:45–3:15 · Bring out paper activities — 30 minutes. Offer another drawing card, coloring sheet or word game. Keep answer keys with the person helping readers.
- 3:15–3:30 · Invite table helpers — 15 minutes. Give willing children a napkin or place-card job while others keep playing.
- 3:30–3:50 · Offer a final quiet activity — 20 minutes. Repeat a favorite game or let children finish their pictures. A short show can replace this part if that suits your family.
- 3:50–4:00 · Tidy up and get ready to eat — 10 minutes. Collect supplies, put projects aside and call everyone to dinner when it is ready.
If dinner runs late, repeat a familiar game or use another paper card. Once adults can join in, Thanksgiving games for the family offers shared rounds before or after the meal. For another holiday gathering, seasonal party ideas can help you think through activities and timing together.
Get the activities ready before guests arrive
- Check who is coming, which children read, and who can help them.
- Clear space for crafts, games and paper activities away from the kitchen route.
- Put out paper, crayons and an example thankful card or hand turkey.
- Choose two or three familiar games and keep each game’s pieces together.
- Print a set of chosen sheets for each child plus three extras; check any preparation steps and answer keys.
- Print the drawing and word-game cards if you want children to use them without a screen.
- Put a scrap bin or trash bag by the craft table and choose a place for finished work.
- Prepare any hunt before arrival and give a helper the hiding-place list.
- Set aside napkins and blank place cards for children who want a table job.
- Explain what children should put away when the tidy-up timer sounds.
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Questions about Thanksgiving games for kids
What ages does this cover?
For children roughly ages 3 to 12, choose by what they can do. Younger children may draw or match pictures with help; readers can use word activities. Offer table jobs to children who can follow the particular task, rather than using age alone to decide.
Can I use a movie or show before dinner?
Yes, if it suits your family. You could use a 30-minute show near the end of the wait, then leave time to tidy up. In the example above, use 3:15–3:20 to settle in and 3:20–3:50 for the show; offer table jobs earlier to anyone who wants one. Check the running time so dinner doesn’t interrupt a long film.
How do I keep craft mess out of the kitchen?
Keep the supplies in the activity room, with one scrap bin or trash bag and a place for finished projects. Paper and crayons avoid glue drying and cutting steps. Ask children to return supplies before taking a new activity, and give them a clear cleanup job when the timer sounds.
What if extra children arrive?
The three spare activity sets give you a starting point. Add a familiar game if you have one, and let children take turns at the craft table if seats are limited. Extra paper helps, but check the available space and adult help too; supplies alone don’t make every group manageable.