32 Fun Things to Do on Thanksgiving for Families, Kids & Adults

Set Up an Apple Toss

Family and friends of all ages will love this fun fall game. To play, gather an assortment of vintage produce baskets in various sizes and designate different point values for each vessel. For game pieces, set out a few ready-to-be-tossed pieces of produce in two different shades (red and green, naturally) so that it's easy to keep track of points.

Chop Firewood

Need to kill time while you wait for the big meal? Lend a helping hand by building up the household firewood stock.

Make a DIY Candle

This warm and cozy craft is a great way to reuse a vintage vessel and set the mood later on at night. To make, hang wicks from skewers and lay them over the opening to hold in place. (The larger the vessel, the more wicks you’ll need to allow for even burning. Think one wick for every inch for a container larger than 3 inches.) Melt soy candle wax per package directions and pour into opening.

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Learn About Family Heirlooms

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to ask Grandma about her China collection, or that quirky display of cast iron skillets on her kitchen wall. She'll appreciate the conversation, and you'll walk away with a newfound appreciation for your family's most sentimental pieces.

Take a Drive

Back in your hometown for the Thanksgiving holiday? Cruise past your favorite places while you wait for the table to be set. In an entirely new destination? Get out on those backroads and take in the beauty of the natural surrounds.

Create a Simple Centerpiece

Add instant charm to your cooking or dining space with this inventive display idea!

To make: Cut pieces of floral foam to fit in the bottom and middle colanders. Push colanders into foam to help them stay in place. Place pumpkins around the bottom and middle colanders and completely fill the top colander. Add bittersweet sprigs throughout.

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Read a Book

Picture this: you, a warm blanket, a hot mug of tea, and a can't-put-it-down-page turner. Does any Thanksgiving activity sound more enjoyable than that?

28 Best Fall Books for 2023

Plan a Kid-Friendly Craft

Play a Gratitude Game

Let guests spin to unveil six slices of life (Family, Friends, Travel, Home, Pets, Work), each of which is intended to conjure a memory for which they’re grateful.

To make: Segment the center of a paper plate into six sections; write prompts in each. Cut a smaller round from colorful craft paper; remove one “slice” for category window. Attach wheel to plate with a gold brad. Attach jute rope to rim with hot-glue. Add stenciled letters. (For Thanksgiving, try “Lattice Give Thanks...”)

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Plan a Photoshoot

Adorn Your Front Porch

Expecting company later? Make their greeting more festive by adding a few cozy touches to your front porch. Added bonus: a ladder of blankets will make post-dinner porch convos even cozier!

Fall Porch Decorating Ideas

Look at Family Photos

Take a stroll down memory lane with your older relatives by paging through family photo albums. After all, Thanksgiving is nothing if not the perfect time to share stories from past events both big and small.

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Get a Jumpstart on Black Friday

Play a Game

Whether you simply make your own tic-tac-toe board or decide to try your hand at something a touch more involved, Thanksgiving games are always a great way to entertain the whole gamily.

Gather 'Round a Fire Pit

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Set Up a Backyard Tailgate

It's football season! Celebrate your family's favorite team the old-fashioned way with a pop-up tailgate in the driveway at home. Don't forget the cozy chili recipes and party dips.

Collect Food Donations

For a truly feel-good activity, collect canned goods and other non-perishable food items to donate to your local food bank.

Host a Pie Swap

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Craft a Family Heirloom

Take inspiration from television personality and cookbook author Nancy Fuller, whose linen table runner features the signatures of family members. To create your own version, have family members write their names with a disappearing ink pen, and then stitch over the hand-lettering.

Plan a Pint-Size Parade

Take inspiration from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and round up your wheels—bikes, wagons, scooters—for a "mini" version of a parade down the driveway or a low-traffic neighborhood street. (Psst: It's a good way to keep the kids out of the kitchen.) The entrant with the most spirit gets first dibs on dessert!

Amy Mitchell is the managing editor at Country Living and VERANDA. She writes about a wide range of topics, including homes and lifestyle content.

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