Thanksgiving is a lovely chance to gather, share a meal, and make memories together. In 2026, Canadian Thanksgiving is Monday, October 12, while U.S. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26; try these activities before, during, or after your celebration.
Easy Ways to Celebrate Together
1. Make a Gratitude Garland
Gather paper, string, and crayons or pens. Have everyone write or draw something they appreciate on a paper strip, then attach the strips to the string and hang the garland where guests can see it.
2. Share a Thankful Round
All you need is a comfortable spot to gather. Take turns naming one thing you are thankful for, and let anyone who prefers to pass do so.
3. Create a Family Recipe Book
Bring together paper, pencils, and favorite recipes. Ask each person to write down a dish they enjoy, add a short note about it, and collect the pages in a folder or binder.
4. Make Place Cards
Set out folded paper, markers, and a few crayons. Invite guests to write names on the cards and decorate them with simple autumn shapes before placing them at the table.
5. Decorate Mini Pumpkins
Provide small pumpkins and washable markers or stickers. Everyone can add patterns, faces, or leaf designs, then display the finished pumpkins around the room.
6. Start a Thanksgiving Playlist
Ask each guest to suggest a favorite song and make a playlist using a device you already have. Play it quietly during meal preparations or while everyone relaxes together.
7. Take a Family Photo
Choose a well-lit spot and use a phone or camera. Arrange everyone together, take a few pictures, and invite guests to suggest a fun pose for one of them.
8. Set Up a Thankful Tree
Collect a few bare branches, a jar, paper, and string. Place the branches in the jar, cut paper into leaf shapes, and let guests write something they appreciate before hanging it on the tree.
9. Make a Table Centerpiece
Gather a tray or plate, pinecones, fallen leaves, and small pumpkins or gourds. Arrange them in the middle of the table, keeping the display low enough for guests to see one another.
10. Send a Thanksgiving Note
Find paper, envelopes, and pens. Have everyone write a short message of thanks to a friend, relative, or neighbor, then address and mail the notes after the meal.
Games and Activities for All Ages
11. Play Thanksgiving Charades
Write familiar foods, seasonal activities, or household tasks on scraps of paper and place them in a bowl. Players take turns acting one out without speaking while the group guesses.
12. Try a Family Trivia Quiz
Use paper and pens to write questions about family traditions, favorite dishes, or shared memories. Take turns reading them aloud and let everyone guess the answers.
13. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Make a simple list of things to find, such as a red leaf, a round object, or something soft. Give everyone a pencil and let them search indoors or outdoors, then compare what they found.
14. Play “Who Am I?”
Write familiar characters, animals, or foods on sticky notes and place one on each player’s forehead without showing them. Players ask yes-or-no questions until they work out what is written on their note.
15. Guess the Thanksgiving Smell
Place familiar spices or ingredients, such as cinnamon or orange peel, in separate cups. Let players smell each one with their eyes closed and name what they think it is.
16. Tell a Round-Robin Story
Gather everyone in a circle and pick a seasonal story starter. Each person adds one sentence in turn, building a silly tale together until everyone has had a chance to contribute.
17. Host a Paper Airplane Flight
Set out scrap paper and choose a clear, safe space. Have each person fold a plane, then take turns launching them toward a mark on the floor and see which one lands closest.
18. Play a Picture-Guessing Game
Give each player paper and a pencil. One person describes a familiar Thanksgiving object without naming it while everyone else draws from the clues, then compare the pictures.
19. Make a Thanksgiving Word Search
Use paper and pencils to create a grid of letters with seasonal words hidden inside. Swap puzzles with a family member and circle the words you find.
20. Try a Quiet Guessing Jar
Fill a clear jar with easy-to-count items such as buttons or dried beans, then set out paper and pencils. Everyone writes down a guess, and the group counts the items together afterward.
21. Play a Thankful Memory Game
Start with the words “I’m thankful for…” and have each person add an item while repeating the earlier ones in order. Keep the list going around the circle until someone can’t remember the sequence.
22. Have a Family Talent Share
Invite anyone who wants to participate to prepare a short song, joke, drawing, or simple trick. Make a little space to perform and let each person choose whether to join in or watch.
Crafts and Hands-On Projects
23. Make a Leaf Rubbing
Gather fallen leaves, plain paper, and crayons. Place a leaf beneath the paper and rub the crayon gently over the surface to reveal its shape and veins.
24. Create a Paper Turkey
Use colored paper, scissors, and glue or tape. Cut out a body and feather shapes, layer them together, and draw a face to make a simple turkey decoration.
25. Make a Pinecone Bird Feeder
You’ll need a pinecone, string, and birdseed, along with a safe spread such as peanut butter if it suits your household. Tie string around the pinecone, coat it lightly, roll it in seed, and hang it outdoors where you can watch from a window.
26. Press Autumn Leaves
Find clean, dry leaves and a heavy book. Place each leaf between sheets of paper, tuck them inside the book, and leave them pressed until they are flat enough to use in a craft.
27. Make a Paper Chain of Thanks
Cut paper into strips and set out pens and tape or a stapler. Write a thankful thought on each strip, then link the strips into a chain to decorate a doorway or wall.
28. Decorate Reusable Napkin Rings
Cut cardboard tubes into rings and set out paper, crayons, and tape. Cover each ring with decorated paper, add a guest’s name if you like, and use the finished rings to hold napkins.
29. Create a Gratitude Collage
Provide old magazines, scrap paper, scissors, and a large sheet of paper. Cut out pictures or words that represent things you appreciate, then arrange and glue them into a shared collage.
30. Make a Simple Autumn Wreath
Cut a ring from sturdy cardboard and gather fallen leaves, paper shapes, or small twigs. Attach the decorations around the ring with tape or glue, then hang the wreath with string.
31. Paint Rocks for the Garden
Collect smooth, clean rocks and use washable paint or markers. Decorate them with simple patterns or encouraging pictures, let them dry, and place them along a garden path or windowsill.
32. Make a Thankful Booklet
Fold a few sheets of paper in half and fasten them together with a staple or string. Invite everyone to fill a page with words or drawings of things they are grateful for.
33. Build a Cornucopia Picture
Draw a large horn shape on paper and gather crayons or cut-out pictures of fruits and vegetables. Color or glue the foods spilling from the horn, then display the finished artwork.
34. Create a Family Handprint Tree
Draw a tree trunk on a large sheet of paper and set out washable paint or colored pencils. Add handprint-shaped leaves, or trace hands and color them in, then write each person’s name beside a leaf.
Food, Outdoors, and Helping Out
35. Decorate Cookies Together
Use plain cookies, icing, and simple toppings such as sprinkles or fruit pieces. Set out the ingredients and let each person decorate a cookie to enjoy or share.
36. Make a Leftover Snack Plate
Gather safe-to-eat leftovers and a clean serving plate. Let everyone help arrange small portions, keeping foods that need chilling cold until serving time.
37. Take a Neighborhood Walk
Put on comfortable shoes and choose a route that suits your group. Look for seasonal colors and interesting details along the way, and bring a bag for any litter you can safely pick up.
38. Play a Backyard Leaf Toss
Gather fallen leaves and set a basket or bucket a short distance away. Take turns tossing leaves toward the target, then tidy them up together when the game is done.
39. Make a Care Package
Find a clean box or bag and a few useful household items, such as warm socks or sealed snacks. Pack the items neatly and ask a local community group how to pass along donations that meet its needs.
40. Help with a Neighbor’s Chore
Choose a simple task you can safely do, such as raking leaves or carrying groceries. Ask a neighbor if they would welcome the help, then complete the chore together or leave a kind note.
Reviewed by the Holiday List editorial team on October 6, 2026 · Last updated October 6, 2026.
