Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and mashed potatoes – it’s about connection, gratitude, and little moments that turn into lifelong memories. If you’re looking to create new traditions or just looking for some fun family Thanksgiving activities, here are 21 family-friendly Thanksgiving traditions that will bring more meaning, laughter, and fun to your celebration.
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1. Thanksgiving Morning Breakfast
Start the day on a sweet note by baking cinnamon rolls and sipping pumpkin spice lattes together – or choose your family’s breakfast favorites. It’s a cozy, delicious ritual that makes Thanksgiving morning feel extra special.
2. Family Recipe Cooking
Keep the family heritage alive by cooking a dish that’s been passed down through generations. Food carries stories, and every bite becomes a link to your roots.
3. Go Around the Table Sharing Gratitude
Before anyone digs into the turkey, invite each family member to share one thing they’re thankful for. This simple practice sets a heartfelt tone for the meal and reminds everyone what the holiday is truly about.
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4. Turkey Trot Walk or Run
Bundle up and head out for a walk or run with the family before the big meal. Not only is it healthy, but it also helps everyone return to the table with big appetites.
5. DIY Family Photo Shoot
Take a yearly family photo. You can dress up in your fall finest or use an other theme – get creative. Over time, you’ll create a timeline of memories that everyone will treasure.
6. Donate a Meal
Donating food to your local food bank or sponsoring a meal for a needy family helps ground the day in gratitude. It also teaches kids the importance of giving back.
7. Board Game Marathon
After the plates are cleared, pull out family-favorite board games. This tradition guarantees laughter and a little competitive spirit to wrap up the day.
8. Storytelling Hour
Invite grandparents or older relatives to share their favorite Thanksgiving memories. These stories pass down family history and spark connections across generations.
9. Family Football Game
Grab a ball and head to the backyard for a casual game. It’s a great way to burn energy and involve family members of all ages.
10. Watch the Parade
Turn on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or head to a local parade. The floats, balloons, and music make the perfect festive backdrop while the meal cooks.
11. Thanksgiving Tablecloth Tradition
Buy a plain white tablecloth and a Sharpie and have everyone write their names, doodle, or jot down what they’re thankful for each year. Over time, the tablecloth becomes a living family scrapbook.
12. Pass-the-Recipe Binder
Each year, add one new recipe to a family binder. Eventually, you’ll build a treasured cookbook filled with food and memories.
13. Pie Bake-Off
Challenge each family member to bake (or decorate) a pie and vote for the winner. It’s a tasty way to bring out creativity in the kitchen.
14. Create Christmas Lists
After dinner, have everyone write out their Christmas wish lists – helping the little ones who can’t yet write. It builds anticipation for the next holiday and becomes part of the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas transition.
15. Wishbone Tradition
Save the turkey wishbone and hang it somewhere to dry out. Every year, two people take an end of the dried turkey wishbone and pull it to break it. The person who gets the larger piece makes a wish for the family.
16. Thanksgiving Evening Movie
End the night with a cozy holiday movie, like Home For The Holidays or Planes, Trains & Automobiles. It’s the perfect way to wind down with family.
17. Kids’ Dinner
Make Thanksgiving last even longer with a kids dinner party the night after. Set a theme each year – like a rainbow feast, breakfast for dinner, or finger foods – and help the kids plan, shop, and cook the meal.
18. Family Craft Time
Set up a craft station for kids and adults to make handprint turkeys, gratitude cards, or DIY decorations. It keeps kids busy while adults finish prepping the meal.
19. Secret Santa Kickoff
Use Thanksgiving as the day to draw names for family Secret Santa. It builds excitement and gives everyone plenty of time to plan thoughtful gifts for December.
20. Snoopy Thanksgiving
Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving together the night before Thanksgiving. Serve snacks like Snoopy does – jelly beans, pretzels, popcorn and toast – while watching the show
21. Annual Gratitude Jar
Start a jar on Thanksgiving where everyone drops in notes of gratitude for the year ahead. Open it the following Thanksgiving to reflect on how far you’ve come.
Family traditions are the heartbeat of Thanksgiving, making the day about so much more than just food and fun fall activities. Whether it’s saving the wishbone, writing Christmas lists together, or hosting a kids after-Thanksgiving dinner, these rituals build connection and create memories that last for generations. Pick one or two of these fun family Thanksgiving ideas to start this year, and before long, your family will have a Thanksgiving playbook of traditions that everyone looks forward to.