Thanksgiving is a cherished time for family, food, and gratitude. Gathering loved ones from near and far creates lasting memories, but keeping everyone engaged, from the youngest cousins to the oldest aunts, can be a delightful challenge. The best Thanksgiving activities for family reunion gatherings are those that encourage connection, laughter, and a spirit of togetherness.
Planning ahead for your Thanksgiving Activities For Family Reunion ensures a smooth, fun-filled day. This curated list offers a variety of options, catering to different interests, energy levels, and age groups. Whether your family prefers competitive games, creative projects, or quiet reflection, there’s something here for everyone.
We’ve searched for top products that can be easily found on Amazon, making your holiday preparation a breeze. From budget-friendly picks to more premium experiences, these suggestions will help you create an unforgettable reunion. Get ready to discover fantastic ways to bond and celebrate this special holiday.
Here are some of the best Thanksgiving activities for family reunion gatherings:
1. Catan Board Game
A Strategy Game for Collaborative Fun
Catan is a modern classic that brings out the strategic thinker in everyone. Players collect resources to build roads, settlements, and cities, aiming to be the first to reach ten victory points. It’s a game of negotiation and clever planning.
This mid-range board game is great for families who enjoy a bit of friendly competition and problem-solving. It’s perfect for engaging older children and adults, fostering lively discussion and strategic alliances around the table. Its replayability makes it a top choice.
2. Ticket to Ride Board Game
Cross-Country Adventure on the Game Board
Ticket to Ride invites players on a cross-country train adventure, collecting cards of various train car types to claim railway routes connecting cities across North America. The goal is to connect cities and complete destination tickets.
This engaging mid-range game is ideal for families who appreciate elegant design and approachable strategy. It’s one of the best Thanksgiving activities for family reunion groups seeking a relaxed yet competitive experience. The rules are easy to learn, making it accessible for many ages.
3. GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower
Supersized Stacking Fun for All Ages
Take classic block-stacking to new heights with this giant wooden toppling tower. Starting over 2.5 feet (0.76 meters) tall, it can build to over 5 feet (1.5 meters) during play, offering thrilling, suspenseful fun. This outdoor-friendly game is crafted from premium pine wood.
This mid-range game is perfect for families looking for active, engaging Thanksgiving activities for family reunion fun, especially if the weather permits outdoor play. It’s a fantastic way to burn off some energy before or after the big meal, offering laughs and excitement.
4. Ravensburger Jigsaw Puzzle (1000-2000 Pieces)
A Collaborative Challenge for Quiet Moments
A large jigsaw puzzle provides a wonderful, low-key activity for family members to dip in and out of throughout the day. Ravensburger puzzles are known for their quality, featuring precision-cut pieces and beautiful imagery. A 1000 to 2000-piece puzzle offers a significant challenge.
This mid-range option is best for families who enjoy collaborative, calm activities. It’s a great choice for various age groups to work on together, fostering conversation and teamwork without intense competition. It’s a relaxing way to spend time.
5. Thanksgiving Coloring Tablecloth Roll
Creative Expression for the Kids’ Table
This extra-long paper tablecloth features intricate Thanksgiving-themed designs, ready for coloring. It protects your table while providing hours of creative entertainment for children. Markers or crayons can transform it into a vibrant holiday masterpiece.
This budget-friendly item is perfect for keeping younger guests happily occupied at the kids’ table. It’s one of the best Thanksgiving activities for family reunion gatherings with many children, allowing adults to enjoy their conversations knowing the kids are engaged.
6. What Do You Meme? Family Edition
Hilarious Meme Creation for All Ages
The family-friendly version of this popular game involves matching funny captions to image cards (memes). Players take turns being the judge, picking the funniest combination. It guarantees plenty of laughter and unexpected humor.
This mid-range card game is ideal for families who enjoy modern humor and lighthearted competition. It’s a top choice for breaking the ice and getting everyone laughing, suitable for a wide range of ages from older kids to adults.
7. Codenames Board Game
A Word-Association Game of Spies and Clues
Codenames is a clever word-association game where two teams compete to make contact with all their agents first. Spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board, while their teammates try to guess correctly.
This mid-range game is excellent for families who enjoy wordplay and deduction. It encourages teamwork and creative thinking, making it a stellar option for Thanksgiving Activities For Family Reunion gatherings where strategy and communication are appreciated.
8. Exploding Kittens Card Game
A Fast-Paced, Hilarious Card Game
Exploding Kittens is a highly strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette. Players draw cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten, at which point they are out of the game unless they have a Defuse card. Action cards add to the chaos.
This budget-friendly game is perfect for families who love quick, silly, and unpredictable fun. Its simple rules mean it’s easy to pick up, making it one of the best ways to get everyone laughing and engaged in short bursts.
9. Bocce Ball Set
Classic Lawn Game for Outdoor Enjoyment
A traditional bocce ball set provides hours of outdoor fun for all ages. Players take turns throwing their colored balls as close as possible to the small target ball (pallino). It’s a game of skill, strategy, and precision.
This mid-range outdoor game is great for families with a yard or open space, offering a relaxed yet competitive activity. It’s perfect for a sunny Thanksgiving afternoon, allowing family members to enjoy fresh air and friendly rivalry.
10. Karaoke Machine with Microphones
Sing Your Heart Out Family Style
A portable karaoke machine with two microphones can turn your reunion into a full-blown concert. Connect it to your phone or tablet to access a vast library of songs, allowing everyone to showcase their vocal talents or just belt out classics.
This premium entertainment option is ideal for families who love music and aren’t shy about performing. It’s a top choice for creating energetic and memorable Thanksgiving Activities For Family Reunion moments, from solos to group sing-alongs.
11. Rory’s Story Cubes
Sparking Imagination and Storytelling
Rory’s Story Cubes are a set of nine dice, each with different images. Players roll the dice and then tell a story that connects all nine images. There are no wrong answers, only endless creative possibilities.
This budget-friendly item is best for families who enjoy imagination and collaborative storytelling. It’s perfect for all ages, encouraging creativity and communication in a relaxed, non-competitive setting. A great conversation starter.
12. Melissa & Doug Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Craft Kit
Personalized Keepsakes and Creative Play
Choose from various Melissa & Doug craft kits, such as wooden magnets, picture frames, or ornaments. Each kit comes with wooden pieces, paints or markers, and sometimes glitter or stickers, allowing kids to personalize their creations.
These budget-friendly kits are ideal for children and creative adults who enjoy hands-on projects. They offer a quiet, engaging activity that results in a personalized keepsake from your Thanksgiving Activities For Family Reunion.
13. Cornhole Bean Bag Toss Game Set
Popular Tailgate Game for Outdoor Fun
Cornhole is a hugely popular outdoor game where players take turns tossing bean bags at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. Points are scored by landing a bag on the board or, even better, in the hole.
This mid-range game is perfect for families who enjoy active, competitive outdoor Thanksgiving activities for family reunion gatherings. It’s easy to learn but offers plenty of challenge, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
14. “Our Family Story” Guided Journal
Preserving Memories and Sharing Legacies
This guided journal features prompts and questions designed to help family members record their life stories, memories, and wisdom. It can be passed around, with different family members contributing, or used by one person to capture their history.
This mid-range item is best for families who value heritage and storytelling. It’s a thoughtful, reflective Thanksgiving activity for family reunion gatherings, creating a treasured family heirloom for generations to come.
15. Telestrations Party Game
The Hilarious Game of Visual Miscommunication
Telestrations is like “telephone” played with drawing. Players sketch a word, then pass their book to the next person who guesses the drawing, then passes it on for someone else to draw the guess. Hilarity ensues as messages get wonderfully distorted.
This mid-range game is perfect for families who love to laugh and don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s a top choice for breaking the ice and creating genuinely funny moments, suitable for a wide range of ages.
16. Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Capturing Candid Moments Instantly
An instant camera allows family members to snap candid photos throughout the day and see them develop right away. It’s a fun, nostalgic way to capture memories, and guests can take home their own physical souvenirs.
This premium gadget is great for families who love photography and creating tangible memories. It’s one of the best ways to document your Thanksgiving Activities For Family Reunion, providing instant keepsakes for everyone.
17. Thanksgiving Photo Booth Props Kit
Festive Fun for Silly Family Photos
A kit of Thanksgiving-themed photo booth props, including hats, glasses, mustaches, and speech bubbles, encourages playful photos. Set up a simple backdrop and let family members get creative with their poses and expressions.
This budget-friendly item is perfect for adding a touch of whimsy and fun to your reunion. It’s a top choice for creating memorable, shareable photos and fostering lighthearted interaction among guests of all ages.
18. The Hygge Game – Cozy Conversation in a Box
Warm Conversations and Shared Stories
Inspired by the Danish concept of hygge, this game offers over 300 thought-provoking questions designed to spark meaningful conversations. It’s not about winning, but about connecting and sharing stories in a comfortable setting.
This budget-friendly game is best for families who appreciate deeper conversations and getting to know each other better. It’s perfect for a relaxed post-meal gathering, fostering warmth and genuine connection during your Thanksgiving Activities For Family Reunion.
19. EXIT: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin
An Escape Room Experience in a Box
EXIT: The Game brings the excitement of an escape room to your living room. Players work together to solve riddles, puzzles, and codes to escape a fictional scenario, like an abandoned cabin, within a time limit.
This mid-range game is ideal for families who enjoy challenging puzzles and cooperative problem-solving. It’s a great choice for a smaller group of older teens and adults looking for an immersive and intellectually stimulating activity.
20. Giant Checkers or Chess Mat
Supersized Strategy for All Ages
A large, floor-sized checkers or chess mat allows for a more active, engaging version of these classic strategy games. Pieces are often oversized and lightweight, making it fun for younger players to participate too.
This mid-range game is perfect for families who enjoy traditional board games but want to add a physical element. It’s one of the best Thanksgiving activities for family reunion gatherings, offering both mental stimulation and a bit of movement.
21. Wilton Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating Kit
Sweet Creativity for All Skill Levels
A cookie decorating kit provides pre-baked cookies, various colors of icing, and sprinkles, allowing everyone to decorate their own edible masterpieces. It’s a delightful activity that results in a delicious treat.
This budget-friendly kit is best for families who love baking and creative culinary fun. It’s perfect for all ages, offering a hands-on, tasty Thanksgiving activity for family reunion members to enjoy together.
22. Ladder Toss Game Set
Outdoor Tossing Fun for the Whole Family
Ladder Toss, also known as ladder golf, involves players tossing bolas (two golf balls connected by a string) at a ladder with three rungs. Points are awarded based on which rung the bolas wrap around.
This mid-range outdoor game is great for families looking for a portable and engaging activity. It’s a top choice for friendly competition in the yard, suitable for various skill levels and a fantastic way to enjoy the crisp autumn air.
23. Headbanz Game
Guessing Game for Quick Laughter
Headbanz is a hilarious guessing game where players wear a card on their head with a picture, and without seeing it, ask yes or no questions to figure out what they are. It’s fast-paced and full of silly questions.
This budget-friendly game is perfect for families with younger children, but adults will also find it entertaining. It’s one of the best Thanksgiving activities for family reunion groups seeking quick, easy-to-learn fun that generates lots of giggles.
24. Portable Projector for Movie Night
Creating a Cozy Outdoor or Indoor Cinema
A portable projector can turn any wall into a big screen for a family movie night. Project a classic Thanksgiving film, a family slideshow, or even a video game onto a screen or blank wall for a memorable group viewing experience.
This premium entertainment option is ideal for families who love movies or want a unique way to share memories. It’s a top choice for creating a cozy atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a day of Thanksgiving Activities For Family Reunion.
25. “Mad Libs” Thanksgiving Edition
Fill-in-the-Blank Fun for Word Lovers
Mad Libs are classic fill-in-the-blank stories that result in hilarious and often nonsensical tales. A Thanksgiving-themed edition will add holiday-specific humor, making it a lighthearted and creative activity for all ages.
This budget-friendly item is best for families who enjoy word games and silly humor. It’s perfect for breaking the ice and generating laughter, a great choice for a low-key activity that encourages creativity and vocabulary.
Last Words
Choosing the right Thanksgiving Activities For Family Reunion can transform your holiday gathering into an even more memorable event. From strategic board games and active outdoor challenges to creative crafts and heartwarming storytelling, this list offers a diverse array of options to suit every family’s unique style. The best part is seeing everyone connect and create new, cherished memories together.
Whether you opt for a lively game of Bocce Ball or a quiet session of collaborative puzzle-solving, these products are designed to foster togetherness and fun. Consider your family’s preferences and age ranges when making your selections to ensure maximum enjoyment for all. Each item presents a unique opportunity for bonding.
You truly can’t go wrong with any of these top suggestions. They are all excellent choices for enhancing your family reunion. We encourage you to explore these options further on Amazon to check current prices and availability. Finding the perfect activities will help make your Thanksgiving an unforgettable celebration of family, gratitude, and joy.
Leticia (a.k.a Letty) is a bibliophile who loves to read and write, she is also a Content Associate and Curator at Clue Media. She spends her spare time researching diverse topics and lives in New York with her dog.

