I wanted something fun for our family to do this Thanksgiving for an after dinner activity while we are gathered around the fire pit relaxing. I wanted something with a Thanksgiving theme, so I googled 'Thanksgiving Trivia' and found some interesting info about Thanksgiving, and there were also some sites that have actual questions and answers that you can print out. It's also a fun way to learn more about Thanksgiving. (I'm thinking of doing the same thing for Christmas when we are at Mom's. :-)
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Every year, our Thanksgiving is dull. From someone looking in on it through the window, it would look full of warmth with a huge Norman Rockwell feast but the problem is entertainment. People never know what do with themselves. Half of them are from the upper crust from Palo Alto, real into achievement.
The other half is more easy going (you get the picture). Any help on good non-competitive board games or other entertainment? Usually we play Trivial Pursuit but that never goes over well. Everyone plays real cutthroat and it's a drag for most of the kids and non-competitive players.Gloria from Paso Robles, CA
By christi
By Connie A.
By sandy
By Tripleb
We all (even kids) put our gifts in the middle of the table, and stand around the table. Then with a pair of dice, we take turns rolling, and whoever rolls a total of six gets to get a gift from the middle and can roll again until they no longer roll a six . Then once all the gifts are out, we set a timer (maybe fifteen minutes?) and we keep passing the dice around the table, rolling a six, and now stealing the wrapped gift from others. (If you roll two sixes, you get two gifts and, of course, roll again.)
The fun of it is that no one knows what is inside the gifts, and people just choose based on what they think is a good one. Some people are convinced that certain ones are terrible and certain ones are wonderful. And some people are lucky to get nothing at the end because when we've unwrapped them at the end of the fifteen minutes, I've seen battery operated heated socks, fake pearls, a partially mouse-chewed butter churn. . . It's great fun.
By Olivia
Another thing we do is tell a favorite memory from holidays or times in the past. (This works well if there is one particular person or family that everyone has in common/or everyone particularly likes.)
And with younger kids, we play cards. Whoever wins each round gets to choose something from a junk/treasure pile.
I'd say whatever you do, be excited about presenting it. If you are convinced that this is the best idea in the whole world, it'll catch on to the others. Even if they don't seem to be having fun, they probably just aren't showing it. Really, just be excited about whatever you present, it's contagious. (Grandma gets us to do all sorts of wacky things, just because she's excited.)
By Olivia
Make a thankful tree and give each guest a leaf shape piece of paper to write what they are most thankful for. Read them before, during or after your Thanksgiving dinner. You'll be surprised at the listing and learn something about the people you love.
Jennifer, CA
Maybe a puzzle would be good. It gives people something to do with their hands which can make them more relaxed and chatty. And since it can be done over time, you don't have to have organize everyone. Put it out when everyone arrives so it can be done by the time people head home. It's a nice feeling when it's done because it was accomplished as a group.
Left Right Center is a fun game everyone can play. All you do is roll the special dice. My family plays with 3 quarters. Everyone looks forward to it especially the kids age2-15 enjoy it and It's lots of fun!!!!
Catch Phrase is the game we played at a church
sunday school party. It is so much fun, lots of laughs. Adult age. We got ours at Wal-Mart.
How about Bunco? It's easy to play, teams people up, can be played by anybody, and is really fun!
"My Most Embarassing Moment" can really bring laughs and warmth.
I second the suggestion of 'UNO', Kids play by color or number.
Also consider 'Michigan Rummy', this is when the button box comes out when we run out of chips.
I have found Pictionary in teams of 3's or 4's is great entertainment for all ages (except the very tiny ones) It's an all time favourite with most parties ..
Hope you enjoy..
Catchphrase and Taboo are two really good, fun games. I noticed someone already said Scattagories; another favorite. Couples can really get into this by using past expiriences and memories to help with the clues. (Taboo) For the less competitive crowd, believe it or not, poker is fun. We include the kids on this and they have a blast, especially with Texas Hold 'em!
We always do a scavenger hunt
We make it crazy and try to have the kids have to knock on at least one door to get an item
it spreads joy in our neighborhood
gets the kids out of the house and burns off some energy
We always have a prize for the winner (large candy bar) and boobie prizes for the losers (small hershey bars)
my family really loves hide and seek in the dark you go in the basement and cover up all the windows with pillows it doesn't matter if your basement is finished or not. It is just fun!