Finding Thanksgiving games for kids elementary age that actually keep them busy while you cook is tough. Most options online require too much prep or get boring fast. I put this list together because combining a simple craft with a playable game solves both problems perfectly.
If you need them entertained for hours, these ideas let them build the activity first before playing. Look for setups using basic supplies you already have hidden in your recycling bin.
1. Turkey Bowling Cups Game
If you have a stack of leftover party cups, this is the easiest way to start the afternoon.
What You Need
You only need brown plastic cups, construction paper, glue, and a small round pumpkin.
How to Make and Play
Have the kids cut out beaks, eyes, and feathers from the paper. Glue these onto the upside-down cups to make little turkeys. Stack them in a pyramid shape at the end of the hallway. Let them take turns rolling the mini pumpkin to knock the cups down.
2. Teepee Ring Toss
Sometimes the best activities use things straight out of the cardboard recycling pile.
Materials Required
Grab some empty paper towel rolls, cardboard sheets, markers, and pipe cleaners.
Crafting and Scoring
Cut the cardboard into triangle shapes and let the kids draw traditional patterns on them. Tape them around the paper towel tubes to stand up like mini teepees. Twist two pipe cleaners together to make tossing rings. Assign different point values to each teepee for a fun math challenge.
3. No-Sew Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss
When you want a softer indoor activity that will not break a window, felt is your best friend.
Supplies for the Game
You will need orange felt, fabric glue, a bag of dry beans, and a large cardboard box.
Assembly Steps
Cut the orange felt into pumpkin shapes and glue the edges together, leaving a small hole. Fill the pocket with dry beans and seal it shut with more glue. Cut holes of various sizes into the cardboard box. Let the kids toss their handmade pumpkins into the targets.
4. Turkey Leg Ring Toss
I did not expect brown paper lunch sacks to make such a hilarious game prop.
Gathering Items
Collect brown paper bags, empty wrapping paper tubes, white craft paper, and glow stick necklaces.
Building the Game
Crumple some scrap paper and stuff it into the brown bags to make them puffy. Tape the bags securely onto the ends of the cardboard tubes. Attach white paper frills to the bottom of the tubes to mimic turkey legs. Prop them up in a basket and use glow necklaces as tossing rings.
5. Feed the Brown Bag Turkey
Keeping younger siblings and older cousins equally engaged is tricky, but throwing soft items at a target usually works.
Crafting the Target
Find a large brown paper grocery bag, colorful construction paper, scissors, and soft yarn balls.
Creating the Setup
Decorate the large grocery bag to look like a giant turkey, complete with a wide open mouth cut into the front. Tape paper feathers to the back of the bag so they stick up. Set the bag against a wall. Kids stand behind a line and try to toss the soft yarn balls straight into the turkey’s mouth.
6. Turkey Baster Feather Relay
Grab those extra kitchen tools from the drawer before you start cooking the big meal.
Everything Needed
You need clean turkey basters, paper plates, markers, and loose craft feathers.
Racing Rules
First, have the kids draw a turkey face on their paper plate to serve as their home base. Give each child a turkey baster and a handful of craft feathers. They must squeeze the baster to blow air and push the feathers across the table. The first one to get all their feathers onto their plate wins.
7. Paper Plate Turkey Ring Game
Paper plates are cheap, durable, and surprisingly great for throwing around the living room.
Game Pieces
You will need sturdy paper plates, brown paint, scissors, and an empty paper towel roll.
The Project
Cut the centers out of several paper plates so they turn into rings. Let the kids paint the rings brown and attach tiny paper feathers to the edges. Stand a paper towel roll up by taping it securely to a heavy base. Kids toss their decorated paper rings onto the tall neck.
8. Pumpkin Roll Race Tracks
Using actual mini pumpkins makes this seasonal race feel much more authentic and fun.
Required Supplies
Gather cardboard building blocks, painter’s tape, and several round mini pumpkins.
Track Construction
Use the painter’s tape to mark a clear start and finish line on a hard floor. Let the kids use cardboard blocks to build a track or barriers along the route. Because pumpkins are rarely perfectly round, they roll in crazy directions. This makes the race unpredictable and guarantees a lot of laughing.
9. Beaded Indian Corn Race
For a game that also sneaks in some fine motor skill practice, try this colorful threading challenge.
What to Prepare
Set out tan pipe cleaners and bowls full of plastic pony beads in fall colors like yellow, orange, and brown.
The Challenge
Twist a few pipe cleaners together at the bottom to form the base of the corn cob. Shout go, and have the kids race to thread the beads onto the stems. The first person to fill all their pipe cleaners and twist the top shut wins. It is a quiet but highly competitive game.
10. Pin the Feather on the Turkey
A classic blindfolded challenge never fails to get kids laughing together in the hallway.
Making the Board
You need a large poster board, colored construction paper, double-sided tape, and a blindfold.
Playing the Game
Draw a large, featherless turkey body on the poster board and hang it on a blank wall. Have the kids cut out their own unique paper feathers and write their names on them. Blindfold them, spin them around twice, and let them try to stick their feather on the bird.
11. Turkey Cup Sliders
Smooth dining tables turn into the perfect friction-free surface for this sliding competition.
Materials List
Gather plastic party cups, craft paper, tape, and a few paper plates.
Setup and Rules
Decorate the cups to look like turkeys, similar to the bowling game. Tape the paper plates flat to the opposite end of the table and write point values on them. Kids slide their cups across the table, trying to get them to stop exactly on the plates. If it slides off the edge, they get zero points.
12. Gratitude Pennant Train
If you want to remind them why we celebrate the holiday while they burn off energy, this team race hits the mark.
Necessary Supplies
You will need triangle-cut felt flags, fabric markers, clothespins, and a long piece of twine.
The Relay
String the twine across the room to create a clothesline. Divide the kids into two teams. One by one, they must grab a pennant, write something they are thankful for, run to the line, and pin it up. The first team to hang all their pennants wins the race.
13. Turkey Balloon Stomp Caps
High-energy kids need something active to do before sitting down for a heavy dinner.
Preparing the Activity
Get a pack of orange balloons, construction paper, string, and tiny slips of paper.
Crafting the Game
Have the kids write small prizes or fun tasks on the slips of paper and shove them inside the balloons before blowing them up. Cut out large paper turkey feet and tape them to the balloons. Tie the balloons to the kids’ ankles. They run around trying to pop each other’s balloons to get the prizes.
14. Cranberry Spoon Relay Cups
Fresh cranberries bounce unpredictably, which makes balancing them on a wooden spoon incredibly entertaining.
The Items
Buy a bag of fresh cranberries, wooden cooking spoons, small paper cups, and paint.
How to Play
Let the children paint their small paper cups to look like festive turkeys. Set these cups on a table at the end of the room. Kids must balance a cranberry on their wooden spoon and speed-walk to their cup without dropping it. If they drop it, they have to start over.
15. Turkey Hat Tag Crown
Letting them wear what they made turns a basic gym class or backyard game into an event.
Supplies Needed
You need long strips of brown construction paper, colored paper for feathers, glue sticks, and a stapler.
Playing Tag
Help the kids assemble their turkey hats by gluing feathers to the brown bands, then staple them to fit their heads. Once everyone is wearing their crown, start a game of tag. The “it” person is the farmer, and the turkeys have to run away. It is a fantastic way to burn off sugar.
FAQs
What age group works best for these games?
These crafts and games are designed specifically for kids aged 5 to 11. Younger toddlers might struggle with the scissors, while older teens might find the themes a bit too young.
How much prep time is required?
Most of these ideas take less than 15 minutes to set up. Here is a quick breakdown of time and mess levels:
| Game Type | Prep Time | Mess Level |
| Paper/Cardboard Games | 10-15 mins | Low |
| Painting/Glue Crafts | 20-30 mins | Medium |
| Active Relays | 5-10 mins | Low |
Do I need to buy expensive supplies?
Not at all. You can swap out almost any material for something you already own. Cardboard boxes, old paper plates, and scrap paper are completely fine to use.
Keeping the kids entertained during a busy holiday does not have to be a stressful chore. Setting up a few of these craft-based games gives them a creative outlet and a physical activity all rolled into one. It gives you the peace of mind to finish cooking the meal without constant interruptions.
If you loved these ideas and want to keep them handy for the holidays, save this post to your Thanksgiving planning board on Pinterest. You will be completely prepared when the kids start saying they are bored!