How to Play Thanksgiving Charades.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Are you planning to host a Thanksgiving party this year? Then add this free printable Thanksgiving charades game to your list. Charades is a family-friendly activity that will fill your house with fun and excitement after a buffet dinner. It is also a perfect game that won’t cost you a dime or take time to prepare.

I remember the first time I played charades in high school. I wasn’t a big fan at first, but as soon as I noticed how the game changed the atmosphere in the house, it became my favourite game ever since. We play charades with my kids not only on Thanksgiving Day but at any family gathering. This game always brings laughter and excitement to everybody in the house. My kids are all good at both guessing and acting, but it’s a shame I can’t say the same about my husband and me.

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Supplies you need to prepare for the Thanksgiving Charades Game

• You’ll need a Thanksgiving charades word list-you can download a free printable below, or you can create your own word list. It’s up to you.
• You’ll need a bowl/Jar-because that’s where you’ll put the charades word list
• Scissors to help you cut the word list
• A timer to set a time limit for the game
• You’ll need paper or a small board to record the score.
• A pen/sharpie to help you write the score.

How to play the Thanksgiving Charades Game?

1. The first step is to download and print the PDF game sheet at the end of the post, then cut the word list into pieces, as shown in the photo.
2. Place the word list in a bowl /jar to mix them up.
3. Divide your players into two or more groups. It depends on how big your family is.
4. Explain the game rules to your players. The primary rule of the charades game is no talking, and the team has to guess the clue as soon as possible within the time limit.
5. Choose the team to go first. Every player from each team will come to the front and pick a word or topic from the bowl, then the player will act it out without sounding it out. The other players will have to guess what is being acted out correctly before the timer goes off.
6. If the team guesses the word correctly within a time limit, they earn a point.
7. Then the next team will go, and their fellow team member will pick a topic and do the same. You can set a time limit between 1 and 2 minutes. If the team members cannot guess the clue within the time limit, they lose a point. The process goes back and forth like this until the word lists are gone. The team with more points at the end of the game wins!

Download The Free Printable Thanksgiving Charades Topics below.

There are two versions of the printable charades game. The vision with pictures on it is great if you have small kids who can’t read yet. The picture will give them hints. And it is also an opportunity for them to learn to read while having fun. So feel free to download both versions.

Enjoy your free download, and we wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving Day!