9 Thanksgiving Activities for the Entire Family

We're going to presume you've already planned your Thanksgiving feast. You've planned your menu and ordered your turkey, whether you're celebrating with family and friends or keeping it small this year. But the day is about more than just eating. We've compiled a list of things to do before the chicken comes out of the oven and long after the last dish is washed!

1. Go for a post-meal stroll

Our favorite pastimes may be the most basic. Grab the family and your walking shoes for a stroll around the neighborhood after you've had your second and third helpings. You might be tempted to collapse on the couch in a "food coma," but this is beneficial for your body and soul. Wrap up warm and enjoy the Christmas lights that a couple of your neighbors couldn't wait to put up!

2. Participate in a Board Game

The focus of the day is on the family. Instead of getting buried in your phones or the latest Netflix series, gather your friends for some old-fashioned fun. Whether it's a classic game like Monopoly or a new take on charades like Guesstures, there's something for everyone. We're confident you'll enjoy yourself.

3. Have a video chat with relatives

This year is unique. Grandma and Grandpa may not be able to be physically present for many of us. Make a video chat appointment to check in on the people you care about.

4. Express gratitude at the dinner table

After the plates have been filled and prayers have been spoken, Make your way around the table, enabling everyone to express their gratitude. If you have small children in your home, you're in for a treat with what's on their minds.

5. Use Thanksgiving Coloring Pages to Express Yourself

Sure, this appears to be a kid's activity at first glance. Adult coloring books, on the other hand, are very much a thing in 2020. Set up a tiny coloring station with some holiday-themed coloring pages that you printed ahead of time. Another fantastic method to bring everyone together in a screen-free environment is with this activity.

6. Make a tree of your ancestors

We're not recommending you go all Ancestry.com (although it would be awesome), but putting together a creative graphic on a day dedicated to family is a lot of fun. It's also a great way to memorialize loved ones who are unable to join us on this special day.

7. Make a Thankfulness Tree

Take those thoughts shared around the dinner table and put them to a "Tree of Thanks" as we're crafting. Give it a prominent spot in your home as a gentle reminder of what matters most on the most trying of days.

8. Participate in Parade Bingo

This year's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade will be broadcast exclusively on television. Cozy up with a cup of coffee or a cup of hot chocolate, and these free bingo cards. Pro tip: This is a fun way to keep the kids occupied while the grownups work in the kitchen.

10. Begin a Thankful Jar

Finally, even when the day is past, you may keep the spirit of gratitude alive by keeping a jar on the kitchen counter. Encourage family members to write messages in it in the days and weeks ahead about things they are grateful for. On those days when you're feeling low, reach in and read a few–it'll instantly lift your spirits and remind you of what's really essential in life.

Related: 10 Unusual Thanksgiving Facts