Thanksgiving Traditions: 58 Fun Ways to Celebrate and Give Thanks

Celebrate Thanksgiving with the traditional activities on this list of “Turkey Day” celebration ideas, sharing them with your family, extended relatives, and friends.

This list of popular Thanksgiving traditions and celebration ideas contains everything you need to make your Thanksgiving festivities more meaningful and fun. If you have ever asked how to make Thanksgiving special or more memorable, you’ll find the answers here. Below, you will find a list of traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu items (with recipes), fun Thanksgiving games, easy fall harvest decorations, gratitude activities and crafts, unique modern ideas, and more enjoyable things to do on, for, and after the national holiday known as Thanksgiving. You might also enjoy these Thanksgiving crafts and gratitude activities.

First published on October 21, 2018, this list of Thanksgiving activity ideas for kids and adults of all ages is regularly updated to enhance the content and ensure its relevance. This year, pick a new Thanksgiving tradition to do with your family and friends from this massive list of Thanksgiving activity ideas. However, please remember that this is a ‘can-do’ list of family Thanksgiving traditions, not a ‘must-do’ list. You don’t have to do any of these things unless you want to. We hope you enjoy trying something new for Thanksgiving in 2025!

This fun article about traditional Thanksgiving celebration ideas also includes a brief history of Thanksgiving. So, if you’re wondering when Thanksgiving is this year or are looking for fun things to do on Thanksgiving day or for Thanksgiving break with the kids, scroll down to have all your questions answered and more! You may also enjoy this list of Christmas Traditions and Fun Easter Traditions to start with your family.

Thanksgiving Tradition FAQs:

Before sharing a list of unique and classic family Thanksgiving traditions and celebration ideas, I thought I would answer a few FAQs (frequently asked questions) about Thanksgiving (also known as Turkey Day) and when Thanksgiving happens in the United States and Canada.

Related: Fun Family Christmas Traditions for a Magical Holiday

What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a holiday in the United States and Canada that we celebrate to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. This fall holiday is known as “Turkey Day” because the traditional Thanksgiving menu features turkey as the main dish (or a vegetarian or vegan alternative). We give thanks not only for the bounty we have received at harvest and the food on our table during the holiday season, but also for the gifts and blessings we receive throughout the year.

How did Thanksgiving originate?

The first Thanksgiving was said to have taken place in the fall of 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, when Wampanoag people and English colonists celebrated a successful harvest. However, several truths and mistruths surround the story of Thanksgiving and why we celebrate it. For example, many of us are taught to believe that the first American Thanksgiving meal was a three-day feast celebrated by the Pilgrims and Native Americans after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621. Unfortunately, this story is not entirely true.

It is a “story” told to the American people to whitewash the history of the brutalities committed against the indigenous peoples that inhabited these lands long before us. What is the real story behind Thanksgiving? The truth is that ancient earth-based societies celebrated the harvest with a giant feast at some point in the early or late fall, long before the holiday known as “Thanksgiving” began in North America.

For example, Celtic people in Northern European countries celebrated the fall harvest with three elaborate feasts: Lughnasadh, Mabon, and Samhain. Many early Pagans and Christians would enjoy a large meal on Martinmas to commemorate the bountiful harvest. Other similar seasonal cultural events, where food is traded and shared, have been celebrated in the autumn since the early days of agriculture, and possibly even before that.

Thanksgiving Fact or Fiction: truths and mistruths:

What is the true story behind Thanksgiving? Well, the Pilgrims indeed had trouble growing food and suffered from terrible famines and numerous diseases, and many of these early American settlers died as a result. It is also true that the Wampanoag Indians taught some early American colonists how to grow crops, such as corn, making it possible for the early settlers to harvest food.

The lies begin when “the story” shares that the colonists had a Thanksgiving feast to thank the Native Americans for their help. I recall hearing the story of Thanksgiving as a child at school. As it turns out, however, this “story” is NOT entirely true. Author James Barker dispels many myths surrounding the holiday known as Thanksgiving and outlines its actual history in “Thanksgiving: The Biography of an American Holiday.”

In this, the first in-depth study of the most American of holidays, James Baker sweeps away lingering myths and misconceptions to show how this celebration day was born and grew to be an essential part of our national spirit.

(source)

The Story of Thanksgiving:

Barker’s book clarifies that the “Story of Thanksgiving” and the “iconic” imagery of the Pilgrims and Indians in Plymouth, Massachusetts, became associated with Thanksgiving at the end of the 19th century and during the early decades of the 20th century. As the United States took in more non-English-speaking immigrants, many schools sought to instill in students an understanding of the country’s heritage. In contrast to the fictional “Story of Thanksgiving,” original short stories about early American History emphasized reunions between estranged or long-parted relatives, while Pilgrims and Indians were rarely or never mentioned.

However, even though a few of the “stories” we are told about “Thanksgiving” aren’t necessarily true, it does not mean we should not honor it as a time to “give thanks.” Instead, we can leave the harmful “stories” behind and create new ones filled with gratitude for the lessons we continue to learn on our path toward enlightenment. At the same time, we remind ourselves and our families that mistakes are how we learn to improve because there are no mistakes, only opportunities to learn how to do better next time.

Today, we can create stories of community, connection, and diversity and celebrate Thanksgiving for what it should be—a time to be grateful, serve, and share our abundance with others, especially those in need. So, make a fresh start this autumn with any of the Thanksgiving tradition ideas listed after the remaining FAQs.

What are Thanksgiving traditions?

Thanksgiving traditions vary from family to family and household to household, reflecting how Thanksgiving is celebrated in their home, culture, or community. Thus, Thanksgiving traditions are the rituals, routines, and festive holiday rhythms shared with family and friends that create meaning and bring joy to our lives during the Thanksgiving holiday season and over the fall break.

One of the most classic Thanksgiving traditions is cooking a turkey dinner accompanied by an elaborate feast of side dishes. A Thanksgiving meal typically includes classic side dishes, such as green bean casserole, and all the fixings (or vegetarian alternatives) to share with family, friends, and neighbors. The classic family tradition of serving a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner is why Thanksgiving is often also called “Turkey Day,” whether or not you eat a turkey on the Holiday to celebrate.

Below, I have curated a list of classic Thanksgiving celebration ideas and unique traditions you can try with your family this year. Meaningful Thanksgiving family traditions, such as the festive ideas listed below, can help make the holidays more meaningful and memorable for all family members. You might also enjoy this list of Christmas Traditions.

When do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving falls after the fall harvest in both Canada and the US. In contrast, this fall harvest festival is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada, while the National Thanksgiving Holiday is on the fourth Thursday in November in the US. My family has enjoyed the “blessings of an abundant harvest” and Thanksgiving traditions with family and friends in both places—quite a few of us are dual citizens. As a result, we have a deeper appreciation for all that there is to be thankful for.

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

In the United States and Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving to remind ourselves to give thanks for the abundance of the earth and the bounty we are given at harvest and throughout the year. In other words, Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate and give thanks for everything we have and continue to receive throughout each passing year. We give thanks for the food on our table and count each of the blessings in our lives with gratitude.

What do most people do on Thanksgiving?

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is celebrated with a big meal shared between family and friends. A traditional Thanksgiving dinner often includes oven-roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, gravy, and other seasonal vegetable side dishes such as corn or green beans. There are several other enjoyable activities people like to do on Thanksgiving. Refer to the list of celebration ideas and traditions posted below these FAQs for more information.

What day is Thanksgiving or Turkey Day?

In the United States, Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Canadians do not have their Thanksgiving harvest feast on the last Thursday in November as they do in the US. Instead, they celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the second Monday in October in Canada. This year, Canada will celebrate Thanksgiving on Monday, October 13, 2025, while Americans in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

Thanksgiving Traditions to Start with Your Family in 2025

Use this collection of Thanksgiving tradition ideas and fun ways to celebrate Thanksgiving to help you and your family create lasting memories that will enrich your lives. Many of these traditional ideas are fun things to do on Thanksgiving. Other Thanksgiving traditions are activities to do before your Thanksgiving celebration or the day after Thanksgiving. To make it easier to navigate, this informative guide is filled with fun traditions and Thanksgiving celebration ideas that are organized into subcategories with the headings listed below:

• Thanksgiving Food and Feasting Traditions
• Traditions for Sharing Gratitude and Thankfulness
• Fun Things to do on Thanksgiving with Family and Friends
• Community and Giving Back: Local Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving
• Seasonal Fun and Outdoor Thanksgiving Traditions
• Traditional Things to do The Day After Thanksgiving
• Thanksgiving Weekend Traditions: Things you can do over the Fall Break to Prepare for the Christmas Holiday Season

This is done to keep everything organized and make it easy for you to find a new Thanksgiving tradition to try. Scroll down to the section that interests you most, or scroll through all of the fun things to do for Thanksgiving. You may have already heard of some of these Thanksgiving traditions, but we hope you can find something new and exciting to add to your family’s Thanksgiving celebrations!

Related: The Best Fall Art Projects for Kids

Thanksgiving Food and Feasting Traditions:

The first collection of modern and classic Thanksgiving traditions centers on the foods we prepare to celebrate the occasion. Enjoy these Thanksgiving food activity ideas with loved ones:

1. Enjoy a Modern or Traditional Thanksgiving meal:

One of the most classic Thanksgiving traditions is hosting or attending a Thanksgiving meal with a delicious dessert to celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors. Traditionally, families choose to serve a beautiful home-baked oven-roasted turkey for Thanksgiving. However, some modern home chefs have created delicious and creative meal substitutes, including deep-fried turkeys and vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving dinner menu options, that would make anyone’s mouth water—whether or not they’re a fan of traditional Thanksgiving turkey.

Suppose nobody in your family wants to cook or do the dishes for Thanksgiving this year. In that case, you can reserve a table at your favorite local restaurant or have your meal professionally catered instead. Some families eat a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant yearly as one of their favorite family traditions—and you can, too! For several years, my father’s side of the family (my parents divorced in 1975) traditionally celebrated Thanksgiving by meeting for dinner at the Tick Tock Restaurant in Hollywood.

I fondly remember those Thanksgiving meals and our joyful laughter as we happily sat at our table. No one was upset about cooking or ruining dessert, and many great conversations took place over the years as we gratefully lingered over each delicious course. Unfortunately, the Tick Tock Restaurant closed in 1988, the same year I graduated from Santa Monica High School. Maybe there is a restaurant near you that serves up an unforgettable Thanksgiving feast! Another modern way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to plan a holiday vacation complete with a new and unique or traditional Thanksgiving sit-down meal.

The Foods Typically Included in a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner:

Traditionally, a Thanksgiving dinner includes a roasted turkey as the main dish, accompanied by side dishes such as stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, and other seasonal vegetables associated with the fall harvest. Desserts such as pumpkin pie and pecan pie are also commonly served. Alternatively, the main dish can be another type of poultry, such as chicken, duck, goose, or venison (deer), or a vegan or vegetarian option, such as a tofurky or vegetable lasagna.

Other dishes may be included depending on regional or personal preferences. Thus, the traditional Thanksgiving food items served for Thanksgiving dinner can vary from family to family and table to table. For example, my family’s potatoes must be served mashed with homemade gravy. In contrast, my husband’s family always included candied yams or sweet potatoes in their traditional Thanksgiving meal. Other families substitute a sweet potato casserole or include at least two of the above!

While some people may tell you that Thanksgiving dinners traditionally include foods similar to those said to have been served at the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims did not eat the same foods we put on our Thanksgiving tables today. Instead, they likely had a feast filled with local fowl, venison, possibly a wild turkey or two, and seasonal foods that they could grow, harvest, and prepare with the limited resources available to them.

Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu with Recipes:

Celebrate Thanksgiving with delicious traditional foods and dishes. Click on the blue hyperlinked text for the recipe and cooking directions for each traditional Thanksgiving menu item listed below.

• Oven-roasted turkey or vegetarian option.
• Stuffing cooked inside the turkey. Stuffing is traditionally made with cornbread; however, several other delicious variations exist today.
• Potatoes (sweet, gold, red, or yams): mashed, scalloped, baked, roasted, candied yams, etc.
• Turkey gravy – made with freshly roasted turkey drippings.
• Cranberry sauce – try homemade (recipe below), or whole berries, jellied, or another cranberry alternative. Or, try our pumpkin bread made with whole fresh cranberries.
• A seasonal vegetable side dish made with corn, green beans, etc.
• Apple, pecan, or Pumpkin pie for dessert! Make your family’s favorite pumpkin pie recipe with homemade pumpkin puree for a fresh-from-the-garden taste you can’t get out of a can!

2. Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce:

On my Mom’s side of the family, it’s traditional to make homemade cranberry sauce as a side dish for Thanksgiving dinner, with the recipe and simple instructions below. I can remember helping my grandma grade orange zest and stirring the fresh cranberries that popped as the sauce simmered on the stove. Recruit the kids to help make and stir this simple and delicious Thanksgiving side dish. Best of all, cranberry sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Cranberry Sauce Recipe:

• 1 12-ounce bag of fresh (or frozen) cranberries
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of liquid (water or orange juice)
• Optional (orange zest, cinnamon stick, cloves)

How to Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce:

• Combine ingredients in a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, stirring the ingredients until the sugar dissolves
• Reduce the heat to a simmer and occasionally stir the mixture for about 10-15 minutes.
• Add in optional extras, such as orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, etc., if desired.
• The cranberries will begin to pop and release their pectin, which is what helps the sauce thicken.
• Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool to thicken.
• Transfer to a bowl or jar and refrigerate until ready to serve.

3. Host a Potluck Dinner:

Instead of cooking the entire meal, host a Thanksgiving potluck by inviting guests to each bring a dish to share! This can help make your Thanksgiving dinner more diverse and help take the pressure off those hosting it. Encourage relatives and other guests to use locally sourced ingredients (if possible) to create their favorite homemade Thanksgiving side dish or appetizer. This Thanksgiving activity provides a farm-to-table experience for everyone at the dinner table.

4. Cook a Vegetarian or Vegan Feast:

If you are a vegetarian or vegan, or have someone coming to dinner who is, consider preparing a vegetarian feast or providing at least a few dishes that don’t contain animal products. Offering plant-based alternatives, such as lentil loaf or stuffed squash, helps everyone feel included and valued.

5. Prepare Something Old and Something New:

Here’s a fun Thanksgiving tradition you can start in your family that you might already do. Include at least one old heritage dish and one new family recipe in your Thanksgiving dinner meal plans. In other words, include at least one dish made with an old family recipe and another using a recipe that you have never tried before, even if it’s just a dessert, side dish, or an hour’s devour. Cook recipes that honor your cultural or family background, alongside your traditional meal, and introduce a fresh dish to blend old traditions with new memories.

6. Bake Homemade Holiday Pies:

Baking holiday pies, such as apple, pumpkin, and pecan, as well as other autumn confectionery creations, is a classic Thanksgiving tradition. The sweet aroma of pie baking will fill the house with irresistible fall aromas.

7. Make Bread Together:

Using fresh seasonal ingredients to bake bread together is a hands-on activity the whole family can enjoy. As a child, I recall using a food mill to grind wheat berries into fresh flour and kneading bread with my mom in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Today, my daughter and I enjoy making homemade pumpkin puree with the sugar pumpkins we grow to create a delicious, low-fat pumpkin cranberry bread for our Thanksgiving feast. We also enjoy making this delicious pumpkin bread during the Christmas season. The pumpkin and cranberries are the perfect complement for all of our holiday celebrations.

8. Bless the Food: Share a Blessing, Prayer, Seasonal Verse, or Moment of Silence:

Share a blessing, short prayer, seasonal verse, or moment of silence as you gather around the dinner table before eating your Thanksgiving feast. Invite someone to speak for everyone, share a short Thanksgiving blessing or prayer in unison, or take a few moments to express silent gratitude for the abundance of food on the table in front of you.

9. Offer a Thanksgiving Toast:

Making a Thanksgiving toast with apple cider, sparkling grape juice, wine, or champagne can add a special touch to the holiday gathering. This Thanksgiving family tradition can help set a warm tone for the meal and bring everyone together in a shared moment of appreciation and celebration. It’s a moment to pause and express gratitude or reflect on the essence of Thanksgiving. 

The toast often takes place at the beginning of the meal, where the host or a designated guest stands up, raises their glass, and shares a few heartfelt words. However, a toast can occur at any time during the meal, and it can be made by more than one person, as long as they have something sincere to say. A good Thanksgiving toast can be a blend of humor and thankfulness and can include a heartfelt reflection on the blessings you’ve experienced in the past year. It doesn’t need to be lengthy; a concise and sincere message encompassing the spirit of gratitude and togetherness will suffice. 

10. Make a wish on the wishbone:

Making a wish on the wishbone is a fun tradition that many families include in their Thanksgiving celebrations, often passing it down through the generations. After carving the turkey and enjoying the meal, someone sets aside the wishbone to dry, often for a day or two, to make it easier to break. When it’s ready, two people (usually children or guests) each hold one side, close their eyes, and pull.

Invite two family members to pull apart the turkey wishbone as they make a wish. The person who breaks off the bigger piece of the wishbone will have their wish granted. If the wishbone cracks evenly, both people will have their wish come true! The wishbone symbolizes hope, optimism, and looking forward to the future. The act of breaking it is considered to be a way to manifest good luck and fortune for the days ahead.

The tradition of making a wish on a wishbone is a popular American custom, particularly during the Thanksgiving holiday. This practice dates back thousands of years, long before Thanksgiving became a tradition. Its origins trace back to the ancient Etruscans in Italy, around 700 B.C., who believed birds and their bones held mystical powers.

Traditions for Sharing Gratitude and Thankfulness:

Many of my family’s favorite Thanksgiving traditions involve focusing on all that we have to be thankful for. As previously mentioned, Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. So, we give thanks for the bounty we are given at harvest — and the bounty (blessings and lessons) that we continue to receive throughout the year.

The Thanksgiving traditions below share the theme of filling your holiday celebrations with gratitude and thankfulness. Some of these gratitude activities and crafts are meant to be created and shared in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, while others are ideal for sharing gratitude on Thanksgiving with family and friends.

1. Make and decorate a Gratitude or Thankful Tree for Thanksgiving:

A thankful tree is a Thanksgiving decoration that the whole family can make and decorate together. A gratitude tree is another name for a thankful tree. There are many ways to design and use a them. The basic idea is to write blessings on paper leaves and then hang them on a branch of the tree to decorate it. They can be as simple as a printable craft you make and hang on a bulletin board, frame, or fridge, or as elaborate as a Thanksgiving table centerpiece.

The one thing they share is cultivating gratitude and nurturing thankfulness. Making and decorating a gratitude tree is a Thanksgiving tradition the whole family can enjoy. Another option is a DIY gratitude mobile. Look at the gratitude tree ideas below, or learn more about the thankful tree tradition and discover even more ideas!

My family loves decorating gratitude trees so much that we have three DIY tutorials that share how to make different thankful trees for Thanksgiving. Two are easy printable crafts that children or adults can create independently or as a group. Another one of our gratitude trees features bare branches and freshly fallen, preserved autumn leaves, while the third has clay leaves inscribed with gratitude.

2. Decorate the Table with Thankful Turkey Thanksgiving Placemats:

Put together these adorable Thanksgiving Coloring Placemats and invite children and other guests to color them with thankful pictures while they wait for dinner! Thankful turkey Thanksgiving placemats make it easy and fun for kids and adults of all ages to illustrate what they are grateful for.

3. Pass Around a Gratitude Jar:

Collect notes of thankfulness and appreciation in a beautiful jar, such as a homemade leaf lantern, a mason jar with a thankful turkey, hearts, or a ceramic blessing jar. Then, read the notes aloud, sharing everyone’s thankful thoughts and blessings after dinner to celebrate the gratitude.

4. Give Thanks Around the Table During Your Thanksgiving Meal:

Many family members enjoy sharing what they are grateful for as they sit around the Thanksgiving table, savoring a traditional Thanksgiving meal together. Designate a talking stick or another item to pass around the table to signify the sharer, such as a gratitude jar, and take turns sharing at least one thing you are grateful for. Alternatively, you can take turns writing words of gratitude on leaves. Then share what you write aloud before hanging the leaves on a thankful tree.

Related: I am Grateful FREE Gratitude Journal Printable

5. Go for a Thankful Walk or Gratitude Hike:

Like turkey trot races, this Thanksgiving tradition encourages people to get outside and move their bodies, helping to burn off the excess calories that a traditional Thanksgiving menu typically provides. Go for a stroll with the whole family before or after your Thanksgiving dinner to enjoy the seasonal sights that make autumn a gorgeous time of year. As you walk, point out things that you feel grateful for, such as the fresh air, and share them with others if you have company. Don’t forget to bring your cameras to take family photos. You might also enjoy sending the kids on a fall scavenger hunt while you are out there. Or look to see if there are any signs that winter is near!

6. Express Gratitude with Other Thankful Thanksgiving Activities and Crafts:

Here’s a list of Thanksgiving gratitude crafts and activities you can try for Thanksgiving. Each of the gratitude crafts and activities on the list has a Thanksgiving or fall theme. In contrast, this fun list of gratitude activities includes thankful crafts and activities you can do year-round to nurture gratitude at home or in the classroom.

Fun Things to do on Thanksgiving with Family and Friends:

The next category of Thanksgiving traditions includes fun activities you can do with family and friends to celebrate the holiday.

1. Make an Embroidered Thanksgiving Tablecloth:

Make an embroidered Thanksgiving tablecloth that you reuse as a tradition year after year with this fun idea. A hand-embroidered tablecloth with everyone’s names hand-sewn into it as members are added to the family is a lovely homemade keepsake and a festive holiday decoration to have at the family member’s house that’s hosting dinner. Since a hand-embroidered Thanksgiving tablecloth can be passed down through the generations, it can become a treasured heirloom and a cherished family tradition for years to come.

How to make a hand-embroidered tablecloth:

• First, find a white, 100% cotton tablecloth that will fit your family table.
• Next, ask each family member to carefully sign it with their name, a short prayer, or a thanksgiving blessing.
  • Use disappearing ink fabric marker if you plan to sew it right away; the ink fades away in 12-36 hours, or can be removed with water.
  • If you won’t be embroidering over their name right away, have family members use a permanent marker to sign their name on the tablecloth.
• Trace what they have written with a needle and embroidery thread using your favorite hand-sewing stitches.
  • Alternatively, you can have family members sign with permanent ink and leave it as is without going over what they wrote with a needle and thread. This option may not look as lovely as hand-embroidered names and blessings, and the ink can fade slightly over the years if you intend to turn it into a keepsake, but it is effective.

2. Attend (or Watch) the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City is the quintessential Thanksgiving Day parade. It’s a beautiful tradition with floats, balloons, and performances on the streets of Manhattan. However, if taking the whole family to New York City is not part of your travel plans this year, consider watching it on TV or attending a local Thanksgiving Day parade!

3. Take Family Photos:

It’s fun to take family photos when everyone gets together for the holidays. Capture the moment with yearly snapshots to see how everyone grows and changes over time. Get out your camera to take a picture of everyone gathered around the table. You can even hire a local professional photographer to come and take everyone’s photo.

Another great idea is to invite everyone to take candid photographs with their mobile phones over the weekend and then encourage them to share the photos they take with each other to create a digital group album. Best of all, you can use your favorite photograph or photographs to make Christmas cards to send to friends and relatives for the holidays.

4. Look Through Family Photo Albums:

Another fun thing people do on Thanksgiving is look at family photos together. There are several fun reasons to get the photo books out. Even though most photo albums are digital these days, it doesn’t make sharing photos any less fun. It’s a great way to pass the time, keep everyone updated on life events, learn about family history, or have a good laugh!

When I was a kid, I remember poring over the photographs in my grandmother’s photo album during our Thanksgiving visits. I loved hearing the stories of my ancestors as I flipped through the pages, taking in all the people they had been. I can also remember when I was invited to Thanksgiving dinner at my boyfriend’s house in college, and his mother brought out the family photo albums to show me his baby pictures. He wasn’t that happy about it at first. However, he noticed how well looking at pictures helped his mother and me relax and get to know each other. No matter the reason, Thanksgiving is a great time to share photos.

5. Make Thanksgiving Crafts:

Spend time connecting with your children over the break with traditional Thanksgiving crafts. Try traditional Thanksgiving gratitude crafts, such as a gratitude jar or thankful tree, on the list: here! Alternatively, click on the creator of the homemade Thanksgiving crafts listed below for step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy either of the Thanksgiving craft ideas kids can make!

• DIY Thanksgiving Placemats | Rhythms of Play
• Turkey Mason Jar Lantern | Rhythms of Play
• Harvest Pumpkin Watercolor Art Activity | Rhythms of Play
• Burlap Handprint Turkey Placemats | Meaningful Mama
• Gratitude Mobile | Rhythms of Play
• Turkey Leaf Craft Activity Ideas | Rhythms of Play
• Handprint and Footprint Turkey Craft | A little Pinch of Perfect
• Thanksgiving Apple Turkey Craft Activity | I Heart Crafty Things
• Clay Gratitude Leaves | Rhythms of Play
• Thanksgiving Thankful Turkey Craft Kit | Amazon

6. Play Thanksgiving Board Games:

A classic family Thanksgiving tradition is to play Thanksgiving games or host a family game night. Playing board games is a great way to pass the time with the family while waiting for a delicious Thanksgiving meal to cook. Please ensure that someone is in the kitchen to assist the chef when needed. Choose classics or themed games, such as gratitude games. Try the Thanksgiving gratitude games in THIS post, or look at the list of thankful games HERE. Or, pick a new board game for the whole family to enjoy!

Related: Social-Emotional Development Games for Kids

7. Watch a Thanksgiving Movie:

Cozy up with seasonal favorites after dinner. When I was a child, one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions was watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” with my brothers every year when it aired on Television. Check your local listings to find out when it’s airing on TV this year, or purchase a copy! Alternatively, watch a movie about a family coming together for Thanksgiving, such as “Home for the Holidays,” a film that conveys the importance of gratitude, or your favorite Thanksgiving-themed movie.

8. Enjoy a Movie Marathon:

If you’re not interested in a Thanksgiving movie, enjoy a movie marathon (or a series marathon) while waiting for dinner. This is a fun Thanksgiving activity for kids and adults of all ages. You can also host a sleepover movie marathon with friends or family as a fun activity for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Related: The Best Fall Nature Crafts

9. Watch or Play Football:

For some families, football games and Thanksgiving go together like the mashed potatoes and gravy on their dinner plates. There are several ways you can enjoy this classic Thanksgiving tradition. Host a family football game, or turn on the TV to watch the kick-off with the whole family while waiting for your Thanksgiving feast to cook.

10. Call Family and Friends:

Contact family and friends who are not able to join you on Thanksgiving. Reach out with a phone call so everyone can catch up with those who may be missing from the festivities.

11. Set up a Puzzle Table:

Doing a puzzle with family is a fun Thanksgiving activity for people of all ages. Either set it up beforehand or retrieve your favorite puzzle from the game closet when family arrives. You can also consider gifting a new one to your family or the people hosting the meal you attend. Next, gather with friends and family to start putting it together, passing the time while you wait for your Thanksgiving feast. Working on a jigsaw puzzle throughout the day not only helps pass the time, but it also keeps hands busy, conversation flowing, and minds distracted from their hunger.

12. Share Family Stories:

Share funny and meaningful family memories while spending time with loved ones during the holiday break. Hearing stories while dinner cooks and around the table on Thanksgiving is how many children learn more about the relatives they don’t really know. Pass on the stories that hold the most meaning, and encourage other family members to do the same.

13. Host a Pie Baking Contest:

Hosting a pie-baking contest is a fun way to invite family and friends to bake and bring their best pie. A Thanksgiving pie competition can add a delightful and engaging twist to the festivities. Whether sweet or savory, traditional or innovative. This friendly competition can be organized with categories such as ‘Best Traditional Pie,’ ‘Most Creative Pie,’ or ‘Best Overall,’ and everyone at the gathering can participate in tasting and voting for their favorites. 

Not only does this Thanksgiving activity encourage culinary creativity and the sharing of beloved family recipes, but it also provides an inclusive activity that involves all ages, from toddlers to the elderly. The pie competition fosters a fun, communal atmosphere and offers a delicious way to celebrate each participant’s tasty talent, making Thanksgiving even more memorable.

14. Go to Thanksgiving Services:

Many churches, synagog, temples, and other places of worship hold a unique service on or around Thanksgiving. Find one near you to attend with the whole family.

15. Host a Friendsgiving:

Celebrate with friends either before or after Thanksgiving Day. Friendsgiving is a modern, informal twist on the traditional American Thanksgiving holiday, where friends gather to celebrate and share a meal. The term combines the words “friends” and “Thanksgiving” to create “Friendsgiving.” This variation of the traditional Thanksgiving celebration is about sharing good food with great company while expressing gratitude for the people who enrich our lives beyond family.

The celebration usually centers around a shared meal, often in a casual, potluck-style setting where each guest contributes a dish or drink. While some groups stick to classic Thanksgiving foods, such as roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, others opt for non-traditional or themed menus, including tacos, vegan dishes, or international cuisine.

Unlike traditional Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is typically held before or after Thanksgiving Day, often the weekend prior, so it doesn’t interfere with “Friends” who have family plans. It has also gained popularity among people who may be far from their families and unable to travel home for the holidays or who prefer a more relaxed and inclusive holiday experience.

16. Plan a Destination Vacation and Make it a Family Tradition for Thanksgiving:

Don’t you think starting a destination vacation tradition for Thanksgiving with your family would be a fun way to spend the holiday? It’s a Thanksgiving experience gift the whole family can enjoy year after year! My brother and I will never forget the year our father took us to Disneyland for Thanksgiving vacation. We stayed in the Disneyland Hotel and had a table reserved for Thanksgiving Dinner in the grand ballroom.

If you’d like to cook your own traditional Thanksgiving meal as part of your Thanksgiving traditions, consider renting a house, condo, or cabin with a full kitchen and prepare to purchase food and a few cooking essentials. I know a few families that make a destination vacation a family tradition, rather than hosting a family meal at home, and these families swear by it. Some families choose the same vacation spot yearly, while others prefer a new Thanksgiving destination each year. You might also enjoy these Fun Family Christmas Traditions for a Magical Holiday.

Community and Being of Service (Giving Back): Local Things to do for Thanksgiving:

This category of Thanksgiving activities includes things you can do in your city or town, as well as ways to serve or give back to the community.

Related: Best Fall Art Projects

1. Support Local Farmers:

A fun thing to do just before or after Thanksgiving is to visit a local farm. We are told that the pilgrims served locally grown, freshly harvested foods for their first Thanksgiving, and we can, too! Just as the pilgrims did, you too can give thanks for the bounty of the harvest by providing locally harvested and raised food on your Thanksgiving table.

My family enjoys incorporating locally grown, organically produced foods into our traditional Thanksgiving dinner. So, we visit a local farm (or the Farmers’ Market) before Thanksgiving to pick fresh, local foods for our Thanksgiving meal. It has become a family tradition that we enjoy every year.

Make gathering fresh, locally raised, and grown foods for your Thanksgiving dinner a family tradition in your home. If traveling to a local farm to collect fares for your feast is impossible, take the family to your local farmers’ market to purchase organically grown and raised foods.

2. Enter a Thanksgiving “Turkey Trot” or Another Race or Fall Harvest Event:

A turkey trot is a running race that typically takes place on Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, or during the Thanksgiving weekend across the United States. Participating in one of these events is a healthy, charitable way to start the day. This tradition began to combat the “stuffed” feeling many Americans experience after indulging in a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Enter a turkey trot near you to burn off extra calories from the traditional Thanksgiving meal. Invite your family to join you if they are willing to do so. A little friendly family competition keeps a family happy and healthy. Find a turkey trot near you HERE!

3. Invite Someone New to Dinner:

Extend your hospitality to friends, coworkers, or neighbors who don’t have family nearby by inviting them to join you for dinner.

4. Serve Those in Need: Volunteer at a Local Homeless Shelter or Soup Kitchen:

On Thanksgiving, a lovely tradition is to take the time to serve those in need. Sign the family up to volunteer at a homeless shelter, a local soup kitchen, Meals on Wheels, or other organizations that serve food to those in need. They always appreciate extra helping hands to ensure everyone gets fed on Thanksgiving.

5. Donate to a Food Bank:

Collect and deliver non-perishable foods before the holiday to your local food bank.

6. Send Care Packages:

Ship holiday treats to loved ones who are far away or military personnel.

7. Deliver Food to Neighbors:

Share pies, bread, or leftovers with elderly or isolated community members.

8. Make DIY Meals for the Homeless:

Assemble bagged meals with sandwiches, fruit, and snacks for the homeless.

9. Write Thank You Notes to Service Workers:

Express gratitude to first responders, mail carriers, or hospital staff by writing them thank-you notes or baking cookies or pies as a gesture of appreciation. This is a great Thanksgiving activity to do with children.

Seasonal Fun and Outdoor Thanksgiving Traditions:

The traditions below include seasonal activities you can do in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and over the fall break, such as decorating with fall-themed decor. The ideas in this category also include seasonal outdoor activities that kids and adults of all ages can enjoy.

1. Decorate for Thanksgiving or Harvest with Fall Decor:

Decorate the house with fall themes. Many people decorate for harvest in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Use the DIY and ready-made Thanksgiving decoration ideas from the list below to add a festive touch to your home and Thanksgiving celebrations.

DIY and Readymade Thanksgiving Decorations:

• Decorate with gourds and pumpkins from your local pumpkin patch
• Thankful Turkey Printable Thanksgiving Placemats to Color
• Turkey leaf mason jar lanterns (pictured below)
• DIY Thankful trees
• Indian corn wreath DIY
• How to make a canning jar lid pumpkin
• Thanksgiving table runner
• Thanksgiving decorations
• Lighted fall garland
• Fall wreath

2. Go to a Fall harvest Celebration or Autumn Fair:

Another fun thing to do in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving is to attend a harvest celebration or fair. Check your local family resource guide or search online for a nearby harvest fair.

3. Enjoy Outdoor Fall Leaf Activities:

Rake leaves and jump in, or invite kids to enjoy these other creative outdoor leaf activities. Playing in the beautiful autumn foliage is a great way to celebrate the season.

4. Read Children’s Thanksgiving books and Books About Fall with Children:

I have compiled an impressive list of children’s Thanksgiving gratitude books that inspire thankfulness, as well as fall books for kids that are fun to read and enjoy with children.

5. Take a Family Walk or Bike Ride:

Going for a walk or a bike ride with the whole family is a refreshing way to balance feasting with movement. With so much good food to eat on Thanksgiving, heading outdoors for some much-needed exercise should be on every family’s to-do list for the holiday.

6. Go on a Scavenger Hunt:

Hide clues or fall-themed items around the yard for kids to find. Or enjoy one of these fall scavenger hunt ideas.

7. Collect Natures Treasures to Make Crafts:

Head outdoors to search for acorns, leaves, pinecones, sticks, and other natural treasures to make crafts with. Browse through this list of fall nature crafts or these nature craft ideas and art activities to gather inspiration.

8. Go Apple or Pumpkin Picking:

Extend the harvest season into your celebrations. Traditional ideas include a trip to a local pumpkin patch, corn maze, or apple orchard.

Traditional Things to do The Day After Thanksgiving:

Here are a few Thanksgiving traditions that people typically do on the day after Thanksgiving. The final two Thanksgiving celebration ideas are modern-day traditions that some families in the United States choose to observe. These Thanksgiving traditions are not typically celebrated in Canada, as they celebrate Thanksgiving earlier in October.

1. Enjoy Turkey Leftovers in a New Way:

After Thanksgiving, enjoying leftovers is a delightful family tradition that extends the holiday’s culinary pleasures. The abundance of food prepared for the Thanksgiving feast often results in a generous supply of leftovers, providing an opportunity for creative culinary endeavors in the days that follow. 

Transforming these remnants into new meals not only reduces food waste but also allows for the revival of the holiday flavors. Popular leftover dishes include turkey sandwiches, salads, soups, and casseroles. These dishes are easy to prepare and offer a comforting reminder of the holiday’s warmth, abundance, and togetherness. 

Leftover turkey dinner is one of my favorites! Maybe it’s because I typically only make a turkey with all the fixings once a year. So, my family savors every last bite. We love to fry leftovers in a cast-iron pan to warm stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy, make fresh turkey sandwiches, and use the leftover bones and flesh to make turkey stock and soups. 

When Thanksgiving dinner is over, make it a tradition to put the leftover turkey carcass in a stockpot to make homemade poultry stock for leftover turkey soup. And don’t forget the tradition of making homemade turkey sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving–Yum! What is your favorite recipe to eat Thanksgiving leftovers? Let us know in the comment section below!

2. Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving tradition):

One of the most well-known traditions in America after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. In 2024, Black Friday will be observed on Friday, November 29. On this day, most major retailers open extremely early, often at midnight or earlier, to offer sales, lowered prices, and deals that companies claim you won’t find any other day of the year. However, cyber sales often occur throughout November, culminating in Cyber Monday, which reduces the number of lines that form at midnight at many stores nationwide.

If you are curious about the origins, the Philadelphia Police Department originally referred to it as “Black Friday” because the large number of shoppers caused traffic accidents and sometimes even violence. Another reason many believe the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday is that retailers have finally moved out of the red, going from a financial loss to a profit. In other words, most retailers start to earn a profit after Thanksgiving, so they offer sales to pass on savings to consumers in time for Christmas, thereby reducing the remaining stock or goods they have before the New Year.

3. Opt Outside! (get outside on the day after Thanksgiving):

My immediate family loves the Opt Outside initiative (#OptOutside). Opt Outside is a Thanksgiving tradition we love to enjoy every year on the day after Thanksgiving. As nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, we have always spent the day enjoying the great outdoors instead of heading inside to shop on the Friday after American Thanksgiving.

However, Opt Outside officially began in 2015 as a response to consumerism. It all started when an outdoor retailer, REI, decided to close its stores on Black Friday and challenged everyone to Opt Outside (#OptOutside) instead (source). In other words, this company encouraged the world to get outside, do what they love outdoors, and enjoy the holiday weekend with family instead of shopping on Black Friday.

It has since evolved to support causes like environmental welfare, inclusivity, and responsible creation, production, and distribution. In other words, Opt Outside encourages people to choose nature over retail therapy. Today, REI (and a few other awesome companies) continue to close their stores on Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, and instead, pay each employee to spend time outdoors with family and friends.

Perhaps you and your family will opt out and join us for an outdoor adventure on Black Friday this year. Enjoy the great outdoors on the Friday after Thanksgiving with any of these fun outdoor activities!

Thanksgiving Weekend Traditions: Things you can do over the Fall Break to Prepare for the Christmas Holiday Season:

Here are a few more fun things people do during fall break, the day after Thanksgiving, and for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

1. Start a Holiday Gift-Giving Tradition:

Prepare for the holiday gift-giving season on Thanksgiving by planning a Christmas gift exchange with friends and relatives. This approach enables family and friends to participate in the spirit of giving without feeling pressured to buy gifts for everyone. Planning this during Thanksgiving provides ample time for everyone to handcraft or find thoughtful gifts, adding an element of excitement and anticipation to the holiday season. 

One popular method is drawing names, where each person gets the name of another and buys a gift specifically for them, often with a set budget to keep things fair and manageable. For more ideas, read Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas. Having a gift-giving tradition in your family is a beautiful way to ensure everyone feels included and to reduce the stress and expense of holiday shopping, allowing more focus on the joy and meaning of the season.

2. Prepare for the Christmas Shopping Season and Holiday Gift-Giving:

The days leading up to and following Thanksgiving are an ideal time to start Christmas shopping and prepare for the holiday gift-giving season. Whether you scour the stores looking for the perfect gifts for your loved ones or prefer to make homemade gifts for Christmas. The Thanksgiving weekend over fall break is the ideal time to consider what you will be gifting this year. The fall break is a great time to make a general plan to gather or make DIY gifts for family, extended relatives, co-workers, and friends.

3. Consider Creating Homemade Gifts for Loved Ones:

If you’ve ever wanted to make homemade gifts for Christmas, the late fall is a great time to start. Browse through these DIY gift ideas for inspiration and begin gathering craft supplies to create gorgeous, handmade gifts for family, extended relatives, and friends.

4. Cut down your own Christmas Tree:

One of my family’s favorite new Thanksgiving traditions is obtaining a permit to cut down our Christmas tree for our home the day after Thanksgiving (or one of the weekends preceding or following it). We encourage you to join us! Find a local Christmas tree farm near you, or get a permit and a map to head out into the woods to cut down a tree in an area that allows you to do so. If those options aren’t available in your city or town, consider visiting your favorite local Christmas tree lot to find a tree to decorate instead. Or try any of these other ideas–>Christmas Traditions.

5. Start decorating for Christmas!:

Some people start decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving, and others put up their trees for Thanksgiving to decorate with the family. However, the weekend following Thanksgiving in the United States, most people get their Christmas decorations out and begin decorating if they haven’t already. So join the fun! Get the Christmas lights and other decorations out of storage to start bringing the light of Christmas to your neighborhood. Take a look at this list of Christmas traditions for ideas and creative DIY inspiration.

6. Make DIY Christmas ornaments:

Late fall is an ideal time to start making Christmas ornaments and other DIY Christmas decorations to adorn your home, schoolroom, or office. Look through this list of homemade Christmas ornaments for inspiration and gather the needed craft supplies.

Thanksgiving Traditions and Fun Things to Do on Thanksgiving Day

I hope you enjoyed learning about Thanksgiving traditions and fun activities you can do to celebrate. The traditional things we do with our friends and family hold the most meaning and create vivid memories to last a lifetime. Visit our fall bucket list seasonal activity guide for even more seasonal ideas.

Have a happy Thanksgiving! Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author of this guide to Thanksgiving traditions HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!

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