Hobbies And Interests
Turkey Bowling
Kids can play a game of turkey bowling, as suggested by the Idea Box website. Let kids color and cut out 10 turkey pictures and tape them to empty plastic bottles or toilet paper rolls to make bowling pins. Arrange the pins in a pyramid shape, then have kids roll a ball to try to knock them down. Move the game outdoors and try bowling with a pumpkin as a ball. Players can get points for each pin that falls, and the player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.
Indoor Football
Play a game of indoor football after a big Thanksgiving meal. Tape lines on the floor to represent first-down and goal lines. Divide players into two teams. Older kids can use traditional football scoring, but younger children may need a simplified system, such as making every goal worth an equal number of points. While on their knees, players attempt to outmaneuver members of the other team and move the ball across the goal line to score. When the other team has the ball, players attempt to block and tackle the members of the opposite team. Invite adults to play to make sure that the tackling stays under control. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins an "honor" such as being served Thanksgiving dinner first or getting the prime seats for a televised football game.
Family Pictures
The Party Game Ideas website suggests having kids help take pictures of family members gathered for the Thanksgiving holiday. Give each child a list of clues about each family member, such as "master fisherman" or "collected bugs as a child." Kids can interview each family member to uncover little-known facts about each person, writing down the correct person's name beside each clue. As proof that they have conducted the interview, kids can take a picture of themselves with each member of the family at the close of each conversation. If cameras are limited, have children work in teams and take group photos. After the holiday, send copies of the pictures to each family member.