Here are 3 “just for fun” youth group games for Thanksgiving.

Games are great additions to your holiday programming and provide opportunities for students to connect, interact with each other, and make memories.

Each of these free games can be used as an ice-breaker with any lesson, or can be played at an upcoming event.

Enjoy!

Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out our…

ONE YEAR CURRICULUM, VOL 3 – Save 78% on one year of NEW Bible studies and teaching curriculum for youth ministry.
youth group lesson bible study volume 3

3 THANKSGIVING GAMES FOR YOUTH MINISTRY

GAME #1 PUMPKIN TURKEY

Object: The object of this game is for each team to turn an ordinary pumpkin into a dazzling turkey!

Supplies:

  • 2-4 Large Pumpkins
  • Feathers
  • Paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Tarp
  • Tacky Glue
  • Hot Glue & Glue Gun (Optional)
  • Glitter (Optional)
  • Pompoms
  • Play-Doh
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Wiggly eyes

GAME PREP

Lay down a tarp for each team to set their pumpkin on.

Have the teams, one at a time, go and pick their pumpkins.

The team that is sitting the quietest will get to pick their pumpkin first.

Allow each team 20 minutes to Turkey up their pumpkins!

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Tell the teams that every ounce of creativity needs to be used to transform this ordinary pumpkin.

Different craft supplies will be available for each team to help them transform their pumpkin.

Invite one of the pastors at your church to judge the winning team!

The winning team will win an ice cream sandwich party and the title of “Pumpkin Turkey Champs.”

GAME #2: CROWD OF THANKFULNESS

Object: The object of this game is to encourage students to really take time and thank God for everything that He has blessed them with by giving them each a sticky notepad and pen.

Supplies:

  • 1 sticky note pad per student
  • 1 pen per student
  • 1 big pack of bubble gum for the student that finishes their sticky note pad first

GAME PREP

Explain to students that even though people focus on being thankful around the Thanksgiving holiday, we should carry out thankfulness every single day, all year round.

Give each student a sticky notepad and pen.

Encourage students to look at everything around them to help them think about what they are thankful for.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Explain to students that once they each receive a sticky notepad and pen, they will have up to 10 minutes to try and use every single piece of paper in their sticky notepad by writing one thing that they are thankful for on each piece of paper.

After they write what they are thankful for on their piece of paper they have to stick it on one wall within the room.

After they all finish with the task of writing what they are thankful for then, as a class, you can take time to read each piece of paper.

After reading as a class what everyone is thankful for then tell students that you will give them 10 minutes to look at the wall and stick the piece of paper on the person whom they think wrote it.

This is a fun way for the students to connect what each person is thankful for!

GAME #3: BLINDFOLD PUMPKIN BOWL

Object: The object of this game is for two teams to compete in a Blind Fold Pumpkin Bowl. Whichever team knocks down the most pins blindfolded wins!

Encourage students to name their teams a food that you see at Thanksgiving and whichever team has the most team spirit gets extra bonus points!

Supplies:

  • 1 Pumpkin for each group of 8-10 students (You might want to have some extras in case the pumpkins fall apart.
  • Blind Folds
  • Masking Tape
  • Bowling Pins (You can always use Pringles cans or water bottles to fill in for the bowling pins to save money).
  • Optional – Lay down tarp on the floor in the path of the pumpkin bowling to minimize the mess.

GAME PREP

Divide students into teams of 8-10. If you have a small group, then feel free to break up students into smaller teams.

Create one bowling lane per group by setting up two sets of bowling pins at one end of the room.

On the opposite side, tape a line that the students cannot cross as they bowl the pumpkins.

Have students stand in line with their teams behind the line.

Have an adult be the team’s scorekeeper to count how many bowling pins their team knocks down.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Explain to the students that one student will go at a time and other students on their team can watch and cheer them on!

The player who is bowling will be blindfolded and will be placed at the line to bowl by one of the leaders.

Continue doing this process until each student has had two turns. The team with the most points wins the game!

OPTIONS

Spin the player around five times before they bowl.

Provide a 3rd turn but set up the pins differently for each student.

This makes it more difficult and the students love being surprised!

[End games]

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out our…

ONE YEAR CURRICULUM, VOL 3 – Save 78% on one year of NEW Bible studies and teaching curriculum for youth ministry.
youth group lesson bible study volume 3

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4 Replies to “3 THANKSGIVING GAMES FOR YOUTH MINISTRY”

  1. Cathy
    • November 1, 2022

    Thank you. I use these games and lessons for my Middle School Christian Club.

    Reply
  2. Donna Jones
    • November 1, 2022

    Thank you. I plan to use a e them at my family rathering.

    Reply
  3. Tina Postell
    • November 2, 2022

    Thank you 🙏 for the games. I will use them for the youth in the church. Also for our Thanksgiving gathering. Again thank you so much for the information.

    Reply
  4. Amberly Le
    • November 2, 2022

    Thank you so much for the games. I will use them for the youth in Sunday class.

    Reply

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