Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you have teenagers at home, you might be wondering how to keep them engaged and excited during the holiday season.

Fear not! I've got some fantastic Thanksgiving activities that will bring laughter, bonding, and a little bit of education to your celebrations. Let's make this Thanksgiving unforgettable for your teens with simple, fun activities they'll love.

Fun Thanksgiving Activities

Here are some fun things to do this Thanksgiving that your teen will love.

Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off

What's Thanksgiving without a scrumptious pumpkin pie? Turn your kitchen into a battlefield by hosting a Pumpkin Pie Bake-Off! Divide your teenagers into teams, provide them with pie ingredients, and see who can create the tastiest pie.

Don't forget to be the judge, or let the whole family vote for the winner. The best part? You get to enjoy all the delicious pies afterward.

Gratitude Journaling

Thanksgiving is all about being thankful, so encourage your teens to start a gratitude journal. Provide them with journals, colorful pens, and stickers to make it fun.

Set aside some time before or after your Thanksgiving meal for everyone to share what they're grateful for. Or turn it into a fun Thanksgiving Gratitude Scavenger Hunt. This is a great way to instill a sense of appreciation and create lasting memories.

Turkey Trot

Get everyone moving and burning off some of those Thanksgiving calories by organizing a family Turkey Trot! Go for a brisk walk or run in your local park or neighborhood.

You can even make it a friendly competition, complete with turkey-themed medals for the winners. It's a great way to promote a healthy and active lifestyle while having a blast.

Thanksgiving Games

How about playing some Thanksgiving family games. A favorite in our household is trivia. This Thanksgiving Themed Family Feud game is ideal for all ages and so much fun. 

Thanksgiving Craft Bonanza

Unleash your teens' creativity by setting up a craft station with supplies for making Thanksgiving-themed decorations. You can create place cards, table centerpieces, or even hand-painted pumpkins.

Don't forget to display their masterpieces on the Thanksgiving table for everyone to admire. Crafting is not only fun but also helps your teens express themselves.

Movie Marathon

Host a Thanksgiving movie marathon with some classic holiday films. Pop some popcorn, make hot cocoa, and settle in for a cozy movie night. Consider watching family favorites like "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles," "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," or "Home Alone." It's an excellent way to relax and bond with your teenagers.

Outdoor Adventure

If the weather is nice, plan an outdoor adventure like a hike, nature walk, or a game of touch football. Spending time in nature and being active is a wonderful way to connect as a family and appreciate the beauty of the world around you. Don't forget to bring some snacks and enjoy a picnic together.

Thanksgiving Karaoke

Turn your living room into a karaoke stage and have a Thanksgiving-themed karaoke session. Create a playlist of songs related to gratitude, family, and thankfulness. Teens can take turns singing their hearts out, and you might discover some hidden singing talents among them.

DIY Table Decorations

Encourage your teenagers to get crafty and put them in charge of the Thanksgiving table. They can make personalized place cards, centerpieces, or even design the table setting. It's an opportunity for them to express their artistic side and contribute to the holiday atmosphere.

Random Acts of Kindness Tradition

Start a new tradition and encourage your teens to spread kindness by creating a list of random acts of kindness to complete during the Thanksgiving season. Acts could include leaving anonymous positive notes for classmates, helping a neighbor, or donating to a local charity.

Family Games Night Challenge

Organize a friendly board game competition. Let your teenagers pick their favorite games and set up a tournament. Whether it's classic board games or new ones, this is a great way to bond as a family and have loads of fun.

Create a Holiday Playlist

Have your teens create a Thanksgiving-themed playlist with their favorite songs and share it with the family. It's a fantastic way to set the mood for the holiday and get everyone in the festive spirit.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Plan a Thanksgiving-themed photo scavenger hunt or selfie scavenger hunt. Create a list of items or scenarios for them to photograph, such as "a fall leaf," "a family member wearing a turkey hat," or "a Thanksgiving decoration." You can even turn it into a friendly competition with prizes for the most creative photos.

Friendsgiving Party with Leftovers

Teens can host their own "Friendsgiving" party using Thanksgiving leftovers. They can get creative with making new dishes or coming up with unique ways to enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving food in a different form. It's a fun and delicious way for them to celebrate with friends.

Minute to Win It Thanksgiving Competition

Keep the holiday spirit going with Thanksgiving themed Minute to Win It games tailored to the holiday. Ideas could include;

• "Turkey Trot" race, where participants have to waddle like a turkey
• Stuff the Turkey: Gather a pile of craft feathers and some cups. Set up a "turkey" by stacking cups in a pyramid shape, with the top cup holding a turkey decoration or feather. Participants have one minute to use a balloon to blow air and launch the feathers into the cups, trying to "stuff the turkey" by landing as many feathers as they can.
• Corn on the Cob Challenge: Provide participants with corn on the cob on a plate.The goal is to see who can eat their corn the fastest. The catch is that they can not use their hands! Make sure to have plenty of napkins on hand for this messy, fun challenge.
• Apple Stack: In this game, contestants must stack apples to form a tall tower. Set a timer for one minute and see who can build the highest apple stack without dropping it.
• Acorn Toss:Gather some acorns or small decorative pumpkins and a plastic spoon for each participant. Set up a target area (a basket or a hoop) at varying distances and have players take turns trying to toss their acorns into the target. Award points for different target zones and declare a winner at the end of one minute.

Outdoor Sports

Weather permitting, organize outdoor sports and games like flag football, soccer, or a friendly game of capture the flag. Active teens will appreciate the opportunity to burn off energy while spending quality time with the family.

Pumpkin Decorating

Pumpkin decorating is a fun and creative Fall activity for teenagers. They can paint pumpkins or transform them with cutout images.

Sharpie markers are perfect for precise artwork, while glitter and materials like leaves and twigs can add a unique touch. Chalkboard paint offers an interactive canvas for drawing and erasing designs.

Encourage your teens to express their creativity and create one-of-a-kind pumpkin decorations that reflect their personalities and artistic talents.

As a mom,I always try to make the holiday enjoyable and engaging for my teenagers. So I encourage you to try these simple and fun activities to ensure your teen has a fantastic Thanksgiving celebration.

 Have a happy and memorable Thanksgiving!