Create more fun on purpose this year with this printable Thanksgiving Scattergories game. The game has 10 different game pages featuring 5-letter Thanksgiving-themed words. Read on to learn some great tips to make the game more challenging and get the most out of your Thanksgiving celebrations!
Looking for a fun and entertaining Thanksgiving? Let me introduce you to Thanksgiving Scattergories, a game that adds a twist to your holiday gathering. With 10 pages of Thanksgiving-themed categories featuring 5-letter words, this game is designed to keep everyone entertained and in the holiday spirit.
Your goal is simple... fill in the blanks with words that begin with each letter. Be creative! Whoever gets the most words wins the game!
Whether you're hosting a large family gathering or a cozy dinner with close friends, Thanksgiving Scattergories is easy to print, and you can play within minutes.
The game can be played individually or in teams. Here’s a quick rundown to get you started:
Choose and print out one or more of the 10 game sheets. Give each player (or team) a sheet of paper and a pencil.
Players will have a set amount of time (usually 2-3 minutes) to come up with a word that starts with each letter on the game page. For example, if the word is "FEAST," they could write "Fudge" for F, "Eggnog" for E, and so on. Write down the 10 Thanksgiving-related words (one word per line) on each sheet.
An optional rule you can mention is - if two players or teams have the same word, it doesn't count, and they must cross it off. See scoring below.
If you have a larger group, divide everyone into smaller teams. Each team will work together to come up with their answers.
You can just start with the first one on the game page you pick or to make it all more challenging you can use a letter die or draw letters randomly from a hat to decide which letter all your answers must start with for each round. To see what I mean by those ideas just click on the links.
Set a timer for each round (3 minutes!). Players or teams will race against the clock to fill in as many words as they can.
As you think of your answers, they write them down on the game sheet.
When time’s up, compare answers with the other players. Award 1 point for each unique word. If someone else has the same answer, it doesn’t count.
You can play this in rounds and announce the winner of each round. Or you can just keep going and the player with the most points at the end of all rounds wins.
Play multiple rounds with different letters. Keep reading to learn some tips to keep this more engaging and challenging.
Have Fun! Encourage creativity and enjoy the variety of words everyone comes up with. It’s all about having fun and celebrating Thanksgiving together!
Want to ramp up the fun and test your group’s creativity? Here are some tips to make Thanksgiving Scattergories even more exciting:
Example Numbering System for the THANKS Page
Let's say you're using the THANKS game page, and it has 10 lines underneath each letter for players to fill in their answers. Here’s how you can create a numbering system to add a fun twist:
1. Assign Numbers to Each Letter
2. Create a Numbered List for Each Letter
On your games page, for each letter, write the numbers 1 through 10 beside the blank lines. This will guide players on how to fill in their answers.
T (1)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
3. Determine Which Letter to Use
Roll a die or draw a number (hat!) to decide which letter and corresponding list you will use for that round. For example, if you roll a 3, you’ll use the "A" list.
4. Play the Game
Players will now fill in their answers for the chosen letter, adding an extra element of surprise and strategy to each round.
Here’s a little twist to make this Scattergories game a fun brain exercise! I’ve got some tips for you to really challenge your mind:
Instead of writing with your usual hand, try using your non-dominant one. If you're right-handed, switch to your left, and vice versa. It might feel awkward at first, but that’s part of the challenge. It forces your brain to work differently, which is great for mental agility.
When you switch hands, you’ll naturally slow down, which can help you think more deliberately about your answers. Plus, it can be hilarious to see everyone’s handwriting!
The more you practice using your non-dominant hand, the better you’ll get at it. Over time, you might even notice improvement in your ability to focus and think creatively.
Don’t take it too seriously! The whole point is to have fun and maybe get a few giggles out of the experience. It’s all about challenging yourself in a new way while enjoying the game.
Give it a try, and I bet you’ll find it adds an extra layer of fun and brain-boosting benefits to your Thanksgiving game.
MORE POPULAR THANKSGIVING GAMES
Thanksgiving Scattergories is more than just a game; it’s a festive way to bring everyone together and spark some friendly competition. You can play solo too for sure. It's a great way to keep your mind agile. With 10 themed pages you have 10 different games. So, whether you’re playing with family, friends, or a mix of both, this game will add a touch of creativity and excitement to your Thanksgiving celebration.
So, grab your game pages, roll that letter die, and get ready for a memorable game night!
Happy Thanksgiving!