The history of the Thanksgiving Festival is well known. The Pilgrims escaping persecution in Europe arrived in America in December of 1620 and must have felt their journey was not a wise one as their first winter resulted in the loss of nearly half their number. However, with the help of the Native Americans they made it through the next year with the added benefit of a bountiful harvest. This was more of a 'Harvest Festival' than what we now think of as the traditional Thanksgiving. This three day feast was not repeated the following year but in 1623, following the arrival of the rain after a crippling drought the Governor proclaimed another Day of Thanksgiving that was celebrated by both the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.

No further celebrations of this type were held until 1676 when a Day of Thanksgiving was declared in Massachusetts - but that was in June. Not til October 1777 did all the 'colonies' join in a single celebration. George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789 but there was much opposition and it was not until the success of Sara Hale's forty year campaign that President Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in 1863.

Every President following Lincoln proclaimed a Thanksgiving Holiday though the date did get changed, most notably by Franklin Roosevelt though he had to change it back again following public outcry. In 1941 the Thanksgiving Festival was finally sanctioned by Congress and set as the fourth Thursday in November.

I am thankful for my family, my friends, my health - so many things.


I'm thankful for...

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on all the things you appreciate and the things you are grateful for, so why not turn it into a game? You just may be surprised at your guests' different responses to what they are truly thankful for!

Birds of a Feather Family Ties

Every Thanksgiving, family members 'flock' home to be with their loved ones. Humans keep their family together in a clan, ants in a colony - but can you match other animals to their family name?

While you are waiting for the game to start why not fill some time with the kids bu playing Stadium match or Turkey Trivia or....


Stadium Match

Finally, something to do while waiting for the big game to start on Thanksgiving Day! Have them race to be the first to match up these NFL teams to the stadiums each team calls home.

Turkey Bowl

What's the number one sport viewed on Thanksgiving day? Football, of course! See who will be the first sports fan to match these NFL teams from the clues given.

Let's Talk Turkey Trivia

This isn't just for kids! Everyone will want to compete to answer these trivia questions about turkeys. See if your guests know the answers to these outlandish - and surprising - facts. Great for all ages! Two versions included.

It's always good to sit quiet for a while after a meal - keep the kids busy while take a little time out.


Thanksgiving Word Find

Word Find is always a crowd pleaser! Test your guests' speed in this classic word search game. Guests compete to be the first to find the hidden Thanksgiving words. Answer key included.

This & That Thanksgiving

You'll have to know a little history about Thanksgiving to compete with the rest of 'em. Get into the game and get matching tidbits of Thanksgiving info!

Thanksgiving Word Scramble

Better hope players paid attention during History class! These Thanksgiving words are all mixed up and players race to unscramble them! Younger kids might take more time, but rush the adults to unscramble in 60 seconds and see what kind of laughter you can make!

A real bargain - all these great games in one package!


Printable Thanksgiving Games

Our entire collection of 23 Thanksgiving & Harvest Printable Games is included in this collection! As many printouts of as many games as you want.

Games Include Birds of a Feather Family Ties, I'm Thankful For... Let's Talk Turkey Trivia, Turkey Bowl, Stadium Match, Thanksgiving Word Find, This and That Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Word Scramble, Shine On You Harvest Moon, Thanksgiving Bingo, Thanksgiving Picture Bingo, Harvest Picture Bingo, Harvest Rhyme TIme, It's All About the Harvest, Harvest Word Puzzle, Harvest Word Scramble, Finish My Phrase harvest Time, Harvest Bingo, Harvest Draw and Harvest Word Find.

I like this because you can have so many different games


Shine On You Harvest Moon

It's ok to hum along as you race to be the first to match song titles (all with word 'moon' in them) to the clues given! A second, more challenging game is included as well. Answer keys included.

Thanksgiving Bingo

Customize It! Now you can customize Thanksgiving Bingo with your family name, your class name, or even 'Happy Thanksgiving' and put in your own choice of items! Generator will scramble items for unique cards. Start printing as soon as you order! This is your classic Bingo game pre-filled with Thanksgiving items! With our Game Card Generator, you get a different Thanksgiving Bingo Card for each player- even if you have 200 players! Call Card included.

Thanksgiving Picture Bingo

Thanksgiving Bingo for all ages! Even little ones can join in on all the fun for this game because all the squares have pictures related to Thanksgiving. Call Card with pictures included.

It's all about giving thanks for the Harvest...


Harvest Picture Bingo

Harvest Picture Bingo is a great alternative to Halloween for the little ones! Even the smallest game players can join in on all the fun for this game because all the squares have pictures related to Harvest, Farming or Fall. Call Card with pictures included.

Harvest Rhyme Time

It's all about the harvest! Who can boast they are the fastest to complete this rhyming game? Find out as players race to be the first to match all of these harvest related words to the word it rhymes with. Answer key included.

It's all about the Harvest

There's a lot going on at harvest time on a farm! In this challenging game, players race to match up things having to do with harvesting or farming from the clues given. Answer key included.

This is not as easy as it sounds!


Harvest Word Puzzle

Your guests will enjoy this challenging and thought-provoking word game! They race to find the one word that will result in two distinct items or phrases associated with harvest.

Harvest Word Scramble

These Fall and Harvest words are all mixed up. Watch players race to be the first to unscramble them! Younger kids might take more time, but rush the adults to unscramble in 60 seconds and see what kind of laughter you can make!

Finish My Phrase Harvest Time

Who is the best mind reader? Find out as players try to finish the host's phrase! Try not to laugh out loud as you see players straining to try and read your mind! What would you say to complete the word hay ____? Hayloft, hayseed or even haystack! Suggested answers included.

There are so many games to choose from but I do have a sneaky preference for the word scrambles, and I like bingo, and drawing games are fun too....


Harvest Bingo

Perfect for a Harvest Party! This Bingo Game includes Harvest items. And with our Game Card Generator, you get a different Harvest Bingo Card for each guest - even if you have 200 players! Personalize It! Now you can customize Halloween Bingo with your own choice of Halloween words! Generator will scramble items for unique cards.

Harvest Draw

Not just for kids! Everyone can have fun trying to draw a pumpkin - blindfolded! In fact, it doesn't have to be a pumpkin at all%u2026let the moderator decide what to draw as they say things like, "draw a big circle" and "now put a triangle in the middle". The results are laughable!

Harvest Word Find

Players have fun searching for 20 Harvest related words in this party puzzle.