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Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

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Originally published October 17, 2019 and updated October 2021 and November 20, 2023 .

This Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt is a great way to keep younger and older children happy and occupied at Thanksgiving gatherings. The game is a free printable with four different game boards. You can even print it out at the last minute and start playing as soon as the boards print out.

4 images of Thanksgiving scavenger hunt game boards.

It can be difficult to keep children from getting bored and cranky at Thanksgiving gatherings, both before and after Thanksgiving dinner. You don’t have to just plop them in front of a screen when you plan a fun activity for before and after the Thanksgiving meal.

The reason for the Thanksgiving holiday is to practice gratitude and spend quality time building family traditions.

How about planning this engaging Thanksgiving game for kids to keep everyone happy and occupied?

It’s a fun idea for older kids, younger kids and the entire family. An-nnnd, it’s a fun Thanksgiving scavenger hunt for adults, too. This makes it a great activity for the entire family.

If you’re looking for more activities for kids and families on Thanksgiving, consider:

side view of cookies on wood table decorated to look like ears of Indian corn

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

Playing Thanksgiving family games like this Thanksgiving-themed game is a great way to encourage children to interact, think, play and have fun. And a secondary goal is to keep children from getting bored, whiny and being disruptive.

autumn colored Thanksgiving scavenger hunt game sheet with multiple themed images.

Thanksgiving Treasure Hunt Ideas

  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Cornucopia
  • Tablecloth
  • Corn
  • Pilgrim Hat
  • Candles
  • Pumpkin
  • Cookies
  • Winter Coat
  • Mini Pumpkins
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Stuffing
  • Turkey
  • Apple Pie
  • Gourd
  • Cranberries
  • Apples
  • Whipped Cream
  • Green Beans
  • Bread Rolls

You can also play the Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt like a Bingo game, with players finding items in a row or column.

Kids love playing scavenger hunts, so you may want to also print out copies of the Fall Scavenger Hunt. Having two themed  activities for the children will help keep everyone happy.

close up of 3 Thanksgiving themed game sheets

How to Print the Game Boards

To get the free Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt printable, you have two options:

1. Simply sign up for our free exclusive content below. You’ll receive immediate access to printable scavenger hunt pdf and will have access to all exclusive content on Organized 31.

2. If you’d prefer not to sign up with your email, you can pop over to my shop and purchase it via the button to the right.


Thanks for being an Organized 31 Exclusive subscriber! You have access to hundreds of free printables on the site when you log in. Here is your Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt printable pdf.

As a special opportunity for Organized 31 Exclusive subscribers, if you enjoy games, printable activities and other fun printables, you definitely want to check out this limited time low price offer on the Fun & Activities Vault filled with even more printable activities, including ones only available in the Vault and new ones added frequently.

collage of colorful printable game sheets

Print it on computer paper or card stock paper. I prefer to use card stock because it holds up to little hands and playing the game better than computer paper does.

You may want to print several extra copies in case one is torn or damaged.

Expert Tips for Printables

How do I print the pdf file?

When the pdf opens, you should see both a print and a download icon in the upper right corner. If you don’t see them, you can right click on the pdf and choose from the options there.

When to use the Thanksgiving game Sheets

  • Play the game to keep the kids busy while waiting for dinner.
  • Play the game after dinner to get the whole family moving.
  • Use the scavenger hunt as a way to break the ice and help kids to get comfortable with other guests they may not know.

Get your own copy of 58 pages of engaging Thanksgiving activities with the Thanksgiving Fun Printables Bundle for Thanksgiving fun now!

collage of colorful Thanksgiving themed activity sheets.
How do you do a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt?

Print out the free 4-page Thanksgiving hunt pdf available above. Print enough copies for as many players as you expect. Hint – print extras, just in case.
Establish Rule for the Game
– Set the location for playing the game.
– Are the children playing as individuals or as teams.
– If you have younger kids, consider pairing them with older children or an adult so that even young kids can play.
– Decide whetherl the players are to find every item on their game board or if they are to find as many as they can in an allotted time. You don’t have to set a time limit for the game if you’d rather keep kids of all ages engaged longer.
– Look over the list of items on the scavenger hunt boards. If you will not have all of them at your gathering, then have the children play the to find the most items they can.

What is a good prize for a scavenger hunt?

The 12 ideas below make great prizes because they focus on the fun of the game and the holiday. You want to be careful to keep the game and interaction with others the focus and not the prize. Make it about about the fun family activity not about an unnecessarily expensive prize.
– Bragging rights
Small candy treat
30 extra minutes of play time
– Homemade medal or winner ribbon
Art supplies
Fun pair of socks
– First turn at next game or other activity
– Stay up 30 minutes later before bedtime
– A book
– Family gift certificate, for example choose dinner or next family movie
Thanksgiving coloring book
– Autumn and Thanksgiving rock painting kit. Fun for all ages.

More Thanksgiving Printable Games

These are all free printables.

Thanksgiving Word Search – Free Thanksgiving Word Search printable with 3 different pages and 34 unique words. A fun learning activity to keep kids busy and happy.

close up of 3 Thanksgiving word search sheets.

Thanksgiving Trivia Questions – Make Thanksgiving fun and learn at the same time with these 36 free printable Thanksgiving trivia questions quiz cards, plus the answers.

top image - pumpkin and turkey with happy thanksgiving sign, bottom image 8 Thanksgiving Trivia question card sheets.

Free Thanksgiving Charades – 36 free Thanksgiving charades game cards you can print right away. An easy-to-play activity will be one of your favorite Thanksgiving games.

top image - Thanksgiving sign and pumpkins, bottom image - autumn colored multiple charades game cards.

You can find more holiday scavenger hunts for all the holidays in this collection of more than 25 scavenger hunt ideas.

It includes my free 8-page Christmas Scavenger Hunt with items on the list for both an inside and outside search.

collage of 6 different colorful scavenger hunt game boards.

More Thanksgiving Activities

Thanksgiving Craft with Clay Pots – An easy and fun Thanksgiving craft that is easy enough for kids and adorable enough to use as decorations and party favors.

crafted clay pot pumpkin with 2 crafted pilgrim hats in front.

DIY Thanksgiving Napkin Rings – Make your own DIY Thanksgiving Napkin Rings for holiday table décor. Fun and easy enough to make that you can make them with your children.

Close up of turkey napkin ring holder.

Thanksgiving Ideas for Busy People – Simple planning and organizing ideas along with easy crafts and recipes. Also includes free Thanksgiving themed printables. All designed to impress without taking too much time or money.

blocks spelling "thankful" and pumpkin on wood table.

Find all our Thanksgiving activities and games in the table below. You can scroll through the tutorials, click on the ones that interest you and be taken to the tutorial or printable to find just what you need to create your wonderful Thanksgiving.

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