Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of a Thanksgiving day dinner. Sometimes it’s not always apparent when kids are invited or if they’re going somewhere else this season. That’s what this article is for, the people who realized children were coming over just a bit later that originally intended. Here are some DIY ideas for on the fly fun and games. Time to work up an appetite for that turkey!
Turkey Bowling
More fun than a turkey shoot. Dress up a few plastic cups like turkeys and let the kids at them. Paint red Solo cups brown and stick some googly eyes on them. Then create a feather tail or crown using the other cut up plastic cups. Add on a nose or beak for good measure and viola, an affordable and fun activity is born. Feel free to use a little pumpkin for a bowling ball. Or if you’re the more daring type, a frozen turkey. Whatever is best suitable for your guests. Alternate bowling pins include:
- Tin cans
- Paper cups
- Painted pins
- Construction turkeys
- Soda bottles
- Wood crafted units
- Play-doh
- Salt and pepper shakers
Pumpkin Twister
Here’s a seasonal spin on a classic game. Replace the mat with pumpkins and the bright colors with seasonal fall colors. You can even arrange the spaces on the mat to resemble sort of a pumpkin design should you want to go the full monty. The rules remain the same. Call out a limb and a color and see where the fun takes you. Once the kids bind themselves into a knot, they’ll be nice and tired for a calm and relaxing family dinner. Otherwise consider on of the many ideas below:
Thanksgiving Bingo
"People ask me if there are going to be stories of Harry Potter as an adult. Frankly, if I wanted to, I could keep writing stories until Harry is a senior citizen, but I don't know how many people would actually want to read about a 65 year old Harry still at Hogwarts playing bingo with Ron and Hermione." -J.K. Rowling
Play this board game using candy and symbols rather than chips and numbers. Same rules apply, except that now it’s through a fun Thanksgiving lense that anyone can enjoy. Once someone gets a full “Bingo,” feel free to gobble like a turkey in victory. The first prize is being able to eat all the candy on your board.
So go crazy with the many amusing activities of Thanksgiving that can be done on a moment’s notice. Just because it is last minute doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining and fun for the kids. With DIY Thanksgiving games there’s no limit to the possibilities that you can have.
