Last Updated on November 3, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team
Fun and engaging games for family, friends, and food-filled afternoons
Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey and pie—it’s about spending quality time with the people you love. And what better way to enjoy that time than by playing some great games? Whether you’re looking for laughs with a big group, quiet competition after the meal, or family-friendly entertainment that spans generations, there’s a perfect game for your Thanksgiving table.
Below are 21 of the best board and card games to play on thanksgiving, ranging from quick party games to strategic favorites.
Best Board and Card Games to Play on Thanksgiving
Party Games (Great for Big Groups)
1. Codenames
Codenames is an ideal game for large groups and teams. Players try to get their teammates to guess secret words using one-word clues. It’s fast, fun, and makes for plenty of “a-ha!” moments around the Thanksgiving table.
2. Just One
Just One is a cooperative word-guessing game where everyone writes down a clue—but duplicate clues get erased. It’s perfect for players of all ages and creates great laughs with minimal setup.
3. Wavelength
In Wavelength, players try to read each other’s minds by guessing where a hidden target lies on a spectrum. With its discussion-heavy format and team-based structure, Wavelength is a social winner on Thanksgiving.
4. Telestrations
Telestrations is like the telephone game meets Pictionary. Players alternate between drawing and guessing to hilarious effect. It’s perfect after a big meal when everyone is feeling a little goofy.
5. Herd Mentality
Herd Mentality is a light party game where the goal is to think like the group. If your answer is the odd one out, you get the dreaded pink cow token. It’s silly, quick, and perfect for families.
Strategy Games (For the Competitive Crowd)
6. Wingspan
Wingspan is a beautifully illustrated engine-building game about attracting birds to your wildlife preserve. Its relaxing pace and layered strategy make it great for gamers who want more depth without overwhelming complexity.
7. Ticket to Ride
In Ticket to Ride, players collect train cards to complete routes across a map. It’s easy to teach, engaging for all ages, and just competitive enough to stay exciting without causing family feuds.
8. Cascadia
Cascadia is a tile-laying and token-drafting game where players build out natural habitats. With peaceful gameplay and clever spatial strategy, it’s a thoughtful choice for Thanksgiving.
9. Carcassonne
Carcassonne lets players build a medieval landscape one tile at a time, claiming cities and roads with their meeples. It’s a modern classic that balances simplicity with just the right amount of strategy.
10. Azul
Azul is a tile-drafting and pattern-building game with gorgeous components. It’s abstract, elegant, and quick enough for a post-dinner play session.
Cooperative Games (Work Together, Not Against Each Other)
11. Forbidden Island
In Forbidden Island, players work together to collect treasures and escape a sinking island. It’s a fantastic cooperative game that builds tension and camaraderie.
12. The Crew: The Quest For Planet Nine
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea is a trick-taking cooperative card game where players must complete specific objectives without direct communication. It’s engaging and brainy, but still compact and accessible.
13. Mysterium
Mysterium is a deduction game where one player is a ghost giving visions to the rest of the group, who try to solve the mystery. It’s immersive and great for players who enjoy storytelling and visual clues.
14. Zombie Kidz Evolution
Zombie Kidz Evolution is a campaign-style cooperative game that grows in complexity as you play. It’s designed for kids but fun for adults too, making it a great family game on a holiday like Thanksgiving.
15. Hanabi
Hanabi flips traditional card games on their head: you hold your cards facing out so only others can see them. Work together to build fireworks in the correct order. It’s compact, clever, and cooperative.
Quick & Light Games (Play Between Courses)
16. Sushi Go!
Sushi Go! is a fast-paced card drafting game with adorable art and simple rules. Players pass hands of cards trying to create the best meal combinations. It’s quick, light, and highly replayable.
17. Llama Unleashed
Llama is a quirky shedding card game where the goal is to get rid of your cards while avoiding penalty points. It’s fast and funny, with just the right level of frustration.
18. Uno Flip
Uno Flip takes the classic Uno formula and adds a twist: a flip card changes all players’ hands and the rules in play. It keeps things fresh and chaotic in the best way.
19. Love Letter
Love Letter is a compact deduction game with only 16 cards but endless replayability. It’s quick, tense, and ideal for small groups who want a clever filler game.
20. Skull
Skull is a bluffing game about reading your opponents and daring them to make the wrong move. With simple rules and high stakes, it’s excellent for quick rounds with high laughs.
21. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a hilarious, fast-reaction slap game that turns chaotic in the best way possible. It’s perfect for getting everyone moving after the big meal.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re gathering with extended family or a few close friends, these are the best board and card games to play on Thanksgiving are ideal for creating memorable Thanksgiving moments. From party favorites to light strategy gems, there’s something here to fit every group and every mood.
Looking for something new this year? Try rotating through one game from each category throughout the day—and turn Thanksgiving into a day-long game night.
Bonus Thanksgiving Board Game Picks
- Cards Against Humanity – A classic raunchy party game that is sure to spice things up!
- Pictionary – A classic drawing game for family parties.
- Sequence – Combines cards and board play for a light strategy game.
- Clue – A great post-dinner deduction game for 3–6 players.
- Spot It! – Fast-paced pattern matching, great for younger kids and short attention spans.
