Thanksgiving is the perfect time to slow down, focus on gratitude, and create lasting memories with your family. Beyond the delicious food and festive decorations, it’s an opportunity to connect with loved ones, share stories, and teach children the importance of thankfulness. Starting small traditions each year can make the holiday more meaningful, foster family bonds, and give everyone something special to look forward to each November. Whether you’re new to Thanksgiving or want to add fresh ideas to your celebrations, these 25 traditions will inspire fun, togetherness, and gratitude.
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Gratitude-Focused Traditions
Encouraging thankfulness is the heart of Thanksgiving. These traditions help your family reflect on what they’re grateful for while creating meaningful memories.
Thankful Tree
Add a leaf to a paper tree each day in November with something you’re grateful for. By Thanksgiving, the tree is full of family blessings. Download a free one, here.
Gratitude Jar
Everyone writes something they’re thankful for on a slip of paper. Collect them throughout the month, then read them aloud around the Thanksgiving table, or before dessert for a heartwarming moment. Here’s how to make a great gratitude jar. You can also make a gratitude chain.
Tablecloth of Thanks
Use a plain tablecloth each year where family members write what they’re grateful for with fabric markers. You could also use butcher paper and use markers or paint markers.
Photo of Gratitude
Take a yearly family picture holding signs of what each person is thankful for.
Pass the Thankful Plate
A special plate is passed around the table; whoever holds it shares one thing they’re grateful for.
Food & Kitchen Traditions
Cooking and sharing food brings families together. These traditions turn meal prep into bonding experiences and create memories that last.
Family Recipe Day
Cook one special recipe that has been passed down through generations.
New Dish Tradition
Try one brand-new recipe each Thanksgiving to keep things fresh and fun. Here is a list of some fun Thanksgiving dishes, unique too!
Kids Cook Too
Assign one dish for the kids to make each year—they’ll love having ownership of a meal.
Secret Ingredient Challenge
Each family member adds a mystery dish to the table, and everyone guesses what’s in it.
Pie Bake-Off
Everyone bakes or decorates a pie, then votes for the most creative or delicious one.
Fun & Games Traditions
Thanksgiving isn’t just about food—it’s also about laughter and fun. These activities keep kids and adults entertained while building family connections.
Turkey Trot
Join a community race or have a family walk/run together on Thanksgiving morning.
Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Hide themed items or clues around the house for kids to find. Download this fun Turkey Scavenger Hunt.
Turkey Bowl Football Game
Play a backyard football game—or balloon volleyball indoors—for a fun post-dinner activity.
Thanksgiving Game Night
After dinner, enjoy themed games like Thanksgiving Pictionary or Thanksgiving Taboo. Find even more Thanksgiving fun games, here.
Puzzle Tradition
Start a fall-themed puzzle on Thanksgiving and finish it together as a family.
Dinner Table Crafts
Set up a kids placemat for during dinner or have a craft table for kids. They can make a turkey headband (free template), or a coffee filter turkey (free template).
Also check out these family reunion placemat activity sheets that are customizable to your family.
Memory-Making Traditions
Creating and preserving memories is a wonderful way to celebrate Thanksgiving. These traditions encourage storytelling, reflection, and togetherness.
Family Talent Show
Everyone shares a song, joke, or skit for some laughter and fun memories.
Annual Family Photo
Take the same group picture in the same spot every year to watch your family grow.
Thanksgiving Parade
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade together, or see if your community is doing a local parade.
Storytelling Hour
Share family stories, especially about Thanksgivings past, to pass on memories.
Time Capsule
Each year, write a note about life right now and save it in a Thanksgiving box to open years later.
Video Messages
Record short clips of each family member sharing gratitude to enjoy in the future.
Giving Back Traditions
Thanksgiving is a time to remember those less fortunate. These giving-back traditions teach children generosity and foster a spirit of gratitude.
Food Bank Donations
Collect items as a family to donate before the big meal to help those in need.
Thanksgiving Morning Service Project
Serve at a soup kitchen or deliver meals to neighbors together.
Acts of Kindness Challenge
Each family member shares one way they’ve served someone in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
Invite Someone New
Open your home to a neighbor, friend, or someone without family nearby.
Gratitude Cards
Write thank-you notes to teachers, friends, or community helpers to spread holiday cheer. You could also do a Gratitude challenge. (free printable).
Thanksgiving Traditions
Starting even just one of these Thanksgiving traditions can make your holiday more meaningful, memorable, and fun. Traditions don’t have to be complicated or expensive—they can be as simple as sharing what you’re thankful for, baking a favorite recipe, or playing a game together. The key is consistency: by repeating them each year, these small moments become cherished memories.
Incorporating gratitude, laughter, and giving back into your celebrations can turn an ordinary holiday into an extraordinary one that your family looks forward to year after year. Pick a few traditions, start small, and watch how these simple rituals bring joy, connection, and warmth to your Thanksgiving table.
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