12 Best Thanksgiving Team Building Activities for Teams

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and togetherness, so why not bring that spirit to work? A great way to get teams to enjoy meaningful moments while celebrating the holiday is through fun and engaging Thanksgiving team building activities.

In this blog, we’ve gathered creative holiday activities, games, and gratitude experiences to bring holiday fun and connection to your team. Whether remote, hybrid, or in-office, there are plenty of ways to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Dive into:

Benefits of hosting Thanksgiving team building activities
Top virtual Thanksgiving activities for team building
Best in-person Thanksgiving office team building activities
Creative game, craft, and culinary experiences

Table of Contents

Are Thanksgiving Team Building Activities a Great Idea?

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, making it the ideal moment to strengthen team connections and recognize your colleagues’ efforts. Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or in-office, Thanksgiving team building activities provide a fun break from the usual Q4 deadlines and targets.

From interactive games and virtual happy hours to cooking or tasting, Thanksgiving team building activities help global teams come together, learn about traditions outside of their culture, and feel included. Additionally, these activities let you show appreciation, reflect on the year’s achievements, and create a sense of togetherness.

Virtual Thanksgiving Team Building Activities

Just because your team is remote or hybrid doesn’t mean they have to miss out on Thanksgiving team-building fun. Here are some fantastic ideas to bring the holiday spirit and a little friendly competition straight to your screens.

1. Crack Thanksgiving Trivia

A good round of pub-style trivia is an energetic way to put your team into a festive battle of wits. Challenge your team’s knowledge with fun categories like holiday history, traditions, parades, cuisine, and pop culture. You can use your newfound wits to impress your guests or create a fun Thanksgiving trivia game to see who really knows their stuff. (P.S. When you feel the trivia runs dry, keep the fun rolling with hilarious Thanksgiving tidbits or holiday playlists.)

👉 We’ve cooked up 150 Thanksgiving trivia questions and answers that cover everything from the holiday’s history to its significance in pop culture.

2. Scavenge for Turkey Day Items

As part of fun Thanksgiving team building activities, get your team to scout around their home offices or office premises to hunt for holiday-inspired items. Kick-start with a list of Thanksgiving-themed items and share it with teams. The list can include items like a fall-colored leaf, a wishbone-shaped item, a pumpkin, or a turkey figurine. To elevate the experience, add riddles and puzzles to the list, allowing players to decode the messages and find hidden items. When time is up, bring everyone together to display the items they’ve gathered and announce the winner.

Here is a list for Thanksgiving scavenger hunt game:

Why your team will 🧡it: The scavenger hunt is a great chance for teams to hone their problem-solving and creative thinking skills.

3. Decorate Festive Desserts

Desserts are a staple of any holiday season, and decorating them yourself makes for a fun and festive addition to Thanksgiving team building activities. Teams can get creative with cookies, cupcakes, or even pies, adding swirls of frosting, festive sprinkles, or clever designs. Just make sure kits are delivered in advance, or have your team source their own supplies.

We recently tried a Hooray Teams cookie decorating, and it couldn’t have been easier. A professional artist helped us to paint cookies with fun designs like goofy pumpkin faces, maple leaves, or pinecones. The pre-delivered kits made everything extra convenient, eliminating the need for last-minute shopping or scrambling for supplies. And, of course, we couldn’t resist adding some fun titles like ‘Most Creative Cookie’, ‘Pinterest-Perfect Design’, and ‘Cutest Cookie’.

Why your team will 🧡it: Dessert decorating sessions are a great creative outlet for teams looking for something low-key and more hands-on.

4. Face-Off in Friendly Feud

Surely, many of us have laughed out loud at those hilarious Thanksgiving episodes of Family Feud with Steve Harvey. Bringing that same excitement to the workplace, an office spin on Family Feud makes for one of the best Thanksgiving team building activities. You and your team will compete to answer Thanksgiving-themed questions from popular Thanksgiving food and drinks to holiday traditions and more. Have an energetic host take you through around five rounds of survey-based questions, which will require you to intuit your answer. Match the top responses of the survey-based questions to earn the highest points.

Set up a fun Thanksgiving Coworker Feud with following questions:

Name a beverage commonly served at Thanksgiving
Name a popular Thanksgiving Day movie or TV special
What is a popular Thanksgiving activity? (besides dinner)
Name a type of turkey preparation or style.
What is the most famous Thanksgiving parade?
Where do people like to shop on Black Friday?

Why your team will 🧡it: Thanksgiving Family Feud is great for friendly competition, teamwork, and critical thinking.

5. Craft a Holiday Decor

One of the best creative Thanksgiving team building activities to get into the seasonal spirit is festive-themed crafts. With a bit of creativity (and help from a professional artist), you can craft one-of-a-kind masterpieces that feature the colors, textures, and themes of fall and Thanksgiving. These handmade creations can double as stylish seasonal décor for your office or home, or even be shared as thoughtful gifts for loved ones.

Here are some of our favorite Thanksgiving craft ideas:

Festive Wreaths: Design a beautiful fall wreath using autumn leaves, berries, and ribbons that can brighten up your front door or office wall.

Fall Wall Decor: Create seasonal wall hangings with earthy tones, wooden fall frames, or painted canvases that showcase the cozy vibe of fall.

Pumpkin Flower Vase: Transform a mini pumpkin into a stylish vase by filling it with assorted succulents or small flowers.

Why your team will 🧡it: Craft activities allow teams to express themselves creatively, reduce stress, and make some DIY decor for their home offices.

6. Throw a Friendsgiving Cocktail Party

A Friendsgiving cocktail party is a fun and relaxed way to appreciate and share gratitude with your team. You can keep it simple with a casual chat or plan some engaging team building games like icebreakers or trivia to keep the momentum high. For an elevated experience, invite a professional mixologist to host a guided cocktail-making session. With step-by-step instructions, your team can learn how to shake, stir, and garnish like pros while bonding over shared laughs and sips.

Some fun festive-themed drink suggestions are:

Cranberry Mule – Classic Moscow Mule with cranberry juice, lime, and ginger beer
Apple Cider Sangria – A refreshing mix of crisp apple cider, white wine, and seasonal fruits.
Maple Bourbon Smash – Sweetened with maple syrup and paired with fresh lemon and mint
Spiced Hot Toddy – A warm and comforting option featuring cinnamon, cloves, and honey.

Why your team will 🧡it: Team members will learn or enhance their bartending skills. This activity is also perfect for boosting social connections and team building.

We’ve got plenty more in store, head over to our article on virtual Thanksgiving team building ideas for more ideas your team will enjoy.

In-Office Thanksgiving Team Building Activities

From traditional activities to ones that will get everyone moving, this lineup of Thanksgiving team building activities for work is sure to bring tons of excitement.

7. Play a Round of Gratitude Bingo

Want no-fuss team building activities for Thanksgiving? A classic game of Bingo with a festive twist hits the mark every time. Create Thanksgiving-themed Bingo cards with thoughtful gratitude prompts that encourage reflection and gratitude. As the caller announces the prompts, players mark their cards and complete a row, column, or diagonal. The first one to do so shouts “Bingo!” and earns a small Thanksgiving-themed prize (or simply the joy of winning!)

We have made a ready-to-play card for you to use, and yes, feel free to add your own clues.

Why your team will 🧡it: Bingo is an inclusive choice for team building and social interaction.

8. Run a Turkey Trot

Turkey Trot is a longstanding festive tradition that can be adapted for Thanksgiving team building activities. This marathon-style event, usually organized as a run or walk, is a fun way to encourage employees to stay active and fit while celebrating the holiday together. You can host it in your office parking lot, a nearby park, or along local streets depending on your team size. Distances often vary, ranging from a short 5K to longer runs, so participants of all fitness levels can join in.

To add to the festive spirit, many entrants dress up in turkey or gobbler costumes, wear autumn-themed attire, or simply bundle up against the fall weather. After the run, be sure to provide seasonal-themed refreshments, such as hot chocolate, coffee, and snacks. Spice things up with prizes for top finishers, best-dressed participants, or raise funds for a local cause.

Why your team will 🧡it: Turkey Trots are great for community building and fitness.

9. Compete in a Festive Cook-Off

For a celebration like this centered around food, a cook-off is one of the obvious but crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving teambuilding activities. Teams can participate either individually or in groups (newbies, this is for you). Using a sign-up sheet can help avoid duplicate dishes and ensure a diverse spread. Decide on categories for the dishes, such as a classic roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin or pecan pie for desserts.

A host or moderator can take on the role of judge, awarding prizes for everything from “Most Instagrammable Dish” to “Creative Dish” or even “Mystery Flavor Winner”. Once the cooking is done, everyone can enjoy a potluck-style feast, sharing experiences and maybe a few hilarious kitchen mishaps along the way. And of course, don’t forget to capture plenty of Instagram-worthy moments!

Why your team will 🧡it: Teams get to share recipes, explore each other’s culinary traditions, and bond over delicious creations.

10. Score Big in a Flag Football

Flag, a non-contact sport version of American football, is an inclusive option for your Thanksgiving team building games. Instead of tackling players to the ground, defenders pull a flag (usually attached to a belt) from the ball carrier to end a play. Teams advance the ball into the opposing end zone using passing and running plays, while defenders attempt to strip the ball from the ball carrier.

Flag football can be played almost anywhere there’s space for a field, like office parking lots, local parks, sports grounds, or even large backyards. All you need is a flat surface, a set of flags, and a ball to get started. And to make the game even more exciting, crown the champions with fun awards.

Why your team will 🧡it: Flag football is ideal for physical activity, team building and stress relief for your team.

11. Paint Fall Masterpieces

A paint party offers the perfect mix of social bonding and artistic expression for your team this Thanksgiving. Encourage participants to experiment with simple fall-inspired paintings, like maple leaves, autumn forest, pumpkin patch or Jack-o-Lanterns. To take things up a notch, serve Spiced Cranberry Mule, Apple Cider Sangria, or non-alcoholic mojitos or tea. Ensure that every participant has a ready-to-use paint kit, stocked with an easel, brushes, paints, and a canvas.

Choose a space that’s comfortable and conducive to creativity; your conference room can work perfectly, or you could hire a dedicated studio or art space. To make the session smooth, it’s a great idea to bring in a professional artist to guide everyone step by step. By the end of the session, each participant will have a keepsake that can be displayed in their home, office, or even gifted to loved ones.

Why your team will 🧡it: Great for stress relief, social connection and sparking creativity.

12. Organize a Charity Fundraiser

Organizing a fundraiser with your team is one of the best Thanksgiving team building activities to show gratitude. You can also host big-scale events like a parade, a fair or a concert. These events will draw in community, attract sponsors, and amplify your fundraising efforts. You could include local vendors, entertainment, and activities for all ages, turning the event into a vibrant celebration.

At the end of the fundraiser, thank participants and donors, sharing the total raised and its impact. Create a visual presentation or a heartfelt speech to spotlight causes or beneficiaries that will benefit from the funds raised.

Why your team will 🧡it: It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community as a team while reinforcing bonds.

Bonus Thanksgiving Icebreaker Games for Work

Ask Icebreaker Questions

Icebreaker questions help break down any barriers between team members of diverse backgrounds and experiences. These lighthearted prompts help team members open up, get to know each other’s favorite holiday traditions, and build connections beyond work. A few examples to try:

What’s your all-time favorite Thanksgiving dish, and why?
If you could spend Thanksgiving anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What’s one thing you’re especially grateful for this year?
What’s the most memorable Thanksgiving moment you’ve experienced?
What’s one Thanksgiving tradition you never skip?

Never have I ever burned (or nearly burned) a Thanksgiving dish
Never have I ever hosted Thanksgiving at my home
Never have I ever shopped Black Friday sales
Never have I ever eaten dessert before the main meal
Never have I ever skipped Thanksgiving dinner altogether
Never have I ever watched a football game on Thanksgiving

Would you rather do the cooking or the dishes?
Would you rather have no dessert on Thanksgiving or no turkey?
Would you rather eat pumpkin pie or apple pie for the rest of your life?
Would you rather watch the Macy’s parade or NFL football games?
Would you rather shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Swap Holiday Recipes

While these may not be traditional Thanksgiving icebreaker games, this one adds a personal and interactive touch to the festivities. Share Thanksgiving recipes and the stories behind them with your team members. It’s a great way to explore new dishes and bond through food.

Turkey Talk

Choose a Thanksgiving-themed topic such as “Favorite Foods,” “Family Traditions,” or “Funny Holiday Moments.” Each participant gets 10 seconds to share something related to the topic. If someone repeats an answer or runs out of time, they’re out until the next round. Keep the energy up by changing topics every few minutes.

Guess the Emoji

Ask participants to describe their Thanksgiving plans or favorite dish using only emojis. Others in the team need to guess what they represent. Some fun examples could be –

• 🦃🍽️🥧 (Turkey, dinner, and pie – Traditional Thanksgiving meal)
• 🍴🍷🎉 (Dinner, wine, and a celebration – A fun Thanksgiving party)
• 🥧🍏🎉 (Apple pie, celebration – A classic holiday dessert)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are some virtual Thanksgiving games for work?

Some of the virtual Thanksgiving games for work include Thanksgiving trivia quiz, scavenger hunt, Thanksgiving Pictionary or Two Truths and a Lie.

How to play Thanksgiving games virtually?

For playing Thanksgiving games virtually, select a video conferencing platform that suits your team’s size. Create a list of Thanksgiving themed team building activities and games like trivia, bingo, cookie decorating, or cocktail mixing. Send out meeting invites with all the necessary details and assign a host to lead the event. Alternatively, opt for virtual team building platforms like Hooray Teams to enjoy a fully hosted experience with kits delivered in advance.

What are some fun virtual Thanksgiving activities for team building?

Some fun virtual Thanksgiving team building ideas include classics like Bingo, Pictionary and Scavenger Hunt.

Which Thanksgiving games and activities are ideal for big and small teams?

Virtual Thanksgiving team building activities like Pictionary, trivia, family feud and turkey trot are perfect for big teams. Meanwhile, Thanksgiving virtual team activities like flag football and team cook-offs are ideal for small teams.

12 Thanksgiving Team Building Activities Your Workplace Will Love (+ Bonus Tips)