Fun Thanksgiving Party Game For Families or Friendsgiving
You know that moment when you’re halfway through mashing potatoes, your turkey timer is beeping, and suddenly someone (probably a small human) says, “I’m bored.”
Yeah… that’s the real Thanksgiving chaos. Between cooking, cleaning, and trying to keep everyone entertained, it’s basically a holiday marathon (minus the medal at the end).
That’s exactly why I fell in love with easy, no-fuss games that bring everyone together without adding another thing to your to-do list. Enter: the Thanksgiving Taboo Game.
A hilarious, fast-paced word game that’s perfect for after dinner (or while you’re waiting for that one side dish that refuses to cook on time).
This Thanksgiving Taboo cards printable is the ultimate solution for Thanksgiving games for family fun, friendsgiving game ideas, or even group games for Thanksgiving at school or church or even work.
It’s the kind of DIY Thanksgiving game that takes very little prep, guarantees laughs, and just might become your new favorite Thanksgiving party game tradition.
Keep reading, because I’ll show you exactly how to play, who can join in, and why this printable game might just save your Thanksgiving sanity.
What is The Thanksgiving Taboo Game?
So what is the Thanksgiving Taboo Game, exactly?
Think of it like charades’ chatty cousin, the one who can’t stop talking but has to very carefully watch what they say.
It’s a word-guessing game where one player gives clues to get their team to guess a specific Thanksgiving-themed word… without using a short list of “taboo” or forbidden words listed on the card.
For example, if the word is Turkey, you might not be allowed to say “bird,” “gobble,” or “stuffing.” So instead, you’re left saying things like, “The main event on your plate,” while your team frantically yells out guesses between fits of laughter.
It’s fast-paced, silly, and surprisingly competitive (Uncle Bob will absolutely take this way too seriously).
The best part?
My Thanksgiving Taboo cards printable is ready to go, just print, cut, and play.
No complicated setup, no store run, no crying over burnt rolls while you try to make up rules on the fly.
It’s one of those DIY Thanksgiving games that keeps everyone, from Grandma to the kids’ table, happily entertained while you sneak a few quiet minutes with your pie.
Why We LOVE Thanksgiving Taboo
Why do we love this game so much?
Because it checks all the boxes for a stress-free holiday win.
It’s fun, fast, and flexible; you can play it with just a few people or a whole house full of relatives and random plus-ones.
It doesn’t require any setup (just your Thanksgiving Taboo cards printable and a timer), and it instantly turns post-dinner sluggishness into fits of laughter.
It’s also one of those Thanksgiving games for family fun that actually works for all ages.
The kids love shouting out wild guesses, the adults get competitive in the best way, and everyone forgets for a second that there are still dishes in the sink.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or planning some friendsgiving game ideas, this one delivers the perfect mix of friendly chaos and easy entertainment, no prep, no stress, just pure holiday fun.
How To Play The Thanksgiving Taboo Game
What Will You Need:
- a timer (we use a phone)
- game cards (grab my pre-made ones here or make your own)
- optional – buzzer/bell for the other team to ding violations (you can just call it out too)
Objective
Get your team to guess as many Thanksgiving words as possible without saying the forbidden words or “taboo” words on your card before the timer runs out!
The beauty of this game is that it’s quick to set up, easy to play, and guaranteed to bring the giggles. Here’s how it works:
- Split into teams
Divide your group into two (or more) teams. Big class? No problem—just add more teams! - Set the timer
Each round lasts about one minute (or less if you’re playing with younger kids who have the attention span of a gummy worm) - Pick a card
The clue-giver takes the top card from the deck. The big bold word at the top is what their team needs to guess - Give your clues
The clue-giver describes the word without saying any of the five “taboo” words listed on the card
❌ No rhyming with the word
❌ No spelling it out
❌ No dramatic charades (unless you want to bend the rules for the littles) - Guess, shout, repeat
The team shouts out answers until they guess correctly, then the clue-giver quickly grabs another card. The goal is to get through as many words as possible before time runs out. - Scoring
+1 point for each correct guess, the winners keep the card
0 points if the clue-giver slips and says a taboo word, the opposing team gets the card - Winning the game
Keep going until everyone’s had a turn or the candy runs out, whichever comes first. The team with the most points wins bragging rights (and maybe the last piece of pie).
Alternatively, you can also play so the first team to 20 cards wins.
Halloween Taboo Cards Printable
If you want done-for-you Thanksgiving Taboo Cards, you can grab my game bundle, so that’s one less thing on your to-do list.
Here’s what’s included in my bundle:
- 11 pages with 9 cards per page = 99 taboo cards
- 1 blank page of 9 taboo cards so you can make your own
- Instructions on how to play
Simply download your files instantly and print at home or your local print shop.
If you want your cards to last long after the dessert, I recommend printing them on cardstock or laminating them.
Or if you have little ones, turn it into an art project and have them glue it on to construction paper and cut it out.
If you’re in a hurry because it’s a last-minute project, no worries, just stick to plain old paper.
If you’d rather make your own cards, here are some Thanksgiving-themed words to get you started:
- TURKEY – BIRD, GOBBLE, FEATHERS, STUFFING, DINNER
- PILGRIM – HAT, MAYFLOWER, COLONY, THANKFUL, SETTLER
- CORN – YELLOW, COB, KERNEL, HARVEST, VEGETABLE
- PUMPKIN PIE – DESSERT, SLICE, WHIPPED CREAM, SWEET, OVEN
- CRANBERRY SAUCE – JELLY, RED, JAR, BERRIES, SIDEDISH
- STUFFING – BREAD, INSIDE, TURKEY, MIX, SEASONING
- MASHED POTATOES – BUTTER, GRAVY, CREAMY, SIDE, MASH
- GRAVY – SAUCE, BROWN, MASHED POTATOES, POUR, BOAT
- FEAST – EAT, DINNER, TABLE, FAMILY, CELEBRATION
- HARVEST – FALL, CROPS, FARM, AUTUMN, GATHER
- THANKFUL – GRATITUDE, APPRECIATE, BLESSED, GRATEFUL, GIVE THANKS
- FAMILY – RELATIVES, MOM, DAD, TOGETHER, GATHERING
- PUMPKIN – ORANGE, JACK-O’-LANTERN, PIE, PATCH, GOURD
- FALL LEAVES – COLOR, AUTUMN, TREE, ORANGE, RAKE
- POTLUCK – BRING, SHARE, FOOD, DISH, PARTY
- DINNER TABLE – CHAIRS, EAT, FOOD, THANKSGIVING, FAMILY
- PILGRIM HAT – BLACK, BUCKLE, COSTUME, HEAD, WEAR
- MAYFLOWER – SHIP, PILGRIMS, OCEAN, ENGLAND, VOYAGE
- INDIGENOUS PEOPLE – NATIVE, TRIBE, FIRST, AMERICA, HISTORY
- AUTUMN – FALL, SEASON, LEAVES, COOL, SEPTEMBER
- CORN BREAD – YELLOW, BAKED, SLICE, BUTTER, SIDE
- SCARECROW – FIELD, HAY, STRAW, FARMER, CROW
- FOOTBALL – GAME, TOUCHDOWN, TV, TEAM, TURKEY DAY
- BLACK FRIDAY – SHOPPING, SALES, DEALS, STORES, FRIDAY
- THANKSGIVING PARADE – FLOATS, BALLOONS, MARCH, NEW YORK, TV
- LEFTOVERS – FRIDGE, NEXT DAY, EAT, REHEAT, TURKEY
- CANDLE – WAX, LIGHT, FIRE, FLAME, SCENTED
- GRATEFUL – THANKFUL, APPRECIATE, BLESSED, HAPPY, FEELING
- SWEET POTATOES – ORANGE, MARSHMALLOW, SIDE, OVEN, CASSEROLE
- APPLE PIE – DESSERT, FRUIT, SLICE, SWEET, CRUST
More Thanksgiving Games & Activities
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Fun Thanksgiving Left-Right Story Game
Thanksgiving Would You Rather Game
Easy Thanksgiving Handprint Crafts For Kids
FREE Thanksgiving Coloring Sheets To Print
Thanksgiving Printable Activities
Wrapping Up Fun Thanksgiving Party Games
So if you’ve been searching for something fun to fill that post-turkey lull (you know, that moment when everyone’s too full to move but somehow still asking what’s next), the Thanksgiving Taboo Game is your answer.
It’s quick to set up, hilarious to play, and guaranteed to get even the quietest cousin laughing.
Whether you’re hosting the big family feast, planning a classroom celebration, or putting together some Friendsgiving games, this printable game brings everyone together, no extra work required.
All you need to do is download and print your Thanksgiving Taboo cards, grab a timer, and get ready for some seriously funny holiday memories.
Because the best part of Thanksgiving isn’t the turkey (shocking, I know), it’s the laughter and moments we share.
So go ahead, print your game, grab yourself a second helping of pie, and let the family fun begin!