We are big fans of Minute to Win it games at our house. Another holiday or party means we have another excuse to play! So we came up with some awesome Minute to Win It Thanksgiving games to help us celebrate and create family memories.
Some of these games are hilarious. My kids thought the Pumpkin Pie Game was pretty awesome because they got their fill of whipping cream and candy.
The games can be played a couple of different ways. You can create teams and have a member from each team go head to head against each other or you can play as individuals in a “beat the clock” type of fashion.
These fun family games for kids and adults are such a great way to celebrate the holidays. Kids of all ages and grown ups from parents to grandparents can participate. If you’re inviting friends to your Thanksgiving get together, these challenges also make great ice breakers. If you’re looking for more ideas, you can also adapt some of our Minute to Win It Christmas game ideas to give them a Thanksgiving theme.
Minute to Win It Thanksgiving Games:
To create your own Minute to Win It Thanksgiving themed challenge, you can pick and choose from the games below or do all of them. I’ve listed the full list of supplies as well as listing the supplies needed for each game so that it makes it easier for you to plan your own party.
You’ll notice that the materials needed are inexpensive or things that you already have around the house. I was able to get all of the supplies for ours at the dollar store.
Supplies needed:
- pie plates
- candy pumpkins
- whipped cream
- pumpkin seeds
- straws
- paper plates
- turkey baster
- balloons
- feathers
- spoons
- optional: candy corn
Pumpkin Pie
Supplies needed:
- pie plates
- candy pumpkins
- whipping cream
The object of this game is to retrieve all the pumpkins out of your pie. To set up, place candy pumpkins on the bottom of each pie plate. Cover with whipping cream. Each player sits with their hands behind their backs and has to find the pumpkins and move them out of the pie using only their mouth.
Turkeys of a Feather
Supplies needed:
- feathers*
In this game, players need to attempt to keep their feather in the air for a full minute by blowing it up. It’s harder than it sounds. If a player’s feather touches the ground or a surface, they are out of the game.
This is a good one to play in a large group because you can have many people playing at one time.
*We tried to play this game with Thanksgiving coloured craft feathers, but they were too heavy for it to work properly, so I suggest using the lighter wispy feathers.
Pumpkin Seed Suck It Up
Supplies needed:
- pumpkin seeds
- straws
- paper plates
To set this game up, pour some pumpkin seeds onto a paper plate for each player. Set that down next to an empty plate. To play, each person puts a straw in their mouth and attempts to transfer all the pumpkin seeds to the empty plate in less than one minute. If you’re playing head to head, then then the person who transfers all of their pumpkin seeds the fastest is the winner.
Pumpkin (or Candy Corn) Relay
Supplies needed:
- spoons (one for each person participating)
- candy pumpkins or candy corn
Place one candy pumpkin (or candy corn) on a spoon. Have players race holding onto their spoon with one hand (you can allow younger kids to use both hands). If their candy drops off, they are eliminated or have to start back at the beginning.
The rest of our candy pumpkins got eaten by one of our kids before this race (just being real!), so we used glittered pine cones which were the most Thanksgiving themed item I could think of on the spot!
To make this game more challenging for adults, you can create a bit of an obstacle course. Or you can race in teams, handing off the spoon and candy to the next person in line. This is my favourite version of the game. It creates a fun atmosphere with team members cheering each other on.
Turkey Basting
Supplies needed:
- turkey basters
- balloons
Give each person a turkey baster and balloon. The goal of this Minute to Win It challenge is to get the balloon across the table lengthwise using only the air from the turkey baster. You are not allowed to touch the balloon with the turkey baster. This can be played to beat the one minute timer or played head to head with the winner earning one point for their team.
If you don’t have a long table, you can mark a start and finish line on the floor using masking tape and try to get the balloon across the finishing line along the floor.
You may also want to check out some of our other Minute to Win It Games:
Minute to Win It Christmas Edition
In some ways, we think too hard about what our kids may need in the emotions department and can forget about using the simplest tools. I’m hoping these tips help remind you of all the tools you have available in helping your special needs kids emotionally.
These copywork pages allow students to explore emotion words and associate the images with the corresponding feeling. This expands their emotional vocabulary.
If these are for a one time use, give the student a pencil, crayons, coloured pencils, or markers and the printed papers.
You can include this sensory bottle in your child’s 
Directions:
Allowing kids to engage in sensory play related to a beloved movie allows them to fully immerse themselves in the imaginative experience. It also helps develop their communication skills, fine motor, and coordination. And of course, provides important sensory input.
Keeping a daily log of feelings helps kids to examine their emotions. It also allows them and their teacher or parents to analyze any patterns they see emerging when looking back through the log.
Simply enter your email below to download a November My Feelings Log. You can use it with your child at home or print it off to use with your students in the classroom.
