Thanksgiving Pictionary is an easy way to bring kids and adults together once the meal is over—or while everyone is waiting for dinner. All you need is paper, something to draw with, and a few holiday-themed prompts. Artistic talent is definitely not required.
One person draws a picture without speaking or writing words, while everyone else guesses. A pumpkin might look like an orange football; a turkey might look more like a very confused chicken. Those imperfect drawings are often the funniest part.
This guide explains how to play Thanksgiving Pictionary, offers drawing ideas for different ages, and includes 36 free printable prompt cards at the end of the post. You can print the full deck or just the easy, medium, or challenge cards.
Table of Contents
Thanksgiving Pictionary at a Glance
| Best for | What you need | Suggested round |
|---|---|---|
| Family or classroom groups | Paper or whiteboard, markers, prompt cards | 60 seconds per drawing |
| Younger children | Large paper, crayons, easy prompts | No timer |
| Older kids and adults | Mixed or challenge cards, timer | 45–60 seconds per drawing |
Start with a handful of cards and add more if everyone is enjoying the game. You don’t need to use the entire deck in one sitting.
How to Play Thanksgiving Pictionary
What You’ll Need
- Paper and washable markers, or a whiteboard and dry-erase markers
- One set of Thanksgiving drawing prompts (the printable cards are below)
- A bowl for folded paper prompts, if you aren’t printing cards
- An optional timer
Simple Rules for a Family Game
- Choose the easy, medium, or challenge prompts to suit your group.
- Give the first artist one card without showing the answer to the guessers.
- The artist draws the prompt. They cannot speak, write words or letters, or act it out.
- Everyone guesses aloud until someone gets the answer or the round ends.
- Reveal the card, choose a new artist, and play again.
For a relaxed game, skip the score and let anyone guess. If you prefer teams, award one point whenever a team identifies its artist’s drawing before the timer runs out. Take turns so each team gets the same number of rounds.
A useful house rule: Accept close answers when the meaning is clear. If the card says “pumpkin patch” and someone guesses “a field of pumpkins,” count it. Arguing over exact wording isn’t much fun.
36 Thanksgiving Pictionary Words and Ideas
The printable deck has three levels with 12 original prompts in each. Easy cards are mostly single objects; medium cards are recognizable scenes; challenge cards invite the artist to tell a little story using pictures.
Easy Thanksgiving Pictionary Words
These are helpful for children who are learning the game or anyone who wants a warm-up. Try drawing a pumpkin, turkey, apple, pie slice, autumn leaf, or dinner roll. One large, clear object is usually easier to guess than a whole scene.
If children want to add colors, let them. A bright orange pumpkin is a fair clue. If they draw a triangle with a dot and call it a turkey, enjoy the attempt and give them another turn.
Medium Thanksgiving Drawing Prompts
Medium prompts combine a few objects. You could draw a pumpkin patch with several pumpkins, a family dinner table with plates and chairs, a scarecrow in a field, or a pie cooling on a windowsill. These work well for mixed-age groups.
Encourage the artist to begin with the most recognizable feature. For a pumpkin patch, drawing pumpkins first is more useful than spending half the round drawing the fence.
Challenge Thanksgiving Pictionary Ideas
The challenge cards are short situations rather than single nouns. Examples include a dog stealing a dinner roll, spilled gravy, packing leftovers into the fridge, and a turkey escaping the kitchen.
These are funny precisely because they’re difficult to communicate in one drawing. Allow a little extra time and accept creative guesses. The full set of 36 prompts is included in the printable at the end.
Thanksgiving Pictionary for Kids of Different Ages
Toddlers and Younger Preschoolers
For children who aren’t ready to draw a recognizable answer, play together rather than insisting on standard rules. An adult can sketch a pumpkin or leaf while the child guesses, or help the child draw a familiar object. Keep prompts simple and let them talk about their picture if they want to.
Older Preschoolers and Early Elementary Kids
Use the easy deck first. Let children draw large shapes, point to parts of the picture, or receive an extra hint from the host if they get stuck. Skip the timer until everyone understands the game.
Older Kids and Adults
Mix the medium and challenge cards, introduce a one-minute timer, and rotate artists between teams. For another twist, play a round where each artist can use only five pen strokes.
Three Ways to Play With a Big Family
1. Classic Team Pictionary
Divide into two mixed-age teams. Each team chooses an artist, who draws while only their teammates guess. Play the same number of turns per team and award one point for each correct answer.
2. Everyone Guesses
One person draws while the whole room guesses. Whoever gets the answer chooses whether to draw next or nominate someone else. This is especially useful when some relatives prefer to guess rather than draw.
3. Cooperative Family Challenge
Set a goal of correctly guessing eight cards together. Use the easy deck, skip individual scoring, and celebrate the group’s progress. Younger players can draw with an adult.
Make the Game Easier to Set Up
Print the card deck before the gathering and cut along the card edges. Keep each difficulty level in a separate envelope or small bowl. If you don’t have a printer, read the card titles from the printable below and write a selection on folded slips of paper.
Use a washable marker and a large drawing surface so people across the room can see. If you’re playing at the dinner table, clear a small space away from plates and drinks. Keep sharp scissors with an adult when preparing the cards.
For another relaxed game after the drawing round, see our easy card games for kids guide. If the family wants to get outside instead, browse these outdoor games for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Thanksgiving Pictionary?
One person draws a Thanksgiving-themed word or phrase without speaking or writing letters. The other players try to guess the answer. Take turns drawing, and use teams or a timer only if your group enjoys them.
What are easy Thanksgiving Pictionary words for kids?
Start with pumpkin, turkey, apple, autumn leaf, pie slice, or dinner roll. Familiar objects with simple shapes are easier to recognize than complicated scenes.
Can you play with just two people?
Yes. Take turns drawing and guessing, or work together to see how many cards you can complete. You don’t need teams for a fun game.
How many prompts should I prepare?
About 12 prompts are enough for a short game. This printable has 36 cards split into three levels, so you can play several rounds or save some for another day.
Do I need a printable to play?
No. Write a few prompts on paper and fold them into a bowl. The printable cards make preparation easier and let you choose a difficulty level, but they’re optional.
Can the artist use numbers or write part of the answer?
In the classic version, no: the artist draws pictures only, with no letters, numbers, or spoken hints. For younger children, feel free to relax the rules so everyone can participate.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving Pictionary doesn’t require much preparation, and it gives family members of different ages a way to enjoy the same activity. Start with easy pictures, let the drawings get wonderfully ridiculous, and switch to challenge cards when everyone wants something harder.
Use the printable deck below to choose your prompts, then pick up a marker and see what your family can guess.
ShrewdMommy · Holiday Game Night
Thanksgiving Pictionary
Easy cards · Little artists • warm-up round
How to play: Cut out the cards. Draw a prompt without talking or writing words. Let everyone guess. Choose one card per turn.
ShrewdMommy · Holiday Game Night
Thanksgiving Pictionary
Medium cards · Family fun • picture a scene
How to play: Cut out the cards. Draw a prompt without talking or writing words. Let everyone guess. Choose one card per turn.
ShrewdMommy · Holiday Game Night
Thanksgiving Pictionary
Challenge cards · Funny scenes • extra imagination
How to play: Cut out the cards. Draw a prompt without talking or writing words. Let everyone guess. Choose one card per turn.
