That amazing, warm feeling of a full belly and a full heart after Thanksgiving dinner is the best, isn’t it? But then comes the great post-dinner slump. The energy dips, the couch calls, and that wonderful buzz of family togetherness starts to fade away.
I always used to wonder, what are the best things to do after Thanksgiving dinner? How can I find fun Thanksgiving family activities that please sleepy grandparents, energetic kids, and everyone in between without causing more stress?
That’s why I created this perfect “menu” of 10 after Thanksgiving dinner activities! This list is your secret to beating the food coma and keeping the laughter, connection, and memory-making going all evening long. 🦃🧡✨
🛒 My Must-Have Post-Dinner Fun Supplies
Family-Friendly Board Game
1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Nerf Football
Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Scrapbook or Photo Album
✨ Click each item to explore affordable options for your Thanksgiving fun!
My Top 3 Favorite Activity Ideas
- Easiest for Toddlers: Have a “Clean-Up Crew” Dance Party
- Most Meaningful: Create a “Gratitude Time Capsule”
- Most Fun for All Ages: Stage a Silly Family Photoshoot
1. Go for a Neighborhood “Turkey Trot” Walk 🦃
There’s nothing like crisp autumn air to help digest that big meal and wake everyone up! A gentle walk is my family’s favorite way to prevent that post-dinner slump. It’s the perfect, low-pressure setting for quiet conversations and seeing all the pretty holiday decorations.
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 5 mins | Cost: $
🎯 Best For: All Ages
Image-1: A happy, multi-generational family wearing cozy sweaters, walking together and laughing on a tree-lined suburban street in the fall.
2. Start a Family Jigsaw Puzzle 🦃
I love this idea because it’s so relaxed. We just unbox a brand new puzzle on a card table in the living room, and it becomes a gathering spot for the rest of the night. People can wander over, fit in a few pieces, and chat without any pressure.
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 2 mins | Cost: $$
🎯 Best For: Kids, Teens, Adults
Image-2: A close-up shot of several pairs of hands (young and old) working together on a colorful Thanksgiving-themed jigsaw puzzle on a wooden table.
3. Organize a Backyard Touch Football Game 🦃
For the more energetic folks in your family, you can’t beat a classic game of touch football. It’s a wonderful Thanksgiving family tradition that helps burn off some of those mashed potatoes. The friendly competition always leads to so much laughter and cheering.
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Medium | Prep Time: 5 mins | Cost: $
🎯 Best For: Kids, Teens, Active Adults
Image-3: A family playing touch football in a backyard filled with autumn leaves, with someone mid-action trying to grab a flag from another smiling family member.
4. Host a Thanksgiving-Themed Game Night 🦃
A good old-fashioned game night is always a winner! We like to have a few options ready, from classic board games to something silly like Thanksgiving Charades. Letting everyone vote on what to play makes it even more fun and inclusive.
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cost: $-$$
🎯 Best For: All Ages
Image-4: A family sitting around a coffee table, laughing as they play a card game. The room is cozy and decorated for Thanksgiving.
5. Have a Cozy Holiday Movie Marathon 🦃
This is my personal favorite for pure relaxation! After a long day of cooking, there is nothing better than dimming the lights, grabbing all the coziest blankets, and snuggling up to watch a beloved holiday movie. It’s the ultimate low-energy way to wind down together.
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 2 mins | Cost: $
🎯 Best For: All Ages
Image-5: A family snuggled under blankets on a couch, watching a movie on TV with popcorn, their faces lit by the screen’s glow.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the activity ideas we’ve covered so far, which one are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!
6. Look Through Old Family Photo Albums (or Digital Slideshows) 🦃
Want to spark instant stories and laughter? Pull out the old photo albums! It’s incredible to hear the stories that come up when you look at old pictures together. Putting a digital slideshow on the TV works great, too, for a sweet trip down memory lane.
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 5-15 mins | Cost: $
🎯 Best For: All Ages
Image-6: A grandmother and her grandchild sitting on a couch, pointing and smiling at an old, open photo album on their laps.
7. Create a “Gratitude Time Capsule” 🦃
This is one of the most meaningful Thanksgiving family traditions we’ve ever started. We give everyone a little slip of paper to write down one thing they’re thankful for this year. We seal them in a jar and read them out loud next Thanksgiving—it’s always so touching!
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 5 mins | Cost: $
🎯 Best For: Kids, Teens, Adults
Image-7: A decorated glass jar labeled “Gratitude Time Capsule 2024” with colorful, folded slips of paper inside. A person’s hands are shown adding a new note.
8. Have a “Clean-Up Crew” Dance Party 🦃
Who says chores can’t be fun? We turn on a high-energy playlist and tackle the mountain of dishes as a team. With good music and everyone helping, it feels less like a chore and more like a party. It’s one of the best non-eating Thanksgiving activities!
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 1 min | Cost: $
🎯 Best For: All Ages
Image-8: Family members of different ages laughing and dancing in a kitchen while washing and drying dishes together.
9. Plan Your Black Friday Shopping Strategy 🦃
If your family loves a good deal, this can be a surprisingly fun and modern tradition. Gather around with your phones, tablets, or the newspaper ads and map out your shopping game plan. It’s a great collaborative activity for the teens and adults in the group.
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 2 mins | Cost: $
🎯 Best For: Teens, Adults
Image-9: A group of adults and teenagers looking at a laptop and phones together at a dining table, pointing at screens and discussing their Black Friday shopping plans.
10. Stage a Silly Family Photoshoot 🦃
This activity idea guarantees hilarious memories! You don’t need anything fancy—a plain wall works perfectly as a backdrop. We bring out a box of silly hats, scarves, and old props and just have fun taking goofy pictures with our phones.
Activity Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 5 mins | Cost: $
🎯 Best For: All Ages
Image-10: A large family posing for a silly group photo, wearing funny hats and making goofy faces, creating a chaotic and joyful memory.
The Fun Doesn’t Stop After Dessert!
The magic of Thanksgiving doesn’t have to end when the last piece of pie is served. The real heart of the holiday is found in the shared laughter during a silly game and the quiet moments of connection that follow the feast. These post-Thanksgiving activities are your recipe for keeping that warmth and joy alive, creating precious memories that your family will treasure for years to come.
What’s your family’s go-to activity after Thanksgiving dinner? Share your favorite family traditions in the comments below
