20 Fun Thanksgiving Party Ideas For Cheap or Free

These cheap Thanksgiving party ideas for kids prove that joy doesn’t have to come with a big bill.

From creative games to budget-friendly décor, you can host a festive, memory-filled celebration without draining your wallet. Here are some affordable (but totally charming) Thanksgiving party ideas your guests will be thankful for.

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20 Cheap Thanksgiving Party Activities and Games

For these activities, take advantage of the free printables and be resourceful with the fall items you already have. You’ll be laughing in no time!

1. Thankful Turkey

This Thankful Turkey printable is the perfect way to add heart, creativity, and color to your Thanksgiving celebration. And best of all, it requires no cutting or gluing!

2. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe

Draw a grid on the ground with tape or sidewalk chalk. Use mini orange and white pumpkins as X’s and O’s for a festive twist.

3. Host a Pie Baking Contest

Everyone loves pie! Make mini pies together at your party, or have each participant bring a pie they’ve baked. Taste test together and vote on the winners!

4. Who Is The Biggest Turkey?

Who is the Biggest Turkey is a lighthearted way to break the ice or entertain a crowd. This free printable game is full of silly, seasonal fun. All you need is the printable, a pen, and a willingness to act like a turkey now and then!

5. Thanksgiving Treasure Hunt

Cut out the free cards and hide them. Then, have kids go on a Thanksgiving-themed treasure hunt around the house or outdoors.

6. Host Your Own Turkey Trot

Make it a race or just take a fun walk in nature together. Bonus points if you talk about things you’re grateful for on your walk.

7. Pumpkin Bowling

First, draw turkeys on the solo cups and set the cups on top of each other in a pyramid. Then, players roll the pumpkin to see how many cups they can knock down in a minute.

8. Roll a Turkey Game

This Roll a Turkey dice game is the perfect way to bring fun, color, and laughter to your holiday celebration. And it requires minimal prep. You’ll just need M&Ms or Skittles and a die.

9. Free Thanksgiving Bingo

Fill up a row on these free printable Thanksgiving bingo cards. We love using candy corn as the markers.

Also try these Free Thanksgiving Memory Cards that littles ones love!

10. Host a Recipe Swap

Think about your family’s cherished heirloom recipes. Share the love and secret ingredients at your Next Thanksgiving party!

For this, guests bring their favorite family dish along with the secret recipe. It’s a splendid way to share your heritage and create new traditions. Plus, your guests will leave the party with a full stomach and a collection of time-honored recipes!

11. Color Thanksgiving Place Mats

Set these free Thanksgiving placemats at the kids table and have them color, doodle, and write what they’re thankful for.

12. Read Fun Fall Stories

Check out a few Thanksgiving and fall books at your local library. Then read them at your party. Or just leave them out for kids to look at between the planned activities.

13. Make Up Mad Lib Stories

Have players fill in the blanks with random words to create a silly story. The randomness of the words leads to funny tales that make everyone laugh.

14. Talk With Creative Conversation Starters

Pull these Thanksgiving conversation starters up on your phone or download the free printable cards. Then, get talking and laughing together!

15. Make DIY Turkey Crafts

Make adorable turkeys at your party with kids! After, you can use your creations as place settings at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

16. Do The Easy Gratitude Skittles Game

Pass out a fun-size bag of Skittles to each guest. Each person picks out one or two skittles. Based on the color picked, they share the corresponding thing they are thankful for.

See the gratitude game and grab the free printable >>

17. Have a Classic Movie Marathon

Show kid-friendly fall favorites like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Free Birds, or Garfield’s Thanksgiving. Add popcorn bars or this fall snack mix.

18. Do a Thanksgiving Photo Hunt

This fun Thanksgiving scavenger hunt for kids is exciting. And, it highlights the meaning of the day!

It’s perfect for Thanksgiving Day! Or use anytime to foster a gratitude focus.

19. Make a Christmas Gift

Two birds. One stone. Gather family or friends for a Thanksgiving party that doubles as a gift making session! Try making this Christmas Stovetop Simmer Gift with free tags.

You could also make Christmas crafts together and then sell them during the month of December.

20. Have a Pumpkin Hunt

Hide mini pumpkins with prizes or dares inside. Whoever finds them has to perform the action or win the treat!

21. Try Minute to Win It Games

Get ready for hilarious turkey time fun with this list of Thanksgiving Minute to Win It games for kids!

From turkey challenges to yam races, kids and adults will stay entertained and in the Thanksgiving spirit.

22. Make a Gratitude Tree, Wall, Etc.

Have guests write what they’re thankful for on a leaf, tablecloth, note card, or pumpkin. Then, display your blessings for everyone to see. You can also have guests try to guess who wrote which blessing.

23. Laugh With The Left Right Story Game

Use a free Thanksgiving-themed left right story and pass candy or small toys “left” or “right” according to the story. It’s an interactive game that keeps everyone laughing.

Related: Best Budget Activities for Thanksgiving

Fun Low Cost Foods For Your Thanksgiving Party

24. Sides That Wow Without the Cost

Thanksgiving parties are full of food. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Choose one main protein, then add low-cost Thanskgiving sides everyone will love.

25. Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers

If you’re hosting a Friendsgiving or other event, consider doing Thanksgiving appetizers instead of another full meal. You’ll save money and your guests will love the finger food vibes.

26. Thanksgiving Charcuterie Skewers

Or throw out your own snack board or charcuterie skewers! Add easy, affordable snack foods that are crowd-pleasing too.

Cheap Thanksgiving Decor Ideas For Your Party

27. Mason Jar Magic

Via Ashlee Marie. Fill jars with dried beans, popcorn kernels, or cranberries. Then top with a tealight.

28. Fruit & Flowers

29. Simple Brown Paper Runner

Via Jessica Wellington Interiors

30. Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Everywhere

See more: Affordable Elegant Thanksgiving Tablescapes

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