How to Play Thanksgiving Bingo: Rules, 10 Game Ideas and 50 Words

By Cedar & Ledger

Thanksgiving bingo keeps kids busy while the turkey rests and gives grown-ups something to do between dinner and pie. Here are quick rules, 10 ways to play, cheap prize ideas and 50 Thanksgiving words for making your own cards.

What you need

One bingo card per player (5x5 grid with a FREE center square)
Caller cards or a word list in a bowl
Markers: candy corn, dried beans, cereal or a crayon
A few small prizes

Basic rules

Everyone gets a different card and marks the FREE square.
The caller draws a word, reads it out and sets it aside.
Players mark the word if it's on their card.
First to get 5 in a row (across, down or diagonal) shouts "BINGO!"
The caller checks the card against the called words. A match wins.

10 Thanksgiving bingo game ideas

Straight line: the classic.
Four corners: quick round for little kids.
Turkey tail: fill the top row and the center column.
Letter T for Thanksgiving: top row plus center column.
Pie slice: a corner triangle (3 squares, then 2, then 1).
Picture frame: all the edge squares.
Blackout: the whole card, for the last round.
Grateful bingo: when you mark a square, say one thing you're thankful for that starts with the same letter.
Kids call it: the youngest reader is the caller.
Dessert bingo: the winner picks their pie first.

Cheap prize ideas

First slice of pie, candy, stickers, a "skip dish duty" pass, a pick of the leftovers, or choosing the next game.

50 Thanksgiving bingo words

Turkey, pie, pumpkin, corn, cranberry, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, leaves, acorn, harvest, family, thankful, grateful, feast, parade, football, napkin, plate, fork, oven, apron, recipe, pilgrim hat, scarecrow, hay ride, apple, cider, sweet potato, green beans, table, candle, wishbone, gobble, feather, autumn, November, cornucopia, squash, maple leaf, pecan, whipped cream, nap, guests, travel, leftovers, dessert, blessing, friends.

Tips for a mixed-age table

Pair little kids with an older cousin so nobody gets left out.
Play 2 quick rounds before dinner and blackout after dessert.
Keep a called-words list so checking wins is fast.

More ideas: Thanksgiving games for the family and Thanksgiving trivia for kids.

Want it ready to print? The Thanksgiving Word Bingo Printable has 30 different 5x5 cards (no two alike), 48 big-print Thanksgiving and fall words, cut-apart caller cards, a called-words checklist and a blank card. $3, instant download.

Made with AI assistance and reviewed before publishing.

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Frequently asked questions

What does this guide cover?

Thanksgiving bingo rules, 10 ways to play at the kids table or after dinner, cheap prize ideas and 50 Thanksgiving words for your own cards.

Do I need a template to do this?

No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.

Is this financial advice?

No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.