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Just One
Highly awarded
"Everyone writes a one-word clue for one guesser, but matching clues get erased. Cooperative, quick and perfect for 3 to 7 players of mixed ages."
3–7 players20 minLight
See full details and buying options →Holiday games
Best Board Games for Thanksgiving with the Whole Family
Easy to teach, great for big groups, fun from grandkids to grandparents
Thanksgiving is one of the few days a year when three generations end up around the same table with time to spare: before dinner while the turkey rests, or after, when nobody can move. The right game turns that time into the part of the day everyone remembers. The trick is choosing games that teach in a couple of minutes, handle big and changing groups (people come and go from the kitchen), and are fair to a 10-year-old and their grandmother alike. Every pick below is an award winner, and most play in about 30 minutes or less.
Hosting tips
- Pick something that teaches in under five minutes. If the rules need a video, save that game for another night.
- Team and cooperative games work best when ages are mixed, because nobody gets knocked out or left behind.
- Games where people can join or leave between rounds, like Just One, Codenames and Wavelength, suit a busy kitchen.
- Plan one lively game for before dinner and a calmer one for the food coma afterward.
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Codenames
Exceptional consensus · 3 organizations
"Two teams race to find their words from one-word clues. Easy to join between rounds, for up to 8 players."
2–8 players15 minLight
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Wavelength
Highly awarded
"Teams guess where a clue falls on a scale like "overrated to underrated." Sparks great family debates, for up to 12 players."
2–12 players45 minLight
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Flip 7
Exceptional consensus · 3 organizations
"Push-your-luck card flipping that everyone understands in a minute. Loud, fast and perfect while dinner cooks."
3–8 players20 minLight
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Blob Party
Highly awarded
"Write answers that match everyone else's and merge into one big blob. Cooperative and silly, for 4 to 8 players."
4–8 players20 minLight
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Hues and Cues
Award winner
"Give a clue for a color and watch everyone guess on a board of 480 shades. Easy for any age, for up to 10 players."
3–10 players30 minLight
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Dixit
Award winner
"Dreamlike art cards and creative clues. A gentle storytelling game that grandparents and kids enjoy equally."
3–8 players30 minLight
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Camel Up
Award winner
"Bet on a wild camel race where camels stack up and ride each other. Chaotic fun for up to 8 players."
2–8 players30 minLight
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Qwirkle
Highly awarded
"Like Scrabble with colors and shapes. A calm after-dinner pick where grandparents and grandkids compete on even footing."
2–4 players45 minLight
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Ticket to Ride
Award winner
"Claim train routes across North America. A modern classic for the quieter part of the evening, for 2 to 5 players."
2–5 players60 minLight
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