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Free Printable Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Are you looking for fun entertainment on Thanksgiving day? Then try this Fun Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt.

In fact, all you need is your free printable, camera, and pen.

Let’s dive right in and have some fun!

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

Thanksgiving is one of America’s most beloved holidays. It is celebrated each November with friends, and family, and the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

We start the day with Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade before heading to grandma and grandpa’s house, a car loaded with pies and side dishes.

After the feast people fall asleep on the couch watching football while the kids run wild and are looking for something fun to play.

I always encourage my kids to take a toy or book along when visiting people without children so they have something to entertain themselves with.

And this year we will also do a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt.

I recommend next to try our popular Thanksgiving Painting Ideas, Friendsgiving Game Ideas, Free Printable Pilgrim Hat Template, DIY Thanksgiving Card Ideas, Turkey Activities, Gratitude Notes for Kids, Thanksgiving Bingo, or one of those 10 Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kids.

The History of Thanksgiving

Although Thanksgiving is observed across the World, it is a significant holiday in the US and involves more than thanking God for a plentiful harvest.

The first American Thanksgiving dates back to 1621 when the pilgrims of Plymouth celebrated with the Wampanoag people.

What Is a Scavenger Hunt?

A scavenger hunt is a game in which players compete to see who can hunt down the most items from a list, either relating to a certain topic or the area in which it takes place.

For example, an outdoor treasure hunt while hiking in the woods, or finding ocean-related items while visiting the aquarium.


All items on the list are free and should not require a special skill set. The winner is the player or team with the most findings in the end.


It is believed that the scavenger hunt was created by Elsa Maxwell, a gossip columnist, as a party game in the 1930s.

The hunt for strange or useless objects compares to raccoons or vultures (scavengers) rummaging through garbage cans or picking on plants for food.

This is how the game got its name.

thanksgiving joy

Free Printable Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

To keep kids busy while waiting for dinner or some fun entertainment throughout the day, I designed two Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt printables.

One for smaller kids including in- and outdoor Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, and a Thanksgiving photo scavenger hunt for older children who have access to a phone or camera.

Here is what you will need for the Thanksgiving scavenger hunt:

Thanksgiving Treasure Hunt Materials

  • Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt pdf (found below)
  • pen
  • phone or camera for the selfie Thanksgiving scavenger hunt
  • prizes (optional)
Free Printable Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

But let’s take a look at this super easy step-by-step tutorial:

Turkey Scavenger Hunt Instructions

Step 1: Get your free printable

  • Print out your Thanksgiving scavenger hunt pdf (found below)

Step 2: Happy hunting

  • General Turkey Scavenger Hunt: Just grab a pen and you are ready to go hunting. Mark off each item you find until you hunt them all down.
  • Thanksgiving Photo Scavenger Hunt: Take your Thanksgiving scavenger hunt list and a cell phone. Try to find every item on the turkey list and take a photo of it.

Step 3: Who is winning?

The winner or winning team are the players who can finish their list first.

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt Ideas

  • Set a timer to make your Thanksgiving Day scavenger hunt more interesting
  • If you are doing the selfie challenge try to take funny pictures or be extra creative. Whoever has the best selfies wins.
  • Get some cute little prizes to make the kids smile and be occupied even after they are done with their turnkey hunt.
  • If you are choosing the general Thanksgiving hunt without a phone, the player who found the most items on the list wins.
  • Make sure to take an adult with you when you go outside!

Happy turkey hunting!

fall fun

Do you need more Thanksgiving game ideas? Then check out these 17 easy Thanksgiving activities next.

How to Download Your Free Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt Printables

Simply sign up here for our newsletter and you will receive the link to our free Thanksgiving scavenger hunt free printables.

Already a subscriber? Don’t worry, no need to subscribe twice.

I just updated our free printable library. You can find our Thanksgiving scavenger hunt templates there or check our latest newsletter for more information.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I m happy to help!

About the Author

This guest post is written by Wiebke Wiebel from Beary Sweet Home.

Wiebke lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and two kids. She teaches preschool and owns a creative business.

Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/bearysweetshoppe

wiebke

Pin this Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

Don’t forget to save this fun scavenger hunt for Thanksgiving on Pinterest for later! Be sure you are following along with Lil Tigers.


I hope you enjoy Wiebke’s creative Thanksgiving scavenger hunt for Thanksgiving day. We definitely will give it a try.

Please let me know how your kids liked it and post a photo of your funniest selfie picture below. I’d love to hear from you!

Stay safe Lil Tigers!