11 mindful traditions for families to try this Thanksgiving
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Whether you don't have any Thanksgiving traditions, or just want to shake up your old ones, explore these 11 mindful ideas with your (bio or chosen) family this year.
Thanksgiving is one of those special times of the year when we press pause on the busyness of life to gather with the people we care about most. For a lot of us, it’s a day filled with good food, belly laughs, and the warm and fuzzy (and sometimes chaotic) feelings of being together with family and friends. But Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey and pie — it’s a moment to reflect on what we’re thankful for and to celebrate the connections that bring us joy (but it’s also about turkey and pie, let’s be real).
When it comes to how to celebrate, every family does Thanksgiving a little differently. Some stick to the same traditions passed down over the years, while others love to shake things up and try something new each year. And of course some families will skip Thanksgiving entirely. Whether your family always watches football on the day of thanks, goes all-out with creative side dishes (the best part of a Thanksgiving meal, in our opinion), or simply enjoys being present with the people they love, this holiday is a chance to make memories that last.
If you’re looking to refresh your Thanksgiving this year, or if you’re starting from scratch and want to create your own unique traditions, we got you. These mindful, meaningful, and even funny ideas can help make the day more special. Because Thanksgiving is about more than just what’s at the table—delicious as it may be—it’s about the people sitting around it.
So, let's (turkey) trot into ways to make this holiday unforgettable for your family, whether it’s your biological family, chosen family, or a mix of both.
11 Thanksgiving traditions to try with your (biological or chosen) family
Creating new traditions or refreshing older ones is a great way to make Thanksgiving feel more meaningful, especially if you want the day to feel a bit more exciting or a little more uniquely “you.”
Here are some thoughtful, fun, and easy ideas to bring everyone closer, whether it’s your first holiday together or your fiftieth. By trying one or more of these ideas, you’ll be building a Thanksgiving experience that feels personal, meaningful, and just plain fun. Remember, traditions don’t have to be complicated—they just need to bring people (and even your furry friends) together in a way that feels good for everyone involved.
1. Start the day with gratitude
Thanksgiving is all about thankfulness, so why not let it set the tone for the whole day? Gather everyone in the morning—even over coffee or breakfast—and ask each person to share one thing they’re grateful for.
To make it more engaging, especially if you have kids, you can turn this into a mini craft activity. Give everyone small cards or sticky notes to write down what they're grateful for and put them on the fridge for everyone to see. You could also drop them all in a gratitude jar and read through them together after dinner. It may be fun to guess who’s who!
This simple practice starts (and maybe ends) the day off with mindfulness and appreciation.
💙 Approach your day the thankful way by kicking things off Tamara Levitt’s guided meditation on developing A Grateful Mindset.
2. Give back to your community as a family
Giving back as a family can add a deeper layer of meaning to Thanksgiving and remind you of what truly matters in life — and that’s having each other and giving back where and when you can.
A great way to begin your Thanksgiving together as a family is by volunteering. Spend some time at a soup kitchen, delivering meals to those in need, or helping out at a community food drive. If you can’t volunteer in person, consider doing something at home, like assembling care packages for local shelters or writing letters to service members who may be spending the holidays away from home.
Helping others as a group reinforces the true spirit of the holiday and is sure to create some lasting memories. Plus, helping others is always the right thing to do.
3. Cook your favorite dishes together
We know, we know, cooking on Thanksgiving Day can feel like an absolute chore, but it doesn’t have to be! It can be a fun experience that brings everyone together! Just trust us.
Instead of making the kitchen an off-limits place during cooking, turn it into a hub of activity where everyone pitches in. Younger kids can help with easy tasks like washing vegetables or mixing mashed potatoes, while teens and adults can handle more complex dishes.
If you have family recipes, this is a great time to pass them down, teaching the next generation how to make Granny’s sweet potato casserole or Uncle Joe’s famous pecan pie. Not only does this lighten the load for the host, but it also creates opportunities for bonding, laughter, and even a little playful competition if your family is into that.
4. Create a thankful tablecloth
A thankful tablecloth is exactly what it sounds like — a tablecloth full of what your family is thankful for. And it’s a tradition that grows richer every year.
Buy a plain white or cream-colored tablecloth and provide fabric markers for guests to write or draw something they’re grateful for. Kids especially love this activity (plus, it's a great way to teach them mindfulness), and the tablecloth becomes a unique family artifact filled with memories and heartfelt messages.
After the day is over, a crafty member of the family could take the tablecloth home and stitch over everyone’s contributions with needle and thread to preserve the memories for a lifetime. Then you can wash it and enjoy the memories piling on year after year.
5. Share your favorite Thanksgiving memories from past years
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to connect through storytelling, especially when everyone is gathered in the living room in a turkey-induced haze.
After the meal (or after the first round of meals, no judgment here), invite family members to share their favorite family memories, whether they’re funny, touching, or even a little embarrassing. For younger kids, this can be a fun way to learn about family history or hear about the time in 2007 when Dad accidentally burned the turkey and nearly caught the kitchen on fire.
To make it more special, one person could record these stories on a phone or camera, creating a digital family archive to revisit in years to come.
6. Enjoy some outdoor time together with a family walk
A walk before or after Thanksgiving dinner is a wonderful way to enjoy the crisp fall air (if your town has that!) and spend quality time together. Make it a tradition by choosing a favorite local trail or even just taking a stroll around the neighborhood.
For a mindfulness spin, you can encourage everyone to notice the sights, sounds, and smells around them. Or turn it into a scavenger hunt for the kids (or kids at heart) in the family, challenging them to spot things like pinecones, red leaves, or squirrels along the way.
It’s no secret that exercise and mindful movement makes you feel better, so why not include it on the annual day of togetherness? Plus, walking may ramp up your appetite (oh, and also boosts your mental health), and you know what that means… Yes, more pie.
💙 Try going on a Nature Walk with your fam to indulge in the power of togetherness and the healing effects of being outdoors.
7. Go tech-free during dinner
Thanksgiving is all about connection, and sometimes the best way to encourage that is by putting away the phones, iPads, laptops, and any other type of tech distraction. Designate the Thanksgiving table as a tech-free zone so you can all truly enjoy each other’s company without worrying about social media notifications or work emails.
Of course, it can be special to have everyone gathered around someone’s phone to see a silly video or snuggled up together on the couch watching a holiday movie, but try to prioritize face-to-face connection with your loved ones on this day. You’ll be happy you did.
8. Host a Thanksgiving game night
Host a family game night to end the day with a little bit of fun. You could break out the classics like Scrabble or Twister or explore a newer game like Cards Against Christmas (which is a holiday spin on Cards Against Humanity).
For something more personal, create a trivia game with questions about pop culture, fun facts, or even family history and traditions. Game night is such a fun way to include everyone, from the youngest kids to the oldest relatives, in a shared activity that keeps the vibe fun and light.
If the weather is nice, you can even take the game night (or game morning or afternoon) outdoors! You can set up scavenger hunts or play classic family games like football or kickball. You can even set up a relay race! If older relatives are unable to physically play, they can still be involved by playing referee.
9. Host a Thanksgiving talent show
Turn Thanksgiving night into an evening of entertainment with a family talent show which can be as silly or as serious as you like. Encourage everyone to perform something, whether it’s a song or dance, a comedy routine, a funny story, or even a magic trick.
If a talent show seems like too much pressure, you could try a pie-eating contest or even a cocktail-making contest for the adults. Provide a small prize for the winner, or simply let the fun of cheering each other on (or being the reigning champ for the entire year) be the reward.
10. Create a shared family playlist for every vibe
Music has a way of bringing people together (and can make you feel better — here are 15 ways), so why not make it a part of your Thanksgiving celebration?
Before the holiday, ask each family member to contribute a few songs to a shared playlist. Include songs that remind them of happy times or that they associate with the holiday season. Play the playlist during meal prep, dinner, or while relaxing afterward.
Over the years, the playlist can evolve into a soundtrack for your Thanksgiving celebrations, filled with meaningful songs that everyone looks forward to hearing.
💙 Pop on the Afternoon Pick-Me-Up playlist to make it through that last bit of cooking or shake off the food coma when the eating is done.
11. Include your pets in the traditions too!
Don’t leave your pets out of the festivities! Create a special pet-friendly treat or meal for them to enjoy alongside the family. For dog-friendly Thanksgiving nibbles, you can whip up a small plate with plain turkey (no seasoning and no salt, please!), plain sweet potatoes, and plain green beans.
Cats might appreciate a small portion of unseasoned, plain turkey or fish. If feeding your pets people-food isn’t part of the plan, give them pet-friendly treats instead! You can also include them in your gratitude list, family movie night, and outdoor fun. You could even let them dress up in a festive bandana or sweater for some adorable holiday photos!
Disclaimer: Please be aware that certain foods can be harmful to pets. Here’s a complete list of foods to avoid giving your pets.
Thanksgiving traditions for families FAQs
How can I make Thanksgiving special?
Making Thanksgiving special doesn’t have to be about grand gestures — it’s about creating meaningful moments that bring people together. Start by focusing on gratitude. You could introduce a tradition like a gratitude jar where everyone writes down what they’re thankful for and share these during dinner. This simple act can shift the focus of the day to what really matters.
Spend quality time together, whether that means cooking as a family, playing games, or sharing stories from the past. The goal is to make everyone feel included and connected. If you want to add a unique touch, think about activities that resonate with your family. Maybe it’s taking a group walk, volunteering at a local shelter, or even hosting a mini talent show. Tailor the day to your family’s interests and personalities, and the memories will naturally follow.
What are some funny Thanksgiving traditions for families?
Humor is a great way to make Thanksgiving more lighthearted and fun, especially when things can sometimes feel formal or overly focused on tradition. You might introduce a “Turkey Trot” race, where family members run (or walk) while dressed in goofy Thanksgiving-themed outfits. You could also host a pie-eating contest or have a contest to see who can come up with the funniest thankful statement during dinner. For example, “I am thankful for these sweatpants with the elastic waistband, so I can eat seven servings of Uncle Bert’s famous apple pie without feeling restricted.”
For something simpler, try a game of Thanksgiving charades or create a silly photo booth with props like turkey masks or fall-themed accessories. If your family loves movies, pick a comedy to watch together after the meal — bonus if it’s a holiday classic! Adding humor to the day can boost the laughter and joy, which makes everything feel more relaxed and memorable.
How can we involve young children in Thanksgiving traditions?
Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to include kids in ways that make them feel important and part of the day. Start by giving them age-appropriate tasks in the kitchen, like stirring ingredients, decorating cookies, or setting the table. Kids also love creative projects, so consider having them make place cards for the table or helping with a craft like a classic hand turkey. Remember those?
Storytime can also be a fun way to include young ones. Read books about Thanksgiving, or, even better, share family stories they haven’t heard before. Kids often love hearing about the “old days” or silly things their parents or grandparents did. The key is to keep activities fun and engaging while teaching them about the practice of gratitude in a way they can understand. Here are eight gratitude exercises you could try out with the whole family.
What is the most important part of Thanksgiving?
The heart of Thanksgiving is gratitude, connection, and giving back. While Thanksgiving has a dark history behind it, it’s often seen as a day to pause and reflect on what we have and to express appreciation for the people and blessings in our lives, while still remembering history.
Sharing a meal together is a symbolic act of that gratitude, but it’s the time spent with loved ones that truly makes the day special. Giving back to your community through food donations or volunteering at soup kitchens or animal shelters is also an excellent way to spend part of your day.
It’s also about being present and creating memories. Whether it’s through heartfelt conversations, laughter, or shared traditions, the most important part of Thanksgiving is the feeling of togetherness it creates. It’s a time to focus on relationships, celebrate your family or chosen family, and honor the connections that sustain us throughout the year.
How can we celebrate Thanksgiving with family members who are far away?
Celebrating Thanksgiving with loved ones who aren’t nearby can still feel meaningful with a little creativity. Technology can help bridge the gap. Schedule a video call during the meal so you can eat “together” virtually or plan a shared activity, like cooking the same recipes or playing a game online, to make it feel like you’re connected despite the distance.
Another idea is to create a shared photo album or digital scrapbook where everyone can upload pictures of their celebrations. It’s a great way to share the day’s moments and feel included in each other’s lives.
If sending care packages is feasible, consider mailing a little Thanksgiving love ahead of time. Things like a handwritten note, a favorite treat, or something that reminds them of home can be incredibly meaningful to receive during this time of year. These small gestures show that they’re in your thoughts, even if they can’t be at your table.
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