Thanksgiving Guide: Menu Plan, Family Activities & More

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We’ve created this Thanksgiving Guide as a one-stop shop for all of your thanksgiving needs. Includes simple, no-fuss recipes, fun activities for the whole family, ideas for leftovers, and more.

Thanksgiving table with the words "Thanksgiving Guide" above it.

Table of Contents

Thanksgiving Activities

It never hurts to have some activities set out around the house. Here are a few that your family might enjoy!

Thanksgiving Bingo – Use our free printable for a fun game all ages can play together.
Make a Thanksgiving Tree – A family activity that all can participate in. Free printable included.
Table Talk Cards – Great conversation starters at the table! We created a different set of these printable cards for Preschoolers, Elementary Kids, and Tweens & Teens. Have each person draw a card to ask the group.
30+ Thanksgiving Crafts – Want to keep those little hands busy? Here are some great ideas.
Set out a puzzle. I personally love Ravensburger Puzzles. They are high quality and don’t fall apart!

Thanksgiving Bingo game with candies on top.

Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas

We’ll pulled together a few very doable recipes for each portion of the meal for you. Pick one or two from each section and enjoy a homemade meal!

Appetizers

Woman holding a bacon-wrapped date with goat cheese.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese – An easy holiday favorite. Salty, sweet, chewy, and creamy in one bite.
Hummus & Veggie Sticks – Tasty and not too filling. Need to save room for that turkey!
Homemade Chex Mix – My grandma would have bowls of this out everywhere when we celebrated Thanksgiving at her house. Be warned, it’s addictive!
Simple Charcuterie Board – Follow our 4 easy steps to the perfect board. Anyone can do this.

Main Course

Turkey breast slices and mashed potatoes with gravy on a plate with utensils.

Roast Turkey Breast with Pan Gravy – Cheaper and easier to manage for a smaller group. Serves up to 8.
Whole Roast Turkey – I have used this detailed guide by The Yummy Life a few times now.
Crockpot Ham – This method frees up the oven. Serve with our delicious Pineapple Sauce or Cranberry Orange Sauce on the side to make it extra special.
Ham and Cheese Sliders – Everyone loves these! Make ahead of time and freeze before the big day.

Side Dishes

Autumn Chopped Salad with dressing being poured over it.

Autumn Chopped Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette – Trust me. This salad is a WINNER.
Simple Homemade Stuffing – So easy. You’ll never go back to store bought after this.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – Creamy mashed potatoes made in the pressure cooker to save time! Or consider making our Healthy Mashed Potatoes.
Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans – Who wants a green bean casserole when you can wrap them in bacon?? Or try this amazing, colorful Skillet Green Beans recipe.
Maple Glazed Carrots – Easy and delicious side.
Cranberry Orange Sauce – Gorgeous color and amazing flavor in just minutes. Make ahead and freeze! (You could also try out our Apple Cranberry Sauce if cranberry sauce is a bit too tart for you.)
Bread Machine Dinner Rolls – These are so easy to make and light and fluffy! We also have Bread Machine Wheat Rolls, too.

Dessert and Drinks

A piece of pumpkin dump cake on a plate.

Pumpkin Dump Cake – Easier and tastier than pumpkin pie, in our humble opinion.
Snickerdoodle Cookies – These are SO good. Fun to have kids help with the prep, too.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte – Such a treat to have before or after a Thanksgiving meal!
Pie in a Jar – These personal-sized pies are made in little mason jars that can go straight from your freezer to your oven to your mouth.

How to Use Up Leftovers

Overhead shot of baked turkey stuffing casserole.

Turkey Stuffing Casserole – Use up leftover turkey, gravy, and stuffing in this amazing 4-layer casserole. Make it and freeze for later if you want.
Turkey Stock – Don’t throw away your turkey carcass! Make simple broth to freeze for later using either your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stove. I freeze it in mason jars to use in soups.
Turkey Pesto Paninis – A Thriving Home fave! Make these sandwiches in bulk and freeze for later.
Ham and Cheese Sliders – If you have leftover ham, slice it up to use in these freezable sammies.
Leftover Ham and Bean Soup – A healthy, comforting soup to use up leftover ham (or smoked turkey) in.

Bonus Tips & Tricks for Hosting

10 Thanksgiving Tips for Less Stress – Great advice from our readers for making T-Day less stressful.
20+ Easy Meal Ideas for Groups of People – Need more meal ideas? Check out this popular roundup.

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