Thanksgiving is looking a little different for many families this year, mine included. We are not having the traditional big family dinners due to the pandemic. To help entertain my son this holiday, I decided to make a few simple and easy fall games to play as a family.
I have included FREE downloads of the documents that I created. I hope that your family enjoys these games as much as we did. Enjoy!
1. Feed the Turkey
SUPPLIES
Plastic Bottle (I used Gatorade bottles)
Construction Paper
Googly Eyes
Pompoms
Dice
INSTRUCTIONS
1. First, you will need to create the turkeys. Personally, I used plastic Gatorade bottles. I found that the opening on most water bottles was too small when trying to remove the pompoms. Start with cutting out a beak and feathers out of construction paper.
2. Time to glue. You will need to glue the feathers onto the backside of the bottle towards the top. On the front of the bottle add googly eyes and the beak.
3. Now that your bottles are ready, it’s time to play. Each player will take turns rolling the dice (you can use either one or two). If you use two dice, you can practice addition with your child. Each player will count and add the corresponding number of pompoms into their bottle. The first person to fill their bottle with pompoms wins!
My son wanted to play this game over and over. He loves to race, so this was right up his alley. This game helps to work on fine motor skills, counting, number recognition, addition and turn taking.
2. Fall Bingo
SUPPLIES
Fall Bingo Game (FREE Download)
Bingo Markers (such as pumpkin seeds, rocks, pompoms, etc.)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Download and print the FREE fall bingo game. I recommend printing on cardstock for durability. You could laminate the bingo cards and pieces. As a side note, this game includes 10 bingo cards and the call sheet.
2. Next, cut the pieces out on the call sheet along the dotted lines.
3. Then, set out a bowl with colorful pumpkin seeds to use as bingo markers and a bowl with the call pieces.
4. Everyone should pick one bingo card to use. Place a pumpkin seed on the FREE space in the middle.
5. Now it’s time to play! Call out squares one by one by picking pieces out of the bowl. As items are called, place a pumpkin seed on the corresponding square on your bingo card. Once you have 5 in a row (vertical, horizontal or on a diagonal), say “BINGO!”
This game was such a big hit with my son. We played it multiple times for several days. This game helps to work on fine motor skills, matching, fall vocabulary, and math.
Check out my previous blog post to learn “How to Dye Pumpkin Seeds.”
3. Fall Matching Game
SUPPLIES
Fall Match Game (FREE Download)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Download and print the FREE fall matching game. I recommend printing on cardstock for durability. You could also laminate the pieces.
2. Next, cut the game pieces out along the dotted lines.
3. Time to play. Place the pieces face down on the table in a grid pattern. Then, take turns turning over two cards to find a match. The person with the most matches wins!
My son has always loved matching games. I created this game to help with his vocabulary of fall words. This game helps to work on literacy, vocabulary, matching, memory skills and turn taking.
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All activities here are activities I feel are safe for my own children. As your child’s parents/guardians, you will need to decide what you feel is safe for your family. I always encourage contacting your child’s pediatrician for guidance if you are not sure about the safety/age appropriateness of an activity. All activities on this blog are intended to be performed with adult supervision. Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when activities call for the use of materials that could potentially be harmful, such as scissors, or items that could present a choking risk (small items), or a drowning risk (water activities), and with introducing a new food/ingredient to a child (allergies). Observe caution and safety at all times. The author and blog disclaim liability for any damage, mishap, or injury that may occur from engaging in any of these activities on this blog.