Thanksgiving Would You Rather Classroom Resources And Free Printables

The Thanksgiving holiday season offers a unique opportunity for educators and caregivers to bring creativity and conversation into the classroom and family settings. Among the most engaging and accessible activities during this time are Thanksgiving-themed “Would You Rather” questions. These lighthearted prompts not only entertain but also encourage communication, critical thinking, and bonding. A variety of pre-made and customizable free resources exist, including digital slides, printables, and interactive games, all of which are designed for use in classrooms, homeschool settings, and family gatherings. These materials are largely created by educators, for educators, and provide no-cost options that are easily shared and implemented.

TeachersPayTeachers—a widely used platform for educational resources—hosts several free and paid Thanksgiving-themed “Would You Rather” activities. These resources often come in the form of Google Slides, Easel, PowerPoint, or printables and are structured for classroom use or virtual learning. The activities are ideal for building community and sparking meaningful interaction among students, especially during the busy last days before the Thanksgiving break.

Similarly, blog-based platforms such as Mimosas and Motherhood contribute to the availability of free Thanksgiving-themed questions. In addition to offering more than 80 printed prompts, their digital-free printable can be downloaded instantly for those planning a classroom or family event. These free printables are made available for personal use and can be printed on any standard paper.

While the sources of these resources differ in format and presentation, they all offer an accessible and engaging way to bring Thanksgiving spirit into daily life and lessons. Below is an overview of the available free and easily downloadable options, tailored for teachers, parents, and facilitators seeking no-cost classroom materials for Thanksgiving-themed conversations and activities.

Types of Thanksgiving Would You Rather Resources

Thanksgiving-themed “Would You Rather” questions are available in multiple formats and content variations to suit different age ranges and learning environments. The most common types include digital slide decks, interactive games, and printable question sheets—many of which are available for free use or download.

Google Slides and Digital Slide Decks

Digital slide decks are among the most popular and versatile formats for Thanksgiving-themed “Would You Rather” games. These resources typically include up to 35 or 50 pre-made questions displayed in a visual format with clear instructions, hand signals for voting, and space for students to justify their choices. The inclusion of real photos, colorful visuals, and easy-to-follow prompts makes digital slide decks particularly effective for engaging students and encouraging participation.

Digital slide decks are ideal for classroom use, virtual learning, brain breaks, and morning meetings. They can be used as part of thematic lesson plans during November, and many are designed with interactive features that allow students to manipulate slides or respond in real-time. Some decks are specific to language arts and are aligned with curriculum standards for grades K–8, such as encouraging writing, speaking, and reasoning skills.

Easel, Pear Deck, and Jamboard versions are also commonly available, especially for Spanish language learning or differentiated instruction. This makes the Thanksgiving “Would You Rather” slides accessible to a wider range of learning styles and linguistic backgrounds. The digital format also allows for customization in some cases, as seen in the inclusion of editable Canva templates for classroom use.

Interactive and Collaborative Games

Interactive and collaborative games represent another branch of the Thanksgiving “Would You Rather” offerings. These games are often designed with peer discussion in mind and include both humorous and thought-provoking prompts. Many include the added benefit of promoting movement-based learning, especially in the days leading up to a school break or holiday.

One example of a collaborative resource is a Thanksgiving Meal Would You Rather game intended for speech and language therapy or classroom use. These activities may require students to express preferences and explain their reasoning, thus building both language acquisition and social-emotional learning skills. Similar games are also suitable for icebreakers, with many designed for students in grades 3–6.

Some of these games take the form of craftivity templates and can be used to create fun, hands-on projects. While not exclusively “Would You Rather” in format, they share the same purpose: to encourage reflection, decision-making, and conversation. These often feature visual elements such as turkey feathers or hat icons, aligning the game with the broader Thanksgiving theme.

Printables for Personal and Class Use

For educators who prefer a low-tech or offline version, Thanksgiving “Would You Rather” printable sheets are also available. These can be used as writing prompts, story starters, or general discussion questions in both classroom and family settings. The printables are often split into categories for different age groups, with simpler and more lighthearted questions intended for younger children (ages 4–8) and more thoughtful ones for older kids (ages 9–12).

The design of the free printable includes tips for engagement, such as prompts to save the printable file to a computer for easy printing or to distribute during a family dinner gathering. Users are provided with clear instructions on usage and distribution, with many printables noting that they are for personal use only and should be printed on regular paper.

Printable resources often emphasize that they can serve as a fun replacement for traditional small talk, especially during the extended family gatherings and large meals that are typical of the Thanksgiving holiday. They also suggest pairing these questions with other Thanksgiving-themed games or activites, such as trivia or table talk cards, to enhance the overall experience.

Implementation for Different Grade Levels

The availability and adaptability of Thanksgiving “Would You Rather” questions make them a suitable activity for a wide range of students. Different grade levels benefit from various formats and content types, depending on the students' developmental and cognitive stages.

Early Elementary (K–2)

For younger students, the questions tend to be more humorous and less abstract. Questions often center around basic concepts such as food preferences, costume choices, or favorite parts of the holiday. These are designed to encourage simple language use and social engagement.

Digital slides tailored for this age group typically include clear visuals and hand signals for voting. Games may also have movement-based components to keep students active, particularly during the week before school break when attention spans can be short. These activities often come with writing prompts, allowing students to express their choices in a short written format, which serves as an exercise in basic literacy and critical thinking.

Additionally, these games often serve as a warm-up to other holiday activities or can be paired with stories and crafts to create a cohesive and festive learning experience.

Upper Elementary (Grades 3–5)

At this stage, students are often able to handle more complex prompts that begin to include a greater variety of topics, such as family traditions, holiday preferences, and holiday experiences. These questions encourage students to think about their personal opinions and back them up with reasoning.

The digital slide decks for this age group often include a combination of both funny and neutral questions to appeal to a broader range of learners. The inclusion of visual prompts, such as images of Thanksgiving foods or holiday elements, helps to keep the content relatable and engaging.

Some Thanksgiving game resources for this age group also come with the added component of language development, particularly for students learning Spanish, and include bilingual prompts and comprehension-based activities.

Middle School (Grades 6–8)

For middle school students, Thanksgiving-themed “Would You Rather” activities can still be appropriate, particularly if the resource includes prompts that encourage reflection and conversation. These may include more abstract or open-ended questions that allow for deeper discussion.

In a math or science context, “Would You Rather” questions might even be integrated with problem-based learning, such as a turkey plotting activity where students use coordinates and plotting skills while still engaging with Thanksgiving themes. These types of integrated activities help reinforce academic skills in a fun and thematic way.

The use of Thanksgiving game prompts with this age group also supports the development of social-emotional learning by encouraging students to consider shared traditions, values, and beliefs. The prompts often touch on themes of gratitude, family, and community, aligning well with the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Classroom and Family Applications

Given the wide range of formats and variations, Thanksgiving-themed “Would You Rather” questions and activities can be integrated into a variety of classroom and home-based settings.

In the classroom, these activities are often used as icebreakers, brain breaks, or as part of morning meetings. They can also serve as writing prompts for journaling or opinion writing assignments. The interactive and digital nature of many of these resources makes them ideal for integrating into tech-based learning or flipped classroom settings.

For homeschool families or caregivers, these resources are a great tool for family discussions during meals or game nights. The questions are designed to encourage conversation and laughter, making them ideal for situations where traditional small talk may feel forced or awkward. These activities can also be used to facilitate meaningful conversations about gratitude, family values, and holiday traditions.

Some digital and printable versions are designed to be played virtually, making them suitable for online classrooms. These versions often include features that allow students to respond in real time or work in pairs to discuss their answers. The interactive components align with modern classroom tools like Easel, Pear Deck, or Jamboard, which can be manipulated or shared during online instruction.

Key Features of the Best Thanksgiving Would You Rather Resources

When selecting a Thanksgiving “Would You Rather” resource for classroom or family use, there are key features to consider. The best resources tend to include:

• Clear instructions and setup directions, especially for those who are less familiar with digital tools or interactive games.
• Grade-level appropriateness, ensuring that the prompts are engaging for the developmental stage of the students or audience.
• A combination of humor and thoughtfulness, making the prompts both entertaining and reflective.
• Visual and interactive components, which improve engagement and accessibility, particularly for visual learners.
• Flexibility in use, such as printable versions or editable templates, which allow for customization and adaptation to different learning environments.
• Options for solo or group play, depending on the setting and number of participants.

These features ensure that the activities are not only enjoyable but also effective in meeting educational or social goals, from communication development to team-building.

Accessibility and Downloadability

A notable aspect of these Thanksgiving-themed “Would You Rather” resources is their accessibility and ease of use. Digital versions can often be accessed or shared instantly through Google Slides or similar platforms, while downloadable versions can be printed for immediate use.

The availability of these resources on platforms like TeachersPayTeachers or third-party blog sites also facilitates social sharing and downloading. Many resources are labeled as "free" and can be printed or shared, although some include notes indicating they are for "personal use only" or must be downloaded onto a specific device before printing.

In most cases, users are encouraged to download and save the printable versions to their computers for future use. The majority of the "Would You Rather" question sets are intended to be used in print, slide, or game form without the need for additional purchases or subscriptions.

Educational Value

Beyond entertainment, Thanksgiving “Would You Rather” activities offer significant educational value. They support the development of language and reasoning skills and can serve as an introduction to opinion writing, persuasive speaking, and social-emotional learning.

For younger students, the games introduce basic vocabulary and decision-making while building confidence in expressing opinions. For older students, they serve as a foundation for more complex writing and expression assignments.

These activities also promote classroom community building and help establish student connections. The collaborative nature of “Would You Rather” games—whether through discussion, voting, or group reflection—creates an inclusive and participatory learning environment.

In bilingual or second-language classrooms, these resources can also serve a dual purpose of language instruction and cultural appreciation, particularly when the prompts include cultural references or expressions in another language.

Free Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions and Topics

Examples of Thanksgiving-themed “Would You Rather” questions from the available sources include:

• Would you rather wear a turkey costume or a pilgrim hat all day?
• Would you rather have pumpkin pie for breakfast or apple pie for dinner?
• Would you rather eat only cranberry sauce or only mashed potatoes?
• Would you rather play with a live turkey or cuddle a pet turkey?
• Would you rather sit by the tree or sit beside the guest of honor at dinner?

These questions are designed to be fun, with a clear Thanksgiving context, making them relatable and engaging for children and adults alike.

Resources often split these questions into categories, depending on the intended age group or setting. Some are more lighthearted and suitable for younger children, while others may include more thoughtful or open-ended prompts aimed at older students or adults.

In addition to holiday-specific topics, some of these questions also integrate learning elements, such as math plotting or coordinate practice, which adds an academic layer to an otherwise recreational activity.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving-themed "Would You Rather" questions and activities offer a fun, interactive way to engage students and families during the holiday season. Whether used in a digital classroom, a homeschool setting, or a family game night, these resources provide both entertainment and educational value. They encourage communication, critical thinking, and community building, and they are accessible as free printables, digital slides, and games.

Educators and caregivers can choose from a wide variety of options to suit different grade levels and learning environments. The availability of these resources in both digital and printable formats ensures flexibility and ease of use. Many of the offerings are specifically tailored to the needs of younger learners or align with curriculum standards in language arts and mathematics.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, integrating these types of activities into classroom instruction or family gatherings can help create opportunities for connection, laughter, and conversation. They serve as a valuable tool for maintaining engagement during the busy days before the break, as well as for building meaningful Thanksgiving traditions.

Sources

1. TeachersPayTeachers – Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions
2. Mimosas and Motherhood – Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions for Kids
3. TeachersPayTeachers – Thanksgiving This or That Would You Rather Game