Thanksgiving Charades

Thanksgiving Charades - Foods, activities, icons and more.

Charades is a fun game that typically involves gross motor movement and requires motor planning and creativity, and I have several versions. But when I saw Thanksgiving Charades on Amazon I balked at the price - $15.00? After all, I have blogged about Holiday Charades ($8.00) by the same company and I know that all there is in that box is a handful of cards with words printed on them. I could even suggest, as I did with Holiday Charades, saving your money and just writing up your own cards. The trouble is, I want to play too! 

If you've read much of my blog, you have probably already figured out that a game lover like me can't stop when the work day is done. Nope, games are just a part of who I am and they feature frequently in our family get-togethers. And it will be no fun or challenge for me if I write up the cards and then I know all the answers. So, as you already know, I broke down and bought it. I figured this is one that I can use at work and at home.

Charades is a game whereby individuals draw a random card, silently read what is on it, and then act it out. Written on the card could be the name of an object, a song title, an action, almost anything. Players act without speaking, while the rest of the group shout out guesses. Thanksgiving Charades is no different except that all of the charades in Thanksgiving Charades are related to Thanksgiving. It's a fun way to get everybody up and moving after a heavy meal.

So I already know a few of the cards because I looked at the preview. SPOILER ALERT: The image below shows some of the cards. If you don't want to know, scroll down fast.

We have family coming for Thanksgiving, I can hardly wait!

Object:

Be the person or team to guess the most correctly. Our object is just to have fun, we don't keep score, we just take turns.

Set up:

Place all the cards face down in a pile. Some people put them in a bowl or hat. You could use something Thanksgiving related like an empty cornucopia or a tofurky (turkey) roasting pan. Set a timer if you want. This will take the pressure off everybody if no one can guess.

Play:

Players take turns "charading". Draw a card, silently read what is written on it, then silently act it out. Keep acting until someone guesses it or the timer goes off. If someone guesses your charade, good for you! Now sit down and the next person plays.

If you are interested in other Thanksgiving-themed games I have blogged about, click here.

If you are interested in reading about Christmas games I have blogged about, click here.

Try this:

• Let the individual choose another card to act out if they can't figure out what to do. We're not out to embarrass anybody, just have a good time.
• Work side by side with the individual. You move as they watch and then ask them to copy you. Use props if necessary.
• Act out as a team. Take a minute to plan out what each person will do. Be supportive if someone is hesitant or doesn't have the skill needed. After all, who wants to get up in front of people and do things they feel they can't do.
• Use half the cards to play charades and the other half to play a Thanksgiving version of Pictionary (drawing instead of acting).
• After a minute add sounds (not words) if no one is guessing.
• Ask the individual to visualize the action before doing it. For instance if you are setting the table for the big meal, ask the person to visualize what it looks like when a person sets the table. If they have trouble, go set a place at a table, then try to perform the actions without the table setting.
• Help the individual by verbalizing each step, such as take the plate out of the cupboard, put the plate on the table, fold the napkin and put it by the plate. 
• Make a house rule that no one can guess for the first minute. This will give the individual time to do the movements and motor planning that you want.
• Work on motor planning, body awareness, balance, core strengthening, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation, visualization, spatial relations, creativity  

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.