Things to Do For Thanksgiving 2025

Time has a funny way of slipping past us when the world spins faster than our hearts can keep up. But Thanksgiving 2025… Well, that one feels different. It feels lighter, warmer, and closer to the heart.

Families everywhere are easing back into rediscovering traditions they thought they'd lost and creating new ones to fill the quiet spaces. And in that gentle return, this season is offering us something rare: a moment of genuine gratitude, and a chance to reconnect with the people who make life feel whole.

Now, many people out there are looking for fresh ideas for things to do on Thanksgiving 2025. They're searching for the kinds of simple joys that make a room echo with laughter, even pulling in those kids who normally disappear into the glow of a tablet screen. And yes, we're talking about plenty of Thanksgiving family activities and Thanksgiving activities for kids.

But these modern holidays… they come with their own quirks, don't they? Bluetooth speakers humming with soft jazz. Movies projected on the living room walls. Video chats are bridging oceans and time zones just to see a familiar face.

And for all that magic to flow the way it should, you'll want a safety net of power right by your side. A portable backup, sturdy and dependable, something like the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 portable power station (2073Wh, 2600W). It's the quiet hero of a holiday gathering, keeping the craft table lit, the music alive, and the devices charged no matter where the day takes you, indoors, out on the patio, or somewhere in the soft space between.

So let's take a slow walk into the best things to do for Thanksgiving 2025, without overthinking, without rushing, just letting the holiday unfold the way it was always meant to.

Indoor Party: Bring the Family Closer This Thanksgiving

If you're putting together your list of things to do for Thanksgiving 2025, the indoor traditions are where most families naturally begin, mostly because there's something comforting about being surrounded by warmth, familiar smells, and the whirlwind of people moving in and out of the kitchen.

And honestly, these traditions hit differently after the last few years, when gatherings felt uncertain or scaled down. Now, people are reconnecting with the rituals they grew up with and adding new ones that reflect who they are today.

Share Meals, Potlucks, and Live the Kitchen Chaos!

A Thanksgiving potluck might sound simple, but when everyone shows up with a signature dish, you get a beautiful blend of personalities on the table. Grandma brings the classic recipe that absolutely no one is allowed to alter. Your cousin shows up with something "experimental," but it always ends up being strangely delicious. Someone brings rolls from the store because they "ran out of time," but let's be honest, those rolls get devoured just as fast as the homemade ones.

Cooking together also turns into an unexpected bonding moment. Even people who rarely cook suddenly want to chop onions, mix batter, or "supervise" the oven. If you're building your lineup of Things to Do for Thanksgiving 2025, this tradition stays on top for a reason: it naturally brings everyone into the same space, doing something meaningful without trying too hard. And kids love being part of it; give them small jobs and watch them beam with pride.

Gratitude Moments

Some families go all in on gratitude traditions, while others cringe at the thought of going around the table and reciting a script. But there are ways to make the moment feel genuine and conversational. You could pass around a "gratitude bowl" filled with prompts, or ask everyone to jot down a few things they're grateful for throughout the day. Add those slips into a jar, and read them aloud after dessert.

If you want something deeper, create a shared gratitude book that you bring out every Thanksgiving. People write in it each year—thoughts, hopes, and fun memories—and over time, it becomes a family time capsule. When you're brainstorming Thanksgiving family activities, this one gives everyone a moment to pause and feel grounded.

Parade Time, Movie Time, and Cozy Night-Before Rituals

Sometimes the best traditions are the ones you don't even realize you've created. Watching the Macy's Parade while breakfast finishes up. Putting on "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" the night before. Setting out blankets and letting the kids camp in the living room. These moments reset your energy before the big day.

This is where a power station becomes unexpectedly handy. If you've ever had too many devices plugged in at once—the TV, the projector, the garland lights, the Bluetooth speaker that someone forgot to charge—you know how fast outlets run out.

The BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 solves that problem. With multiple AC and USB ports, it keeps your movie marathon or parade-watching party going without flickering, battery warnings, or the awkward "unplug something else" argument.

Wishbones, Family Trees, and Little Nostalgia

There's nothing quite like watching two kids (or adults who should know better) hold a wishbone with absolute determination. Whether or not you believe the wish will come true, it's one of those goofy traditions that gets everyone smiling.

Building a family tree, creating a memory wall, or writing notes to distant relatives are great additions to your Things to Do for Thanksgiving 2025 list. It helps kids understand where they come from and gives older family members a chance to share stories they haven't told in years. You might even uncover a few funny family secrets no one expected to hear.

Crafts and Creative Activities For Kids

Now let's talk about the part of the day that keeps the youngest family members busy, because keeping children occupied is the unsung strategy behind a peaceful holiday. Expanding your options with more Thanksgiving activities for kids gives you breathing room and makes the day feel fuller and more memorable for them.

Gratitude Crafts That Make You Go "Aww"

Gratitude-themed crafts are adorable, but they also teach kids mindfulness without making it feel like a lesson. You can set out colored paper, markers, stickers, and feathers, and let them build gratitude jars, thankful trees, or long garlands filled with "I'm thankful for…" strips.

What's surprising is how much these crafts reveal what kids value; sometimes it's their family or their pets, sometimes it's their favorite snack or the fact that they didn't have homework that week. But that's the beauty of it. These crafts become little keepsakes, and parents often end up packing them away for future nostalgia trips.

Turkey Crafts: Traditional Classics for a Reason

There is no universe in which a kid will turn down a turkey craft. Give them paint, pom-poms, cardboard tubes, pinecones, googly eyes, felt, or whatever you have, and you'll unlock their full artistic energy.

This activity is also perfect for photo ops, so parents can create a mini "art gallery" of turkeys made by different family members. It keeps the kids engaged, sparks creativity, and creates a sense of shared excitement. And, when added to your list of Things to Do for Thanksgiving 2025, this craft becomes a guaranteed winner.

Fall Nature Creations

This activity works especially well if your neighborhood or backyard has easy access to fallen leaves. Kids can create leaf rubbings, paint pinecones, build twig photo frames, or arrange small nature-based "centerpieces" for the big dinner table.

These projects connect kids to nature and get them moving around outdoors, searching for their materials. When they come back inside with pockets full of leaves, sticks, and acorns, they feel like they've contributed something meaningful.

Matching Shirts, Placemats, and DIY Decorations

Personalized t-shirts, decorated placemats, and homemade banners are simple crafts that keep kids focused for a long time. Give them fabric markers, glitter pens, and stickers, and let them go wild. The results might not always match your home aesthetic, but they will reflect pure kid joy.

And because crafting can stretch into hours, you'll appreciate having the BLUETTI Apex 300 home battery backup powering glue guns, lamps, or portable craft tools. This unit is powerful enough to run multiple devices at once, so you don't have to choose between "light" or "hot glue."

Games and Outdoor Activities

Once everyone is fed (or while the turkey is still roasting), it's smart to move the energy outside. Kids need it. Adults need it. And honestly, the fresh air helps avoid the classic Thanksgiving afternoon slump. If you're building a complete list of Things to Do for Thanksgiving 2025, outdoor games deserve a solid section of their own.

Backyard Games to Ignite Laughter

Turkey Tag will always be a hit. Each player tucks a "feather tail" behind them and tries to protect it while grabbing others'. It's simple, silly, and perfect for all ages. Then you have Pumpkin Sweep races, a broom, a pumpkin, a finish line, and chaos. Pure gold.

Thanksgiving Pictionary is great for mixed-age groups, especially if someone keeps drawing turkeys that look like potatoes. You'll laugh harder than you expect. These activities don't need complicated setup or planning. You just need space, simple props, and people with a sense of humor.

Scavenger Hunts

A Thanksgiving scavenger hunt is easy to put together and makes kids feel like explorers. Put together lists with items like a smooth rock, something orange, a crunchy leaf, a feather, a sign of winter coming, something round, and something that smells good.

You can even add a gratitude twist: for every item they find, they share one thing they're thankful for. This turns a fun game into one of your meaningful Thanksgiving family activities without forcing anything.

Mini-Parades and Turkey Trots

If your family has toddlers, mini-parades are adorable. Decorate wagons, strollers, bikes, or even scooters. Play music. March around the block. If you live in a lively neighborhood, other families sometimes join in.

Turkey Trots, even DIY ones, are a fantastic way to burn energy. You can time it, or not. Let people walk, run, jog, skate, bike, or whatever works. It's the effort and laughter that matter, not the finish time.

Evening Walks or Backyard Flag Football

Walking around the neighborhood after Thanksgiving dinner is an amazing experience. The air feels crisp, the sky looks different, and everyone has that post-meal glow. If your family leans sporty, backyard flag football is a blast. Someone always takes it way too seriously, someone always forgets the rules, and someone always ends up laughing so hard they can't run.

Since evenings get cold and dark faster in November, having the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 helps more than you'd think. You can power outdoor lights, music, and even small heaters without worrying about extension cords stretched across the yard.

Cooking, Baking, and Giving Back

No list of Things to Do for Thanksgiving 2025 is complete without a section dedicated to the heart of the holiday, food and generosity.

Bake-Together Moments

Baking together creates this lovely "slow time" that families don't get often. You can divide tasks so everyone has a role: one person measures ingredients, one mixes, one decorates, and one does frosting or glaze. Try new recipes or stick to the classics; it all works.

The point isn't to produce bakery-level perfection. It's to laugh when someone accidentally adds double the cinnamon, or when the muffins come out looking like tiny mountains. Those little moments end up making the day special.

Family Volunteering

Many families find meaning by helping at shelters, participating in food drives, or creating care packages for elderly neighbors. Even kids can help choose items or write little notes.

Volunteering doesn't have to be grand; it just has to come from the heart.

Movie Marathons or Gift Exchanges

After the day's activities, there's nothing wrong with switching into cozy mode. Pick a few feel-good movies, grab blankets, and settle in. If your family loves friendly chaos, a white elephant exchange is the perfect way to keep the fun going after dinner. These little end-of-day traditions tie the whole Thanksgiving experience together.

Final Word

When you list out all the possible Things to Do for Thanksgiving 2025, what you're really choosing are moments, tiny slices of time where everyone is present, connected, and grateful. It's up to you whether you want to spend the day crafting, cooking, running around outside, or curled up with family; the mix of fun, calm, and gratitude is what makes the holiday meaningful.

And if you want your day to run smoothly, especially with music, projectors, family calls, or outdoor fun, portable power makes a surprisingly big difference. The BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 portable power station is perfect for fast charging and powering multiple devices without adapters. Meanwhile, the BLUETTI Apex 300 home battery backup gives you stable, long-lasting power that can support everything from internet routers to major appliances.

Try a few of these ideas, mix them into your own style, and build the version of Thanksgiving that feels right for 2025.