Free Printable Thanksgiving Taboo to Spice Up Game Night

Thanksgiving Taboo is a fun game that’s perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings, classroom activities, holiday parties and family game nights with loved ones.

Players race against the clock to get their team to guess the Thanksgiving word without saying any of the forbidden words on the card.

You’ll find a free printable version of the game below to try at home.

Also do check out this popular Thanksgiving family game, Thanksgiving Worst Advice Ever.

• If you’re looking for even more cards, the full Thanksgiving Taboo bundle is available in my shop.

What is the Thanksgiving Taboo Game?

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the classic forbidden words game.

But if you’re new to it, Thanksgiving Taboo is a fast-paced word-guessing game where players try to get their teammates to guess a Thanksgiving-themed word without saying any of the forbidden words listed on the card.

The team with the most correct guesses when time runs out wins!

It’s super simple to learn for kids, teens, and adults alike, which makes it a fabulous choice for post-feast family game nights, classroom activities, or holiday gatherings.

Plus, it double-dips as a great learning tool, helping kids build vocabulary, communication, and creative thinking skills while having a blast!

Taboo Word Game Supplies

Before getting started, gather a few basics:

• Thanksgiving Taboo cards (print the free version below or use the complete bundle)

• A timer (30–60 seconds works best)

• A score sheet and pencil (optional)

• A small bowl, basket, or box to hold the cards (optional)

How to Play Thanksgiving Taboo

• Divide players into two or more teams.

• Shuffle the Thanksgiving Taboo cards and place them face down in a deck.

• Pick one person to be the clue giver for the first round.

• Set your timer for 30–60 seconds.

• The clue giver draws a card and tries to get their team to guess the main Thanksgiving word without saying any of the forbidden taboo words listed below it.

• Feel free to use quick descriptions, fun synonyms, or hand gestures, just make sure you don’t say any part of the main word or any of the forbidden words!

• If a taboo word accidentally slips out, simply skip that card or award the point to the opposing team (agree on your rule before starting!).

• Teams score one point for every word guessed correctly before time runs out.

• Rotate turns so everyone gets a chance to give clues, or play until a team hits a set point goal. The team with the most points wins!

🧡Game Tip: For kids, start with simpler words and relax the rules a bit, like letting them use one taboo word or giving them extra time. 🧡For Extra Challenge: If you’re playing with teens or adults after dinner, try dropping the timer to 30 seconds as the rounds go on to keep things fast paced and hilarious!

Free Thanksgiving Taboo Words List

TURKEY	PUMPKIN PIE	GRATITUDE
Bird Thanksgiving Gobble Feathers Main Dish	Dessert Slice Whipped Cream Bake Crust	Thankful Grateful Blessings Kindness Appreciate

BREAD	CRANBERRY	AUTUMN
Roll Loaves Yeast Sandwich Breaking	Red Fruit Tart Sauce Jelly	Fall Season Leaves October November

ORANGE	CHILLY	FOOTBALL
Pumpkin Color Shade Leaves Fruit	Cold Weather Sweater Cool Crisp	Touchdown Game Sport NFL Thanksgiving

PARADE	DRESSING	HARVEST
Macy’s Floats Balloons New York Marching Band	Stuffing Bread Turkey Side Dish Herbs	Autumn Crops Farmers Fall Thanksgiving

POTLUCK	HOLIDAY	YAMS
Pumpkin Color Shade Leaves Fruit	Thanksgiving Christmas Vacation Celebration Festival	Sweet potatoes Thanksgiving Orange Marshmallow Side dish

ABUNDANCE	SCARECROW	GUESTS
Plenty Wealth Harvest Food Full	Cornfield Farmer Straw Hay Crows	Visitors Party Host Dinner Friends

FARM	NOVEMBER	CORN
Farmer Crops Barn Animals Field	Thanksgiving Fall Autumn Month Turkey	Cob Popcorn Yellow Kernel Thanksgiving

Fun Ways to Play Thanksgiving Taboo

Thanksgiving Charades: For a silent round, skip the taboo list and just use the main word at the top of the card to act out clues without making a sound. It’s a hilarious way to get everyone off the couch and laughing after dinner!

Thanksgiving Pictionary: Grab a whiteboard or notepad and let players draw out the main target word while their team tries to guess before the timer runs out. No letters or symbols are allowed, making it a super fun test of quick artistic skills for all ages!

Reverse Taboo: Instead of one player giving clues to a group, one person sits in the “hot seat” trying to guess the main word, while the entire room gives clues together! Everyone shouting out hints has to obey the forbidden word list, making for a hilarious, fast-paced group effort.

Speed Challenge: When everyone is relaxed on the couch after dinner, wake the room back up by setting up a high-stakes speed round tailored for teens and adults. Drop the timer down to just 30 seconds per card to keep the energy super high. Enforce a strict penalty, where saying a forbidden word instantly awards that point to the opposing team!

Get the Full Thanksgiving Taboo Bundle

Grab the complete Thanksgiving and enjoy:

• 108 unique Thanksgiving Taboo cards for hours of gameplay and a wide variety of related words.

• 9 blank cards to create your own custom Thanksgiving words

• One score sheet to track your scores

• Great for family game nights, parties, classrooms, youth groups, and fall festivals

• Print and play again and again year after year.

Try More Fun Thanksgiving Games, Activities

Thanksgiving Guess the Price: A fun party game where everyone tries to guess the prices of Thanksgiving feast staples!

Thanksgiving Would you Rather: 90 hilarious and silly “Would You Rather” questions the whole family will love answering!

Thanksgiving Family-friendly Movies: Keep the holiday spirit going with these cozy movies to watch with the whole crew.

Thanksgiving Family Traditions: Try these 22 simple family traditions to build everlasting bonds