Help throw a Friendsgiving for your Teenagers. Your teens will love getting together with their friends, enjoying food, games and good company.
Friendsgiving Food
Traditionally food for a Friendsgiving is similar to a normal Thanksgiving dinner. However, I think with teens that makes things a little more complicated. Something we did was a Pie Night. Have your teens friends bring their favorite pie. You can help out by making a few, or just provide them all.
Friendsgiving Games
Games are a fun way for your teen and their friends to get to know each other and make memories. We played a couple games that we attempted to make Fall/Thanksgiving themed.
3-Step Charades
3-Step Charades is a fun twist on a classic game. Break the group into two teams. Then print out charade prompts or create your own. The group may have fun coming up with their own. The more specific the better
Examples of Fall charades:
- Pumpking carving
- Raking leaves
- Bobbing for apples
- Going for a hike
- Putting on a sweater
Other Ideas:
- Movie titles
- Celebrities
- Inside jokes
- Objects
- Actions
Rules:
All of your prompts, about 20-30, will go in a bag. There are three rounds
- Round 1: Only Words – Use only words to describe prompt (no gestures)
- Round 2: Gestures – Use only gestures, not words to describe
- Round 3: One Word – Use only ONE WORD to describe prompt
Each round, teams will alternate a player describing the prompt to their team. Each prompt correctly guessed is a point. The player will describe the prompt for about 30-45 seconds. Following that, the other team will send another player. After all the prompts have been guessed or attempted to guess, you move on to the next round. When it’s time for the next round, all the previous prompts will go back in the bag. The teams will then start over with the same prompts but by the rules for the next round.
Example: Prompt is Riding a bike
- Round 1 (Only Words): “Something you learn to do without training wheels”
- Round 2 (Gestures): Acting out riding a bike
- Round 3 (One Word): Pedal or Tricycle
By the end of the three rounds, whichever team has accumulated the most points wins.
Scenarios:
- If a player finishes the last prompt but still has time left, pause the time. Put all the prompts back in the bag and that same player may use the remaining time to describe using the rules of the next round.
- If a player’s team is struggling to guess the prompt, they get 1 pass per turn.
Watch this video for a sampling of how the 3 step charades works:
Video Scavenger Hunt for Teens
The video scavenger hunt is a great way for teens to get out of their comfort zone! The scavenger hunt prompts below can be used in any standard neighborhood, but alter them as needed. Add your own ideas as well! We didn’t want the teens driving around so they just did in our own neighborhood.
Rules:
- Come up with a team name
- Use two phone camera per team
- Shoot in landscape (horizontal) mode
- Rotate who is the videographer
- Use the flashlight feature
- 30 minute timer
- Stay in our neighborhood (block, give parameters)
Scavenger Hunt Prompts
- Each team member “leap frog” a fire hydrant
- Jump in a puddle, making a SPLASH
- Dance “the whoa” (or current dance move) at a crosswalk with lines on the ground
- Slide down the neighborhood slide in a train
- Make a 3 person pyramid next to a car parked on the street.
- Sing the National Anthem next to an American flag
- Spell STOP in motions in front of a stop sign.
- Walk down the center of the street like a model on the runway.
- Take a picture with a dog out on a walk with their master.
We then watched each teams videos following the scavenger hunt. It was a blast
Fugitive
Fugitive is a fun night game to play if the weather is still decent. Here’s how it works.
- There’s a driver and then a drivers partner.
- The driver drops everyone off at a drop-off point somewhere farther up the neighborhood
- The kids get a 30 second count down and run off
- GOAL: The people who got dropped off’s goal is to get back to the house without getting caught. The goal of the driver is to find everyone. The drivers partner can get out of the car.
- If the driver and partner find someone, they have to get back in the car.
Establish rules depending on your area or neighborhood. Some examples may be no hiding in cars, yards or backyards etc. This game is a fun way for you to be involved with your teens and their friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make your teen Friendsgiving memorable, focus on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, include fun activities, encourage everyone to share what they’re thankful for, and take lots of photos to capture the moments.
You can decorate for Friendsgiving with fall-themed decor, such as pumpkins, autumn leaves, and candles. You can also get creative and make DIY decorations to personalize the space.
Absolutely! Friendsgiving is all about personalization and creativity. Feel free to include non-traditional dishes or international cuisines that you and your friends enjoy.
