Thanksgiving Word Scramble (Free Printable)

The word list

All 22 words are ready above. Add the names of everyone seated at the table, or the name of the dish only Aunt Carol makes.

How to use a Thanksgiving word scramble

The hour before a big dinner is the hardest to fill. Guests are hungry, the kitchen is full and the children are looping around the house. A scramble sheet gives them a calm task they can do on the sofa.

1. Print one sheet per child, or one for each table if guests prefer to solve in groups.
2. Put pencils in a mug and the sheets on a clipboard in the living room.
3. Explain that two-word answers keep their space, which helps with phrases like pumpkin pie.
4. Allow collaboration. Grandparents and teens are often glad to join in.
5. Share answers while waiting for the turkey to rest.

Thanksgiving variations

• Gratitude round. After each word is solved, the solver names one thing they are thankful for that begins with the same letter.
• Place card puzzle. Print one scrambled word at each seat, and the guest has to solve it before sitting down.
• Classroom feast. Before a school break, divide students into pilgrim and harvest teams and race to finish a sheet each.

Tips for the host

Cut the sheets into halves for toddlers, and use only the shortest words. Older children can try the version without the word bank.

Keep one sheet to be filled out by adults, because they will want to try as well, and a little rivalry between generations makes dinner livelier.

The answer key is its own page, so tuck it under the cranberry sauce bowl until needed.

Printing for the holiday

Print on cream or kraft-colored paper to give the sheets an autumn look. If you are printing several for guests, set the number of puzzles to match, so each person has a different arrangement. Standard Letter works for most American tables, and A4 is available for anyone printing abroad.