12 Thanksgiving Drinking Games for Adults

A note before the rules. Every game here is optional. Anyone can swap in water, sparkling water or a bite of pie and still play, and no one should feel pushed to drink. Take small sips, eat something, and do not drive after drinking. Plan a ride or a spare bed ahead of time.

All of these are for adults and nothing here is explicit.

While the TV is on

The parade and the football game do the work. Just watch and react.

1. Parade rules: sip when a balloon wobbles, when a host says “magical”, when someone lip-syncs and when a marching band plays a song you do not know. Pick four triggers and write them on a note.
2. Football rules: sip when there is a flag on the play, when a commentator says “turnover” and when a camera cuts to a coach looking upset. Swap sips for a point if you want to keep score.
3. Commercial bingo: each person picks three kinds of ads they expect (a car, a pizza, a mattress). When one runs, they mark it off. First to finish wins first pick of dessert.

A dinner table rules card

Write these on an index card and put it by the gravy boat. Everyone reads it, everyone can ignore it.

4. The gravy card: sip when someone says “pass the…”, when someone asks if it is vegan and when an uncle explains how he would have cooked the turkey. Add your own family’s repeat offenders.
5. Toast roulette: pick a name from a hat. That person gives a 15-second toast and everyone else raises a glass. Nobody has to do anything else.
6. Phone down: the first person to pick up their phone at the table covers the next round of drinks, or the dishes.

Question games for adults

7. Adult Never Have I Ever, holiday edition: the thinking is “never have I ever burned the rolls”, “pretended to like a gift” or “left a holiday party early”. Anyone who has done it takes a sip or puts a finger down. Keep it light and skip anything personal.
8. Most Likely To: on three, everyone points at the person who fits. The one with the most fingers takes a sip. Try “most likely to start the group chat argument” or “most likely to fall asleep before dessert”.
9. Two truths and a lie: wrong guessers sip. Not a classic drinking game, but it works because it is slow and chatty.
10. Would you rather, grown-up edition: the loser, as judged by a vote, sips. The would you rather game has a mix you can read on a phone.

For a different feel, Duoo Games has 15 games on one phone, with no setup. Trivia and bluffing games like Imposter work well after dinner.

Games with a bit of strategy

11. Imposter, with a toast: everyone gets a secret word except one person. After a round of clues, the group votes, and the person voted out gives the toast. See the Imposter game rules.
12. Trivia, losing team sips: play a few rounds of Thanksgiving trivia. The losing team takes a sip, or does the dishes.

Keep it fun for everyone

• Offer a real alternative. Sparkling cider, mocktails and a cup of tea are all fine. Name the option so that nobody has to explain why they are not drinking.
• Food first. Keep snacks on the table and play the rules cards with a full plate.
• Small sips only. One sip means one sip.
• Stop whenever. If the mood changes, switch to a non-drinking game like charades.
• No driving. Arrange a ride, a sober driver or a place to stay.

For a version with no alcohol at all, try our Friendsgiving games or the 30 Thanksgiving games.