Sending out big Thanksgiving love this year with a game that helps us focus on the silver linings in our lives and take stock of all the things we have to be thankful for. Best of all, it’s possible to play it in person or over video chat. Just download the free game sheet below and print out one copy for each player.
To play, team up to think about things you’re grateful for and decide on the words to fill in the special blanks on the list. Then, have each player choose words from the list to fill in the blank squares on their card. Put one word in each space. Don’t worry that there are words left over; part of the fun is choosing what to put in and leave out. Once everyone’s card is filled in, have one player cut out the words on list using the dotted lines. Fold the individual words up and put them in something you can pull from, like a bag, box, jar, or hat. Draw one word at a time and read it aloud to the rest of the players as they look for the word on their sheet. If they have the word written down, they cross off the box that contains it. The first player to cross off a whole row wins. To keep playing for a second winner, draw words until someone has crossed off all the words on their sheet.
Want to make an easy appreciation gift for your family? Color the sheets in advance and surprise everyone with the activity during dessert. Sometimes thoughtfulness is even sweeter than pie.
Interested learning about the ways that gratitude enriches our lives? Check out the Hidden Brain podcast episode on Where Gratitude Gets Us to hear the surprising ways gratitude helps us exercise self control, connect with others, and overcome adversity.
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! However you’re celebrating this year, all the best to you and yours!
