Thanksgiving Riddle Game
If there’s anything more plentiful than food on Turkey Day it’s kids. Kids bring joy and energy to any celebration. So what can you do with all that energy? Here’s a game for kids of all ages that will keep them in the Turkey Day spirit. The riddles are provided below. The object of the game is to find the hidden food cards before the timer goes off. Simply follow the instructions to set up and play the game.
What You’ll Need:
10 – 22 Pieces of Paper or Index Cards
Pen
Scissors
Timer
Small Gift or Reward for Each Kid
To set up the game:
Write the following types of food on the index cards or pieces of paper. Each card or paper will list one food. If you’re feeling real creative, you could draw a picture of each food instead. Feel free to substitute any of the food listed below with your family’s more traditional dishes. You’ll notice that there’s no turkey on the list. This is because the turkey plays a different role in the game.
Food:
Mashed Potatoes
Corn
Peas
Ham
Gravy
Turnip
Stuffing
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Beans
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Hide the above food cards in the following places. Each of these places match up with one of the riddles below. There are more hiding places listed then food in case you don’t have one of the hiding places. Before you look at the hiding places listed, scan down to the riddles below and see how many you can answer.
Hiding Places:
1. Under a Couch Cushion
2. Under the Coffee Table
3. Under or Behind a Lamp
4. Behind a Picture Frame
5. On the Bottom Shelf of a Bookcase
6. Under an Armchair
7. Somewhere In or Under an End Table
8. Near the Computer
9. Under a Couch
10. Under a Flower or Small Plant
11. Behind a Curtain in the Living Room
12. Under the Living Room Rug
After you’ve created and hidden your food cards, cut out each of the riddles below, or write each riddle on a card. Put the riddles to the side, ready to pass out to each kid at the start of the game. The riddles will help the kids find each hidden food card. Match the number for each riddle to the number of the hiding place listed above to find the answer. If you want to make it a bit easier for younger children, add on a color hint. Then again, if you want to make it harder, give only one of the hints below for each place.
The Riddles:
1. I often hold change. Rest here for a spell.
2. Warm drink? Center of attention.
3. You’ll need me most at night. Don’t trip.
4. Memories here. I’ll keep them safe.
5. You can go anywhere from here. So many choices. Check the bottom.
6. You can’t lay down on the job here – but you can rest.
7. You can place it here. Don’t leave a ring.
8. Playing games? Don’t forget to turn me off?
9. Chase away the bunnies. It’s dark here.
10. Reaching up or hanging down. Feed me.
11. I hide more then what you’re looking for. Too much sun?
12. Bare toes here. Lying flat.
The Game:
Hand out a riddle to each child. Pair older children with those that can’t read and give them two riddles to solve, or have an adult help younger kids. Tell the kids the object of the game is to find the hidden food using the riddles you’ve handed them. Let them know if they’re looking for words on an index card or a picture that you’ve drawn.
Next show them that you’re setting a timer. The timer represents when the “turkey” will be done. The object of the game is for them to find all the food before the “turkey” is done. Set the timer for 20 minutes (longer for younger children), and send them off. If the timer goes off before they’re done give them a little extra time to finish. When they’ve found all the food hand out the rewards!
