Thanksgiving is one of the most loved American holidays, as it is a time for people to come together and showcase gratitude. Though many traditionally celebrate the holiday with family and friends over a festive feast, this is also a great time to appreciate your colleagues at work. But it can be tricky to think of virtual Thanksgiving ideas when working remotely.
In this article, we share 20 virtual Thanksgiving ideas, games, and activities that the whole team can partake in this holiday season. Let’s dive right into it.
If you are looking for perfect ways to make every festive occasion memorable in the virtual realm, explore our articles on Independence day, Halloween party, Easter Day, Christmas, and Diwali.
For inspiring ideas and insightful tips on celebrating your favorite occasions in unique and memorable ways, explore our articles on, virtual birthday party, company anniversary.
That’s not all! we’ve got an interesting line of articles on celebrating Father’s Day, Earth Day, and Mother’s Day.
1. 20 Virtual Thanksgiving Teambuilding Activities and Games
1.1 Thanksgiving Trivia
Ready to enjoy the holiday with some fun banter and lighthearted competition? Then, gather your remote team for Thanksgiving Trivia by Hooray Teams. In this hosted game, an expert host will put you and your team’s holiday knowledge to the test through 3-4 rounds of rapid-fire questions.
You and your team have to put your problem-solving and quick thinking to the test to figure out all the answers in just one hour. Expect topics related to holiday-themed movies, recipes, pop culture, or the Thanksgiving parade. If you want to customize the themed trivia, they can tailor the session to fit a specific category or round as per your preference.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.2 Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Hooray Teams’ Virtual Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt brings ample fun and excitement to your team’s Thanksgiving virtual games. Participants will receive a list of Thanksgiving-themed items to hunt through a dedicated application or online platform. These items could be anything from pumpkins and turkey to cozy sweaters or autumn leaves.
An expert host will guide you and your team throughout the game to provide hints and keep things exciting. As you discover each item, you can snap a photo or shoot a video and submit it to a common group or platform suggested by the host. The winner is the one who scavenges the most number of items.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.3 Thanksgiving Themed Bingo
If you’re looking for casual, laidback online Thanksgiving games to play with your team, consider Hooray Teams’ Virtual Thanksgiving Bingo. In this game, each participant will receive a virtual bingo card featuring Thanksgiving-themed images or prompts.
A lively host will then call out items you may find on your Bingo cards, such as turkeys, cranberries or cornucopias. As you mark off your cards, look for winning patterns like a row, column, or diagonal, get ready to shout “Bingo!” With 4-5 rounds in just an hour, you’ll have plenty of chances to win!
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.4 Holiday Cocktail Making Class
Raise your team’s festive spirit a notch higher with the Thanksgiving Cocktail Making Class by Hooray Teams. An expert mixologist will guide you in creating 2-3 fall-inspired drinks to complement your turkey day feast. To ensure that you have the best experience, Hooray Teams will deliver curated kits with alcohol and garnishes to your doorstep before the class.
The platform also offers mocktail options for the non-drinkers on your team to make the class inclusive for all. If you or your team have any special requests, simply contact Hooray Teams, and they can personalize the event as needed.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.5 Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating
Treat your team’s sweet tooth this holiday season with Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating Class by Hooray Teams. Led by an experienced baker, you and your team get to decorate plain cookies using techniques like flooding, marbling, and flocking. Whether it is pumpkins, pies, or turkeys, an experienced baker will guide you throughout the class with useful decorating tips and techniques.
To make it more convenient, Hooray Teams delivers DIY decorating kits to the participants’ doorsteps before the event. These kits include assorted cookies and all the decorating essentials like icings, fondants, sprinkles, and toppers. No prior culinary experience is necessary. All you need to do is give free rein to your creative imagination.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.6 Thanksgiving Cupcake Decorating
Hooray Teams Thanksgiving Cupcke Decorating class is another great option to go down a sweeter route with your team. A seasoned baker will guide you and your team to transform plain cupcakes into visually appealing Thanksgiving treats.
The session includes a kit that will be delivered to each participant’s doorstep ahead of the event. The kit contains a batch of cupcakes to decorate, along with icing bags, sprinkles, and decorating sugars. No need to be a pro in the kitchen; all you need is some creativity and holiday excitement.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.7 Virtual Paint and Prosecco
Virtual paint and prosecco event is an excellent option to add an artistic flair to your list of Thanksgiving virtual activities Each participant will receive a carefully curated painting kit, complete with all the necessary supplies such as canvas, brushes, paint, and easy-to-follow instructions. The kits are directly shipped to teams so you can enjoy a virtual painting session and catch up over a glass of bubbly.
An expert art instructor will guide your team through the creative process, ensuring that even those with little to no prior painting experience can enjoy and create their own artwork. This guided painting experience encourages creativity, self-expression, and a sense of accomplishment as participants explore their artistic talents.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.8 Thanksgiving Award Ceremony
An award ceremony is one of the more show-worthy Thanksgiving virtual team activities that allows you to express gratitude and appreciation for your colleagues. Select categories that highlight your appreciation for your employees, such as “Best Team Player,” “Most Innovative,” “Most Helpful,” “Most Supportive,” and more.
You only need a video conferencing platform, a red carpet virtual background, and a lively MC to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. It’s also a great idea to encourage your team to dress up for the occasion, adding a dash of glamor and realism to the event.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.9 Virtual Thanksgiving Wine Party
Raise a toast to the spirit of gratitude and togetherness in your virtual Thanksgiving event with the Hooray Team’s Virtual Wine Tasting Class. A seasoned wine connoisseur will guide you and your team to smell, swirl, and savor various wines.
Each participant will receive a tasting kit with three to five mini wine bottles, tasting guides, and an instruction book for use during the event. You and your team can also consider having holiday food pairings to complement the wines, such as roast turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
Fun Rating -⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.10 Thanksgiving Coworker Feud
One of the most entertaining Thanksgiving online games is hosting a Thanksgiving-themed coworker feud. Two teams play against each other to guess the most popular answer to questions based on Thanksgiving, given to a random selection of 100 people.
The topics can range from everything Thanksgiving-related, such as favorite holiday foods, traditional customs, and famous Thanksgiving movies or music. The team that guesses the most popular answers wins the game. To keep the game organized and fair, choosing a moderator or a professional host is essential.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.11 Thanksgiving Pictionary
A game of Pictionary is one of the best virtual Thanksgiving ideas if your team wants something simple and low-key. The team can be divided into groups; one player from a group draws an object, and the rest of the team members have to guess the object within the timeframe.
The prompts can include things like turkey, pumpkin pie, football game, cornucopia, pilgrim hat, or Thanksgiving parade. Add in a few cocktails for an extra laugh or two. Keep any funny drawings as screenshots to cherish memories.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.12 Virtual Thanksgiving Dinner
Host a virtual dinner with your colleagues to spread some holiday cheer on a delicious note. You can ask your team about their meal preferences beforehand to ensure everyone has something they’ll enjoy. Whether you opt for a traditional Thanksgiving feast or something more casual, like take-out pizza or pasta, the goal is to create an enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere.
For an added touch, consider sending out meal kits to your colleagues so they can cook together from the comfort of their own kitchens. It’s a great chance to reflect on the year, bond with your colleagues, and celebrate the holiday spirit while enjoying some tasty treats.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.13 Gratitude Wall
Thanksgiving is all about practicing gratitude for the people in your life. For some heartfelt virtual Thanksgiving ideas, create a virtual gratitude wall together. The idea is for each team member to post messages, images, or videos expressing gratitude for colleagues or team achievements.
Have them share their messages on an online whiteboard such as Miro or post them to your communication platforms, such as Microsoft Teams or Slack. This simple yet meaningful activity can help cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation within the team.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.14 Thanksgiving Pie Cook Along
Is there a better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with classic pumpkin or pecan pie? Find a delicious Thanksgiving pie recipe and send out the ingredient list to your co-workers. To make things easy and diverse, you can provide a list of pie options for the team to choose from, such as classic pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie, or sweet potato pie.
You can try out the recipe yourself or even hire a professional chef to join you and cook along. At the end of the class, everyone will have their own freshly baked, delicious pie to enjoy. This is one of the best Thanksgiving ideas, as teammates can reflect on the experience and discuss the creative twists they added to their pies.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.15 Gratitude Gift Box
Send your employees gratitude gift boxes this Thanksgiving to let them know you value them. It’s a wonderful way to express your appreciation while encouraging them to take time for self-care and relaxation. Fill these with mini pecan pies, spiced candles, Thanksgiving decorations, and plenty of delicious holiday snacks.
To elevate the experience, set up some time on a video conferencing platform and enjoy some hearty storytelling or mini-games to celebrate the holiday together virtually. You can also take turns expressing gratitude for the colleagues and friends you connect with at the workplace.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.16 Thanksgiving Virtual Escape Room
Add a thrilling edge to your holiday party ideas with a Thanksgiving-themed escape room. You and your team could be on a mission to save the turkey from a time-traveling mishap or uncover the secret recipe for Grandma’s famous stuffing. The puzzles and challenges will be filled with Thanksgiving-inspired clues and surprises, creating a fun and immersive experience.
As you collaborate with your team, you might discover hidden messages inside a pumpkin patch, solve riddles hidden in fall foliage, or unlock clues tucked inside a giant cornucopia. Here are some Thanksgiving-themed escape rooms to try with your team:
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.17 Virtual Thanksgiving Parade Show
One of the most common traditions on Thanksgiving is to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Get your remote team together over an online video conferencing platform and watch the parade together.
You could host a poll and ask everyone to vote for their favorite floats, character balloons and cheer along with the marching bands. Additionally, you can also ask the employees to dress up in their favorite character costumes to enhance the experience.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.18 Thanksgiving Icebreaker Games
Icebreaker games help teams get to know each other better in an informal setting. These games allow team members to interact, share laughs, and bond over the Thanksgiving spirit. Here are a few examples of Thanksgiving icebreaker games:
Two Truths and a Lie – Team members take turns sharing three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one that is a lie, all related to Thanksgiving. The rest of the team has to guess which one is the lie.
Would You Rather – This is a fun and quick game where players choose between two Thanksgiving-themed options. For example: “Would you rather eat only mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving or only cranberry sauce?”
Never Have I Ever – Players take turns saying something they’ve never done related to Thanksgiving, and anyone who has done it takes a sip of their drink or raises their hand.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.19 Thanksgiving Pumpkin Decorating
A virtual pumpkin decorating session is one of the best virtual Thanksgiving team building activities to embrace the holiday spirit. To get started, you can choose a theme and share digital pumpkin templates for participants to use during the session.
Team members can use online tools or apps to edit the shared templates or design something from scratch. You can also add a dash of excitement by hosting an open poll for a friendly voting on their favorite pumpkin, with categories like “Most Creative,” “Most Festive,” or “Best Use of Colors.” For more hands-on experience, join a virtual hosted pumpkin decorating class where teams need to simply join in and participate.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.20 Thanksgiving Movie Marathon
Add a holiday movie marathon to your list of Thanksgiving virtual party ideas to bring remote teams together. Curate a selection of Thanksgiving movies like ‘Home for the Holidays’, ‘The Gold Rush’, or ‘Hannah and Her Sisters’ to capture the holiday spirit.
To organize the event, select a virtual streaming platform and share invites with your team members to join the session. Usually, these platforms also provide a feature to chat during the watch party to share conversations with your team.
Fun Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
2.1 What is virtual Thanksgiving team building activities?
Virtual Thanksgiving is a way for you to celebrate with your work colleagues and teammates online. This could be enjoying a meal virtually together, playing online games, or enjoying a few cocktails together on Zoom.
2.2. How to celebrate Thanksgiving virtually?
To have a memorable virtual Thanksgiving, select a video conferencing platform and schedule a call. Incorporate Thanksgiving traditions such as sharing what you’re thankful for and enjoying a virtual toast together. While it may not be the same as an in-person gathering, a well-organized online Thanksgiving can still bring loved ones together, fostering a sense of togetherness and gratitude despite physical distances.
2.3 What are some virtual Thanksgiving team building ideas for employees?
Teams can play Thanksgiving online games like Pictionary, Family Feud, and Trivia or engage in fun virtual Thanksgiving activities like Happy Hour, Paint and Prosecco or Cupcake Decorating.
2.4 What are some Thanksgiving themed ideas for work?
Some virtual Thanksgiving ideas for work include a Turkey theme, Football theme, Autumn theme, Thanksgiving history theme, Gratitude theme, and Cooking theme.
2.5 What do you give employees for Thanksgiving?
Some great gifts you can send to your employees this Thanksgiving can be holiday decor props for their workspaces, a chocolate or snack hamper, a Thanksgiving journal, themed wall art, or virtual Thanksgiving experiences like the ones shared above.
