Need a Thanksgiving game that doesn’t require 47 supplies, an engineering degree, or an hour of explaining the rules?
Roll a Turkey is about as easy as Thanksgiving fun gets. 🦃🎲
Players roll the dice, collect the matching turkey pieces, and race to see who can build their turkey first.
It’s easy enough for kids, entertaining enough for adults to jump in, and perfect when you need something fun to keep everybody busy before Thanksgiving dinner.
And believe me, things get surprisingly competitive when someone has rolled EVERYTHING except that one stubborn turkey piece. 😂
What Is the Roll a Turkey Dice Game?
Roll a Turkey is a simple Thanksgiving dice game where each number on the die corresponds with a different piece of the turkey.
The goal?
Be the first player to complete your turkey!
You’ll need:
- One die
- A Roll a Turkey game board for each player
- Turkey game pieces
- Scissors if you’re using the printable pieces
- Optional Thanksgiving prizes for the winner
That’s it.
No complicated setup.
No 16-page instruction manual.
Just roll, build, and hope the dice are feeling thankful today. 😂
How to Play Roll a Turkey
Give each player a turkey game board and place their turkey pieces nearby.
Players take turns rolling one die.
Whatever number you roll determines which turkey piece you can add.
For our Roll a Turkey game:
Roll a 1: Add the hat
Roll a 2: Add the wings
Roll a 3: Add the eyes
Roll a 4: Add the feet
Roll a 5: Add the beak
Roll a 6: Add the wattle
The first person to successfully roll all six numbers and complete their turkey wins!
But There’s a Catch…
If you’ve already added the piece that corresponds with your number, your turn is over.
For example:
You desperately need a 5 to get your turkey’s beak.
You roll.
TWO.
You already have the wings.
Sorry, Turkey Champion.
Pass that die. 😂
This keeps the game based on luck and gives younger children a real chance of beating the grown-ups.
And there is nothing quite as humbling as losing a turkey-building competition to a six-year-old.
Grab the Roll a Turkey Printable
Want to skip making all the pieces yourself?
I’ve already done that part for you!
The Roll a Turkey Party Game includes the game directions and Roll a Turkey board so you can print it and get straight to playing.
Grab the Roll a Turkey Party Game here!
Roll a Turkey Printable
Roll a dice and see who can build their turkey the fastest; whoever rolls all of the pieces on their turkey the fastest wins.
Roll a Turkey GameThis is a digital printable, so nothing has to arrive in the mail. Print your game, grab a die, and you’re ready for some Thanksgiving competition.
Make Roll a Turkey Even Funnier
The basic game is perfect for younger kids, but if you’re playing with older children, teenagers, or adults, add a few ridiculous rules.
Because obviously that’s where I come in. 😂
Gobble Rule
Roll the same number three times without getting the piece you need?
You have to gobble like a turkey before your next turn.
And not some sad little “gobble.”
We want commitment.
Turkey Dance Rule
Roll a 6?
Do a five-second turkey dance before adding your wattle.
Steal-a-Feather Rule
Playing with older kids or adults?
Choose one number before the game begins as the Wild Turkey Roll.
If someone rolls that number, they can steal a designated bonus feather from another player’s turkey.
Use this variation only if your family can handle betrayal at Thanksgiving. 😂
Turn It Into a Thanksgiving Classroom Game
Roll a Turkey also works well for classroom Thanksgiving parties, homeschool groups, children’s activities, and other holiday gatherings.
Divide the kids into small groups and give each group a die.
You can play individually or create teams.
For younger children, the game also gives them an opportunity to practice:
- Number recognition
- Taking turns
- Matching
- Following directions
- Fine motor skills
For a classroom version, I wouldn’t worry about prizes for everyone. Let the completed turkeys become part of the activity.
Kids can even color or decorate their turkey afterward.
Thanksgiving Game Prizes
Want to raise the stakes?
Add a small prize for the winner.
You don’t need anything expensive.
Try:
- Thanksgiving stickers
- Fall pencils
- Mini activity books
- Candy
- Small fidget toys
- Temporary tattoos
- Thanksgiving treat bags
Want an easy prize stash? Grab a multipack of Thanksgiving party favors here!
For adults, skip the tiny turkey pencils and give them something they’ll actually fight for. 😂
I have an entire list of adult game prizes with fun ideas that work especially well for family parties.
Play the Thanksgiving Left Right Game Next
Don’t throw your completed turkey aside when the game is over!
You can actually use it for another Thanksgiving game.
In our Thanksgiving Left Right Game, players pass a turkey around the circle while music plays.
When the music stops, there’s a twist involving the person holding the turkey and the player sitting beside them.
That means one little turkey can give you two different Thanksgiving party games.
Add a Thanksgiving Game Station
Hosting a larger Thanksgiving party?
Instead of trying to make everyone play one game at the same time, create a little Thanksgiving Game Station.
Put your Roll a Turkey boards on the table with:
- Dice
- Turkey pieces
- Pencils
- Small prizes
- Instructions
Guests can play while they’re waiting for dinner or whenever they need something to do.
Keep your dice from disappearing under Grandma’s couch: Grab a small dice tray here!
This is especially handy when several kids are rolling dice at the same table.
More Thanksgiving Games to Play
One turkey game is good.
Several turkey games while the mashed potatoes are cooking?
Even better. 🦃
Try these next:
→ Thanksgiving Left Right Game
Use your completed turkey again in this funny passing game.
A simple printable Thanksgiving memory-style game that’s especially fun for kids.
→ The Great Turkey Trot Challenge
Get everybody out of their chairs for a ridiculous feather-balancing Thanksgiving race.
→ Thanksgiving Games for Kids & Adults
Head to our Thanksgiving games collection for even more family-friendly game ideas.
Make Your Own Roll a Turkey Game
Don’t have the printable?
You can still create a homemade version.
Draw a simple turkey body on cardstock or construction paper.
Then cut out six pieces:
- Hat
- Wings
- Eyes
- Feet
- Beak
- Wattle
Write the corresponding numbers beside each piece and start rolling.
If you’re making several homemade games, cardstock will hold up better than regular printer paper.
Tip: Laminate your pieces if you plan to bring the game out every Thanksgiving.
Can Adults Play Roll a Turkey?
Absolutely.
The basic version is especially good for younger kids and families, but adults can make it much more entertaining by adding the silly challenge rules above.
You can also make it competitive by putting an actual prize on the line.
Funny how quickly a room full of grown adults starts caring about rolling a 5 when there’s a gift card involved. 😂
How Many People Can Play?
You can play Roll a Turkey with two people or a whole group.
For a larger party, divide everyone into smaller groups and give each table its own die.
That prevents everyone from waiting forever for a turn.
How Long Does Roll a Turkey Take?
Most games are quick, making Roll a Turkey a great activity to play before dinner, during a classroom Thanksgiving party, at Friendsgiving, or between other Thanksgiving activities.
If everyone wants another round, reset those turkeys and roll again!
A Simple Thanksgiving Game Everyone Can Enjoy
Some of my favorite party games aren’t complicated.
They’re the ones you can pull out, explain in about a minute, and actually PLAY.
That’s exactly why I love Roll a Turkey.
It’s silly.
It’s easy.
Kids can play.
Adults can join them.
And sooner or later, somebody will be staring aggressively at a die begging it to PLEASE JUST ROLL A FIVE. 😂🎲🦃
That’s Thanksgiving entertainment in my book.
→ Get the Roll a Turkey Printable Game
Happy Thanksgiving and happy rolling!
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