A good Thanksgiving icebreaker is a question anyone can answer in one sentence. It gets people talking before the food gets cold, and it gives quieter guests an easy way in.
Below are 38 questions in five groups: funny, kid-friendly, icebreakers for guests who do not know each other, this or that, and Friendsgiving. Looking for deeper questions? Start with our 25 Thanksgiving questions for deeper talks.
- Pick the group that fits your table. Funny and this or that questions suit a big, loud group. Kid-friendly questions suit the kids' table.
- Write the questions on slips of paper and pass a bowl. It takes the pressure off whoever would otherwise have to start.
- Let anyone skip a question and draw another.
- Start with the light questions. Move to gratitude once people have eaten and slowed down.
Funny Thanksgiving questions
Start here if the table needs to loosen up.
- What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten at a Thanksgiving table?
- If the turkey could talk right now, what would it say?
- Which dish is secretly the best part of the meal, and which one is only there out of tradition?
- Who here would win a pie-eating contest, and who would quit halfway?
- What is your most embarrassing Thanksgiving memory?
- What would your leftover sandwich look like if there were no rules?
- What food should never be allowed at Thanksgiving? Defend your answer.
- If Thanksgiving had a theme song, what would it be?
Thanksgiving questions for kids
Short, easy to answer, and good for the kids' table.
- What was the best thing you ate today?
- If you could invite any animal to dinner, which one would you pick?
- What made you laugh this week?
- What are three things you are thankful for?
- If you could cook one meal for the whole family, what would it be?
- Who in this room helps you the most, and how?
- What is your favorite thing to do on a day off from school?
- If you got to make every decision for one whole day, what would you do first?
Thanksgiving icebreaker questions for guests who do not know each other
These work when part of the table is meeting for the first time.
- How do you know the host?
- What is the best meal you have eaten this year, and where was it?
- What is a tradition in your family that other families might find strange?
- Where did you grow up, and what did Thanksgiving look like there?
- What are you learning right now?
- What small thing made your week better?
- If you could eat dinner anywhere in the world next week, where would you go?
- What are you looking forward to this season?
Thanksgiving this or that questions
Fast answers, no explaining required.
- Turkey or ham?
- Pumpkin pie or pecan pie?
- Stuffing or mashed potatoes?
- Cranberry sauce from the can or homemade?
- Football or board games after dinner?
- Cook the meal or clean up after?
- Leftovers for lunch or a fresh meal?
- Black Friday shopping or Black Friday nap?
Friendsgiving questions
For the table you chose.
- What dish did you bring, and why that one?
- How did we all meet?
- What is a moment with this group from the past year that you want to remember?
- What did you learn from this group that you did not expect?
- Who in this group have you leaned on most this year?
- What is one thing you want us to do together next year?
How to use these questions at the table
Write the questions on slips of paper, put them in a bowl, and pass it around. Let anyone skip a question and draw another. Start with the light ones, and save the deeper questions for the end of the meal, when people have eaten and the room has quieted down.
The goal is not a perfect conversation. It is one real answer from someone you thought you already knew.
Gathering with coworkers instead? See our Thanksgiving questions for work.
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