Thanksgiving, a time for gratitude and family, often comes with a side of stress – the cooking, cleaning, and the seemingly never-ending to-do list. For moms of younger children, the holiday hustle can be overwhelming.
This week, more than any other week this year, I’ve been tempted to focus on the messy house, hearing the complaints and feeling a lack in so many areas. Tempted to believe that there is no time for joy right now. I just have to survive this, I just have to focus on getting things done. Can anyone else relate?
… But what if, in the midst of the chaos, we could take time to be thankful for the journey? I’m challenging myself (and you) to reframe the focus and find joy in the craziness to come.
I know that we still have to find time to get things checked off that list, but I am committed to let myself rest and really be present with my family. A time that I know I can do this is when we are in the car together as a family.
Many times, when Robert is driving, I will get on my phone and try to answer messages, scroll on social media and look over my to-do lists again. But, I am committed this week as we are all on the road together, to make the choice to be present and make the best of this family time.
As you prepare to hit the road for your family gatherings, instead of letting the pressures get to you, use this time on the road together as a chance to connect with your kids. They will all-too-soon be grown up and be out of the house, traveling on their own, here and there for the holidays. So, try your best to embrace these moments and make the most of your time together!
Put down the devices, and try these no-prep, stress-free games to turn your Thanksgiving road trip into quality family time. The best part is, you don’t need to prepare a thing😳 I have it all taken care of for you!😀
In the middle of the holidays, these moments on the road may just become some of the best memories you hold onto. You can use these as ideas as road trip games or even play them with the whole family when you get to your gathering!!! Enjoy.
-Brooke
Thanksgiving Themed Road Trip Games
- Gratitude Scavenger Hunt: Spot things out the window along the way that you are thankful for and yell out that thing when you find it. Take turns sharing your moments of gratitude during the trip.
- Thanksgiving Gratitude Journal: Throughout the trip, encourage everyone to jot down things they are thankful for in a shared gratitude journal.
- Name That Dish: Describe a traditional Thanksgiving dish without saying its name, and others guess what it is.
- Thanksgiving Memory Match: The first player starts the game saying “I’m thankful for [an item] that starts with the letter A.” The following player in the lineup continues the game by repeating this phrase, adding their item that begins with the letter B, and extending the list. For instance, “I’m celebrating Thanksgiving, and I’m thankful for Apple Pie (A) and a Basket of Rolls (B).” This continues as each player repeats the list and adds one more item based on the next letter in the alphabet.
- Thanksgiving Association: Start with a holiday-related category and take turns coming up with related words or phrases. Each player has 5 seconds to come up with a new word or phrase or they are out. Example categories: Thanksgiving; traditions, foods, words.
- Thanksgiving Storytelling: Collaboratively create a Thanksgiving-themed story, with each person adding a sentence.
- Thanksgiving Debate: Engage in a family debate on various Thanksgiving topics. Examples: the best Thanksgiving side dish, the ideal way to cook a turkey, Pros and Cons of being a Pilgrim or a Native American during the first Thanksgiving.
- Thanksgiving Memory Lane: Take turns sharing your best Thanksgiving memories and traditions from over the years.
- Thanksgiving Tales of the Future: Imagine what Thanksgiving will be like in the future and share your creative visions.
- Thankful Charades: Act out things you’re thankful for, and have the other family members guess what it is. It’s a fun way to express gratitude through creativity.