There are so many things I adore about Thanksgiving — the smell of roasted turkey, the cozy chatter around the table, and that moment after dessert when everyone’s too full to move but not quite ready to say goodnight. That’s when our family pulls out what has become our favorite holiday tradition: the Thanksgiving Left-Right Game.
It started years ago when my sister-in-law showed up with a stack of tiny wrapped gifts and a folded story in her hand. She gathered us in a circle, announced that we’d need to “pay close attention to our rights and lefts,” and started reading. Within two minutes, everyone — from my three-year-old niece to my dad — was shouting “LEFT!” or “RIGHT!” and scrambling to pass their gifts in the right direction. The laughter that filled the room was instant, loud, and absolutely contagious.
Since that first chaotic, joy-filled round, the Left-Right Game has become a Thanksgiving staple for us. It’s simple, silly, and surprisingly heart-warming — the kind of game that breaks the post-turkey nap haze and gets everyone moving (without requiring any cleanup afterward).
What Exactly Is the Thanksgiving Left-Right Game?
If you’ve never played it before, think of it as a mix between storytime and gift exchange. Each player starts with one small wrapped gift — anything from a chocolate bar to a funny kitchen gadget. Someone (usually the designated “narrator”) reads a special Thanksgiving story filled with the words “left” and “right.”
Every time the word “left” is read aloud, players pass their gift to the person on their left. When they hear “right,” they pass it to the person on their right. The story keeps going, the gifts keep moving, and by the time the tale ends, everyone is giggling — and holding a surprise that’s probably not the one they started with.
The best part? You can play it with any group size — from five people at the dinner table to thirty guests spread across the living room. And you don’t need to buy fancy prizes. A mix of silly, useful, and sentimental gifts always keeps things fun.
Why It’s a Thanksgiving Tradition You’ll Actually Want to Keep
Every year, I promise myself to slow down during the holidays — to focus less on the perfect centerpiece and more on making memories. The Left-Right Game checks every box for that:
- It’s inclusive – Kids, teens, and adults can all play. Even grandparents love it once they catch on to the chaos.
- It’s easy to set up – No prep beyond wrapping a few small gifts and printing a story.
- It sparks laughter instantly – You’ll have everyone cracking up by the first paragraph.
- It creates connection – In the swirl of Thanksgiving busyness, this is one of those rare moments when everyone is together, listening, playing, and laughing side by side.
One of my favorite memories is when my mom misheard a “right” as a “left,” and suddenly half the circle went one way and the other half went the opposite. The gifts were flying, people were howling, and I remember thinking, this is what the holidays should feel like.
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to get started — most of it you probably already have:
- 1 wrapped gift per person (under $10 is perfect)
- 1 printed story or a phone/tablet with the script pulled up
- A narrator with good comic timing (you’ll thank me later)
- Optional: a printable story sheet or themed gift tags (I found adorable ones on Amazon)
Gift ideas can be anything from pumpkin-scented candles to cozy socks, cute mugs, or small treats. If you’re playing with kids, toss in stickers, crayons, or mini puzzles — they’ll love being part of it.
How to Play the Thanksgiving Left-Right Game (Step-by-Step)
Once you’ve gathered your guests and gifts, the rest is pure fun. This game is designed for all ages, so even little ones can join in — and yes, chaos is part of the charm!
1. Set the Scene
Have everyone sit in a circle or around the table so gifts can easily move left and right. Make sure each person starts with one wrapped gift in their hands. You can use cozy throws, twinkle lights, or candles to set a warm Thanksgiving mood — I always light my pumpkin spice candles for that soft glow.
If you want to make it feel official, print your game story on cute autumn stationery or tuck it into a fall-themed binder so the “reader” feels like the storyteller of the night.
2. Choose Your Reader
Pick someone with a lively voice who doesn’t mind a little spotlight — maybe the funniest uncle, your teen who loves performing, or even a grandparent. The goal is to read the story clearly and dramatically so people can follow along. Encourage exaggerated emphasis on LEFT and RIGHT — the sillier, the better!
3. Explain the Rules (Quickly!)
Before you begin, make sure everyone knows:
- Every time they hear the word LEFT, they pass their gift to the person on their left.
- Every time they hear RIGHT, they pass it to the person on their right.
- Whoever holds the gift at the end of the story keeps it!
Tip: Remind everyone to only pass once per cue — little kids sometimes get overexcited and start rapid-passing!
4. Choose Your Gifts
The gifts don’t have to be fancy. In fact, the mix of silly, cozy, and thoughtful is what makes this game so much fun. Here are a few tried-and-true favorites:
- Pumpkin-spice lip balm
- Cozy fall socks
- Mini candles
- A cute mug and hot cocoa packet
- A small kitchen gadget (my go-to: mini whisks and spatulas)
- A few joke items (rubber turkey, light-up pumpkin pen, or gag gift socks)
Wrap them nicely — the mystery adds half the fun!
🎃 A Thanksgiving Left-Right Story You Can Read Aloud
Here’s a full example story your readers can use or print. It’s lighthearted, family-friendly, and works for both adults and kids.
“The Great Thanksgiving Left-Right Mix-Up”
It was Thanksgiving morning, and Mrs. RIGHT was in a rush. She had so much LEFT to do before the family arrived!
She grabbed her list and checked it — turkey in the oven, cranberry sauce on the counter, and pies cooling to the RIGHT of the stove.
Just as she thought everything was perfect, she realized she’d LEFT the rolls in the car! “Oh no!” she shouted. “I can’t believe I LEFT them outside!”
Mr. RIGHT offered to help, but first he had to put the gravy boat back where it BELONGED — RIGHT on the table.
While he did that, the kids ran around chasing the dog, who had LEFT paw prints on the kitchen floor.
Mrs. RIGHT sighed, grabbed a towel, and wiped to the RIGHT, then to the LEFT, wondering why she hadn’t just ordered pizza.
Finally, Grandma RIGHT arrived, bringing her famous pumpkin pie. But wait — she had accidentally LEFT it in the car too!
So everyone went outside, turning LEFT, then RIGHT, and then LEFT again, laughing the whole way.
When they came back in, the turkey timer dinged — it was done, and everyone cheered. They all sat down, passed the dishes from LEFT to RIGHT, and agreed that no matter what they’d forgotten, it was the perfect Thanksgiving after all.
How to Make It More Fun
- Add Music: Play light background music while reading for extra warmth.
- Make It Interactive: Encourage kids to shout “LEFT!” or “RIGHT!” instead of just passing quietly.
- Do Multiple Rounds: Swap readers and play again with a different story or set of gifts.
If you’d like to include a link for your readers to download a printable version of the script (with cute pumpkin borders and line breaks), I can make that next for you.
Fun Variations, Tips & FAQs
By now, you know the classic Left-Right Game inside out — but what makes it extra special is how easily you can tweak it to fit your own family. Whether you’re playing after dinner with toddlers, during Friendsgiving with grown-ups, or in a classroom full of giggling kids, these versions make sure everyone feels included.
🍁 Kid-Friendly Version
When my kids were toddlers, they didn’t always follow directions perfectly (honestly, neither did the adults). So we created a slower, simplified version.
Use shorter stories — just a few paragraphs with easy words like “pumpkin,” “turkey,” or “pie.” Have the little ones help count how many times they hear “left” or “right.” You can even swap gifts for stickers, crayons, or tiny treats.
I once turned this into a “turkey hunt” — instead of passing gifts, each time they heard “right,” they moved one seat over to the right, and at the end, they picked a prize from a basket. It was chaotic, adorable, and absolutely perfect.
Try keeping kid prizes small but exciting — I love filling the basket with things like mini bubble wands or pumpkin stress balls.
🍷 Adult or Friendsgiving Version
This one is where things get really funny. You can add grown-up humor or cheeky gift swaps — think cozy socks, mini wine bottles, or gag gifts like a “Turkey Tamer” apron.
One year, my friend brought scratch-off lottery tickets as the prizes, and the suspense at the end was priceless. Everyone wanted to know who’d end up with the “lucky” gift.
Add a little background music and pour a round of apple cider or mulled wine — it turns into a cozy (and slightly competitive) laugh-fest.
🦃 Classroom or Office Version
Teachers and coworkers love this version because it’s simple, non-messy, and works with zero setup. Print a short Left-Right story, and instead of gifts, use candy, pencils, or mini notebooks.
If it’s a work event, swap in small prizes like thank-you candles or fall-themed mugs. Everyone leaves smiling — and your classroom or office suddenly feels like family.
🧡 Helpful Tips for Hosting
- Pick a lively reader. Energy makes all the difference.
- Keep gifts small but meaningful. Even dollar-store items feel special when wrapped with care.
- Play twice! Once with silly gifts, once with sentimental ones.
- Make it cozy. Dim the lights, play light jazz, and pass cocoa instead of wine if kids are joining.
- End with gratitude. After the game, have everyone share one thing they’re thankful for before unwrapping their gift. It turns the laughter into something heartfelt.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I play without gifts?
Absolutely. Instead of presents, use candy, craft supplies, or even slips of paper with funny dares or “gratitude challenges.”
2. How long should the story be?
Most stories take about 3–5 minutes to read. That’s the sweet spot — just enough to keep everyone laughing without losing attention.
3. How do I stop chaos with younger kids?
Slow your reading pace, emphasize LEFT and RIGHT clearly, and pause after each one. My trick? Have kids shout the direction out loud before they pass — it helps them keep up and burns off sugar energy.
4. What kind of gifts work for mixed ages?
Things like cozy socks, pumpkin-spice candles, mini puzzles, or small snack bags are perfect for everyone.
🧺 Final Thoughts
The Thanksgiving Left-Right Game is one of those rare traditions that doesn’t cost much, doesn’t need planning weeks ahead, and yet brings so much joy. Every laugh, every mistaken pass, and every “Wait, I think I have yours!” moment turns into a memory you’ll talk about next year.
So after the pie is eaten and the coffee is poured, gather your family, grab a few wrapped surprises, and play a round of left and right. Because at the end of the day, what makes Thanksgiving special isn’t perfection — it’s the people sitting right beside you.
