Thanksgiving Family Challenge to Strengthen Family Rhythms

The holiday season is upon us and what better way to kick it off than with some fun and intentionality. This fun family challenge for Thanksgiving is a way to make Thanksgiving more than a one day holiday this year. Instead, allow it to be a reminder to pause, reflect, give thanks for the goodness of God and stay anchored even in the hustle and bustle.

With calendars filling up, having intentional family rhythms can re-center your hearts on what matters most—faith, family, and true connection. This challenge is designed to help you build meaningful family traditions that spark gratitude, strengthen unity in your home, and that can be passed down for generations.

Why Intentional Family Rhythms Matter

Family rhythms are the daily, weekly, and seasonal habits that make up the culture of your home. They can enforce your values and tell your family’s story. Intentional and repeated rhythms enable us to live “by design, not by default,” so that faith remains central, values are protected, and future generations have a map to follow.

How to Do the Family Challenge

The focus of this challenge is to create unity, establish intentional connection, and build traditions into your family culture that you want to pass on. Included are 10 ideas for you to choose from. Your goal is to pick the one(s) that resonate with you and your family to apply to the thanksgiving week. Example: “Ding Dong Gift Drop” on Tuesday before Thanksgiving and do “Family Stone” on Thanksgiving Day.

Whether you try one or two of the ideas below or take on 5 to do as a whole challenge over 5 days in the lead up to the holiday, is up to you! Each activity will help you connect, have fun, and celebrate God’s goodness together. Grab the complete printable PDF challenge Cheatsheet for easy “how to tips” and inspiration. The first 5 are below, but be sure to download the PDF for all 10!

10 Gratitude-Filled Fun Family Challenges to Try

1. The Thankful Thread

Create a family group text chat and share daily “thankful” messages, photos, or Scriptures that highlight what you’re thankful for. For little ones, take a few minutes each night to ask, “What made you smile today?”

2. Blessed to Be a Blessing

Gather after Thanksgiving dinner to thank God not just for what you received this year, but for what you were able to give—your time, love, or encouragement. End with a prayer for new opportunities to bless others.

3. Keep Score (Of the Good)

Set up a gratitude jar. Each day for the week leading up to Thanksgiving, family members anonymously jot down a “good thing” someone else did and drop it in. Read them together on Thanksgiving Day and celebrate the joy of kindness.

4. Generational Psalm Night

Pick a Psalm of thanksgiving (ex: Psalm 30, 65, 100, or 136). Read it aloud as a family, share which verse stands out most, and have 1 person from each generation close with prayer.

5. The Family Stone

Write one word of affirmation—joy, faith, courage, integrity—on small stones or cards. Place them randomly at each plate during your Thanksgiving meal as table setting decor. Have each person read their word out and have everyone take turns sharing why that word reminds them of the person sitting there.

Get all 10 family rhythm ideas for this fun family challenge by downloading it here!

Turning Gratitude into Lasting Family Rhythms

As you participate in the family challenge, take time to reflect on which of the ideas resonated with you most. Which ones could become annual family traditions? Which could extend into Advent or the New Year? What ideas would you add?

This Thanksgiving, start building your own rhythm—one that celebrates God’s goodness in both the big and small moments. One rhythm can begin building a foundation for the legacy your children will carry forward.

Ready to start your own Thanksgiving Family Challenge?

Choose one or two ideas from this list to make part of your yearly rhythms—and download our free Family Thanksgiving Challenge Cheat Sheet for inspiration you can keep.