Thanksgiving Bible Games: Trivia, Survey Boards, and Table Questions to Print or Play
By Paul, dad of 8. Every question here has survived our own family game nights.
Thanksgiving is the one holiday that is already about giving thanks, and somehow the afternoon still ends up being about football and a nap. Here is a free page of Thanksgiving Bible games for your family table or your church: 12 survey-style boards with ranked answers, 30 trivia questions in three rounds with a verse under every answer, 12 go-around-the-table questions, and 12 short passages about thankfulness to read before the meal. Play the quiz right on this page, print the whole thing, or download the free PDF.
Play the Thanksgiving Bible trivia quiz
Pick a round (or take all 30), tap your answer, and the correct one lights up with the verse behind it. Put this page on the TV between dinner and dessert and let the table vote out loud.
Question 1 of 30 · 0 correct so far
Jesus healed ten men with leprosy. How many came back to thank Him?
How to use these on Thanksgiving
- At the family table, three moves. Read one passage from the list below before the prayer. After the meal, pass the table questions around, youngest first, one question each. Then run the kids’ trivia round on a phone while the pie cools. The whole thing takes twenty minutes and nobody has to leave the table.
- Church Thanksgiving night, quiz-master style. Print the PDF, split the room into tables, and start with the survey boards. Read a prompt, let each table shout an answer, and award points by where it lands on the board. Follow with the trivia on the projector, easy round first so every table gets on the board.
- Sunday school the week before. Run the kids’ round, then let each child look up one verse reference. The answer key doubles as a reading plan on thankfulness for the class.
- Save the true-or-false round for last. Read each statement, vote with raised hands, and read the answer. Expect protest when Ben Franklin turns out not to be in the Bible.
12 Thanksgiving survey boards with ranked answers
Two teams. Read a prompt, and the first team to answer keeps guessing until they have found every answer or missed three times. Answers are listed most popular first, so score them 30 points for the top answer, then 25, 20, 15, 10, and 5 down the board. Nobody needs Bible knowledge for the second group, which is why it works with the whole extended family.
Thankfulness in the Bible
Six boards built on the stories where people actually stopped to thank God. Great for a Sunday school class or as the opening round at a church Thanksgiving night.
1. Name a Bible story where someone stopped to thank God.
The top answer is The one leper who came back to Jesus. Also on the board: Jonah praying inside the fish, Hannah after Samuel was born, Daniel praying at his window, Noah building an altar after the flood, Jesus giving thanks before feeding the crowd. (See Luke 17:15–16.)
2. Name something the Israelites could thank God for in the wilderness.
The top answer is Manna every morning. Also on the board: Water from the rock, Crossing the Red Sea, The cloud by day and fire by night, Quail for meat, Sandals that never wore out. (See Deuteronomy 8:3–4.)
3. Name a way a family can thank God at the Thanksgiving table.
The top answer is Pray before the meal. Also on the board: Go around and each share one thing, Read a psalm out loud, Sing a hymn or the doxology, Write thank-you notes to God on place cards. (See Psalm 100:4.)
4. Name something a farmer in Bible times thanked God for at harvest.
The top answer is Rain. Also on the board: A good crop of grain, Grapes for the vineyard, Olive oil, Healthy flocks and herds, Strong helpers in the field. (See Psalm 65:9–13.)
5. Name a word the Psalms use for being thankful to God.
The top answer is Praise. Also on the board: Give thanks, Rejoice, Sing, Bless the Lord, Shout for joy. (See Psalm 100:1–4.)
6. Name a way to show thanks to someone besides saying the words.
The top answer is Write them a note. Also on the board: Give them a hug, Help with a chore, Give a small gift, Cook them a meal, Pray for them. (See Colossians 3:15.)
The Thanksgiving Table
Six boards about the day itself, the food, the football, the naps, and the relatives. These are the ones that get grandparents shouting answers.
7. Name a food that is always on the Thanksgiving table.
The top answer is Turkey. Also on the board: Mashed potatoes, Stuffing, Pumpkin pie, Cranberry sauce, Green bean casserole.
8. Name something a family does on Thanksgiving Day besides eat.
The top answer is Watch football. Also on the board: Watch the parade, Take a nap, Play games, Go for a walk, Look at old photos.
9. Name a job kids can do to help with Thanksgiving dinner.
The top answer is Set the table. Also on the board: Mash the potatoes, Make place cards, Wash the dishes, Stir something on the stove, Greet the guests at the door.
10. Name something that goes wrong at Thanksgiving dinner.
The top answer is The turkey is dry. Also on the board: Something burns, Not enough chairs, A dropped pie, Relatives show up late, The kids' table gets loud.
11. Name a way churches serve their town at Thanksgiving.
The top answer is A food drive. Also on the board: A free community meal, Turkey giveaways, Visiting shut-ins, Serving at a shelter, A Thanksgiving Eve service. (See Matthew 25:35.)
12. Name something people say when the pie comes out.
The top answer is I'm too full. Okay, a small slice.. Also on the board: Is there whipped cream?, Pumpkin or pecan?, Save me a piece for later, Who made this one?.
The trivia bank: all 30 questions and answers
Three rounds, easiest first, every answer with its verse. Print this page or download the PDF for the host’s copy. If you are playing the quiz above first, no peeking past this point.
Thanksgiving Bible Trivia for Kids · Easy · Ages 5 and up
Ten questions from the stories about thankfulness every Sunday schooler knows. Let the youngest players answer these first.
1. Jesus healed ten men with leprosy. How many came back to thank Him?
A. All ten B. Five C. One D. None
The answer is one. Only one of the ten, a Samaritan, came back praising God and fell at Jesus' feet to thank Him. (Luke 17:15–16.)
2. What did Jesus do before He fed the crowd with five loaves and two fish?
A. He gave thanks B. He sang a song C. He told a story D. He took a nap
The answer is He gave thanks. Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and handed them out, and everyone ate as much as they wanted. (John 6:11.)
3. Psalm 100 says to enter God's gates with what?
A. Thanksgiving B. Silence C. Gifts D. Running
The answer is thanksgiving. The psalm says to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. (Psalm 100:4.)
4. Who kept praying and giving thanks to God three times a day, even when a new law said he couldn't?
A. Daniel B. Jonah C. Peter D. Samson
The answer is Daniel. He went home, opened his window toward Jerusalem, and gave thanks to God three times a day, just as he always had. (Daniel 6:10.)
5. What did Noah do first after he came out of the ark?
A. Built an altar to worship God B. Planted a garden C. Took a long nap D. Built a house
The answer is he built an altar to worship God. Noah's first act on dry ground was an offering of thanks to the Lord. (Genesis 8:20.)
6. The Bible says to give thanks in what?
A. Only the good times B. All circumstances C. Church only D. November
The answer is all circumstances. Paul writes to give thanks in all circumstances, because this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18.)
7. What food did God send to feed the Israelites in the desert every morning?
A. Manna B. Grapes C. Fish D. Figs
The answer is manna. It appeared on the ground each morning like thin flakes and tasted like wafers made with honey. (Exodus 16:14–15.)
8. Hannah thanked God with a song after He answered her prayer. What had she prayed for?
A. A baby boy B. A new house C. Rain for the crops D. A donkey
The answer is a baby boy. Hannah prayed for a son, God gave her Samuel, and her prayer of thanks fills the start of 1 Samuel 2. (1 Samuel 1:27, 2:1.)
9. At the Last Supper, what did Jesus give thanks for before sharing it with His disciples?
A. The bread B. A roasted lamb C. Fish D. Water
The answer is the bread. Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, and did the same with the cup. (Luke 22:17–19.)
10. The book of James says every good gift comes from where?
A. God, our Father in heaven B. Hard work C. Good luck D. The store
The answer is God, our Father in heaven. James says every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. (James 1:17.)
The Whole-Family Thanksgiving Round · Medium · Teens and adults
Ten questions that go past the Sunday school stories into the feasts, psalms, and letters where the Bible teaches thankfulness.
11. Which harvest feast did God tell Israel to celebrate by living in shelters for seven days?
A. The Feast of Tabernacles B. Passover C. Purim D. Pentecost
The answer is the Feast of Tabernacles, also called Booths. After the harvest, Israel lived in shelters for a week to remember the wilderness years and rejoice before the Lord. (Leviticus 23:39–43.)
12. Paul wrote, "I thank my God every time I remember you," to which church?
A. Philippi B. Corinth C. Galatia D. Rome
The answer is Philippi. Paul opens his letter to the Philippians by thanking God every time he remembers them. (Philippians 1:3.)
13. In Psalm 136, what phrase repeats after every single verse?
A. His love endures forever B. Praise the Lord C. Amen and amen D. Selah
The answer is "His love endures forever." All twenty-six verses give thanks for something God did and answer with that same refrain. (Psalm 136:1–3.)
14. Which king brought the ark to Jerusalem and appointed Levites to give thanks to the Lord?
A. David B. Saul C. Solomon D. Hezekiah
The answer is David. After the ark arrived, David appointed Levites to give thanks and praise, and handed Asaph a psalm of thanks to sing. (1 Chronicles 16:4–7.)
15. Philippians 4:6 says to bring your requests to God "with" what?
A. Thanksgiving B. Fasting C. Tears D. A sacrifice
The answer is thanksgiving. Paul says not to be anxious, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6.)
16. Who gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek after a victory and received bread, wine, and a blessing?
A. Abram B. Lot C. Isaac D. Jacob
The answer is Abram. Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine and blessed him, and Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:18–20.)
17. Jonah prayed a prayer of thanksgiving from where?
A. Inside the great fish B. On the ship C. Under the leafy plant D. In Nineveh
The answer is inside the great fish. From the belly of the fish Jonah promised to sacrifice to God with a song of thanksgiving. (Jonah 2:1, 9.)
18. Which Old Testament offering was given specifically as an expression of thanks, and had to be eaten the same day?
A. The thank offering B. The burnt offering C. The sin offering D. The grain offering
The answer is the thank offering, a fellowship offering brought out of thankfulness. Its meat was eaten on the day it was offered, none left until morning. (Leviticus 7:12–15.)
19. Colossians 3:15 says to let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, "and be" what?
A. Thankful B. Quiet C. Strong D. Ready
The answer is thankful. The verse ends with three words: "And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15.)
20. Which prophet ends his book rejoicing in the Lord even if the fig tree does not bud and the stalls hold no cattle?
A. Habakkuk B. Amos C. Joel D. Micah
The answer is Habakkuk. Though the fig tree does not bud and the fields produce no food, he says, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. (Habakkuk 3:17–18.)
Did the Bible Really Say That? Thankful Sayings · True or False · All ages
Ten statements about gratitude. Some are Scripture, some are greeting cards and Ben Franklin. Vote true or false with a show of hands.
21. True or false: The Bible says, "God helps those who help themselves."
False. That line comes from Benjamin Franklin's almanac, not Scripture. The Bible's picture is the reverse: while we were still powerless, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6.)
22. True or false: Only one of the ten lepers Jesus healed came back to thank Him.
True. Jesus Himself asked where the other nine were. (Luke 17:17–18.)
23. True or false: The Bible names a holiday called Thanksgiving Day.
False. There is no Thanksgiving Day in the Bible, but God did command harvest feasts of thanks, and told Israel to be joyful at them. (Deuteronomy 16:13–15.)
24. True or false: Psalm 100 carries a heading calling it a psalm for giving thanks.
True. Its title line reads "A psalm for giving thanks," the only psalm with that heading. (Psalm 100:1.)
25. True or false: Paul told the Thessalonians to give thanks only when things go well.
False. He wrote to give thanks in all circumstances, hard ones included. (1 Thessalonians 5:18.)
26. True or false: Daniel kept giving thanks to God even after it became illegal.
True. The decree was signed, and Daniel went home and gave thanks at his open window three times a day, as before. (Daniel 6:10.)
27. True or false: The Pilgrims' first harvest feast is described in the book of Acts.
False. The New Testament was finished about fifteen centuries before 1621. The Pilgrims did model their feast on the Bible's harvest thanksgiving, though. (Deuteronomy 26:10–11.)
28. True or false: The Bible says to give thanks "always and for everything."
True. Ephesians says to always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:20.)
29. True or false: Jonah gave thanks to God only after the fish spat him out on dry land.
False. Jonah's thanksgiving prayer came from inside the fish, before he was delivered. (Jonah 2:9–10.)
30. True or false: Jesus gave thanks before feeding the crowd of five thousand.
True. He took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to the seated crowd. (John 6:11.)
12 Thanksgiving table questions
Cut these into strips and put one under each plate, or read them around the table. The rule at our house: the person who answers picks who goes next, and grandparents are not allowed to pass.
- What is one thing that happened this year that you did not expect, but are thankful for?
- Who helped you this year? Have you told them thank you?
- What is a hard thing God brought you through since last Thanksgiving?
- Which Bible story about thankfulness is your favorite, and why?
- What is a small everyday thing, a smell, a sound, or a food, that you would miss if it were gone?
- What is one thing about the person on your left that you thank God for?
- What prayer did God answer this year?
- What is something you are thankful for that money cannot buy?
- If you could thank one person from the Bible in person, who would it be?
- What is one way our family could show thanks to someone this week?
- What is a talent or ability you are thankful God gave you?
- What is one thing next year that you can thank God for now, before it happens?
12 Bible passages about thankfulness to read at the table
Short enough to read before the food gets cold. Hand the list to the reader in the family who never gets asked, and let a child read the one-verse ones.
- Psalm 100:1–5. The thanksgiving psalm. Five verses, one minute, the whole table can read it together.
- Psalm 107:1. One verse for the youngest reader: give thanks, He is good, His love endures forever.
- Psalm 136:1–9. Read the first half of each verse and let everyone shout the refrain back.
- Deuteronomy 8:10–18. Eat, be satisfied, and remember who gave it. Written for people about to have plenty.
- 1 Chronicles 16:8–12, 34. David's song when the ark came home. Good for a grandparent to read.
- Luke 17:11–19. The ten lepers. The story behind the question nobody at the table will forget.
- Philippians 4:4–7. Rejoice, do not be anxious, ask with thanksgiving. For anyone carrying a hard year.
- Colossians 3:15–17. Peace, gratitude, and doing everything in Jesus' name, in three verses.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18. Three short commands, easy to memorize before dessert.
- Ephesians 5:19–20. Sing, and give thanks always, for everything.
- James 1:17. Every good gift, and every one on the table, came down from the Father.
- Habakkuk 3:17–19. Thankfulness when the harvest fails. Read it for the family that had a lean year.
Make it a whole holiday game night
The trivia is the sit-down act. If the cousins are staying through the weekend, the Christmas Bible trivia quiz is the next page to print, and our Bible charades word lists get the kids out of their chairs. For the survey-style showdown where every guess can score, the free bank of survey-style Bible questions plays live on any TV with animated reveals and a bot opponent. Planning a full church Thanksgiving event? The printable church game night kit has the 60-minute run-of-show ready to go.
Common questions
What are good Thanksgiving Bible trivia questions?
The best ones come from the places Scripture actually talks about thankfulness, not from turkey facts. Start with the stories: the one leper who came back (Luke 17), Daniel giving thanks at his window (Daniel 6), Jonah's thanksgiving from inside the fish (Jonah 2), and Jesus giving thanks before feeding the crowd (John 6). Then move to the teaching: Psalm 100, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Philippians 4:6, and Colossians 3:15. All 30 questions on this page are built from those passages, with the verse under every answer.
How do you play Thanksgiving games at church?
Split the room into tables and run the survey boards first, because nobody needs Bible knowledge to guess what goes wrong at Thanksgiving dinner. Read a prompt, let tables shout answers, and score them most-popular-first. Then run the trivia quiz on the projector so the whole room votes out loud. The 12 boards and 30 questions fill about forty-five minutes, which leaves time for the meal. For a bigger event, the free church game-night kit linked below has a full run-of-show.
Is there a free printable Thanksgiving Bible games PDF?
Yes. The PDF button at the top of this page downloads everything here, formatted for letter paper: the survey boards with ranked answers, all the trivia questions with their answers and verse references, the table questions, and the reading list. Print one copy as the host's sheet, or print a page of table questions for each family. No signup, free for home, school, or ministry use.
How do you make Thanksgiving dinner about thanking God with kids?
Keep it short and make it a game. Before the meal, read Psalm 100 together, it takes one minute. Between dinner and dessert, pass the table questions around and let each person answer one, youngest first. If the room is restless, the kids' trivia round on this page is ten questions and takes five minutes on a phone. The goal is one real moment of thanks to God, not a program.
Are these Thanksgiving questions original?
Yes. Every board, question, and table prompt on this page was written for it, by a dad of eight who has hosted a lot of loud Thanksgivings. They are not copied from the game's question packs, so nothing here spoils a pack anyone has paid for, and they are not scraped from other trivia sites.
Skip the prep. Play it live on your TV, free
Faith Family Showdown turns questions like these into a real game-show board: animated reveals, buzzer sounds, scores, and strikes. Try it free in your browser on any TV, laptop, or tablet (no signup), then grab the free iPhone & iPad app to keep it one tap away for every game night. No ads, no subscriptions: buy a pack once and keep it forever.
Family Faith & Fun Sampler · 3 rounds · vs Sam
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