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Thanksgiving Scramble – A Fun Make-a-Word Activity

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that usually means a smorgasbord of tasty treats shared with family and friends around the table! Cook up a bit of extra holiday fun with this delicious Thanksgiving-themed word scramble activity! Ready to dig in?

download Thanksgiving Scramble Activity

Preparing Your “Thanksgiving Scramble” Activity

  1. Download the Thanksgiving Scramble Reading and Spelling Activity.
  2. Select the Word Scramble you would like to complete and print one sheet for each player. Both color and black and white are available.
  3. Print the color or black and white letter squares.
  4. Cut out the letter squares that correspond with the Word Scrambles you plan to complete.
  5. Print the Word List Answer Key on page 14 and set aside. Don’t peek unless you get stuck and need some extra help!
cutting up letter squares for Thanksgiving Scramble

Playing “Thanksgiving Scramble”

Here we go…it’s time for a Thanksgiving word feast! Have each player place the letter squares face up on the table.

children play Thanksgiving Scramble

Now have each player scramble his letter squares, trying to form as many words as possible.

children work on creating words in Thanksgiving Scramble

For example, from the letter squares for the word Thanksgiving, a player might discover the words gang, ask, or skin.

Boy creates words in Thanksgiving Scramble

Have the players write each newly discovered word in a space on the word sheet.

girl writes words on Thanksgiving Scramble words sheet

Keep scrambling letters until each player has found as many words as he can. The player with the most words wins.

completed words sheets for Thanksgiving Scramble

Four More Ways to Play

Encourage teamwork. Playing with a wide variety of ages? Instead of each player playing independently, work as teams. Pair up an adult or older child with a younger child. Work together to unscramble letters and discover as many words as possible.

Make it a race. Depending on the reading level of the players, set a timer for 3-5 minutes and have individual children or teams see who can discover the most words in the allotted time. Older children and adults may have fun playing for longer periods of time.

Encourage vocabulary-building. Have children use the word they discover in a sentence before adding the word to their sheet.

Create a crossword puzzle. Scramble the letter squares for all four Thanksgiving Scrambles and place them face up on the table. Work as a group to create a crossword that uses as many of the letters as possible. All words should intersect with at least one other word in the crossword!

girls create an acrostic with Thanksgiving Scramble letters

Looking for more downloadable activities for family fun? Just click here … we’ve got you covered! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Photos by: Kristin Oleksinski

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Jana

says:

We had a lot of fun with these! Thank you.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Jana,
Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed these!

Kelsey Pugh

says:

Amazing idea! Can incorporate all different ages, great to scaffold.

Christina Munoz

says:

I love this idea!

Jeanette Krebs

says:

So fun, printing off now!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Enjoy, Jeanette!

Amber Z.

says:

Thank you. I was looking for a fun Thanksgiving activity to do in our homeschool this week.

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Amber! Enjoy!

Lacey

says:

Super fun way to learning new words we dont use everyday. Fun and engaging!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Lacey!

Lauren

says:

This looks fun! Might have to try it with my sons and nieces when we get together for Thanksgiving!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Lauren,
It’s a great activity for keeping people busy and out from under foot! (And not just kids. I know adults who love word scrambles like this, although they don’t use the letter tiles.)

Stephanie

says:

Looks like a fun activity! Thank you!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Stephanie! Enjoy!

G. S Mashani Maduwanthi

says:

Very useful. Thanks a lot

Nattimba Ssebuggwaawo Robinah Catherine

says:

Very engaging and enjoyable activities.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Nattimba!

Amber

says:

We absolutely loved this scramble. Even my older kids joined in on the fun!

bongiwe

says:

Good game. Helps to build vocabulary. My learners enjoyed it.

Robin

says: Customer Service

I’m glad to hear that your learners enjoyed it, Bongiwe!

Wendy Armstrong

says:

Such a fun and creative idea. I can’t wait to try it.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thanks, Wendy!

Erin

says:

These games are so much fun! They always boost my younger kiddos in their reading.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Great to hear, Erin!

Monique Johnson

says:

What a fun game! I need to try these.

Y D

says:

so fun! love seasonal activities!

Mary

says:

Fun! My kids like the games.

Katie Yotter

says:

My daughter loved playing this!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you for letting us know that your daughter enjoyed this activity, Katie!

Christy

says:

Great way for us to do school on an off week.

Jill

says:

Fun activity. Thank you!

Meg Rambo

says:

We did this at Thanksgiving and had a blast. Even the older kids got into it when I told them it was a competition:) thank you for offering this!

Meg Rambo

says:

We did this at Thanksgiving with my kids and nieces who were in town. It was a lot of fun and adding a little competition to it really got the older kids involved. Thank you for offering this!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Meg,
Thank you for letting us know your family enjoyed this activity!

samantha

says:

Great resource! Thanks for sharing.

samantha

says:

Great resource! Thanks for sharing

Olivia

says:

What a great idea!!

Sarah

says:

Thank you for all the great “extras” like this one. They really help give some direction and added fun to our review!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You are very welcome, Sarah!

Barb

says:

Thank you for making free activities that are also a fun way to learn!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You are so welcome, Barb!

Erica A

says:

We love all the creative games you all come up with to make learning fun! Thank you so much!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You are so welcome, Erica! Glad to know you like the games!

Melissa

says:

I love these activities that make spelling and reading fun; bonus that it primes my child to playing scrabble with the family and involves words of things she’ll be encountering in the coming days!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Great points, Melissa!

Linda

says:

I like games that make spelling and words fun!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Linda!