Three years ago, my Thanksgiving dinner was a disaster—and it had nothing to do with the turkey. The food was perfect, the table looked like something out of a magazine, but the vibe? Painfully awkward. My usually chatty kids were picking at their plates in silence, my nephew was glued to his phone under the table, and the adults were making forced small talk about traffic and weather. I remember thinking, “This is the big family gathering I stressed about for two weeks?”
Then my eight-year-old suddenly blurted out: “Mom, why did the turkey cross the road?” Before I could shush him for interrupting, he delivered the punchline: “Because the chicken had the day off!” My dad burst out laughing, my nephew actually looked up from his phone, and just like that, the entire energy shifted. Kids started competing to tell the silliest jokes they knew, adults joined in, and we laughed so hard my sister snorted cranberry sauce out of her nose.
That’s when I realized something crucial: Thanksgiving jokes for kids aren’t just time-fillers—they’re memory-makers. And this year, I’m coming prepared with 85 tested jokes that actually land with kids (and secretly crack up the adults, too).
Why Thanksgiving Jokes Are a Game-Changer
Let’s be honest: asking kids to sit still through a long, formal meal is basically setting everyone up for failure. Kids get antsy, parents get stressed, and before you know it, someone’s crying in the bathroom (and it might be you). But jokes? Jokes change everything.
When kids are focused on remembering their favorite joke or listening to someone else’s punchline, they’re not whining about being bored. They’re not fighting with their siblings. They’re actually engaged in the family gathering, which is the whole point of Thanksgiving, right? Family therapists at Psychology Today emphasize that shared laughter is one of the most powerful tools for building family bonds and creating positive childhood memories.
The other thing I love about Thanksgiving jokes is that they’re the great equalizer. Your shy four-year-old can tell the same knock-knock joke as your confident twelve-year-old, and both get laughs. It gives every kid a moment to shine and feel included, regardless of age or personality type.
Plus, let’s talk about the practical side: jokes eat up time. Between waiting for stragglers to arrive, the hour it takes to cook that last-minute side dish someone forgot, and the post-dinner lull before dessert, you’re looking at a lot of potential dead time. Having an arsenal of Thanksgiving jokes ready to deploy has saved my sanity more times than I can count.
How to Use These Jokes at Your Thanksgiving Table
Before I dump 85 jokes on you, let me share the strategies that actually work for making joke-telling a hit instead of a chaotic mess.
The Joke Card Trick: A few days before Thanksgiving, I print out jokes on small cards (index cards cut in half work great) and place one at each seat. As people arrive and sit down, they’ve automatically got conversation material right in front of them. The kids love reading them aloud, and it gives adults who aren’t great with kids an easy icebreaker. You can find tons of free printable templates on We Are Teachers that make this super easy.
The Thanksgiving Joke Contest: This is my secret weapon for the pre-dinner waiting period. I announce that we’re having a joke contest, and everyone who wants to participate gets to tell one joke. The adults vote on categories like “silliest,” “groaniest pun,” and “most creative,” and winners get first dibs on their favorite pie. This strategy keeps kids entertained for at least 30-45 minutes, and the competition element keeps their attention locked in.
Strategic Timing: Don’t blow all your jokes at once. I keep a few jokes in my back pocket for specific moments: one when we first sit down and kids are getting restless, a couple during dinner when conversation lags, and a few more during that awkward period after eating when everyone’s too full to move but dessert isn’t quite ready yet. Spacing them out keeps the energy up throughout the whole celebration.
85 Hilarious Thanksgiving Jokes for Kids
Alright, here’s the mother lode—organized by category so you can find exactly what you need. I’ve marked my kids’ favorites with a ⭐ so you know which ones are kid-tested and approved.
Turkey Jokes
Why did the turkey cross the road?
It was the chicken’s day off! ⭐
Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
The outside!
What do you call a running turkey?
Fast food. ⭐
What did the turkey say to the computer?
“Google, google, google!”
What kind of key can’t open doors?
A tur-key! ⭐
What instrument does a turkey play?
The drumstick!
What’s a turkey’s favorite dessert?
Apple gobbler!
Who isn’t hungry at Thanksgiving?
The turkey—he’s already stuffed! ⭐
What do you call a turkey the day after Thanksgiving?
Lucky!
Why was the turkey the drummer in the band?
Because he had the drumsticks!
What sound does a turkey’s phone make?
Wing, wing, wing!
Why do turkeys gobble?
Because they never learned table manners. ⭐
What did the turkey say before it was roasted?
“Boy, I’m stuffed!”
Why did the police arrest the turkey?
They suspected fowl play.
What kind of weather does a turkey like?
Fowl weather! ⭐
What do you get when you cross a turkey with a ghost?
A poultry-geist!
What do turkeys like to do on sunny days?
Have peck-nics!
What did the little turkey say to the big turkey?
“Peck on someone your own size!”
How did the turkey get home for Thanksgiving?
It took the gravy train.
What sound does a limping turkey make?
Wobble, wobble!
Why did the turkey cross the road twice?
To prove he wasn’t chicken! ⭐
What’s the best song to play while cooking a turkey?
“All About That Baste!” ⭐
What was the turkey thankful for on Thanksgiving?
Vegetarians!
What did the turkey say to the hunter?
“Quack, quack!”
Why can’t you take a turkey near little kids?
He uses fowl language!
Food & Feast Jokes
What smells the best at Thanksgiving dinner?
Your nose! ⭐
Why was the Thanksgiving soup so expensive?
It had 24 carrots!
What do you wear to Thanksgiving dinner?
A har-vest! ⭐
What did the sweet potato say when asked if it was hungry?
“Yes, I yam!”
Why did the cranberries turn red?
Because they saw the turkey dressing! ⭐
Why don’t side dishes tell jokes?
They’re too corny!
Why is corn so popular on Thanksgiving?
Because it’s a-maize-ing! ⭐
What’s the best thing to put into pumpkin pie?
Your teeth!
How did the salt and pepper welcome their guests?
“Seasoning’s greetings!”
What did the mashed potatoes say to the gravy?
“You complete me!”
Why shouldn’t you tell secrets at Thanksgiving?
Because the potatoes have eyes, the corn has ears, and the beans stalk! ⭐
What happens when you’re too harsh on cranberries and make them sad?
They turn into blueberries!
What did the pumpkin say after Thanksgiving dinner?
“Oh my gourd, I ate too much!”
How do you fix a broken pumpkin pie?
With a pumpkin patch! ⭐
Why did the farmer steamroll his potato field?
He wanted mashed potatoes!
What kind of vegetables would you like with your Thanksgiving dinner?
Beets me!
What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter?
Pumpkin pi!
Why didn’t the chef season the turkey?
He ran out of thyme!
What did the pumpkin pie say to the pecan pie?
“I only have pies for you!”
Who helped the squash cross the road?
The crossing gourd!
Knock-Knock Jokes
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Arthur.
Arthur who?
Arthur any leftovers? ⭐
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Harry.
Harry who?
Harry up, I’m hungry!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Annie.
Annie who?
Annie body want pumpkin pie? ⭐
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Gwen.
Gwen who?
Gwen is Thanksgiving dinner? I’m starving!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Mustache.
Mustache who?
I mustache you to carve the turkey! ⭐
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Noah.
Noah who?
Noah good pumpkin pie recipe?
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Anita.
Anita who?
Anita bigger pair of pants—I ate too much! ⭐
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Tamara.
Tamara who?
Tamara we’ll eat all the leftovers!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Gladys.
Gladys who?
Gladys Thanksgiving. Aren’t you? ⭐
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Norma Lee.
Norma Lee who?
Norma Lee I don’t eat this much!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Don.
Don who?
Don eat all the gravy—I want some more! ⭐
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Dewey.
Dewey who?
Dewey have to sit at the kids’ table again?
Pilgrim & History Jokes
What kind of music did the Pilgrims listen to?
Plymouth Rock! ⭐
If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring?
Pilgrims!
Why do Pilgrims’ pants always fall down?
Because they wear their belt buckles on their hats! ⭐
If the Pilgrims were alive today, what would they be most famous for?
Their age!
When the Pilgrims landed, where did they stand?
On their feet!
Why didn’t the Pilgrims want to make bread?
It’s a crummy job!
Why did the Pilgrims sail from England to America?
Because they missed their plane! ⭐
What do you call the age of a Pilgrim?
Pilgrimage!
Thanksgiving Puns & One-Liners
What did the hipster say the day after Thanksgiving?
“I liked the leftovers before they were cool.” ⭐
Why is it hard to stop telling Thanksgiving jokes?
You can’t quit cold turkey! ⭐
What always comes at the end of Thanksgiving?
The letter “G”!
Where does Christmas come before Thanksgiving?
In the dictionary!
Did you hear about the scarecrow who won first prize?
He was outstanding in his field! ⭐
What’s a pumpkin’s favorite sport?
Squash!
What do turkeys and teddy bears have in common?
They’re both stuffed!
Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building?
Yes! A building can’t jump at all! ⭐
What did Han Solo say to Luke Skywalker on Thanksgiving?
“May the forks be with you!”
What should you do if there’s a fire during Thanksgiving dinner?
Stop, drop, and pass the rolls!
What do you call Thanksgiving if you’re selfish?
Thanks-taking!
Why did Johnny get low grades after Thanksgiving?
Because everything is marked down after the holidays!
What comes at the beginning of a Thanksgiving parade?
The letter “P”!
The Jokes That Worked Best at Our House
After three years of testing these jokes on my own kids and their cousins, I’ve learned a few things about what actually lands with different age groups.
For the little ones (ages 3-6): Simple, visual jokes work best. My four-year-old absolutely loses it over “Which side of the turkey has the most feathers? The outside!” She gets it, it makes sense, and she can remember it to tell Grandpa seventeen times. The knock-knock jokes are also huge hits because they’re interactive and follow a predictable pattern. Research from PBS Kids shows that joke-telling moments like these actually support important language development skills in young children.
For elementary kids (ages 7-10): This age group loves the pun-heavy jokes because they’re just starting to really get wordplay. “Why can’t you quit telling Thanksgiving jokes? Because you can’t quit cold turkey!” had my eight-year-old rolling on the floor. They also love being the joke-teller and watching adults groan at their puns. The sense of making the whole table react gives them such a confidence boost. If your kids enjoy riddles and wordplay, they might also love tongue twisters for kids as another fun language challenge.
For tweens and teens (ages 11+): The more clever and slightly more sophisticated jokes work better here. My nephew is 13 and thought he was too cool for “kid jokes” until someone told the hipster leftover joke and he cracked up despite himself. Pop culture references (like the Han Solo joke) also resonate with this age group because they feel more mature.
The universal winners: Certain jokes worked across ALL age groups. “What smells the best at Thanksgiving dinner? Your nose!” got laughs from my three-year-old all the way up to my 70-year-old father-in-law. The drumstick/drummer joke is another crowd-pleaser that transcends age.
The flops: I learned the hard way that jokes requiring too much explanation fall flat. I tried a complicated joke about the Mayflower Compact and lost everyone’s attention halfway through. Keep it simple, keep it punchy, and save the history lessons for another time.
Making Jokes Part of Your Thanksgiving Tradition
Here’s what I love most about Thanksgiving jokes: they’ve accidentally become one of our most cherished family traditions. We started keeping a “Thanksgiving Joke Journal” where kids write down or draw their favorite jokes each year. Looking back through previous years and seeing how their handwriting and joke preferences have changed has become surprisingly emotional (in the best way).
This year, I’m putting my oldest in charge of being the official “Joke Master” for the kids’ table. She gets to decide when jokes get told, who goes next, and she even made little prize ribbons for “best joke” categories. Experts at The Family Dinner Project note that giving kids meaningful roles in family gatherings boosts their sense of belonging and family identity—who knew silly jokes could do all that?
If you want to make jokes a regular part of your celebration, here are some ideas that worked for us:
Annual joke contest with rotating judges: Each year, a different family member serves as head judge. It spreads out the responsibility and keeps things fresh.
Joke jar tradition: Everyone brings one new joke written on a slip of paper and adds it to the jar. Throughout dinner, different people draw and read jokes. The best part? The jar gets saved and reused next year, so you’re building a collection of family favorites.
Photo booth with joke props: Set up a simple photo area with turkey props and have kids hold signs with their favorite punchlines. These make great Instagram moments and you capture genuine laughs on camera. For more creative ways to entertain kids during family gatherings, check out these fun activities for kids that work beyond just Thanksgiving.
Create a family joke book: At the end of each Thanksgiving, compile the year’s favorite jokes into a little booklet. Over time, you’ve got a hilarious family heirloom that kids treasure more than any store-bought toy.
Why Laughter Is the Best Side Dish
I used to think the perfect Thanksgiving meant everything looking picture-perfect: matching napkins, a flawless turkey, everyone dressed nicely and behaving. But you know what my kids remember from last Thanksgiving? The joke contest. The time their dad laughed so hard at a dumb pun that water came out of his nose. The moment their shy little cousin told her first joke ever and everyone clapped.
The jokes, the laughter, the silliness—that’s what builds the memories that stick. So this Thanksgiving, I’m giving myself permission to care less about whether the table looks Pinterest-worthy and more about whether we’re actually having fun together.
Because here’s the truth: your kids won’t remember if the turkey was slightly dry or if you forgot to make three kinds of stuffing. But they absolutely will remember the year Uncle Mike told that ridiculous knock-knock joke and everyone laughed until they cried. They’ll remember feeling brave enough to stand up and tell a joke to the whole family. They’ll remember Thanksgiving as the holiday filled with warmth, connection, and joy—not just food.
So print out those joke cards. Start that joke contest. Let your kids be silly and loud and full of terrible puns. Embrace the chaos and the groans and the laughter that makes your stomach hurt. Because at the end of the day, that’s what Thanksgiving is really about: being together and finding reasons to smile. And if a few corny turkey jokes are what it takes to create that magic, well, that’s pretty much the easiest recipe for holiday happiness I’ve ever found.
This year, I’m challenging you (and myself) to prioritize laughter over perfection. To let the kids drive the energy. To remember that the best Thanksgiving isn’t the one that looks perfect in photos—it’s the one where everyone leaves with sore cheeks from smiling too much. These simple moments of silliness, much like teaching basic manners for kids, are actually building blocks for raising confident, socially connected children who know how to find joy in being together.
Happy Thanksgiving, and may your day be filled with terrible puns, endless giggles, and way too much pie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Thanksgiving jokes for young kids?
The best jokes for young kids (ages 3-6) are simple, visual, and easy to understand. Jokes like “Which side of the turkey has the most feathers? The outside!” work great because they don’t require complex wordplay. Knock-knock jokes are also perfect for this age group because they’re interactive and follow a predictable pattern that little ones can remember and repeat. Stick with jokes that have obvious punchlines and avoid anything requiring explanation.
How can I use Thanksgiving jokes to keep kids entertained during dinner?
Create a joke card station by printing jokes on small cards and placing one at each seat. You can also run a joke contest where kids take turns telling their favorite joke and adults vote on categories like “silliest” or “best pun.” Another strategy is to space out joke-telling throughout the meal—start with a few before dinner, share more during the meal when conversation lags, and save some for the post-dinner waiting period before dessert. This keeps energy up throughout the whole celebration.
What makes a good Thanksgiving joke for kids?
A good Thanksgiving joke for kids should be clean, family-friendly, short, and easy to remember. The best jokes use simple wordplay related to Thanksgiving themes like turkeys, food, or Pilgrims. Jokes that work across multiple age groups tend to be the most successful at family gatherings. Look for jokes with clear, punchy punchlines that don’t require lengthy explanations—kids lose interest quickly if a joke takes too long to tell or needs additional context to be funny.
Are knock-knock jokes good for Thanksgiving?
Yes! Knock-knock jokes are perfect for Thanksgiving, especially with younger children. They’re interactive, follow a familiar pattern, and give shy kids a structured way to participate in joke-telling. Thanksgiving-themed knock-knock jokes like “Knock knock. Who’s there? Arthur. Arthur who? Arthur any leftovers?” are easy for kids to memorize and deliver successfully. They also encourage back-and-forth interaction between the joke-teller and audience, which helps kids feel more connected to the group.
How do I start a Thanksgiving joke tradition in my family?
Start simple by introducing a joke contest at this year’s Thanksgiving, where everyone who wants to participate tells one joke. You can also create a “joke jar” where family members contribute jokes on slips of paper throughout the meal. Make it fun by offering small prizes for categories like “funniest,” “groaniest pun,” or “most creative.” Document the jokes that get the biggest laughs and save them for next year. Over time, this becomes a cherished tradition that kids look forward to annually.
What Thanksgiving jokes work for all ages?
Universal crowd-pleasers include simple jokes with obvious humor that everyone can appreciate. “What smells the best at Thanksgiving dinner? Your nose!” works from age 3 to 80 because it’s unexpected and silly without being complicated. “Why did the turkey cross the road? Because the chicken had the day off!” is another all-ages winner. Food puns like “Why is corn so popular? Because it’s a-maize-ing!” and the drumstick/drummer joke also consistently get laughs across generations.
Can Thanksgiving jokes help shy kids feel more comfortable?
Absolutely! Telling jokes gives shy children a structured way to participate in family gatherings without the pressure of spontaneous conversation. Having a prepared joke gives them something specific to say, and the guaranteed laughter response boosts their confidence. Start by helping them practice one easy knock-knock joke beforehand, then encourage them to tell it to one friendly family member before attempting the whole table. Success with joke-telling can significantly boost a shy child’s confidence in social situations.