Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and fun—but if you’ve got energetic kids running around, you might be looking for something that can channel all that excitement into a creative, active game. That’s where the Nerf Turkey Targets game comes in! This easy and hilarious activity will keep kids entertained and give them a way to burn off some of that turkey-day energy. And the best part? It’s a simple game that requires only a few supplies you probably already have at home.

The Story Behind the Game

This silly game first came to life years ago when my older kids were young. As any parent knows, holiday weeks can be chaotic, especially when the excitement of the season kicks into high gear. So, I’ve always been on the lookout for activities that keep kids busy, active, and—most importantly—having fun. This year, I decided to bring back the Nerf Turkey Targets game for my younger children. But I wanted to spice it up a little, so I turned to my 15-year-old son for help.

I asked him to draw some turkeys—goofy-looking turkeys, to be exact. I wanted turkeys that were terrified of being shot at, giving them a funny and exaggerated look that would make the game even more entertaining. When he showed me his drawings, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing! His turkey designs were exactly what I had imagined—quirky and full of personality.

What You’ll Need for the Game

To set up your own Nerf Turkey Targets, you’ll need just a few basic supplies:

• Printables: Three different turkey designs (you can print them from the link provided at the bottom of this post).
• Scissors: To cut out the turkeys.
• Plastic cups: These serve as the stands for your turkeys.
• Tape: To stick the turkeys onto the cups.
• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons: For decorating the turkeys.

Once you’ve gathered these simple items, you’re ready to go!

Getting the Game Ready

Start by coloring and cutting out the turkeys. You can get creative with your colors—use whatever markers or crayons you like. Once you’ve finished decorating, tape each turkey to a plastic cup. Depending on how many turkeys you want to play with, you can arrange them in a variety of ways. I recommend stacking the cups to make the game a little more challenging and fun. The higher the tower, the more satisfying the “crash” when the turkeys fall down!

How to Play

Now for the fun part—playing the game! Use a Nerf gun (or any foam dart blaster you have) to shoot at the turkeys. The goal is to knock them off their cups, of course, but the real fun is in how the turkeys fall and tumble. My kids have had so much fun with this game—sometimes they even shoot from the top of the stairs to give it an extra challenge!

If you’ve got more than one child, you can turn this into a friendly competition. Each player can take turns trying to knock down the most turkeys, or you can make it a timed challenge to see who can clear the cups the fastest.

Extra Tips for Maximum Fun

• More cups, more fun: If you’ve got extra cups, stack them higher! The bigger the tower, the more thrilling the fall.
• Keep the pets out: Setting up the game on a folding table keeps the dogs away from the cups and turkeys. Although, our younger dog still finds a way to snatch a cup here and there—silly pup!
• Encourage teamwork: If multiple kids are playing, you can also make this a cooperative game where they work together to knock down all the turkeys as quickly as possible.

One of the things I love most about this game is how it keeps everyone entertained while encouraging them to use their energy productively. And, with no fighting over toys or Nerf darts flying all over the house, it’s a huge win for both the kids and the adults!

Ready to Print Your Nerf Turkey Targets?

You’re just one click away from printing your own set of Nerf Turkey Targets. Click the link below to download the file and start building your turkey-themed game. Trust me, the kids will love it!

[CLICK HERE: Nerf Turkey Targets]

More Thanksgiving Activities

Looking for more ways to keep the little ones busy this Thanksgiving? I’ve gathered a whole collection of fun activities for you. From crafts and coloring pages to gratitude-focused projects, there’s something for every kid to enjoy. Check out our full collection of Thanksgiving crafts and activities here:

[20+ Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities]

So, this Thanksgiving, don’t let the kids sit idle. Get them moving, laughing, and creating memories with this fun Nerf Turkey Targets game. It’s the perfect way to mix some holiday fun with a little friendly competition—and who knows, it might just become a new Thanksgiving tradition in your home!

4o mini