It’s that time of year, isn’t it? The energy in the halls is high, and focus in your Spanish class might be… lower. But this doesn’t have to mean a washout! With the right Spanish Thanksgiving activities, you can turn that holiday excitement into meaningful learning.

Using the themes of harvest and gratitude, your students can practice language in a fun and relevant way while celebrating Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving in Spanish). These activities are low-prep, high-engagement, and perfect before the holidays. The goal? Keep learning high-value and your stress low.

Thanksgiving is an ideal holiday to use in Spanish class, as your students already know the history and the traditions, and you can focus on communication and building confidence.

Using Spanish Thanksgiving activities also helps students:

• Practice high-frequency verbs and vocabulary in a meaningful context.
• Strengthen listening, speaking, and writing skills through festive, low-prep tasks.
• Stay engaged right before the break with interactive games and creative projects.

Ready to find out what these fun activities are?

Focus on Fluency: The Thanksgiving Dice Breaker Speaking Game

When students are restless, asking them to sit quietly is a losing battle. Channel that energy into Spanish speaking Thanksgiving activities that feel like games but reinforce real communication.

What It Is and How It Works
This structured dice-breaker game goes beyond basic vocabulary and encourages actual conversation. Students work in pairs or small groups with a couple of dice and a prompt sheet filled with prompts about gratitude, food, and the Thanksgiving holiday. Most are things they have todo, but there are a few surprise prompts to make it more interesting for your beginners! 

And it's so simple to play, a roll of the dice decides which question they answer—keeping the conversation fast-paced and engaging.

The Focus
Students practice conversational flow, question-asking, and high-frequency vocabulary all in the context of Día de Acción de Gracias.

Differentiation and Benefits
With two differentiated versions and an optional chat mat, this is perfect to use if you are teaching multiple grades and want something that will work for more than one level, with more complex prompts and grammar required for version 2.

This low-stakes activity ensures everyone participates. It’s also a quick, informal way to check conversational skills before the break.

Resource Tip: For a zero-prep option, my Acción de Gracias Dice Breaker Game provides ready-to-go prompts to make speaking practice stress-free and fun.

Gratitude & Writing: The Spanish Thanksgiving Craft Turkey

Sometimes students need a slower, reflective activity. This Spanish Thanksgiving craft activity combines writing practice with a meaningful craft.

What It Is and How It Works
 Use a turkey template or feather cut-outs for students to write about things they are thankful for

Comes in different sizes so beginners can use the smaller size to write simple nouns or nouns and simple adjectives (e.g., Mi perro, Mi cama cómoda, Mi familia grande), or use the bigger one to write longer sentences and small paragraphs.

This is an easy craft activity that and visually rewarding and they can make a beautiful Thanksgiving art display. 

No-Prep Review: Thanksgiving Bingo in Spanish

Don’t let those essential words slip away! This Thanksgiving Bingo in Spanish is a fun, interactive way to celebrate Día de Acción de Gracias while practicing key food vocabulary in Spanish.

What It Is and How It Works
This engaging game helps students practice Thanksgiving-themed food vocabulary (calabaza, pavo, relleno, salsa de carne, cuchara, and more) while sharpening listening skills. With 36 unique bingo cards featuring adorable images, students can connect Spanish terms with visuals, making learning both fun and memorable.

Why It Works Now
Perfect for a busy pre-holiday week, this no-prep activity is low-stress for both students and teachers. Use it as a warm-up, review, or even a seasonal substitute plan!

The Bingo set includes:

• 36 unique game cards
• Calling cards in Spanish and English
• Versions with and without text
• Black-and-white version
• Counters (4 in color)
• Half-page version
  Simply print, cut, and play—no prep required!

Gratitude and Creativity: Spanish Thanksgiving Coloring Pages

If you´re looking for something a bit more creative that you can use as a brain break, these Día de Acción de Gracias coloring pages combine art, language, and gratitude—perfect for keeping students engaged and focused during the holiday week.

What It Is and How It Works
Students color Thanksgiving-themed designs in Spanish, choosing from pre-written gratitude messages or blank spaces where they can write their own. It’s a great way to practice vocabulary for emotions, family, and thankfulness while fostering creativity. 

What´s more, the finished pages double as beautiful classroom decor!

What’s Included:

• 8 different Spanish Thanksgiving coloring sheets
• Versions with pre-written messages and blank templates

Resource Tip: These pages are perfect for a relaxing yet meaningful class activity before the break.

Active Learning: Spanish Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

Take Thanksgiving in Spanish class to the next level with this Spanish Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt Game! It’s perfect for a fun, immersive activity to review or learn new vocabulary while celebrating El Día de Acción de Gracias.

What It Is and How It Works
Students read Thanksgiving-themed clues in Spanish or English and move around the classroom to find the next word. It’s active, engaging, and gets students moving while practicing vocabulary.

How to Play

• Two sets of cards allow for either two quick games with 12 cards each or one big game with 24 cards.

• Divide students into teams and use both sets for a competitive twist (2–3 teams per set).

• Differentiated card versions let you tailor the activity to different skill levels or grades.

Why It Works Now
These no-prep scavenger hunts are easy to print and set up—just print, cut, and place around the classroom. They work for active small-group or team play, and can even be adapted for individual quiet work with answer sheets.

Resource Tip: Mix up the cards each time for a fresh challenge and encourage students to solve all the clues—this keeps energy high and vocabulary retention strong!

Wrapping Up Your Week

You’re doing amazing work, even when students are distracted and counting the days until break. These Spanish Thanksgiving activities are designed to meet your students where they are—energetic, curious, and ready for something festive. With just a few low-prep ideas, you can keep learning meaningful while bringing the spirit of El Día de Acción de Gracias into your classroom. And if you're looking for more ways to integrate meaningful culture beyond the holidays, check out some great activities and ideas we can use during Hispanic Heritage Month or make note of these 9 essential Spanish festivals to teach your class.

Visit my TPT store here to explore all my Spanish Thanksgiving activities and get everything you need for a fun, no-stress week before the break!