8 Creative Non-Food Ways to Connect With Loved Ones This Thanksgiving

[ad_1] <img width="800" height="534" src="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_734766289-1024x683.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_734766289-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_734766289-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_734766289-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_734766289-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_734766289-scaled.jpg 1800w" /> Thanksgiving’s a beautiful time to attach with household and associates, take pleasure in your favourite recipes, and begin new traditions. In the event you’ve been working onerous to get in form this yr, the vacation weekend additionally gives an ideal alternative to share your energetic life-style together with your family members.

But it surely’s troublesome to disrupt the need to graze or sit round all day with a visit to the fitness center or a jog across the block. So, get inventive. Listed below are eight non-food methods to attach together with your individuals and burn energy on turkey day.

HAVE A FIELD DAY

Everybody loves subject day, particularly should you’ve obtained a very aggressive household. Ignite pleasant rivalries and get your coronary heart price up with a set of energetic video games and challenges earlier than you dig in for dinner. Assume: impediment programs, balancing video games, egg-and-spoon relay races, even musical chairs or tug-of-war. “It may be actually something that will get individuals shifting and having fun with themselves, so be happy to adapt actions to your personal household’s wants,” says Alex Parry, a licensed private coach and energy and conditioning coach.

PLAY TEAM SPORTS ‘Tis the season for contact soccer — and for good purpose: “Sports activities are the most effective methods to get additional exercise and motion in, and pleasant competitors could be a good way for a household to bond and study to work collectively,” says TJ Mentus, a licensed private coach with Storage Gymnasium Critiques. Head to your native park or yard and select a sport that’s accessible for everybody who desires to hitch. A number of to think about that solely require a few provides? Basketball, slow-pitch softball, soccer, wiffle ball, kickball, volleyball or badminton.

GIVE THANKS WITH GRATITUDE YOGA Why not add slightly motion to your gratitude observe? To do that, host a group yoga session both in-person (lookup occasions in your space!) or on-line (YouTube and plenty of apps have many free lessons out there with skilled yogis), says Monica Straith, a licensed private coach. With every breath in (at the very least for the primary few breaths of every pose), consider one thing you’re grateful for. With every breath out, launch any detrimental power. And on the finish of the session, take time to mirror on your entire blessings, filling your self with constructive power.

TAKE A HIKE Join with nature, breathe simpler, and revel in crisp fall climate by taking a hike with household and associates. “You'll be able to select flat terrain for a leisurely stroll or discover a mountain to hike up for a much bigger calorie burn,” says Jody Braverman, a licensed private coach. To make it extra of a particular custom, take into account selecting a hike with memorable options like a panoramic view or waterfalls. One other enjoyable contact: “Final particular person down the hill has to wash up after Thanksgiving dinner,” says Braverman.

GO ICE SKATING Positive, it’s slightly early for ice skating season, however that may very well be to your profit: There’s extra space for you and your individuals to benefit from the rink! “Whether or not outside or in, considered one of my favourite issues to do across the holidays is to go ice skating,” says Braverman. “For a couple of dollars, you'll be able to hire a pair of skates and get a superb lower-body exercise. You’ll additionally work your core muscle tissues laughing at your family and friends attempting to remain upright on the ice.”

JOIN A POP-UP GROUP FITNESS CLASS One thing you may not know should you’re not a daily gym-goer? “Many gyms and communities host free Thanksgiving exercises in change for a meals donation,” says Carrie Corridor, a licensed private coach. You can provide again and get a free sweat session in a single cease. To search out out what your choices are for group health lessons, take a look at your space’s occasions website or name your native fitness center.

HAVE A TURKEY-THEMED SCAVENGER HUNT For an exercise the children will love, plan a turkey day-themed scavenger hunt. “You'll be able to disguise a number of paper turkeys round the home and have everybody search for them with a prize on the finish for the winner,” says John Gardner, a licensed private coach and on-line health coach. “To make it additional energetic, add a small health routine to the again of every turkey akin to 10 leaping jacks or 10 squats.”

TAKE PART IN A TURKEY TROT For a practice that would assist preserve you energetic within the weeks and months main as much as Thanksgiving, take into account signing up for a turkey trot. “These are sometimes for all ages and all exercise ranges with distances starting from toddler dashes to 10Ks,” says Corridor. Professional tip: “Ensure that to pre-register to get any Thanksgiving swag.” To arrange for the massive day or stick with it lengthy after the vacations, be a part of a strolling or working group.

THE BOTTOM LINE Thanksgiving doesn’t must be all about meals. To up your step depend, and spend high quality time collectively, begin a brand new household custom to maneuver extra collectively.