Gratitude Highlights Thanksgiving Game

Have you ever played Highlights*? Players sit in a circle. In turn, each person tells the group about one thing that made them happy so far that day. This game reliably makes everyone feel included and establishes a cheerful tone.

 On Thanksgiving, you can play a variation of Highlights at the dinner table. I have seen this work wonders, establishing a climate of kindness, inclusion, and power-sharing so that everyone gets to talk, be heard, and feel respected.

To play Gratitude Highlights: Players are seated in a circle, for example at the dinner table. Start with a volunteer and go around the circle. On their turn, each person says something that they feel grateful for on this day of giving thanks.

 It’s that easy.

 What do you notice about the group’s dynamics?

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Cooperative Game for Thanksgiving 2025: Gratitude Highlights

*The game Highlights was invented by Terry Orlick, Canadian professor of Kinesiology. It appears in his book: Cooperative Games and Sports, Joyful Activities for Everyone, 2nd Edition. Human Kinetics.