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

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to connect with family and friends, enjoy your favorite recipes, and start new traditions. If you’ve been working hard to get in shape this year, the holiday weekend also provides a great opportunity to share your active lifestyle with loved ones.

But it’s hard to disrupt the urge to graze or sit all day with a trip to the gym or a run around the block. So be creative. Here are eight non-food ways to connect with your people and burn calories on Turkey Day.

Everyone loves field days, especially if you have a particularly competitive family. Ignite friendly rivalries and get your heart pumping with a set of active games and challenges before getting down to dinner. Think: obstacle courses, balance games, egg-and-spoon relay races, even musical chairs or tug-of-war. “It can literally be anything that gets people moving and having fun, so feel free to adapt the activities to your own family’s needs,” says Alex Parry, a certified personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach.

‘Tis the season for touch football—and for good reason: “Sports are one of the best ways to get extra activity and movement, and friendly competition can be a great way for a family to bond and learn to work together,” says TJ Mentus, a certified personal trainer with Garage Gym Reviews. Head to your local park or backyard and pick a sport that’s accessible to anyone who wants to participate. A few to consider that only require a few supplies? Basketball, slow-pitch softball, soccer, wiffle ball, kickball, volleyball or badminton.

Why not add some movement to your gratitude practice? To do this, host a group yoga session either in person (look up events in your area!) or online (YouTube and many apps have many free classes available with trained yogis), says Monica Straith, a certified personal trainer. With each breath in (at least for the first few breaths in each pose), think of something you are grateful for. With each breath out, release any negative energy. And at the end of the session, take time to reflect on all your blessings and fill yourself with positive energy.

Connect with nature, breathe easier, and enjoy the crisp fall weather by hiking with family and friends. “You can choose flat terrain for a leisurely walk or find a mountain to hike up for a greater calorie burn,” says Jody Braverman, a certified personal trainer. To make it more of a special tradition, consider choosing a hike with memorable features like a panoramic view or waterfall. Another fun touch: “Last person down the hill has to clean up after Thanksgiving dinner,” says Braverman.

Of course, it’s a little early for the skating season, but it could be to your advantage: there is more space for you and your people to enjoy the rink! “Whether it’s outdoors or indoors, one of my favorite things to do around the holidays is ice skating,” says Braverman. “For a few dollars, you can rent a pair of skates and get a good lower-body workout. You’ll also work your core muscles and laugh at your friends and family trying to stay upright on the ice.”

Something you might not know if you’re not a regular gym goer? “Many gyms and communities are hosting free Thanksgiving workouts in exchange for a food donation,” says Carrie Hall, a certified personal trainer. You can give back and get a free sweat session in one stop. To find out what your options are for group exercise, check your area’s events page or call your local gym.

For an activity the kids will love, plan a turkey day themed scavenger hunt. “You can hide several paper turkeys around the house and have everyone look for them with a prize for the winner at the end,” says John Gardner, a certified personal trainer and online fitness coach. “To make it extra active, add a small exercise routine to the back of each turkey, such as 10 jumping jacks or 10 squats.”

For a tradition that can help keep you active in the weeks and months leading up to Thanksgiving, consider signing up for a turkey run. “These are often for all ages and all activity levels with distances ranging from toddler dashes to 10Ks,” says Hall. Pro tip: “Be sure to pre-register to get some Thanksgiving swag.” To prepare for the big day or keep it going long after the holidays, join a walking or running group.

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be all about food. To increase the number of steps and spend quality time together, start a new family tradition to move more together.

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Originally published November 2021

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