,

Black Thanksgiving Game Ideas To Get you Through Even The Most Awkward Dinners

Whether it's Spades or Uno or monopoly, we have you covered for post-dinner game night.

Would you like a side of Spades with that sweet potato pie? Thereโ€™s nothing better after devouring some turkey and stuffing than breaking out a deck of cards for spades or a game of monopoly. It may even beat the after dinner movie night. And these games certainly beat having to hear about Uncle Jimโ€™s latest theory on the moon landing, or the annual debate about who makes the better mac and cheese. So for your gaming pleasure, weโ€™ve included a list of games sure to add some extra fun to your Thanksgiving. Warning: we are not responsible for any arguments started over a game of Uno (play the reverse card at your own peril, folks).

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

A Classic Game of Spades

Every Black college student, regardless where they matriculated, will tell you thereโ€™s no blackety black card game like spades. Nothing redirects the energy in the room like the slam of the cards during a rowdy game. Does everyone at the table know the rules? Well, you better, unless you want your family members to threaten to revoke your Black card.

Photo: Getty Images Isabel Pavia

Uno is another option... if youโ€™re willing take the heat!

Sure, Uno has been known to start a fight or two. (Let me tell you about that time a game of Uno in Miami almost came to blows). But, at least no one can defend Kanye West when theyโ€™re busy yelling about that Uno reverse card you just played.

Photo: Getty Images Prostock-Studio

Bid Whist is another Option for our Card Game Lovers!

Do you like teaming-up against your family members? Well, sources say Bid Whist is the game for you! This classic card game is sure to help you form new alliances and maybe make some new enemies at the dinner table.

Photo: Getty Images Kinga Krzeminska

Charades is Guaranteed To Halt The Conversation

Want Uncle Jim to stop ranting about conspiracy theories? Cool, make him mime a bunch of obscure movie references during charades. Do you know what that film from decades before you were born is called? Nope, but itโ€™s still pretty fun to watch someone hop around the room trying to acting it out.

Photo: Getty Images monkeybusinessimages

Black Card Revoked Is A New Addition, But a Great One!

Thereโ€™s no way to have a Black family Thanksgiving without including some Black owned games. Is Black Card Revoked going to illicit a very annoying argument about Blackness and authenticity, probably. But, weโ€™ll still take our chances with this one over the usual Thanksgiving drama.

Photo: Getty Images Thomas Barwick

Monopoly is a No-brainer For Game days!

Monopoly is one of those games that almost everyone can agree on playing. Sure, itโ€™s insanely drawn out, frustrating, and at time feels completely unfair, but weโ€™ve all grown-up under capitalism so itโ€™s just par for the course at this point. Note: do not bring up the capitalism comparisons unless youโ€™re willing to fight for the next few hours. Either way itโ€™s a fun game thatโ€™ll likely elicit the good kind of dramatics.

Photo: Getty Images Halfpoint Images

Kulture Karaoke is Another New Game That Promises Fun

Like we said, Black Thanksgivings deserve some Black founded games from the culture. So we bring you, Kulture Karaoke. Created by an HBCU grad, the game promises to have the whole family singing along to classic Black sounds. That cousin of yours who grew up singing in church is certain to love this game!

Photo: Getty Images Patrik Giardino

Donโ€™t Want to Head to The Store, Play Fishbowl!

Fishbowl is the hilarious guessing game that keeps the whole family on their toes. If you love charades, but want to add in a bit more confusion, this is the game for you! Like charades, you donโ€™t need to buy anything, which in our calculation is already a win.

Photo: Getty Images Alicia Llop

Do you Kids? Candy Land May Be For You

If youโ€™ve got young folks running around, games that require a ton of thinking may not be their speed. Enter candy land! Is it basic, yes. Is it also the perfect game for little kids, and have just enough to keep the adults vaguely interested, also yes!

Photo: Getty Images Jose Luis Pelaez Inc

Gin Rummy Sounds Like a Drinking Game, But we Promise Everyone Can Play.

Gin Rummy is a favorite among the older card shark generation, and you know what, they may be onto something. The rules take a while to explain, but thatโ€™s honestly a hidden bonus. No one is going to dare talking over the matriarch while sheโ€™s busy explaining the rules. And once you actually get started playing everyone will get too distracted to bring-up their worst hot takes.

Photo: Getty Images Dimensions

Growing Up Black Memes is A Game For The Youth

Tired of getting beat by your grandma? Well, checkout Growing Up Black Memes. This Black-owned game is sure to bring-up some very funny memories from the internet, and for once the young folks have an edge. All you have to do is match funny phrases to their hilarious meme counterparts. The game is rated 17+ so maybe save this for the older cousins hangout after dinner.

Photo: Getty Images SolStock

Verified is Another Black Owned Game For The Young Folks

Verified is a Black-owned game that came out of creator Davonโ€™s work with incarcerated youth, who were interested in a game that spoke to their generation. The game requires some knowledge of big social media events over the last few years. And there are also drinking game elements included. So we once again recommend saving this game for the post-dinner drinks with your cousins.

Photo: Getty Images Klaus Vedfelt

No Game List Would be Complete Without Risk.

We could not make a list of games designed to distract from awkward family scenarios without including the game of Risk. Have I witnessed this game nearly end years-long relationships, 100 percent. But, it is a classic game for a reason. The twists and turns and alliances forged and destroyed make this a game for the ages. And why argue about modern day issues when you can yell about old-school world domination?

Photo: Getty Images Visual Art Agency

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies to Stream on AppleTV+

The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies to Stream on AppleTV+

From Brian Tyree Henry getting down and dirty to David Oyelowo searching for a fresh start: we've got what you need to watch! ...
Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

The soulful singer, known for hits like "Living All Alone and "You Know How to Love Me" died just days before her 46th birthday ...

'Sinners' Releases in Black American Sign Language. Here's What That Means

‘Sinners’ Releases in Black American Sign Language. Here’s What That Means

The deaf community was plagued by racial segregation, so Black Americans decided to create their own rendition of the language to serve their communities ...
A Burger King Employee Throws a Drink on a Child in Viral Video, and Black TikTok Goes Nuts

A Burger King Employee Throws a Drink on a Child in Viral Video, and Black TikTok Goes Nuts

The video of the volatile incident is making rounds on the internet and has everyone talking ...
Why NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Tried To Play The Black Card...Literally

Why NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Tried To Play The Black Card…Literally

Mamdani appears to have an interesting past when it comes to how he identifies racially, but what's it really all about? ...
If Poor Black, White People Unite, They'd Be An Unstoppable Force, But Here's Why The Powers That Be Won't Let Them

If Poor Black, White People Unite, They’d Be An Unstoppable Force, But Here’s Why The Powers That Be Won’t Let Them

We need to understand that America's current racial political divisions did not happen naturally. People in power did not want Black and white people to work together ...
What Diddy Will Eating and Doing In Prison This Fourth Of July

What Diddy Will Eating and Doing In Prison This Fourth Of July

Wondering what Diddy will be eating and Doing this holiday? Here's all the tea ...
A White Male TikToker Decided To Use Black Hair Relaxer... The Results Will Surprise You

A White Male TikToker Decided To Use Black Hair Relaxer… The Results Will Surprise You

A white TikTok Creator decided to use relaxer on his hair and... it worked? ...
Diddy's Best Friend Charlie Liucci is Being <i>Loud</i> About His Next Moves Will Be Following Acquittal

Diddy’s Best Friend Charlie Liucci is Being Loud About His Next Moves Will Be Following Acquittal

He's been spotted wearing "FREE PUFF" merch, now, Charlie Liucci has an inside scoop on what Diddy will do once released ...
How Baltimore Beat 'The Wire' Homicide Curse Under This Black Mayor

How Baltimore Beat ‘The Wire’ Homicide Curse Under This Black Mayor

Violent crime has plagued Baltimore for generations, and "The Wire's" depiction of drug and gang life surely hasn't helped... but there's hope ...
Best Self-Help Reads for Black Resilience in Uncertain Times

Best Self-Help Reads for Black Resilience in Uncertain Times

In these challenging times, these books can give you the hope you need ...
'Hey Google' and Other Voice Assistants Are Terrifying Children and Confusing Bemused Parents

‘Hey Google’ and Other Voice Assistants Are Terrifying Children and Confusing Bemused Parents

Social media is buzzing about the strange reaction kids are having to smart speakers in their homes ...
Internet Believes Eerie Photo Predicted Black Fort Worth Family's Tragedy

Internet Believes Eerie Photo Predicted Black Fort Worth Family’s Tragedy

A big rig driver admitted he fell asleep at the wheel in Kaufman County before he collided with stopped traffic ...
Why Philadelphia is Going Viral For Streets That Look Like a Landfill

Why Philadelphia is Going Viral For Streets That Look Like a Landfill

Libraries are closed, the medical examiner's office has a backlog of bodies, and trash is piling up everywhere ...
How Bakari Sellers Just Got the Ultimate Revenge on His MAGA CNN Colleague

How Bakari Sellers Just Got the Ultimate Revenge on His MAGA CNN Colleague

Sellers and Jennings often go back and forth on the CNN show, and this was only amplified when Jennings asked Sellers not to touch him during one viral interaction from December ...
The Scary Reason 'American Idol' Winner Jamal Roberts Declined a Key to This Southern Town

The Scary Reason ‘American Idol’ Winner Jamal Roberts Declined a Key to This Southern Town

While Roberts' reasoning is understandable, it's a shame he had to make the decision in the first place ...
A Black Mom Posted Video of a Terrifying Exchange She had with Police in Delaware

A Black Mom Posted Video of a Terrifying Exchange She had with Police in Delaware

Black Mom Says Cops Approached Her and Her Children With Guns Drawn ...
Why Are There Still Black People Listening To R. Kelly At The Summer Cookouts -- And What Does That Say About Us?

Why Are There Still Black People Listening To R. Kelly At The Summer Cookouts — And What Does That Say About Us?

Despite convictions and backlash, his music continues to collect streams. Why is the "Pied Piper" still on the cookout playlist? ...
How Diddy Could Still End Up With a Long Sentence, Despite The Acquittals

How Diddy Could Still End Up With a Long Sentence, Despite The Acquittals

Even with credit for time served, Diddy, 55, wouldnโ€™t be free to break out the baby oil until 2031 ...
Why the Internet is Convinced Stephen A. Smith's And His Daughter Samantha Are Twins

Why the Internet is Convinced Stephen A. Smith’s And His Daughter Samantha Are Twins

Samantha Smith is the spitting image of her controversial sports commentator dad ...