Thanksgiving Bunco: An Easy Family Game + Free Printable Score Sheets
The turkey has been carved, everyone has had seconds, and there’s still some time before pie. Now what?
Bring out the dice and play Thanksgiving Bunco!
This easy-to-learn dice game gives family and friends something fun to do together without a long explanation or complicated strategy. Players roll dice, cheer for Buncos, and switch partners throughout the game, making it a great way to mix up the usual holiday conversations.
To help you get started, we’re sharing free Thanksgiving-themed Bunco score sheets. Print a copy for each player, gather your dice, and add a little friendly competition to your Thanksgiving get-together.
Why Play Bunco at Thanksgiving?
Choosing a game for a holiday gathering can be tricky. You need something approachable for new players, entertaining for experienced players, and easy to organize for a larger group.
Bunco checks those boxes.
Because the outcome depends on the dice, first-time players can compete right alongside people who have played for years. There are no complicated decisions to make, and players can talk between turns without losing track of an elaborate strategy.
Changing partners also gives everyone a chance to play with different people. Cousins, grandparents, siblings, and friends can share a table instead of staying in the same groups all afternoon.
It works just as well for a Friendsgiving celebration, too!
Free Printable Thanksgiving Bunco Score Sheets
Our Thanksgiving Bunco score sheets add a seasonal touch to your game without adding more work to your hosting list.
To get ready:
Download the Thanksgiving Bunco score sheets.
Print one for each player.
Set out pens or pencils.
Have everyone write their name on their sheet before playing.
Each player uses their own score sheet to record results throughout the game. Keep a separate piece of paper at each table to tally points during a round.
Get the Free Thanksgiving Bunco Score Sheets
What You Need for Thanksgiving Bunco
A traditional Bunco setup uses 12 players at three tables, with four players at each table.
For that setup, gather:
Nine dice: three for each table.
A Thanksgiving Bunco score sheet for each player.
Pens or pencils.
Thanksgiving tally sheets to track each table’s team scores.
A bell or another way to announce the end of a round.
Three tables or playing areas with four seats each.
Optional prizes.
A dining table, folding table, and kitchen table can become your three playing areas. Just make sure everyone can hear the signal from the head table.
Have a different number of guests? Groups of eight or sixteen fit neatly into tables of four. Other group sizes can work with adjustments, which we explain in our Bunco seat guide.
Bunco Rules: A Quick Overview Before You Roll
Here’s a quick refresher for your Thanksgiving game. For the full setup, table movement, and scoring details, visit our How to Play Bunco page.
Set Up the Tables
Seat four people at each table, with partners sitting across from each other. Choose one table as the head table.
Roll for the Round Number
Play six rounds, targeting ones in round one, twos in round two, and so on through sixes.
Each matching die earns one point. Three matching the round number is a Bunco, worth 21 points. Three of another number earns five points.
Keep rolling while you score. A roll worth no points passes the dice clockwise.
Finish the Round and Record Results
When a team at the head table reaches at least 21 points, signal the round’s end. Current rollers elsewhere finish their turns.
Record a win or loss on each player’s sheet and note any Buncos they personally rolled. Follow the table rotation and change partners before starting the next round.
Easy Thanksgiving Bunco Party Ideas
You already have a holiday meal to organize, so your Bunco game doesn’t need elaborate decorations or extra cooking. A few small touches can make it feel festive.
Give the Tables Thanksgiving Names
Along with table numbers, add names like:
Table 1: Turkey Table.
Table 2: Pumpkin Pie Table.
Table 3: Gravy Train.
Keep the numbers visible so players can follow the table rotation easily.
Play Between Dinner and Dessert
Bunco gives everyone something to do while the dinner dishes are cleared and dessert is being prepared.
Choose your stopping point before starting. One set of six rounds gives the gathering a clear game break, and you can always play another set if everyone wants more.
If you’re planning several sets, take a pie break between them.
Let Kids Join With a Little Help
Kids who can recognize the dice numbers and follow the turns can join the fun. For younger players, have an adult help with counting points and keeping track of the round’s target number.
Try a practice round before recording results so everyone can learn together.
Add a Thanksgiving Question Between Rounds
While players settle into their new seats, give them a simple conversation prompt:
What Thanksgiving food would you never leave off the menu?
What’s your funniest holiday memory?
Which family recipe deserves its own restaurant?
What’s something you’re thankful for this year?
Keep it casual so the questions add to the conversation without slowing down the game.
Thanksgiving Bunco Prize Ideas
Prizes are optional, but a few small rewards can give players something extra to cheer about.
Consider awards for most wins, most Buncos, and most losses. Announce the categories before playing so everyone knows what counts.
Easy Thanksgiving Bunco prizes include:
A small pumpkin pie or loaf of pumpkin bread.
A fall-scented candle.
A coffee shop gift card.
A bag of caramel corn.
A seasonal kitchen towel.
A “Turkey Champion” trophy or homemade certificate.
You can also play for bragging rights and the honor of being your family’s Thanksgiving Bunco champion.
Tips for Keeping the Game Easy to Host
Set up before guests arrive. Put dice, pencils, and tally paper at each table so you can start without searching for supplies.
Explain one round, then practice. Rolling the dice usually makes the scoring easier to understand than hearing every rule at once.
Choose a scorekeeper at each table. Having one person tally team points helps keep turns moving.
Make the target number clear. Announce the round number before play begins, especially when you have several beginners.
Agree on house rules first. If your family already plays Bunco, quickly review any differences before starting.
Make Bunco Part of Your Thanksgiving Gathering
Thanksgiving brings everyone together. A game of Bunco gives them another reason to stay at the table.
With a few dice and printed score sheets, you can turn the time between turkey and pie into a holiday game that new players can join and returning players can look forward to.
Download your free Thanksgiving Bunco score sheets
Gather your players, and see who rolls the first Bunco!