By David Patterson
There are two kinds of people on Thanksgiving: those who spend the afternoon watching football and those who fall asleep watching football. This year, why not introduce a third option? Get everybody outside and create your own Turkey Bowl.
Forget the professional athletes and million-dollar stadiums. All you need is a some space, a little sunshine and a family willing to trade the remote control for a friendly competition.
Cornhole: The Beanbag Showdown
Nothing says family competition quite like a pair of cornhole boards. Grandparents versus grandchildren, cousins against cousins or the in-laws against everybody else. Tossing bags, retrieving them and walking back and forth gets everyone moving. It’s a family holiday, not the cornhole championships. Nobody needs to take a beanbag victory too seriously.
The Great Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Hide mini pumpkins, plastic turkeys, and other holiday treasures around the yard. Divide into teams and send everyone searching. You can guarantee walking, bending, reaching and plenty of laughter. Make the final prize something worth finding.
Pickleball: Let the Games Begin
If your family has a few paddles and access to a court, it’s time for a Thanksgiving tournament. Pickleball delivers a combination of movement and friendly rivalry. Beginners are welcome, but beware: Uncle Bob may turn out to be surprisingly competitive. Keep the pace comfortable and the competition light.
Past the entertainment, these activities offer something valuable: physical movement. Walking, playing and staying active support cardiovascular health. Even short bouts of activity count, especially when they become part of a regular routine.
Nobody has to count calories, wear a fitness tracker or announce how many steps they’ve taken.
Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, and spending time together. And if you happen to burn a few calories before dessert, consider that gravy’s a silver lining.
