Thanksgiving Math Games for 2nd Grade: Fun Centers & Activities

When November rolls around, the energy in the classroom shifts. You can feel the excitement of the holidays coming — the whispers about Thanksgiving feasts, family trips, and time off school. But if you teach 2nd grade, you also know that keeping students focused during this time can feel like trying to herd a bunch of turkeys across the playground. 🦃

That’s exactly why I love pulling out Thanksgiving math games that make learning fun while still hitting key standards. These hands-on, seasonal Thanksgiving math centers turn the pre-holiday chaos into meaningful engagement. My students stay busy, they’re practicing core math skills, and they don’t even realize how much learning they’re doing.

In today’s post, I’m sharing my favorite Thanksgiving math activities for 2nd grade — all designed to reinforce number sense, addition, subtraction, and fractions through play.

1. Cranberry Bingo: Building Place Value Confidence

Place value is one of those foundational skills that can feel dry when taught through a worksheet. But turn it into a Thanksgiving-themed bingo game, and suddenly every student wants to play!

In Cranberry Bingo, students identify numbers represented in expanded form, base-ten models, and word form — helping them connect different representations of numbers up to 1,000.

It’s perfect for small groups or independent centers. I love using mini erasers as markers (Target Dollar Spot, anyone?). By the end of the game, even your reluctant learners are confidently reading and building four-digit numbers.

2. Fraction Feast: Exploring Parts of a Whole

If you’ve ever introduced fractions right before Thanksgiving break, you know the struggle is real. That’s why I created Fraction Feast — a festive way for students to practice identifying fractional parts using food-themed visuals.

Students draw cards showing shaded parts of pies and identify fractions like ½, ¼, and ¾ on their bingo mats. They can play independently or with partners, and you’ll love watching those “aha!” moments as the concept clicks.

This game is a great way to reinforce 2.G.A.3 and MA.2.3.C, helping students connect concrete visuals with the mathematical language of fractions.

3. Adding with Turkey Tens: Mastering the Make-a-Ten Strategy

Adding within 100 is a major focus for 2nd graders, and it’s easy for students to rely on counting instead of developing flexible strategies.

That’s where Adding with Turkey Tens comes in! Students roll dice, move around a Thanksgiving-themed track, and use the make-a-ten strategy to complete equations. The game includes multiple levels (+8, +9, and mixed), making it perfect for differentiation.

Whether your students need extra support or crave a challenge, this center builds automaticity in a way that feels like play — not drill.

4. Sweet Subtraction: Subtracting with and Without Regrouping

Subtraction can be one of the trickiest concepts to solidify in 2nd grade. So rather than sending students home frustrated, I turn it into a hands-on Thanksgiving subtraction game they actually look forward to!

In Sweet Subtraction, students use spinners to create equations, record their work, and cover answers on their game board. The variety of cards (some requiring regrouping and others not) lets you differentiate easily.

By pairing the game with mini whiteboards or laminated recording sheets, you can also sneak in quick formative checks during centers — all while students think they’re just having fun.

5. Harvesting 100: Strategic Thinking Meets Friendly Competition

The last game in the set, Harvesting 100, is a fan favorite. Players draw four cards and try to arrange them to create a sum as close to 100 as possible. It’s a fun mix of strategy, estimation, and addition fluency — and it gets LOUD (in the best way)!

This activity builds critical thinking and collaboration as students discuss which combinations will bring them closer to the goal. You’ll hear math talk everywhere — and you’ll know it’s the kind of chatter that leads to growth.

Why Teachers Love These Thanksgiving Math Centers

Each of these Thanksgiving math activities is designed to make planning easier for you while ensuring meaningful practice for your students.
✅ Low prep — Just print, laminate, and add counters or dice.
✅ Flexible use — Ideal for math centers, early finisher tubs, or partner work.
✅ Standards-aligned — Every game connects to 2nd grade CCSS and TEKS math standards.
✅ Engaging themes — Students stay focused while practicing core math skills.

When your classroom is buzzing with excitement and you’re juggling assessments, conferences, and holiday events, having ready-to-go, effective Thanksgiving math games for 2nd grade is a true lifesaver.

Bring Thanksgiving Fun to Your Math Block

These Thanksgiving math centers make it easy to keep your students engaged while still learning — no extra stress required. Plus, they’ll love the chance to celebrate the season through math!

👉 Grab the full set of Thanksgiving Math Games for 2nd Grade in my Teachers Pay Teachers and get everything you need for a joyful, productive November math block.

Your students will have a blast — and you’ll feel thankful for a week of lessons that practically teach themselves!