Thanksgiving Trivia Questions and Answers
Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and a whole lot of fun, and what better way to keep everyone entertained than with a little Thanksgiving trivia? Whether you’re hanging out before the big meal, waiting for the turkey to finish cooking, or just want a few laughs with the kids, these trivia questions will bring smiles all around.
I’ve got easy ones for the kiddos, a few trickier ones for the grown-ups, and some just plain silly ones because… why not?
Easy Thanksgiving Trivia for Kids
Let’s start with the fun and simple ones that the little ones (and honestly, some grown-ups too!) will love. These are great for classroom games, family dinner fun, or just keeping your toddler occupied while you mash the potatoes.
1. What animal is the star of Thanksgiving?
Answer: Turkey!
2. What do most people eat with turkey on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Stuffing (or mashed potatoes if you ask my kids!)
3. What color are most pumpkins?
Answer: Orange
4. What month is Thanksgiving celebrated in the U.S.?
Answer: November
5. What sweet pie is super popular at Thanksgiving?
Answer: Pumpkin pie
6. What do we call the big meal on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Thanksgiving dinner (easy peasy!)
7. What are the little red berries often served with turkey?
Answer: Cranberries
8. Which bird can be pardoned by the President each year?
Answer: A turkey (lucky guy!)
9. What sport is often played or watched on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Football
10. What do you break and make a wish on?
Answer: The wishbone!
Thanksgiving Trivia for Teens and Grown-Ups
Now let’s turn up the heat just a smidge. These are still fun, but they might stump a few people around the table—perfect for your competitive cousin or your trivia-loving uncle.
11. What was the name of the ship the Pilgrims sailed on?
Answer: The Mayflower
12. In what year did the first Thanksgiving take place?
Answer: 1621
13. Which U.S. President made Thanksgiving a national holiday?
Answer: Abraham Lincoln
14. Which Native American tribe helped the Pilgrims survive their first winter?
Answer: The Wampanoag
15. What meat did the Pilgrims likely eat at the first Thanksgiving instead of turkey?
Answer: Venison (deer meat!)
16. Which state raises the most turkeys?
Answer: Minnesota
17. How long was the first Thanksgiving celebration?
Answer: Three days!
18. What utensil was NOT used at the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: Forks (they used spoons and knives)
19. How many calories does the average American eat on Thanksgiving?
Answer: About 3,000–4,500 (yep, no judgment here!)
20. Which balloon has appeared most often in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Answer: Snoopy!
Hard Thanksgiving Trivia for the Pros
Alright smarty pants, these are for you! If you love random facts and weird historical tidbits, these hard Thanksgiving trivia questions will test your festive brainpower.
21. What U.S. founding father thought the turkey should be the national bird?
Answer: Benjamin Franklin
22. What is the name of the dance some people jokingly do before Thanksgiving dinner?
Answer: The Turkey Trot
23. What was the original purpose of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Answer: To promote the Macy’s store and its holiday sales
24. How many turkeys are cooked in the U.S. each Thanksgiving?
Answer: About 46 million!
25. What food was probably NOT served at the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: Mashed potatoes (no potatoes in Plymouth yet!)
26. Which Native American leader helped negotiate peace with the Pilgrims?
Answer: Massasoit
27. When did the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade take place?
Answer: 1924
28. What is the average weight of a Thanksgiving turkey?
Answer: Around 15 pounds
29. What famous Christmas song was originally written for Thanksgiving?
Answer: “Jingle Bells” (surprise!)
30. Which U.S. state was the first to adopt Thanksgiving as an annual holiday?
Answer: New York
Thanksgiving Trivia Game Tips
Wanna make it even more fun? Here are a few cute ideas to turn these questions into a game the whole crew will love:
1. Turkey Trophies
Grab a mini plastic turkey (or make one from paper!) and award it to the person who gets the most questions right.
2. Team Trivia
Split your family into teams, Team Mashed Potatoes vs. Team Pumpkin Pie, anyone?, and go head-to-head.
3. Speed Round
Set a timer and see who can answer the most questions in 60 seconds.
4. Trivia Jar
Write the questions on slips of paper, fold them up, and let everyone draw from the jar throughout the evening.
5. Winner Gets First Slice of Pie
Just kidding… maybe.
Make Your Own Trivia Cards
Want to make this even more special? Print out these questions on cardstock, add some cute fall clip art, and create your own set of Thanksgiving trivia cards. Great for classroom parties, family game night, or keeping the kiddos busy while you finish up the yams.
Why Thanksgiving Trivia Is the Best
Honestly, trivia is such a fun way to sneak in a little learning while laughing with the people you love. It keeps everyone off their phones (well, mostly), adds a playful vibe to the day, and helps kids (and adults!) appreciate the history behind the holiday.
Plus, it’s a great way to include everyone without needing any prep or fancy supplies.
So there you go, some fun Thanksgiving trivia questions and answers to spice up your holiday! Whether you print them out, play them around the table, or just quiz each other while eating leftovers, it’s a fun, simple way to add a little extra joy to your day.
And hey, even if you forget every single answer by tomorrow, at least you’ll remember the laughs. Happy Thanksgiving, friends!
