Thanksgiving Trivia
Want to add some excitement to your Thanksgiving celebration? Try our 35+ Thanksgiving "Trivia" questions! Challenge your family members to a fun and informative quiz that covers everything from the history of Thanksgiving to fun facts about turkeys.
✍️ June 3, 2022
- 🤩 How to Play Thanksgiving “Trivia”
- 📝 Thanksgiving “Trivia” Team Names
- 😇 Play “Trivia” Online
- 👧 Thanksgiving “Trivia” Questions for Kids
- 🙏 Thanksgiving “Trivia” Questions for Everyone
- 😂 Fun Thanksgiving “Trivia” Questions
Thanksgiving is a holiday that’s been around for centuries and yet, how much do we really know about it? Put your knowledge to the test with a good list of “Trivia” Questions!
Whether you’re a history buff or just enjoy some friendly competition, these 40 questions will keep you entertained. So gather around the table, grab a slice of pumpkin pie, and let’s get started!
How to Play Thanksgiving “Trivia”
Thinking about playing the Thanksgiving “Trivia” Game at the next family gathering? To begin, divide into teams or play individually.
Decide on a trivia master to read the questions and keep score. Each round, the trivia master will read a question and give the teams/players time to answer.
Teams/players can write down their answers or simply shout them out. After each round, the trivia master will reveal the correct answer and tally the points. The team/player with the most points at the end wins! Let’s get quizzical!
Thanksgiving “Trivia” Team Names
With so many possibilities, it can get tricky to pick team names. Here are some of the best team names we can think of! Feel free to use any of these for your next Thanksgiving Trivia game night 😉
- Team Turkey vs. Team Mashed Potatoes
- Team Pilgrims vs. Team NA (Native Americans)
- Team Fresh Food vs. Team Leftovers
- Team Stuffin’ Muffins vs. Team Wishboners
- Team Gobble Gobble vs. Team Turkey Jerkies
- Team Poultry vs. Team Seafood
As you can see, these are just some of the possible team names you could use. But go nuts! Don’t forget that creativity is key.
Play “Trivia” Online
Don’t have enough time to think of questions for your “Trivia” game? No problem! You can play “Trivia” online and receive 1,000 questions for free!
Simply download our free app and start playing. You can also customize your game by choosing categories and difficulty levels. So why wait? Start quizzing now!
Thanksgiving “Trivia” Questions for Kids
If you’re worried about whether or not the questions could get complicated for the kids, then don’t worry! We gathered some kid-friendly thanksgiving “Trivia” questions with some fun facts about the topic!
Try not to give out any hints and let the kids have a go at the competitiveness 😉
1. What is commonly on the dining table during Thanksgiving?
- Sushi
- Pork Chop
- Turkey
- Roast Chicken
Show answer
Turkey
Turkey was only introduced to the dining table in 1863.
2. What sport is most popular during Thanksgiving?
- Basketball
- Football
- Lacrosse
- Golf
Show answer
Football
The National Football League (NFL) started in 1934 when The University of Detroit Stadium hosted the first broadcasted Thanksgiving Day football game (Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears)
3. True or false: Eating Turkey makes you tired!
- True
- False
Show answer
False
You’re actually tired from eating too much! It’s not just the Turkey, it’s everything you ate!
4. Who wrote Mary Had a Little Lamb?
- Sara Josepha Hale
- James Pierpont
- Mary Chapin Carpenter
- Billie Holiday
Show answer
Sara Josepha Hale
You might be wondering how Mary Had a Little Lamb is connected to Thanksgiving. Sara Josepha Hale actually campaigned for Thanksgiving to be a national holiday.
5. What year did the first Thanksgiving take place? (Choose the year that is commonly considered.)
- 1724
- 1623
- 1621
- 1631
Show answer
1621
While there are many people that consider other celebrations to be the “first” Thanksgiving, it is common and more known that the first Thanksgiving celebration took place in 1621.
6. Which city in the United States of America has a Thanksgiving Day Parade that ends with Santa Claus getting a key to the city?
- Detroit
- New York
- Chicago
- Seattle
Show answer
Detroit
This holiday tradition started in 1924.
7. What do you call the red piece of flesh on top of a Turkey’s beak?
- Skin
- Snood
- Wattle
- Dangle
Show answer
Snood
While the flesh on top of a Turkey’s beak is called a snood, the skin on the bottom is called a wattle.
8. What are turkey feathers used after they are plucked?
- Decoration
- Animal Feed
- Fashion
- Cleaning
Show answer
Animal Feed
Turkey feathers are ground then used as protein for animal feeding.
9. For Thanksgiving in Japan, children give out drawings or letters to certain people. Who are these people?
- Policemen
- Firemen
- Hospital Staff
- All of the Above
Show answer
All of the Above
Thanksgiving in Japan is used to celebrate people in the labor force. They are celebrated on this day and are thanked for the service they give to the people.
12. True or false: Only male turkeys gobble.
- True
- False
Show answer
True
Not all turkeys Gobble! Female turkeys “cackle”. That’s how you know if your Turkey is Male or Female!
13. True or false: Most Americans prefer Thanksgiving leftovers.
- True
- False
Show answer
True
According to a study, 8 out of 10 people actually prefer the leftovers. It’s much more satisfying! 😋
14. Which pie is most famous to be eaten on Thanksgiving?
- Apple Pie
- Egg Pie
- Pumpkin Pie
- Strawberry Pie
Show answer
Pumpkin Pie
Native Americans brought pumpkins as gifts to the first settlers and taught them the many things you can do with pumpkin. Which eventually led to serving pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving Celebration.
15. How much does a Thanksgiving Turkey weigh?
- 12 pounds
- 20 pounds
- 10 pounds
- 15 pounds
Show answer
15 pounds
A Thanksgiving Turkey weighs roughly about 15 pounds.
Thanksgiving “Trivia” Questions for Everyone
Here are some of the best “Trivia” Questions with answers that you can play on your next Thanksgiving gathering! Or maybe any other day, works just as well! Have fun! 🙌
1. Which President in the USA declared Thanksgiving Day a national holiday?
- Theodore Roosevelt
- George Washington
- Abraham Lincoln
- James Buchanan
Show answer
Abraham Lincoln
It was in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday.
2. How long did the first Thanksgiving meal actually last?
- 1 month
- 1 week
- 2 days
- 3 days
Show answer
3 days
It was said that the pilgrims had a three-day celebration because they had so much food!
3. How many women were present at the first Thanksgiving celebration?
- Three
- None
- Four
- Five
Show answer
Five
At the time, women were often left to take care of the sick. Not many women would live for very long, which is why only five women were present at the very first Thanksgiving celebration.
4. About how many Turkeys are prepared for Thanksgiving in America every year?
- 46 million
- 50 million
- 25 million
- 37 million
Show answer
46 million
It’s estimated that about 46 million Turkeys are prepared for Turkey in just America alone! That’s a lot of Turkeys!
5. When is Thanksgiving celebrated in Canada
- 3rd Thursday of November
- 2nd Monday of November
- 4th Tuesday of October
- 2nd Monday of October
Show answer
2nd Monday of October
Canadian Thanksgiving is more closely related to European traditions as compared to the United States.
6. What meat did the native Americans bring to the first Thanksgiving celebration?
- Bear
- Fish
- Deer
- Cow
Show answer
Deer
Some of these Native Americans went out hunting and brought back 5 deers to be given to those present at the celebration.
7. From which culture did the cornucopia come from?
- Greek
- Roman
- English
- American
Show answer
Greek
The cornucopia is often seen in Greek mythology. One story is where baby Zeus broke off a horn from a divine goat, and another has Hercules ripping the horns of the river God Achelous.
8. What is often eaten during the Korean Thanksgiving, Chuseok?
- Rice Cakes
- Pork Belly
- Dumplings
- Pancakes
Show answer
Rice Cakes
Rice Cake, or specifically songpyeon, is often served during Chuseok. Different from Tteok, songpyeon are half-moon shaped cakes that are filled with sweet or semi-sweet fillings.
9. There is only one place in Australia where Thanksgiving is celebrated. Where is it?
- Sydney
- Norfolk Island
- Perth
- Fraser Island
Show answer
Norfolk Island
Americans on whaling ships that came to Australia were the ones that introduced the area to Thanksgiving. The rest of Australia however, does not celebrate the holiday.
10. Which American President refused to declare Thanksgiving a holiday?
- Abraham Lincoln
- George Washington
- Thomas Jefferson
- Theodore Roosevelt
Show answer
Thomas Jefferson
Because of his belief that the Church and State should be separated, he refused to allow Thanksgiving to be considered a holiday. This is because Thanksgiving often involves prayer and reflection.
11. Where did the Pilgrims go after they left England?
- Germany
- Holland
- Netherlands
- Russia
Show answer
Holland
The Pilgrims left England so that they could practice their religion freely. They then traveled to Leiden, Holland specifically.
12. There was a time when Thanksgiving was not celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Which year was this?
- 1939
- 1954
- 1922
- 1968
Show answer
1939
It was during President Roosevelt’s presidency when this happened. The purpose of this was to boost the economy during Black Friday.
13. Which Indian tribe was invited to the Thanksgiving Meal?
- Otoe
- Iowa people
- Cherokee
- Wampanoag
Show answer
Wampanoag
The Indian Tribe Wampanoag were the ones that taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land and were invited to the Thanksgiving meal.
14. Where is the best place to stick the meat thermometer in a Turkey?
- Thigh
- Wing
- Back
- Breast
Show answer
Thigh
The thermometer should be placed into the thick part of the thigh. Be careful not to touch the bone!
Fun Thanksgiving “Trivia” Questions
Can’t get enough of these Thanksgiving “Trivias”? Well you’re in luck! We’ve got some bonus trivia questions (with answers) just for you!
1. What was not a part of the first Thanksgiving feast?
- Turkey
- Lobster
- Goose
- Fish
Show answer
Turkey
The first Thanksgiving didn’t actually have Turkey. Turkey-eating only started in 1863, when President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday.
2. How many countries in the world celebrate thanksgiving?
- 1
- 5
- 17
- 20
Show answer
17
Many countries celebrate Thanksgiving in their own ways (like Japan, Korea, Germany, and Netherlands,) and at different times throughout the year.
3. What sound does a female Turkey most resemble?
- Gobble
- Clucking
- Screaming
- Clicking
Show answer
Clicking
Female Turkeys make more of a “clicking” sound than a Gobble sound.
4. Which country does NOT celebrate Thanksgiving?
- Japan
- Puerto Rico
- Korea
- India
Show answer
India
In India, they have their own way of celebrating Thanksgiving which are several celebrations that are about giving thanks.
5. In which years were there no Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
- 1942
- 1943
- 1944
- All of the above
Show answer
All of the above
The only reason the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade did not happen was because of World War II. Otherwise, the parade went on braving any weather that came.
6. Before it became a Thanksgiving Day Parade, what did Macy’s Parade originally start as?
- Christmas
- Black Friday
- Halloween
- None of the above
Show answer
Christmas
It was originally known as the “Macy’s Christmas Parade” before officially being known as the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
7. Westminster Abbey (London) once hosted a Thanksgiving ceremony for American soldiers, what year was this?0
- 1910
- 1942
- 1945
- 1943
Show answer
1942
American soldiers were sent to Europe for the war. So it was during this time when Westminster Abbey decided to host a Thanksgiving ceremony to honor these men.
8. Where was the first Thanksgiving feast held?
- Inside a barn
- In a hut
- Outdoors
- In the dining room
Show answer
Outdoors
Since there were more than 100 people present at the first thanksgiving feast, it had to be held outdoors.
9. Why do male turkeys gobble?
- To scare away predators
- To attract female turkeys
- To let everyone know of their presence
- For the fun of it
Show answer
To attract female turkeys
Male turkeys gobble to attract females, so they do it often when females are around.
10. What is Thanksgiving also known as?
- Stuffing Day
- Turkey Day
- Feast Day
- None of the above
Show answer
Turkey Day
Turkey has become a significant icon when it comes to Thanksgiving. Which is why Thanksgiving has also grown to obtain the title “Turkey Day”
Thanksgiving is a special time of year where we gather with family and friends to celebrate the blessings in our lives. And what better way to add some fun and laughter to this holiday than with some trivia questions?
🤓 Suggested read: 40+ Christmas "Trivia" Questions to Bring Cheer to Your Party
Whether you’re playing at home or online, these Thanksgiving “Trivia” questions will surely keep the good times rolling. So go ahead, test your knowledge and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
