Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pumpkin pie. It’s a day filled with gratitude, laughter, and fun family traditions.
One great way to add excitement to your holiday gathering is by playing a Thanksgiving trivia game.
If you’re hosting a classroom quiz, a family dinner challenge, or a festive office game, these Thanksgiving trivia questions will keep everyone entertained.
We’ve gathered a mix of easy, funny, and challenging questions about the history, food, and traditions behind this special day. Test your knowledge and see who truly knows their Thanksgiving facts best!
Why Play Thanksgiving Trivia?
Thanksgiving trivia is more than just a fun pastime; it’s a perfect way to bring people together during the holiday.
If you’re hosting a family dinner, a classroom celebration, or a virtual Friendsgiving, trivia games spark laughter and conversation.
They encourage friendly competition, help both kids and adults learn interesting facts about Thanksgiving history, and keep guests entertained while food is being prepared.
Plus, trivia games are easy to set up; all you need are some printed or digital questions and a scoring sheet.
By playing Thanksgiving trivia, you’re not just testing knowledge; you’re creating joyful memories, teaching gratitude, and celebrating the true spirit of the holiday in a lively, interactive way.
Easy Thanksgiving Trivia Questions
Let’s start with some simple questions that everyone should know. These are perfect for warming up or for younger players who want to join the fun.
1. What year was the first Thanksgiving celebrated?
Answer: It was celebrated in 1621. This historic feast brought together the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe to celebrate a successful harvest after a difficult first year in the New World.
2. Which Native American tribe helped the Pilgrims during the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: The Wampanoag tribe. Led by Chief Massasoit, they taught the Pilgrims essential survival skills, such as growing corn, catching fish, and identifying safe plants to eat, ensuring the settlers’ survival through their first harsh winter.
3. Where was the first Thanksgiving held?
Answer: In Plymouth, Massachusetts. The feast took place at the Plymouth Plantation, where the Pilgrims celebrated their first successful harvest alongside the Wampanoag tribe.
4. What food is typically served as the main dish on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Turkey. Americans eat about 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving, making it the centerpiece of the traditional holiday meal.
5. What month is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States?
Answer: November. The holiday is observed on the fourth Thursday of November each year, giving families a long weekend to celebrate together.
6. What day of the week is Thanksgiving celebrated?
Answer: Thursday. This long-standing tradition dates back to President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation, though the exact date was standardized later.
7. Who was the first President to proclaim Thanksgiving a national holiday?
Answer: Abraham Lincoln. In 1863, during the Civil War, Lincoln officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday to promote unity and gratitude across the nation.
8. What year did Thanksgiving become an official U.S. holiday?
Answer: It became official in 1863 when President Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday, though various states had celebrated harvest festivals before then.
9. What do most people watch on TV after their Thanksgiving meal?
Answer: Football. Watching NFL games on Thanksgiving has been a family tradition since the early 1920s, making it a beloved post-dinner activity.
10. What is the day after Thanksgiving called?
Answer: Black Friday. This famous shopping day marks the start of the holiday shopping season and gets its name from retailers moving from “red” (loss) to “black” (profit) in their accounting books.
Food and Feast Trivia
Now let’s talk about the delicious part of Thanksgiving. These questions focus on the traditional foods that make our holiday tables so memorable.
11. What traditional Thanksgiving pie is made from orange-colored squash?
Answer: Pumpkin pie. This classic dessert dates back to early American history when colonists hollowed out pumpkins, filled them with milk, honey, and spices, and baked them over hot ashes.
12. What sauce made from berries is a Thanksgiving staple?
Answer: Cranberry sauce. Native Americans introduced cranberries to the Pilgrims, and these tart red berries have remained a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for centuries.
13. What bird was almost chosen instead of the turkey as the national bird?
Answer: The bald eagle was chosen over the turkey. Benjamin Franklin admired the turkey’s respectable character and honesty, calling it a more fitting national symbol than the eagle.
14. What part of the turkey is used for making a wish?
Answer: The wishbone. Two people pull on either side of this Y-shaped bone after dinner — the one who ends up with the larger piece is said to have their wish granted.
15. What do Americans often stuff inside their turkeys?
Answer: Stuffing or dressing. Made from bread cubes, herbs, vegetables, and broth, this savory mixture absorbs the turkey’s rich flavors as it cooks inside the bird.
16. What vegetable was once known as “love apples”?
Answer: Tomatoes. This romantic nickname came from a French mistranslation centuries ago, though tomatoes were not part of the first Thanksgiving meal.
17. What drink do many people enjoy with their Thanksgiving meal?
Answer: Apple cider. Both hot and cold versions are popular during Thanksgiving, often modified with cinnamon sticks, cloves, or other warming spices.
18. Which pie is often served cold: pecan or pumpkin?
Answer: Pumpkin pie. Although some prefer it at room temperature, it’s traditionally served chilled and topped with whipped cream for a smooth, creamy finish.
19. What’s the most popular side dish on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Mashed potatoes. Creamy, buttery, and comforting, this beloved side dish is a must-have on almost every Thanksgiving table in America.
20. What do you call a turkey that has been deep-fried instead of roasted?
Answer: A fried turkey. This Southern-style cooking method has grown popular nationwide for producing crisp, golden skin and juicy, flavorful meat in less time than roasting.
History and Traditions Trivia
Get ready to test your knowledge of Thanksgiving history. These questions go beyond the basics and explore the fascinating stories behind our holiday traditions.
21. Who was the governor of Plymouth during the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: William Bradford. He served as governor of Plymouth Colony for more than 30 years and documented the settlers’ experiences in detail, including accounts of the first Thanksgiving celebration.
22. How long did the first Thanksgiving feast last?
Answer: Three days. Unlike today’s one-day holiday, the first Thanksgiving was a multi-day celebration filled with feasting, games, hunting, and displays of military training.
23. What year did the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
Answer: 1924. The original parade featured live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo before evolving into the famous event with giant character balloons and marching bands.
24. Which U.S. President started the annual turkey pardon?
Answer: George H. W. Bush. Although previous presidents occasionally spared turkeys, Bush officially began the annual presidential turkey pardon tradition in 1989.
25. What is the name of the rock the Pilgrims landed on?
Answer: Plymouth Rock. Located in Massachusetts, this historic landmark symbolizes the spot where the Mayflower Pilgrims are believed to have first set foot in the New World.
26. What was the name of the ship the Pilgrims sailed on?
Answer: The Mayflower. This merchant ship carried 102 passengers across the Atlantic Ocean in 1620 on a grueling 66-day journey marked by storms and cramped conditions.
27. How many passengers were on the Mayflower?
Answer: 102 passengers. The group consisted of religious separatists seeking freedom and others pursuing new economic opportunities in America.
28. Which state raises the most turkeys annually?
Answer: Minnesota. Producing more than 40 million turkeys each year, Minnesota leads the nation, followed closely by North Carolina and Arkansas.
29. In what month did the Pilgrims actually land in America?
Answer: November. The Pilgrims arrived on November 11, 1620, much later than expected, which made their first winter extremely challenging and deadly.
30. What was the Pilgrims’ first winter like?
Answer: It was harsh and deadly. Nearly half of the Mayflower passengers perished during that first winter due to freezing temperatures, disease, and food shortages.
Section 4: Fun and Family Trivia
These questions cover the modern traditions and activities that make Thanksgiving special for families across America.
31. What large parade happens every Thanksgiving in New York City?
Answer: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This iconic televised event features massive character balloons, creative floats, marching bands, and live performances from Broadway shows, delighting millions of viewers each year.
32. What famous cartoon dog has appeared in the parade since 1968?
Answer: Snoopy. The beloved Peanuts beagle has been a recurring star in the parade, appearing in multiple balloon versions and becoming one of the most recognizable Thanksgiving icons.
33. Which football team has hosted a Thanksgiving game since 1934?
Answer: The Detroit Lions. Their annual Thanksgiving Day matchup has become a time-honored American tradition, watched by families across the country after the big meal.
34. What other NFL team traditionally plays on Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: The Dallas Cowboys. They joined the Thanksgiving lineup in 1966 and have played nearly every year since, cementing their place in holiday football history.
35. What kind of hat is often associated with the Pilgrims?
Answer: A black hat with a buckle. Although this image is popular in art and media, it’s mostly a myth — Pilgrims actually wore a variety of colorful clothing and simpler hats without buckles.
36. What is the name of the horn-shaped basket symbolizing abundance?
Answer: Cornucopia. Also known as the “horn of plenty,” it symbolizes a bountiful harvest and is a classic Thanksgiving decoration filled with fruits, vegetables, and grains.
37. What do you call the Friday after Thanksgiving, known for shopping?
Answer: Black Friday. Known for deep retail discounts and doorbuster deals, it marks the start of the holiday shopping season and draws massive crowds nationwide.
38. What is “Friendsgiving”?
Answer: A Thanksgiving celebration with friends instead of family. This modern twist on the holiday has become a popular tradition, especially among young adults and college students.
39. Which U.S. state was the first to adopt Thanksgiving as an annual holiday?
Answer: New York. The state officially recognized Thanksgiving as an annual event in 1817, long before it became a national holiday under President Lincoln.
40. What animal is often pardoned by the President each year?
Answer: A turkey. Each year, the President of the United States grants a ceremonial pardon to one or two turkeys, allowing them to live out their days peacefully on a farm.
Pop Culture and Fun Facts
Let’s explore how Thanksgiving appears in movies, television, and popular culture. These questions blend entertainment with holiday traditions.
41. Which popular TV show has a famous Thanksgiving episode featuring a turkey on someone’s head?
Answer:Friends. In one of the most iconic Thanksgiving episodes, Monica puts a turkey on her head to cheer up Chandler, creating a hilarious and unforgettable moment in TV history.
42. Which movie features a memorable Thanksgiving road trip with Steve Martin and John Candy?
Answer:Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. This 1987 comedy classic follows two mismatched travelers who encounter mishaps as they try to get home for Thanksgiving dinner.
43. In A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, who makes the meal?
Answer: Snoopy. With help from Woodstock, Snoopy prepares an unconventional feast of toast, popcorn, pretzels, and jelly beans for Charlie Brown and his friends.
44. What meat did the Native Americans likely bring to the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: Deer (venison). Historical records indicate that the Wampanoag tribe brought five deer to the feast, providing an important source of meat for the three-day celebration.
45. What balloon is the oldest recurring character in the Macy’s Parade?
Answer: Felix the Cat. First appearing in 1927, this classic cartoon character was one of the earliest parade balloons and remains a nostalgic symbol of Thanksgiving tradition.
46. What famous retailer sponsors the New York Thanksgiving parade?
Answer: Macy’s. The department store launched the parade in 1924 as a festive marketing event to celebrate the holiday season and kick off Christmas shopping.
47. Which U.S. President moved Thanksgiving up one week in 1939?
Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt. In an effort to boost retail sales during the Great Depression, he changed the holiday’s date, sparking public confusion and debate.
48. What year did Thanksgiving become the fourth Thursday in November?
Answer: 1941. After years of disagreement over Roosevelt’s date change, Congress officially passed a law that set Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.
49. Which popular November event began as a Thanksgiving fundraiser in 1896?
Answer: The Turkey Trot race. These community fun runs started as charity events and are now a nationwide Thanksgiving morning tradition for fitness and fun.
50. Which state consumes the most turkey each year?
Answer: California. Thanks to its large population, California residents eat more turkey than residents of any other state, especially during the Thanksgiving season.
Kids’ Thanksgiving Trivia
These questions are perfect for younger trivia players. They’re educational, fun, and help kids learn about Thanksgiving in an engaging way.
51. What is a baby turkey called?
Answer: A poult. Young turkeys stay close to their mothers for several months, learning essential survival skills such as finding food and avoiding predators.
52. What sound does a female turkey make?
Answer: A cluck. Female turkeys, or hens, make gentle clucking and clicking sounds, while male turkeys produce the loud “gobble” they’re famous for.
53. What do you call a male turkey?
Answer: A tom or gobbler. Male turkeys are called toms (short for tomcat) or gobblers because of the deep, echoing gobble sound they use to attract females.
54. What color are a turkey’s feathers when it’s excited?
Answer: They can change from red to blue to white. The skin on a turkey’s head and neck shifts color based on its mood, stress level, or excitement.
55. What vegetable is used to make pumpkin pie?
Answer: Pumpkin. Technically a fruit, pumpkins are cooked, pureed, and sweetened with spices to create the creamy filling for this Thanksgiving favorite.
56. What do people often break after eating turkey?
Answer: The wishbone. This lighthearted tradition involves two people pulling on opposite ends of the dried bone, and whoever gets the larger piece is said to have their wish granted.
57. What sport do many families play after dinner?
Answer: Football. Whether tossing a ball in the yard or watching the NFL games, football has become a classic Thanksgiving Day activity for families across America.
58. What dessert is often topped with whipped cream?
Answer: Pumpkin pie. The cool, fluffy whipped cream adds the perfect touch of sweetness to the spiced, creamy pumpkin filling.
59. What’s another word for “harvest”?
Answer: Gathering. Thanksgiving originated as a celebration of the autumn harvest, when farmers gathered the season’s final crops before winter.
60. What is the main feeling Thanksgiving celebrates?
Answer: Gratitude. The holiday reminds people to reflect on their blessings, appreciate loved ones, and give thanks for the abundance in their lives.
Tricky and Uncommon Trivia
Ready for a challenge? These questions test expert-level Thanksgiving knowledge and might stump even the most confident trivia players.
61. What animal did Benjamin Franklin suggest as the national bird?
Answer: The turkey. Benjamin Franklin believed the turkey was a more respectable and native bird to America compared to the bald eagle, which he criticized as being of “bad moral character.”
62. How fast can a wild turkey run?
Answer: Up to 20 miles per hour. Wild turkeys are surprisingly quick on their feet and can also fly short distances at speeds reaching 55 miles per hour.
63. How many feathers does a typical adult turkey have?
Answer: Around 3,500 feathers. These feathers not only help wild turkeys with flight but also provide insulation and protection from the elements.
64. What country celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October?
Answer: Canada. While rooted in different historical events, Canadian Thanksgiving shares the same spirit of gratitude and celebration of the autumn harvest.
65. What is the busiest travel day of the year in the U.S.?
Answer: The day before Thanksgiving. Each year, millions of Americans hit the roads and airports to reunite with family, making it the most congested travel day nationwide.
66. What U.S. city hosts the oldest Thanksgiving parade?
Answer: Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving parade began in 1920, making it even older than the iconic Macy’s Parade in New York City.
67. What traditional Thanksgiving dish was NOT served at the 1621 feast?
Answer: Sweet potatoes were not part of the original Thanksgiving meal because they had not yet arrived in North America.
68. How many turkeys are typically pardoned each year during the presidential ceremony?
Answer: Two turkeys are usually pardoned, one main bird and an alternate.
69. What tool did Pilgrims commonly use to eat their meals, instead of forks?
Answer: The Pilgrims primarily used spoons and knives, as forks were not widely adopted in the colonies at that time.
70. What U.S. state was the last to officially recognize Thanksgiving?
Answer: Texas was the final state to officially adopt Thanksgiving, doing so in the late 1800s.
Global Thanksgiving Traditions Trivia
Thanksgiving-inspired celebrations exist far beyond the United States, often rooted in harvest traditions and cultural gratitude.
These questions find global festivals and surprising international connections to the holiday spirit.
71. Which country celebrates “Erntedankfest,” a harvest festival similar to Thanksgiving?
Answer: Germany celebrates this autumn festival centered around giving thanks for the year’s harvest.
72. What Asian country celebrates “Chuseok,” a major harvest festival involving family gatherings and feasts?
Answer: South Korea celebrates Chuseok with traditional foods, family reunions, and ancestral rituals.
73. Which Caribbean island celebrates Thanksgiving due to early American settlers?
Answer: Liberia observes Thanksgiving because freed American slaves founded the country and brought the tradition with them.
74. Which country celebrates “Kwanjula,” a traditional harvest gathering predating American Thanksgiving?
Answer: Uganda honors this cultural celebration focused on community gratitude and blessings for the harvest.
75. What European country celebrates “Harvest Festival of the Wheat Maiden”?
Answer: The United Kingdom holds this long-standing festival tied to agricultural traditions.
76. Which nation hosts a holiday called “Jour de l’Action de grâce”?
Answer: Canada’s French-speaking regions celebrate their own version of Thanksgiving, known as Jour de l’Action de grâce.
77. What country holds “Crop Over,” marking the end of sugar cane harvest?
Answer: Barbados celebrates Crop Over with music, costumes, and festive community events.
78. Which country celebrates “Lughnasadh,” an ancient harvest festival with bonfires and games?
Answer: Ireland observes Lughnasadh, one of its oldest Gaelic festivals.
79. Which Asian nation celebrates “Pongal,” a multi-day harvest festival with rice dishes?
Answer: India celebrates Pongal, especially in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
80. Which Middle Eastern country holds an annual “Date Harvest Festival”?
Answer: Saudi Arabia hosts this event to celebrate the date harvest, a major part of its agriculture.
Thanksgiving Food & Flavor Trivia
Thanksgiving food traditions are full of interesting history, regional quirks, and surprising facts. These questions dive into lesser-known details about what makes holiday dishes so iconic.
81. What state is the largest producer of cranberries?
Answer: Wisconsin leads the nation in cranberry production, especially during the fall harvest.
82. What Thanksgiving dish was originally considered a luxury dessert in the 1800s?
Answer: Pecan pie was once considered an upscale treat due to the cost and scarcity of pecans.
83. How many pounds of potatoes do Americans consume on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Americans eat roughly 250 million pounds of potatoes during the holiday, mostly as mashed potatoes.
84. Which U.S. state grows the most pumpkins used for holiday pies?
Answer: Illinois produces the majority of processed pumpkins for canned pie filling.
85. What savory side was inspired by Native American cornbread?
Answer: Cornbread stuffing traces its roots to Indigenous cornbread recipes.
86. What dish became popular in the 1950s thanks to canned soup marketing?
Answer: Green bean casserole surged in popularity due to promotional recipes using condensed soup.
87. What spice is most responsible for the flavor in pumpkin pie?
Answer: Cinnamon provides the dominant flavor, with nutmeg, cloves, and ginger supporting it.
88. Which U.S. city sells the most whole pies during Thanksgiving week?
Answer: Los Angeles leads the nation in Thanksgiving pie sales.
89. What unusual dessert is popular in Southern states on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Sweet potato pie is a cherished Southern holiday dessert.
90. What is the most commonly purchased beverage for Thanksgiving dinners?
Answer: Wine is the top beverage choice for Thanksgiving celebrations.
91. Which Thanksgiving food was once called “the cranberry bounce”?
Answer: Cranberries earned this nickname because fresh berries bounce when they’re ripe.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving is about more than just food. It’s about history, gratitude, and creating memories with loved ones.
These Thanksgiving trivia questions are the perfect way to spark laughter and friendly competition during your gathering.
If you’re sharing turkey with family, celebrating with friends, or teaching kids about the holiday’s origins, trivia games bring everyone closer together.
Create your teams and see who takes the trivia crown, remembering to enjoy the laughter, connection, and Thanksgiving spirit.
