Make way for the Best Thanksgiving Trivia for Kids ever! Sure to add excitement to your turkey day celebrations, these Fun Thanksgiving Questions and Answers will hook everyone from kids to adults.
This updated list of 121 Trivia Questions for Thanksgiving makes for a great conversation starter around the Thanksgiving Dinner table and is a fun way to spend quality family time around the holiday.
- Easy Thanksgiving Questions
- Turkey Trivia
- Thanksgiving Food & Dessert Trivia with Answers
- Thanksgiving History Trivia Questions
- Thanksgiving Parade & Events Trivia
- Thanksgiving Sports Trivia
- Pop Culture Thanksgiving Trivia
- Thanksgiving Music Trivia
- Thanksgiving Movie & TV Trivia
- Hard Thanksgiving Trivia
Easy Thanksgiving Trivia For Kids
These easy Thanksgiving Trivia Facts will test your knowledge about Thanksgiving traditions and much more to make your holiday extra special. Perfect for primary & elementary classrooms, family gatherings and friends!
1. When was the first Thanksgiving celebration?
Answer: November, 1621
2. How long did the first Thanksgiving celebrations last?
Answer: Three days!
3. Which country did the Pilgrims belong to?
Answer: England
4. What was the name of the ship the Pilgrims boarded from England?
Answer: Mayflower
5. Where did the Mayflower first land in America?
Answer: Cape Cod, now Provincetown, Massachusetts.
6. How long did the Mayflower voyage last?
Answer: 66 days
7. Where did the Pilgrims get off from the Mayflower?
Answer: Plymouth, Massachusetts
8. What day comes after Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: Black Friday
9. What does the cornucopia symbolize?
Answer: Abundance
10. Which tradition is associated with wishes coming true on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Breaking a Wishbone
Quick Tip: Make sure to add some Thanksgiving Jokes and Puns for silly laughs!
12. Who were originally the Pilgrims?
Answer: English Protestants. Did you know these Pilgrims were also called purists? They wanted to move away from the English Church.
13. What was the idea behind the Thanksgiving celebrations?
Answer: To give thanks for blessings of the past year and celebrate this year’s harvest.
Turkey Trivia
Gear up for Thanksgiving Turkey Trivia! Think about fun turkey facts, presidential pardon & turkey traditions to answer these clever Thanksgiving Turkey questions. Great for elementary kids, teens and adults who love feasting on Turkey!
14. How many Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Answer: 88%
Source: NCBI
15. How much did the world’s heaviest dressed turkey weigh?
Answer: 86 lbs! Tyson, a stag reared by Philip Cook of Leacroft Turkeys Ltd, Peterborough, United Kingdom set the record for the heaviest dressed turkey in December 1989.
Source: Guinness World Records
16. Which American state raises the most turkeys?
Answer: Minnesota! It raised 32 million birds in 2024 followed by North Carolina with 27 million turkeys.
Source: USDA
17. Which state consumes the most turkey every Thanksgiving?
Answer: California
Related: Make this Popsicle Stick Turkey Craft with Thanksgiving!
18. How many turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving?
Answer: 46 million
Source: USDA
19. What is the act of napping after eating a big Thanksgiving meal called?
Answer: Food coma or Turkey coma!
20. What is the average weight of a Thanksgiving turkey?
Answer: 15 lbs
Related: Embrace the spirit of the holiday with Thanksgiving Books For Kids.
21. Which American President first pardoned the White House Thanksgiving turkey?
Answer: John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.
22. When did the tradition of Turkey Pardoning start?
Answer: 1989
23. Who started the annual Turkey Pardon tradition?
Answer: George H. W. Bush
Thanksgiving Food & Dessert Trivia
Get beyond gobbling pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce & side-dishes to test your smarts with these Food Thanksgiving Quiz for kids and be prepared to be bloated (pun intended!) with information. Loaded with a generous helping of Thanksgivng desert trivia, these questions will load you with fun Thanksgiving Trivia facts!
24. Who is credited with inventing Pumpkin Pie?
Answer: French chef François Pierre La Varenne
25. When was the first pumpkin pie invented?
Answer: Around 1650
26. How much did the world’s largest pumpkin pie weigh?
Answer: 3,700 lbs with a diameter of 20 feet!
Source: Guinness World Records
Related: Make this adorable Easy Pumpkin Craft this holiday!
27. Which sauce is traditionally made on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Cranberry Sauce.
28. Which U.S. state produces the most cranberries?
Answer: Wisconsin – The state’s soil and favourable climate aids cranberry production. Do you which state follows it next? Its Massachusetts.
Source: World Population Review
29. How much cranberries are consumed on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Nearly 80 million pounds!
30. Which U.S. state produces the most potatoes?
Answer: Idaho with its favourable climate, volcanic soils, and excellent irrigation system. It is followed with Washington.
Source: World Population Review
31. What variety of pumpkin is most preferred for canning for pumpkin pie?
Answer: The Dickinson pumpkin! Its mild flavour and rich texture makes it ideal for canning and baking.
32. How many calories does an average American eat on Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: Nearly 3,500 calories
33. Which American state produces the most sweet potatoes?
Answer: North Carolina
34. How much potato is purchased for Thanksgiving?
Answer: Nearly 250 million lbs
35. How many Americans prefer Thanksgiving leftovers to Thanksgiving dinner?
Answer: 79%
36. Popular Thanksgiving dish of chicken stuffed into duck, which is stuffed into turkey is called?
Answer: Turducken
37. Who made the first Turducken?
Answer: Paul Prudhomme – a Cajun chef
38. When was green bean casserole introduced to Thanksgiving dinners?
Answer: 1955. The iconic Thanksgiving dish was created by Dorcas Reilly, who later donated the original recipe card to the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2002 owing to the recipe’s widespread cultural impact.
39. Which is the most popular pie for Thanksgiving feast?
Answer: Pumpkin Pie!
40. How many pumpkin pies are baked on Thanksgiving?
Answer: More than 50 million!
Thanksgiving History Trivia Questions
Take a deep dive into the history of Thanksgiving and answer these questions about pilgrims, Thanksgiving origins, Wampanoag to check your smarts.
41. Which was the first American state to recognize Thanksgiving as a holiday?
Answer: New York
42. The first Thanksgiving meal was shared with which Native American tribe?
Answer: Wampanoag
Quick Tip: Make the holiday stress-free with Free Thanksgiving Printables for Kids.
43. Which first lady started the tradition of decorating the White House for Thanksgiving?
Answer: Mamie Eisenhower.
44. How many pilgrims survived the first winter of Plymouth?
Answer: Only 53 out of 101!
45. Who helped pilgrims grow corn and learn how to take care of fields?
Answer: Squanto.
46. What skills did Wampanoag teach the pilgrims?
Answer: They taught the settlers how to hunt, fish & grow crops.
47. When did Thanksgiving become an official American holiday?
Answer: 1863
48. Which American President declared Thanksgiving as an official U.S holiday?
Answer: President Abraham Lincoln
49. Who campaigned to make Thanksgiving an annual national holiday in the US?
Answer: Sarah Josepha Hale – a magazine editor!
50. Which magazine’s editor was Sarah Joseph?
Answer: Godey’s Lady’s Book
51. How many pilgrims boarded the ship from England?
Answer: 101
Related: Try this cute Pilgrim Craft for Thanksgiving!
52. Where did the Pilgrims get off from Mayflower?
Answer: Plymouth, Massachusetts
53. Where was Mayflower originally supposed to land?
Answer: Present day New York
Thanksgiving Parade & Events Trivia
No section of Thanksgiving trivia can be very complete without Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and its grandeur! Check out how many of Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade trivia you can answer.
54. Who organized the first Thanksgiving parade and when?
Answer: Gimbel Brothers Department in 1920
55. When did Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade start?
Answer: November 27, 1924
56. Which Thanksgiving Parade ends with the Mayor giving Santa Claus the key to the city?
Answer: Detroit’s Parade
57. How many spectators attend Macy’s Parade each year?
Answer: Over 3 million!
58. How many participants are in Macy’s Parade?
Answer: Over 8,000!
59. How long is Macy’s Parade route?
Answer: 2.5 miles
60. Which is the most popular Thanksgiving Parade?
Answer: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
61. Who was the first video game character to feature in Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade?
Answer: Sonic The Hedgehog
Quick Tip: Indulge in Fun Thanksgiving Games For kids & Family!
62. Which city hosted the first Thanksgiving parade?
Answer: Philadelphia
63. When were balloons added to Macy’s Parade?
Answer: 1927
Thanksgiving Sports Trivia
Have fun answering thanksgiving football trivia & turkey trot trivia in this section. Sure to stump NFL fans with exciting football traditions!
64. Which popular race is held on Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: Turkey Trot
65. When did the tradition of Turkey Trot begin?
Answer: 1896
66. Where was the first Turkey Trot held?
Answer: Buffalo, New York in 1896
67. Which city holds the largest Turkey Trot race?
Answer: Dallas, Texas
68. How many participants were there in the first Turkey Trot?
Answer: Six
69. Which Thanksgiving tradition is often discussed during football pre-shows?
Answer: Turkey Pardon
70. Which state celebrates Thanksgiving football rivalry called “The Big Game”? Answer: Michigan – Michigan vs. Ohio State
71. Watching which sport on Thanksgiving Day has become a tradition?
Answer: National Football League (NFL)
72. When did the first Thanksgiving Day football game take place?
Answer: 1869
73. What traditional item is sometimes awarded to NFL Thanksgiving MVP players?
Answers: A turkey (and sometimes a turkey leg!).
74. Which other NFL team has hosted Thanksgiving games regularly since 1966?
Answer: Dallas Cowboys.
75. How many NFL games are played on Thanksgiving Day in modern schedules?
Answer: Three – two daytime + one primetime games.
76. Which college football rivalries are often played around Thanksgiving weekend?
Answer: Michigan vs. Ohio State, Auburn vs. Alabama (Iron Bowl).
Related: Also try these 136 Sports Trivia Questions!
77. Which NFL broadcaster popularized handing out turkey legs to players after the Thanksgiving game?
Answer: John Madden.
78. In which year was the NFL Thanksgiving Day game was first broadcasted on TV?
Answer: 1953. Radio broadcast started earlier in 1934.
Pop Culture Thanksgiving Trivia
How about Thanksgiving Pop Culture trivia? Dive in to see if you know enough about pop-culture surrounding the holiday.
79. Which American President received a live raccoon as a Thanksgiving gift?
Answer: Calvin Coolidge
80. Which American town canceled Thanksgiving because they couldn’t make pumpkin pie?
Answer: Colchester, Connecticut
81. Which profession has its busiest day right after Thanksgiving?
Answer: Plumbing
82. What day is Canadian Thanksgiving celebrated?
Answer: Second Monday of October
83. Which part of Australia celebrates Thanksgiving?
Answer: Norfolk Island
84. The tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving with friends a day before or after Thanksgiving is called?
Answer: Friendsgiving
85. What popular Thanksgiving dish features chicken stuffed into duck, then into turkey?
Answer: Turducken
86. Who made the first Turducken?
Answer: Chef Paul Prudhomme (Cajun Chef)
Thanksgiving Music Trivia
Test your Thanksgiving music acumen with these fun quiz questions! And on the way sing to the tunes of popular thanksgiving family songs and tap on marching bands!
87. What Thanksgiving classic was first recorded by Lydia Maria Child in 1844?
Answer: “Over the River and Through the Wood.”
88. Which popular Thanksgiving anthem by Adam Sandler humorously praises turkey?
Answer: “The Thanksgiving Song.”
89. Which song by Mary Chapin Carpenter reflects gratitude and blessings? Answer: “Thanksgiving Song.”
90. Which children’s song is commonly sung at school Thanksgiving programs?
Answer: “Five Little Turkeys.”
91. Which American composer created “Simple Gifts,” often played in Thanksgiving performances?
Answer: Joseph Brackett.
92. Which hit by Meghan Trainor became a viral TikTok Thanksgiving dance song in 2024?
Answer: “I’m Thankful.”
92. Which Disney song from Encanto became a Thanksgiving family singalong hit in 2022?
Answer: “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”
94. Which modern pop singer released “Grateful” (2024) inspired by Thanksgiving spirit?
Answer: Olivia Rodrigo.
95. What popular country artist released “Thankful for You” in 2023 for Thanksgiving ads?
Answer: Luke Bryan.
96. Which jazz piece became an annual Thanksgiving Day Parade favorite?
Answer: “Autumn Leaves.”
97. What traditional hymn is commonly associated with giving thanks during Thanksgiving?
Answer: “We Gather Together.”
98. Which marching bands perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade?
Answer: High school and college marching bands from across the U.S.
Thanksgiving Movie & TV Trivia
A favourite with many, Thanksgiving Movie and TV trivia is always super fun to play with kids, teens as well as adults. Perfect for office parties!
99. In which animated feature Snoopy flies his doghouse as a WWII pilot during Thanksgiving TV specials?
Answer: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
100. Which 2023 film humorously depicted Thanksgiving as a haunted dinner party?
Answer: Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving (2023)
101. In the movie “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”, what does Charlie Brown serve for dinner?
Answer: Toast, popcorn, and jelly beans.
102. Which animated movie, released in 2013, features turkeys traveling back in time to change history?
Answer: Free Birds.
103. Which classic TV show is famous for its many Thanksgiving episodes, including one with a turkey stuck on a character’s head?
Answer: Friends.
104. Which character in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving says, “What kind of Thanksgiving dinner is this?”
Answer: Peppermint Patty.
105. Which classic comedy sequel starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton features a chaotic Thanksgiving dinner?
Answer: Father of the Bride Part II.
106. In Gilmore Girls, how many Thanksgiving dinners do Lorelai and Rory attend in one episode?
Answer: Four.
107. Which animated family goes to Mr. Burns’ house for a Thanksgiving feast in a classic episode?
Answer: The Simpsons.
108. In Addams Family Values, what play do the kids perform at Thanksgiving camp?
Answer: A satirical version of the first Thanksgiving.
109. Which holiday TV special is often shown alongside A Charlie Brown Christmas during the holidays?
Answer: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
110. What food do kids throw in the food fight in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving?
Answer: Toast, popcorn, and jelly beans!
Hard Thanksgiving Trivia
Only the smartest will crack these challenging Thanksgiving trivia questions! So embrace yourself and take up these challenging questions.
111. Which American President did not endorse Thanksgiving as a holiday?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson.
112. Which American President declared Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November?
Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt.
113. Which Wampanoag leader helped forge an alliance between the pilgrims and the Native American tribe?
Answer: Massasoit.
114. Where was the first Thanksgiving celebrated?
Answer: Southeastern Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island.
115. Who is known as the “Mother of Thanksgiving”?
Answer: Sarah Josepha Hale.
116. Which city was the first to officially recognize Thanksgiving as a holiday?
Answer: New York.
117. In which year did New York declare Thanksgiving an annual holiday?
Answer: 1817
118. Where is the Pilgrim Monument located?
Answer: Provincetown, Massachusetts.
119. Which American President is credited for naming “Turkey Day”?
Answer: Harry S. Truman
120. How many calls does the Butterball Turkey Talk Line get on Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: Nearly 15,000!
121. What is the other name for cornucopia?
Answer: Thorn of Abundance
Download Thanksgiving Trivia Free Printable
These Thanksgiving Trivia Questions Free printable is perfect for a fun family game or classroom game with students. Sure to keep everyone, from kids to adults, entertained!
Free Printable Thanksgiving Trivia
Watch Our Thanksgiving Quiz Video
FAQ
1. The first Thanksgiving meal was shared with which native American tribe? Wampanoag
2. Which country did the pilgrims belong to? England
3. When did Thanksgiving become the official American holiday? In 1863
4. Who is known as the Mother of Thanksgiving? Sarah Josepha Hale
5. What day comes after Thanksgiving day? Black Friday
6. Where is the Pilgrim Monument located? Provincetown, Massachusetts.
7. Which state consumes the most turkey every Thanksgiving? California
In the United States of America, Thanksgiving is celebrated of fourth Thursday of November.
Below are some fun and easy thanksgiving trivia for kids:
1. Which is the most popular pie for Thanksgiving feast? Pumpkin Pie!
2. Which popular race is held on Thanksgiving day? Turkey Trot
3. Which sauce is traditionally made on thanksgiving? Cranberry Sauce
4. What day is Canadian Thanksgiving celebrated? Second Monday of October
5. The act of napping after eating a big thanksgiving meal is called? Food coma or Turkey coma
6. Popular Thanksgiving dish of chicken stuffed into duck, which is stuffed into turkey is called? Turducken
7. Which is the most popular Thanksgiving Parade? Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
Aim at 20 questions at least to make the game fun and competitive. Make sure to include trivia questions from popular categories like Turkey Trot, Pop-culture. Thanksgiving Songs, History etc.
The tradition was started by an ancient Italian civilisation known ans Etruscans around 800 BCE. They believed that birds are capable of foreseeing the future and by touching their bones they could too see into the future.
Over time this tradition caught up with Romans, who fought over the wishbone and believed the one with bigger piece would have his/her wish fulfilled. In 1400s, the tradition became popular with the British who bought it to America, where is became a loved thanksgiving tradition.
While turkey was not originally part of the celebrations, it later became one owing to easy availability and a good source of meat & protein.
Happy Thanksgiving!