Did you know the first Thanksgiving lasted three days and included seafood with turkey? Here are 80 fun Thanksgiving trivia questions to light up your 2025 celebration! From history and food to parades and global traditions, there’s something for kids and adults alike — perfect for family dinners or Friendsgiving. Get ready to quiz, laugh, and crown a turkey-day trivia champ!
Thanksgiving History Trivia Questions and Answers
Journey back through time with these 20 historical Thanksgiving trivia questions that reveal surprising facts about America's beloved harvest celebration. From the Mayflower voyage to presidential proclamations, these questions will test your knowledge of Thanksgiving's rich history.
Easy Historical Questions for Family Fun
Question 1: In what year did the Pilgrims celebrate the first Thanksgiving? (Easy)
Answer: 1621. The harvest celebration took place in autumn after the Pilgrims' first successful corn harvest.
Question 2: What ship brought the Pilgrims to America? (Easy)
Answer: The Mayflower carried 102 passengers across the Atlantic Ocean in a journey lasting 66 days.
Question 3: Where did the Pilgrims first land in America? (Easy)
Answer: Plymouth, Massachusetts (though they initially landed at Provincetown on Cape Cod before settling at Plymouth).
Question 4: What Native American served as an interpreter for the Pilgrims? (Easy)
Answer: Squanto (Tisquantum) spoke English and helped the Pilgrims communicate with local tribes and learn farming techniques.
Question 5: Which ocean did the Mayflower cross? (Easy)
Answer: The Atlantic Ocean, departing from Plymouth, England in September 1620.
Question 6: What season was the first Thanksgiving celebrated? (Easy)
Answer: Fall (autumn), specifically between September 21 and November 11, 1621.
Question 7: True or False: The Pilgrims called themselves "Pilgrims"? (Easy)
Answer: False. They called themselves "Saints" or "Separatists." The term "Pilgrims" wasn't commonly used until the 1800s.
Medium Difficulty Thanksgiving Traditions Quiz
Question 8: Which president first pardoned a turkey? (Medium)
Answer: While earlier presidents received turkeys, George H.W. Bush was the first to formally pardon one in 1989, making it an annual tradition.
Question 9: What year did Thanksgiving become a federal holiday? (Medium)
Answer: 1863, when President Lincoln proclaimed it during the Civil War as a way to unite the nation.
Question 10: Which president moved Thanksgiving to the third Thursday in November? (Medium)
Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, attempting to extend the Christmas shopping season during the Great Depression (though it was later changed back to the fourth Thursday).
Question 11: What was the name of the Native American chief who attended the first Thanksgiving? (Medium)
Answer: Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoag tribe brought 90 of his men to the celebration.
Question 12: How many women were at the first Thanksgiving? (Medium)
Answer: Only four adult women survived to attend the first Thanksgiving, as many had died during the first winter.
Question 13: What utensil was NOT used at the first Thanksgiving? (Medium)
Answer: Forks. The Pilgrims ate with spoons, knives, and their hands, as forks weren't commonly used in England until the 18th century.
Question 14: Which magazine editor campaigned for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday? (Medium)
Answer: Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book, lobbied for 17 years before Lincoln made it official.
Challenging Questions for History Buffs
Question 15: What percentage of the Mayflower passengers survived to the first Thanksgiving? (Hard)
Answer: Approximately 50%. Of the 102 passengers, only 53 survived the first winter.
Question 16: What was the name of the first Native American to greet the Pilgrims in English? (Hard)
Answer: Samoset, an Abenaki sagamore, surprised the colonists by walking into Plymouth Colony and greeting them in English on March 16, 1621.
Question 17: Which colony celebrated Thanksgiving before the Plymouth Pilgrims? (Hard)
Answer: Berkeley Plantation in Virginia held a Thanksgiving celebration in 1619, two years before Plymouth.
Question 18: What treaty did the Pilgrims sign with the Wampanoag? (Hard)
Answer: The Treaty of Plymouth in 1621, which lasted for over 50 years and was one of the earliest recorded treaties between colonists and Native Americans.
Question 19: How many days did the Mayflower's return journey to England take? (Hard)
Answer: The Mayflower left Plymouth on April 5, 1621, and arrived in England on May 6, taking just 31 days due to favorable winds.
Question 20: What was the original name of the Plymouth Colony's location according to the Wampanoag? (Hard)
Answer: Patuxet, which had been a Wampanoag village abandoned due to disease before the Pilgrims arrived.
Thanksgiving Food Trivia Questions to Test Your Culinary Knowledge
Get ready to dig into these delicious food trivia questions! From turkey preparation secrets to pie preferences, these 20 questions explore the culinary traditions that make Thanksgiving America's favorite food holiday.
Turkey Cooking Trivia and Fun Facts
Question 21: What temperature should a turkey reach to be safely cooked? (Easy)
Answer: 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, according to USDA guidelines.
Question 22: How much does the average Thanksgiving turkey weigh? (Easy)
Answer: About 15 pounds, though turkeys can range from 10 to 30+ pounds depending on the gathering size.
Question 23: What's the name of the skin that hangs from a turkey's neck? (Medium)
Answer: The wattle, while the flesh on top of the beak is called a snood.
Question 24: Can turkeys fly? (Easy)
Answer: Wild turkeys can fly up to 55 mph in short bursts and run up to 20 mph, but domestic turkeys cannot fly due to selective breeding for size.
Question 25: What's the most popular alternative to turkey for Thanksgiving? (Medium)
Answer: Ham is the second most popular main dish, followed by roast beef and chicken.
Question 26: How long should you thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator? (Medium)
Answer: Approximately 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey weight.
Question 27: What percentage of Americans prefer white meat vs. dark meat? (Hard)
Answer: About 43% prefer white meat, while 22% prefer dark meat, though dark meat contains more nutrients.
Traditional Thanksgiving Menu Quiz Questions
Question 28: What's the difference between stuffing and dressing? (Medium)
Answer: Stuffing is cooked inside the turkey, while dressing is cooked separately in a pan, though the terms are often used interchangeably.
Question 29: Which state produces the most cranberries? (Medium)
Answer: Wisconsin produces about 67% of America's cranberries, followed by Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Question 30: What food was served at the first Thanksgiving but is rarely served today? (Hard)
Answer: Seafood like lobster, clams, and mussels were likely served, along with eel, which was a delicacy.
Question 31: When did green bean casserole become a Thanksgiving staple? (Medium)
Answer: 1955, when Campbell's employee Dorcas Reilly created the recipe using Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Question 32: What percentage of Americans include mac and cheese in their Thanksgiving meal? (Hard)
Answer: Approximately 20%, with it being especially popular in Southern states (35%), where it's considered a traditional side.
Question 33: True or False: Corn on the cob was served at the first Thanksgiving? (Medium)
Answer: False. The corn was dried and ground into cornmeal, not eaten on the cob as we do today.
Question 34: How many cranberries are in one pound? (Hard)
Answer: Approximately 440 fresh cranberries make up one pound.
Thanksgiving Pie Trivia and Dessert Facts
Question 35: What's America's favorite Thanksgiving pie? (Easy)
Answer: Pumpkin pie, chosen by 29% of Americans, followed by apple (20%).
Question 36: How many pumpkin pies are consumed every Thanksgiving? (Hard)
Answer: An estimated 50 million pumpkin pies are eaten on Thanksgiving Day.
Question 37: What spice is NOT traditionally used in pumpkin pie? (Medium)
Answer: Cardamom. Traditional pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice.
Question 38: Which pie is known as "chess pie" in the South? (Hard)
Answer: A custard-style pie made with eggs, butter, and sugar, similar to but distinct from pecan pie without the nuts.
Question 39: When was canned pumpkin first sold commercially? (Hard)
Answer: 1929, when Libby's began producing canned pumpkin, revolutionizing pumpkin pie making.
Question 40: What percentage of Americans skip dessert on Thanksgiving? (Medium)
Answer: Only about 4% indicate they don't like pie, making Thanksgiving the holiday with high dessert consumption.
Entertaining Thanksgiving Trivia for Party Games
These 15 fun facts about parades, football, and pop culture will entertain your guests and spark lively conversations around your Thanksgiving table!
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Quiz Questions
Question 41: How many miles long is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route? (Medium)
Answer: 2.5 miles, starting at 77th Street and Central Park West, ending at Macy's Herald Square.
Question 42: Which balloon has appeared in the parade the most times? (Hard)
Answer: Snoopy has appeared the most with 40 appearances in various forms since 1968.
Question 43: How tall can the parade balloons be? (Medium)
Answer: Balloons can be up to 60 feet tall, 34 feet wide, and 78 feet long according to New York City regulations.
Question 44: What happens to the balloons after the parade? (Medium)
Answer: They're deflated and stored in a New Jersey warehouse, with some being recycled or donated to museums.
Question 45: How many people are needed to handle one giant balloon? (Hard)
Answer: Up to 90 handlers are required for the largest character balloons.
Thanksgiving Football and Sports Trivia
Question 46: Which NFL team has played the most Thanksgiving games? (Easy)
Answer: The Detroit Lions, who have played every Thanksgiving since 1934 (except 1939-1944 during WWII).
Question 47: What year did the Dallas Cowboys start their Thanksgiving tradition? (Medium)
Answer: 1966, and they've played every Thanksgiving since, except for 1975 and 1977.
Question 48: What's the name of the Thanksgiving Day race in many cities? (Easy)
Answer: Turkey Trot, with thousands of these races held across America each Thanksgiving morning.
Question 49: Which team has the best Thanksgiving Day winning percentage? (Hard)
Answer: The Philadelphia Eagles with .857 (6-1 record).
Question 50: How many NFL games are typically played on Thanksgiving? (Easy)
Answer: Three games: traditionally one in Detroit, one in Dallas, and a primetime game since 2006.
Pop Culture and Modern Thanksgiving Facts
Question 51: What popular TV show has the most Thanksgiving episodes? (Hard)
Answer: "Friends" with 10 Thanksgiving episodes, one for each season of the show.
Question 52: When did "Friendsgiving" first appear in the dictionary? (Hard)
Answer: Merriam-Webster added "Friendsgiving" to the dictionary in 2020, though the term was used informally since 2007.
Question 53: What movie holds the record for highest-grossing Thanksgiving weekend release? (Hard)
Answer: "Moana 2" (2024) with $139 million during its Thanksgiving weekend opening.
Question 54: What percentage of people start Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving Day? (Medium)
Answer: Approximately 19% shop on Thanksgiving Day, either online or in stores that open early.
Question 55: What social media hashtag gets the most use on Thanksgiving? (Medium)
Answer: #Thanksgiving, followed by #Thankful, #TurkeyDay, and #Grateful.
Thanksgiving Trivia Questions for Kids with Answers
Keep the little ones engaged with these 15 age-appropriate questions perfect for young minds! These fun and educational questions will help kids learn about Thanksgiving while having a blast.
Super Easy Questions for Young Children
Question 56: What color are pumpkins? (Easy)
Answer: Orange (though pumpkins can also be white, yellow, or green!).
Question 57: What sound does a turkey make? (Easy)
Answer: Gobble gobble! Male turkeys gobble while females make a clicking sound.
Question 58: How many legs does a turkey have? (Easy)
Answer: Two legs, just like all birds!
Question 59: What season is Thanksgiving in? (Easy)
Answer: Fall or Autumn, when the leaves change colors and the weather gets cooler.
Question 60: What do you say on Thanksgiving? (Easy)
Answer: "Thank you" or "I'm thankful for..." It's a day to express gratitude!
Elementary School Level Thanksgiving Quiz
Question 61: If a turkey costs $15 and weighs 15 pounds, how much per pound? (Medium)
Answer: $1 per pound (great for practicing division!).
Question 62: What's the horn-shaped basket that symbolizes abundance called? (Medium)
Answer: A cornucopia, also known as the "horn of plenty."
Question 63: Which Thursday of November is Thanksgiving? (Easy)
Answer: The fourth Thursday of November (sometimes it's the last, sometimes second-to-last).
Question 64: What type of potatoes are often served at Thanksgiving? (Easy)
Answer: Mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes are the most popular!
Question 65: How many days are there between Thanksgiving and Christmas? (Medium)
Answer: Usually between 27-33 days, depending on when Thanksgiving falls.
Family Conversation Starters and Ice Breakers
Question 66: What are you most thankful for this year? (Easy)
Answer: Personal answer - encourage everyone to share!
Question 67: If you could invite anyone to Thanksgiving dinner, who would it be? (Easy)
Answer: Personal answer - great for sparking imagination and discussion!
Question 68: Would you rather eat only turkey or only pie for Thanksgiving? (Easy)
Answer: Fun debate question - there's no wrong answer!
Question 69: What's your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? (Easy)
Answer: Personal answer - helps families reflect on meaningful customs.
Question 70: If turkeys could talk, what would they say on Thanksgiving? (Easy)
Answer: Creative answer - encourages imagination and humor!
International Thanksgiving and Harvest Celebrations Quiz
Discover how gratitude and harvest celebrations unite cultures worldwide with these 10 fascinating international trivia questions!
Global Harvest Festival Trivia Questions
Question 71: When did Canada first celebrate Thanksgiving? (Hard)
Answer: 1578, when explorer Martin Frobisher held a ceremony in Newfoundland, 43 years before Plymouth.
Question 72: What's Germany's harvest festival called? (Medium)
Answer: Erntedankfest, celebrated on the first Sunday in October with church services and parades.
Question 73: Which Asian country celebrates "Labor Thanksgiving Day"? (Medium)
Answer: Japan celebrates Kinrō Kansha no Hi on November 23rd, honoring labor and production.
Question 74: What's the Korean harvest festival called? (Hard)
Answer: Chuseok, a three-day harvest festival often called "Korean Thanksgiving."
Question 75: Which African country celebrates the Homowo harvest festival? (Hard)
Answer: Ghana, where the Ga people celebrate Homowo to remember a historic famine.
Multicultural Thanksgiving in America Questions
Question 76: What percentage of Americans celebrate "Friendsgiving"? (Medium)
Answer: Nearly 40% of Americans now celebrate Friendsgiving, especially millennials and Gen Z.
Question 77: What's the most common non-traditional Thanksgiving main dish? (Medium)
Answer: Lasagna is increasingly popular, especially among Italian-American families, followed by tamales in Hispanic households.
Question 78: Which immigrant group introduced the tradition of Thanksgiving football? (Hard)
Answer: The tradition grew from college games, but professional Thanksgiving football was popularized in Detroit's diverse immigrant communities.
Question 79: What Native American food sovereignty movement has grown around Thanksgiving? (Hard)
Answer: The "Decolonize Your Plate" movement encourages eating indigenous foods and learning true Native American history.
Question 80: How many languages is "Happy Thanksgiving" commonly said in across America? (Hard)
Answer: Over 430 languages are spoken in American homes, with Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog being the most common after English.
How to Play Thanksgiving Trivia Game (Multiple Formats)
Transform these 80 questions into memorable entertainment with our versatile game formats suitable for every type of gathering!
Traditional In-Person Game Format
Gather your family around the table for classic trivia fun! Here's how to set up your game:
- Team Formation: Divide players into teams of 3-4 people, mixing ages for balanced competition
- Scoring System: Award 1 point for easy questions, 2 for medium, and 3 for hard difficulty
- Time Limits: Give teams 30 seconds for easy questions, 45 seconds for medium, and 60 seconds for hard
- Prize Ideas: Winner gets first pick of dessert, losers help with dishes, or small Thanksgiving-themed prizes
- Bonus Rounds: Double points for themed rounds like "Turkey Time" or "Pilgrim Power"
Pro Tip: Mix difficulty levels within each round to keep everyone engaged! Start with easier questions to build confidence, then gradually increase the challenge.
Virtual Thanksgiving Trivia for Zoom Parties
Connecting with family remotely? These virtual trivia tips will make your online gathering just as fun:
| Setup Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Screen Sharing | Share questions via presentation slides with festive backgrounds |
| Answer Collection | Use chat for written answers or polls for multiple choice |
| Breakout Rooms | Create team rooms for 2-minute discussion periods |
| Scoring Display | Keep a visible leaderboard using screen annotation tools |
| Engagement Boost | Use reactions for correct answers and virtual backgrounds for fun |
Thanksgiving Ice Breaker Questions for Work Events
Planning an office celebration? Keep it professional yet fun with these workplace-appropriate guidelines:
- Lunch-and-Learn Format: 30-minute sessions work perfectly during lunch breaks
- Department Teams: Encourage cross-department mingling by mixing up teams
- Appropriate Prizes: Gift cards, extra break time, or premium parking spots
- Inclusive Questions: Focus on historical facts and fun trivia rather than religious aspects
- Time Management: Keep it brief – 15-20 questions maximum for work events
Make Your 2025 Thanksgiving Unforgettable with Trivia Fun
You've found 80 awesome Thanksgiving trivia questions covering history, food, parades, and celebrations around the world — perfect for sparking laughs and great conversations at your 2025 table! Easy ones for kids, tough ones for adults, they turn any dinner (or Zoom call) into a fun game. Make memories, crown a trivia champ, and keep the gratitude flowing! (P.S. PatPat’s matching family pajamas are the cutest way to level up those cozy holiday photos!)
If you'd like to learn more about the origins, history, and tips of Thanksgiving, please visit [Thanksgiving 2025 Guide].
