Thanksgiving is more than turkey, pumpkin pie, and the great post-dinner nap. It’s also one of the best times of the year to gather everyone—kids, parents, grandparents, cousins you only see once a year—for a fun game night at home.
And what game never fails?
Thanksgiving Trivia!
Whether you're hosting a cozy family dinner or planning a big Friendsgiving celebration, these 80 fun trivia questions will keep everyone entertained between the feasts, football, and family stories you’ve heard a hundred times.
Ready to find out who actually knows the real origin of Thanksgiving… and who only remembers that one time Uncle Bob dropped the turkey? Let’s dive in!
How to Play: Quick Instructions
You can use these trivia questions in multiple ways—choose the one that fits your family vibe:
- Classic Q&A – Ask questions out loud and compete for points.
- Team Battle – Kids vs. Adults, East Coast vs. West Coast, or Turkey Lovers vs. Pie People.
- Timer Mode – See who can answer fastest.
- Pass-the-Phone Mode – Perfect for families who want a zero-prep game.
No matter which mode you choose, these questions are designed to be kid-friendly, family-safe, fun, and easy to host.
Section A: Easy Thanksgiving Trivia (Perfect for Kids & Warm-Ups)
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What month is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States?
November -
Which bird is most commonly associated with Thanksgiving dinner?
Turkey -
What pie flavor is most popular at Thanksgiving?
Pumpkin pie -
What is the day after Thanksgiving called?
Black Friday -
Which U.S. city is famous for its Thanksgiving Day Parade?
New York City (Macy’s Parade) -
What sauce made from berries is a Thanksgiving staple?
Cranberry sauce -
Which season is Thanksgiving part of?
Fall / Autumn -
What do many families watch on TV after Thanksgiving dinner?
Football -
What meat can be eaten instead of turkey?
Ham (or sometimes chicken) -
What is the name of the famous parade balloon characters?
Snoopy, Pikachu, SpongeBob and more -
What do people often say they are thankful for?
Family, friends, health -
What is the color of most Thanksgiving decorations?
Orange, brown, yellow -
What do kids sometimes make for Thanksgiving crafts?
Handprint turkeys -
What dessert is made with apples?
Apple pie -
What vegetable is used to make mashed potatoes?
Potatoes
Section B: Medium-Level Thanksgiving Trivia (For Teens & Adults)
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Which president declared Thanksgiving a national holiday?
Abraham Lincoln -
What year was the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held?
1924 -
What Native American tribe celebrated the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims?
The Wampanoag Tribe -
What ship brought the Pilgrims to America?
The Mayflower -
How many days did the first Thanksgiving feast last?
Three days -
What meat did the Pilgrims probably eat instead of turkey?
Deer (venison) -
What sport has been played on Thanksgiving since the 1870s?
Football -
Which department store hosted the first parade?
Macy’s -
Which U.S. president began the tradition of pardoning a turkey?
John F. Kennedy (popularized), George H.W. Bush (officially made annual) -
What is the name of the rock where the Pilgrims landed?
Plymouth Rock -
What large balloon made the earliest Macy’s parade appearances?
Felix the Cat -
What side dish is made with bread cubes and herbs?
Stuffing (or dressing) -
Which U.S. state raises the most turkeys?
Minnesota -
What year did Thanksgiving become permanently the fourth Thursday of November?
1941 -
What sauce is sometimes made “whole berry” style?
Cranberry sauce -
Which Thanksgiving food did TV character Joey Tribbiani famously love?
Turkey (Friends) -
What common nut is used in Thanksgiving pies?
Pecans -
Why do some families break the turkey wishbone?
To make a wish -
What vegetable dish often includes marshmallows?
Sweet potato casserole -
What drink is often served warm with spices during Thanksgiving?
Apple cider
Section C: Hard Thanksgiving Trivia (For Trivia Pros & Competitive Families)
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Which U.S. president attempted to move Thanksgiving a week earlier?
Franklin D. Roosevelt -
What was the original purpose of the Macy’s Parade?
To advertise the store for the holiday season -
What was the original balloon material used for parade balloons?
Rubber -
How many millions of turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving each year?
Roughly 46 million -
Which European country celebrates a holiday similar to Thanksgiving?
The Netherlands (Leiden Thanksgiving) -
What was the Pilgrims’ first winter survival rate?
About half -
Which founding father wanted the turkey as the national bird?
Benjamin Franklin -
What percentage of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Around 88% -
Which side dish did NOT exist at the first Thanksgiving: stuffing, mashed potatoes, or cranberry sauce?
Mashed potatoes (no potatoes yet) -
What state was the first to adopt Thanksgiving as an annual holiday?
New York -
What holiday sandwich is made from leftover turkey and stuffing?
The Thanksgiving leftover sandwich -
What year did TV football become a Thanksgiving tradition?
1934 (Detroit Lions) -
Which tribe taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn?
The Wampanoag Tribe -
What ingredient is often used for pie crusts besides flour?
Butter (or shortening) -
Which U.S. state was the first location for the Pilgrims’ settlement?
Massachusetts -
What modern Thanksgiving staple wasn’t introduced until the 1800s?
Pumpkin pie as we know it today -
What 1950s kitchen appliance made Thanksgiving cooking easier?
The electric oven -
Which U.S. president received a live turkey as a gift, accidentally starting the “pardon” tradition?
Harry Truman -
When did pumpkin spice become a mainstream fall trend?
Early 2000s -
What Native American food technique influenced Thanksgiving cooking?
Corn grinding and cornmeal recipes
Section D: Funny Thanksgiving Trivia (Because Your Family Needs a Laugh)
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What sound does a turkey make?
“Gobble gobble!” -
What do you call a turkey on the day before Thanksgiving?
Lucky -
If a turkey played baseball, what would it get?
“Fowl” balls -
What do turkeys use to clean themselves?
A feather duster (of course!) -
Why did the turkey join the band?
It had drumsticks -
What’s a turkey’s favorite dessert?
Peach gobbler -
What do you call the turkey at a family dinner who tells jokes?
A “comed-hen” -
Why did the pie go to therapy?
It felt “crumby” -
What's a pumpkin's favorite sport?
Squash -
Why don’t turkeys use the internet?
Too many “cookies”
Section E: Extra Questions to Reach the Big 80
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What year did the first Friendsgiving meme appear?
2000s -
What U.S. state produces the most pumpkins?
Illinois -
What parade balloon has appeared the most times?
Snoopy -
Which pie is sometimes topped with toasted pecans?
Sweet potato pie -
Where was the first-ever Thanksgiving NFL game played?
Detroit -
What kitchen tool is essential for carving a turkey?
Carving knife -
What grain did the Pilgrims rely on most?
Corn -
Which pie is made with syrup and nuts?
Pecan pie -
Which vegetable is commonly canned for casseroles?
Green beans -
What topping is used in green bean casserole?
Fried onions -
What holiday movie starts right after the Macy's parade?
Miracle on 34th Street -
Which state grows the most sweet potatoes?
North Carolina -
What utensil do you not need for turkey?
A spoon -
What do you call the turkey’s “beard”?
A snood -
How long should a turkey rest after cooking?
20–30 minutes
With 80 fun, family-friendly trivia questions, you now have everything you need to turn Thanksgiving 2025 into a night full of laughs, friendly competition, and maybe a little bragging rights for whoever takes the trivia crown.
After a fun night of Thanksgiving trivia, why not keep the celebration going with some adorable outfits for the whole family? From cozy baby clothes and playful toddler clothes to stylish kids clothes and matching family sets, PatPat has everything you need to dress your little ones (and yourself!) for the holidays. Shop now and make your family gatherings even more festive and memorable!
