Thanksgiving Trivia Questions
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting, but it’s also the perfect occasion to bring a little fun and learning to the table. What better way to spice up your gathering than with some Thanksgiving trivia? Whether you’re looking to break the ice, entertain your guests, or challenge their knowledge, these Thanksgiving trivia questions with answers will do the trick. From the history of the holiday to fun facts about turkey day traditions, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. So, grab a slice of pie, gather around, and let the trivia games begin!
45 Thanksgiving-themed icebreaker questions, along with answers to get the conversation started.
1. What was the original name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America?
Answer: The Mayflower
2. In which year did the Pilgrims celebrate the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: 1621
3. Which U.S. state is known for producing the most turkeys?
Answer: Minnesota
4. Which president made Thanksgiving a national holiday?
Answer: Abraham Lincoln
5. What is the day after Thanksgiving commonly called?
Answer: Black Friday
6. How long did the first Thanksgiving feast last?
Answer: Three days
7. What is the most popular Thanksgiving side dish in America?
Answer: Mashed potatoes
8. Which Native American tribe helped the Pilgrims during the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: The Wampanoag tribe
9. What was the first balloon character in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Answer: Felix the Cat
10. What meat did the Native Americans bring to the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: Deer (venison)
11. What is the name of the famous rock where the Pilgrims supposedly landed?
Answer: Plymouth Rock
12. Which U.S. president refused to declare Thanksgiving a holiday?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson
13. What was the original purpose of Thanksgiving for the Pilgrims?
Answer: To give thanks for the harvest and survival
14. How many turkeys are prepared for Thanksgiving in America each year?
Answer: Approximately 46 million
15. What is a male turkey called?
Answer: A tom
16. Which pie is most commonly associated with Thanksgiving?
Answer: Pumpkin pie
17. How many feathers does a full-grown turkey have?
Answer: About 5,000 to 6,000 feathers
18. What is a female turkey called?
Answer: A hen
19. Which city hosts the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the U.S.?
Answer: Philadelphia
20. What fruit is a traditional Thanksgiving decoration?
Answer: Cranberries
21. What is the wobbly red piece of flesh on top of the beak of a turkey called?
Answer: Snood
22. Which state was the first to officially adopt Thanksgiving as an annual holiday?
Answer: New York
23. Which part of the turkey is saved and snapped as a superstitious good luck custom?
Answer: The wishbone
24. What popular board game was inspired by Thanksgiving?
Answer: Monopoly (created during the Great Depression, which was seen as a time to be thankful)
25. What is the name of the day where Americans eat the most food?
Answer: Thanksgiving Day
26. How many Pilgrims were at the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: About 50
27. What is the heaviest turkey on record?
Answer: 86 pounds
28. What Thanksgiving dish has a disputed history involving marshmallows?
Answer: Sweet potato casserole
29. Which Native American was instrumental in helping the Pilgrims survive?
Answer: Squanto
30. What is the most common way to cook a turkey on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Roasting
31. What are baby turkeys called?
Answer: Poults
32. Which president was the first to officially pardon a turkey?
Answer: George H. W. Bush
33. What is the name of the horn-shaped basket often used as a symbol of Thanksgiving?
Answer: Cornucopia
34. What Thanksgiving treat did the Pilgrims not have at the first feast?
Answer: Pumpkin pie (no ovens or sugar)
35. What are the two NFL teams that traditionally play on Thanksgiving Day?
Answer: Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys
36. Which state grows the most sweet potatoes, a common Thanksgiving dish?
Answer: North Carolina
37. How fast can a wild turkey run?
Answer: Up to 20 miles per hour
38. What was the first department store to hold a Thanksgiving parade?
Answer: Gimbels
39. What percentage of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Answer: Approximately 88%
40. Which president moved Thanksgiving up a week to extend the holiday shopping season?
Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt
41. What is the name of the famous shopping day that falls after Thanksgiving?
Answer: Black Friday
42. What Native American food was probably not on the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving menu?
Answer: Popcorn
43. What is the average weight of a Thanksgiving turkey?
Answer: 15 pounds
44. Which president officially made Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November?
Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt
45. What unusual method has become popular for cooking Thanksgiving turkeys in recent years?
Answer: Deep frying
Thanksgiving trivia is a fantastic way to add some extra flavor to your holiday celebrations. It’s not just about testing knowledge; it’s about bringing people together, sparking conversations, and maybe even learning something new. Whether you use these questions to kick off the festivities or to keep the energy going after the feast, they’re sure to be a hit with guests of all ages. So, as you reflect on all that you’re thankful for this year, don’t forget to sprinkle in some fun with these Thanksgiving trivia questions. Happy Thanksgiving, and may your holiday be filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of great memories!
