50 Thanksgiving Trivia Questions for Kids (Fun + Educational!)
Looking for Thanksgiving trivia questions for kids? This list of 50 fun and educational questions includes 20 easy ones for little kids and 30 for older kids—perfect for classrooms or family gatherings!
Thanksgiving is a time for delicious food, good company, and meaningful traditions. But it’s also a fun way to learn about history, culture, and even some quirky facts that make this national holiday so special!
Whether you’re a teacher looking for easy Thanksgiving trivia questions for your students, a parent planning a Thanksgiving quiz after Thanksgiving dinner, or just want to impress everyone with your knowledge of turkey trivia questions, this list of Thanksgiving trivia questions for kids is a great place to start.
We’ve divided the questions into two sections:
- 20 Easy Questions for Little Kids
- 30 More Challenging Questions for Older Kids
In this article you’ll find the full list of questions, as well as the option to grab a free printable PDF version of this as well. Let’s get started!
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20 Easy Thanksgiving Trivia Questions for Little Kids
These questions are perfect for preschool and early elementary school kids (around ages 4–7). They’re fun, simple, and designed to spark curiosity about this annual Thanksgiving celebration.
What food do we usually eat on Thanksgiving?
→ Turkey
What sweet dessert is made with orange squash and spices?
→ Pumpkin pie
What red jelly is served with turkey?
→ Cranberry sauce
What do you call the day after Thanksgiving when people go shopping?
→ Black Friday
What month is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States?
→ November
What color are most Thanksgiving turkeys?
→ Brown
What animal goes “gobble gobble”?
→ Turkey
What parade happens in New York City every Thanksgiving morning?
→ Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
What do you call the leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner?
→ Thanksgiving leftovers
What orange vegetable is sometimes baked with marshmallows?
→ Sweet potatoes
What do people do around the dinner table on Thanksgiving?
→ Give thanks
What do you call the long red piece on a turkey’s neck?
→ Wobbly red piece of flesh (also called a wattle!)
Who is Snoopy’s best friend in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving?
→ Woodstock
What sound does a turkey make?
→ Gobble gobble!
What do we call Thanksgiving in Canada, celebrated in October?
→ Thanksgiving Day (but it’s on the second Monday of October)
Where does Santa appear at the end of the parade in New York?
→ At the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Which bird is known for having feathers and a big tail?
→ Turkey
Is Thanksgiving a national holiday in the U.S.?
→ Yes!
What do we call the big meal eaten on Thanksgiving?
→ Thanksgiving dinner or Thanksgiving meal
What cartoon boy has trouble with his Thanksgiving in a famous special?
→ Charlie Brown
30 More Challenging Thanksgiving Trivia Questions for Bigger Kids
These questions are great for ages 8 and up. They dig into history, pop culture, and interesting facts that even some adults might not know. They’re ideal for middle school, family fun nights, or a holiday team-building event.
Which Native American tribe helped the Pilgrims during the first Thanksgiving feast?
→ Wampanoag
Which U.S. state was the location of the very first Thanksgiving celebration?
→ Massachusetts (Plymouth Colony)
What is the name of the ship the Pilgrims sailed on?
→ The Mayflower
Which U.S. President made Thanksgiving a federal holiday?
→ President Abraham Lincoln
Which President was the first to issue a Thanksgiving proclamation?
→ George Washington
Which U.S. President refused to make Thanksgiving a holiday?
→ Thomas Jefferson
Who is called the “Mother of Thanksgiving” for helping make it a national holiday?
→ Sarah Josepha Hale
What day of the week is Thanksgiving celebrated in the U.S.?
→ The fourth Thursday of November
Which U.S. President started the tradition of “pardoning” a turkey?
→ George H.W. Bush (though JFK also spared a turkey first)
What’s the name of the red bit that hangs from the top of a turkey’s beak?
→ Snood
Which two NFL teams almost always play on Thanksgiving Day?
→ Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys
Where is the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade held?
→ Philadelphia
Which city is home to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
→ New York City
What year did Macy’s first hold their Thanksgiving parade?
→ 1924
Which parade is also called “America’s Thanksgiving Parade”?
→ The one held in Detroit, Michigan
What traditional green side dish was invented in 1955 for a soup company ad?
→ Green bean casserole
What song by Adam Sandler became a funny Thanksgiving classic?
→ “The Thanksgiving Song”
Which Thanksgiving dessert is often confused with Halloween pumpkin treats?
→ Pumpkin pie
What was the purpose of the first Thanksgiving celebration?
→ To give thanks for a good harvest feast
What is the name of the rock where the Pilgrims supposedly landed?
→ Plymouth Rock
Which country celebrates Thanksgiving on a different day—the second Monday of October?
→ Canada
What was the name of the Native American man who helped teach the Pilgrims to farm?
→ Squanto
What U.S. state raises the most turkeys each year?
→ North Carolina
What do male turkeys do to attract females?
→ Puff up feathers and fan their tails
What organization provides turkey facts and recipes each year?
→ National Turkey Federation
What hotline helps people cook turkeys each Thanksgiving?
→ Butterball Turkey Hotline
Which U.S. President joked that Thanksgiving was really invented to sell more turkeys?
→ Ronald Reagan
What’s the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as turkeys?
→ Over 661 people in the U.S.
What event is held in Plymouth each year as a response to Thanksgiving?
→ National Day of Mourning
Which famous poem begins “Mary had a little lamb”—and was written by the same woman who pushed for Thanksgiving to become a holiday?
→ Sarah Josepha Hale
Tips for Using These Thanksgiving Trivia Questions
Thanksgiving Trivia for kids can be used in so many ways! Here are a few of other favorites:
- Use them around the Thanksgiving table for a laugh before dessert.
- Turn them into a classroom Thanksgiving quiz or game show!
- Assign each holiday season guest a few trivia cards for a fun icebreaker.
- Add a few to your conversation with your kids while making Thanksgiving crafts
- Turn incorrect answers into teachable moments about Native Americans, the first Thanksgiving feast and how traditions have evolved.
Not only is trivia a fun way to celebrate, Thanksgiving trivia is also a great learning tool. It opens the door to meaningful discussions about:
- The history of Thanksgiving and the native American tribes involved
- The impact of colonialism, including the national day of mourning
- Changing traditions, from Black Friday to football games
- Historical figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and President Abraham Lincoln
- The interesting facts and food history of things like green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce
It’s also a great way to blend social studies and history with holiday excitement, even for the littlest learners.
Get the Printable Easy Thanksgiving Trivia Questions
Grab a printable copy of the kids Thanksgiving trivia questions and each correct answer shared above. In this READY TO PRINT digital file are 50 fun Thanksgiving trivia questions divided them into two sections:
- Thanksgiving Trivia for Little Kids (super easy general knowledge)
- Thanksgiving Trivia for Older Kids and Teens (includes more challenging questions)
Unlike some other versions of this free printable Thanksgiving trivia game, our questions don’t repeat, so there are 50 unique questions spread across all two collections.
The file is in an easy to access PDF format that you can print with your home printer or in any local or online print shop. I recommend printing this on plain white paper, but you can also use construction paper, cardstock or another type of thick paper. You can print this file out again and again too!
This collection of Thanksgiving trivia is free for you to use, but ONLY for personal use. Enter your information below to gain access to the free download, and the free printable game will be sent to your email address immediately.
You might also enjoy these Thanksgiving posts:
Adorable Thanksgiving Turkey Handprint Poem Printable
Free Printable Thanksgiving Activity Book for Toddlers
Final Thoughts: The Best Thanksgiving Trivia Questions for Kids
Whether you’re planning an educational activity or just want a break between courses, this list of Thanksgiving trivia questions for kids is the perfect way to celebrate. From easy questions for little kids to surprising facts for older kids, you’re guaranteed to spark some laughter, learning and maybe even a little competition.
📌 Save this list, print it out, or use it as a jumping-off point for your own Thanksgiving traditions!
