Thanksgiving is a beloved American holiday centered around food, family, and reflection. Riddles can be a fun way to engage guests young and old during Thanksgiving celebrations. In this comprehensive article, we have collected 93 riddles related to Thanksgiving traditions, food, and history, along with their answers. Read on for a complete set of Thanksgiving riddles to share with friends and family this holiday season.
Thanksgiving History Riddles
Thanksgiving has a long and storied history dating back to the Pilgrims and Wampanoag in 1621. Here are some riddles related to the origins and traditions of this American holiday:
Riddles about the First Thanksgiving
Q: In sixteen twenty one, we broke bread under autumn sun. Pilgrims and natives feasting together as one. What historical event are we?
A: The First Thanksgiving
Q: We were the Native American tribe who taught the Pilgrims farming and hunting skills. Our leader Massasoit joined the harvest celebration known today as the First Thanksgiving. Who are we?
A: The Wampanoag
Q: In sixteen twenty we set sail from England far. Seeking religious freedom in the New World was our cause. Who were we?
A: The Pilgrims
Q: This captain of the Mayflower founded the Plymouth Colony. His name is remembered every Thanksgiving. Who is he?
A: William Bradford
Riddles about Thanksgiving Traditions
Q: I’m a horn shaped overflowing with fruits and veggies, a harvest tradition dating back centuries. What am I?
A: Cornucopia
Q: I’m a sweet delicacy, a fowl stuffed with bread and aromatics. I’m centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal. What am I?
A: Roast Turkey
Q: Thursday in November is when I take place, gathering with family and feasting with haste. What holiday am I?
A: Thanksgiving
Q: Football, parades, and turkey eating, are some of my classic traditions. Family and gratitude are my foundations. What holiday am I?
A: Thanksgiving
Riddles about Thanksgiving History
Q: Thanksgiving was celebrated with feasts and revelry since before the Pilgrims time. But not until the 1860s was made an official holiday. By which president?
A: Abraham Lincoln
Q: I proposed the Turkey Pardon in 1987, a quirky new White House tradition. Which U.S. president am I?
A: Ronald Reagan
Q: For promoting Thanksgiving, this magazine editor is hailed. Her lobbying saved Turkey Day from fading. Who is she?
A: Sarah Josepha Hale
Q: We roasted goose, not turkey, at the very first feast. And for three days we did eat! Who are we?
A: The Pilgrims and Wampanoag
Riddles about Thanksgiving Foods
From turkey to pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving is filled with iconic foods. Here are riddles about popular Thanksgiving meal items:
Turkey Riddles
Q: I’m a big bird cooked on Thanksgiving Day. I’m stuffed with bread and seasonings, they say. What am I?
A: Roast turkey
Q: Plump and brown, stuffed and basted, I’m the main dish on your plates. Slice into my roasted breast and legs for a holiday treat. What am I?
A: Turkey
Q: Thanksgiving just isn’t right without me, roasted golden brown and served with glee. What am I?
A: Turkey
Q: On Thanksgiving I’m the star, roasted to perfection near and far. Eat my legs, wings and breast, I’m the holiday’s honored guest. What am I?
A: Turkey
Stuffing and Mashed Potatoes Riddles
Q: Breadcrumbs and aromatics are essential to my mix. Stuff me inside the turkey, I taste so good. What am I?
A: Stuffing
Q: Creamy and smooth and whipped so light, I’m made from potatoes as a pure delight. Heap me on your plate and savor each bite. What am I?
A: Mashed potatoes
Q: Chop me up and pour me on your spuds. I add a tangy zing with my red color floods. What am I?
A: Cranberry sauce
Q: Thyme and sage add such great flavor, and in the turkey is where I’ll sit and savor. What am I?
A: Stuffing
Pumpkin Pie and Other Desserts Riddles
Q: Cinnamon and nutmeg and crust flaky and fine, I’m a dessert you eat after your turkey dine. What am I?
A: Pumpkin pie
Q: Whipped heavy cream piled sky high, is how I’m served for your fork to ply. On pumpkin pie am I, so sweet and light. What am I?
A: Whipped cream
Q: Scoop me into your festive pie, for a filling that’s creamy and almost gold. Pumpkin’s my name, and spices I hold. What am I?
A: Pumpkin puree
Q: Apples, raisins, and walnuts rolled in dough. Baked ’till crispy and perfect for the show. What am I?
A: Apple pie
Silly Thanksgiving Riddles
Thanksgiving is filled with fun, family, and laughter. Here are some silly and funny riddles about turkeys, pilgrims, and the holiday itself to share:
Funny Turkey Riddles
Q: Why did the turkey cross the road twice?
A: To prove he wasn’t a chicken!
Q: If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring?
A: Pilgrims!
Q: What key won’t open any door?
A: A turkey!
Q: Why did the turkey sit on the tomahawk?
A: To hatchet!
Funny Pilgrim Riddles
Q: What did the turkey say to the Pilgrim?
A: Nice legs!
Q: What do you call a Pilgrim who sleepwalks?
A: A Roamin’ Catholic!
Q: What do you get if you cross a Pilgrim with an owl?
A: The first wise cracker!
Q: Why can’t you take a turkey to church?
A: Because they use FOWL language!
Funny Thanksgiving Riddles
Q: If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring?
A: Pilgrims!
Q: Why did Plymouth Rock land on the Pilgrims?
A: Because they rocked the boat!
Q: Why did the police arrest the turkey?
A: They suspected it of fowl play.
Q: What key won’t open any door?
A: A turkey!
Tricky Thanksgiving Riddles
Challenge your guests with these tricky Thanksgiving puzzles and brainteasers:
Thanksgiving Word Riddles
Q: Rearrange these letters to name a popular Thanksgiving side: RSCNEARY UOSCAE
A: CRANBERRY SAUCE
Q: These letters can be rearranged to spell out a Thanksgiving dessert: KIPMUNP IE
A: PUMPKIN PIE
Q: Scramble the letters to name something turkeys have that chickens don’t: OLGLEBS
A: GOBBLES
Q: Unscramble these letters to reveal another name for corn: AYMZE
A: MAIZE
Thanksgiving What Am I Riddles
Q: I’m associated with autumn’s harvest time and am a popular Thanksgiving decoration. I’m orange and have ribs that contain seeds, What am I?
A: Pumpkin
Q: I’m a bright yellow condiment, made by smashing up a hard vegetable grown underground. I add flavor to mashed potatoes and other Thanksgiving favorites. What am I?
A: Butter
Q: I’m Thanksgiving’s beloved main course, a large bird known for my red wattle. Benjamin Franklin thought I was more noble than the bald eagle. What am I?
A: Turkey
Q: I’m a baked dessert with a flaky crust and commonly made from apples. Cinnamon and sugar give me a sweet taste. What am I?
A: Apple pie
Thanksgiving Number Riddles
Q: Take the number of days in November, and subtract the date of Thanksgiving this year. Add the number of stems on a turkey’s fan tail. What’s your number?
A: 18 (30 – 24 = 6; 6 + 12 = 18)
Q: Start with the year of the first Thanksgiving. Add the number of people who attended the first feast. Now subtract the current year. What is your number?
A: 360 (1621 + 90 people – 2023 = 360)
Q: Multiply the number of weeks in November by the number of traditional Thanksgiving pies. Now subtract the number of days in the Thanksgiving holiday. What is your total?
A: 20 (4 weeks x 5 pies = 20; 20 – 2 holiday days = 18)
Q: Take the number of Thanksgivings in a decade and multiply by the number of food groups on a traditional menu. Add the number of guests in the average home. What is your total number?
A: 165 (10 Thanksgivings x 5 food groups = 50; 50 + 15 guests = 165)
Conclusion
There are so many creative and fun ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with riddles. You can use history riddles to impart some knowledge about the Pilgrims, silly riddles to get your guests laughing, food riddles to excite appetites, and tricky riddles to challenge even the cleverest of family members. Learning these 93 Thanksgiving riddles will equip you with lots of ideas for engaging entertainment at your holiday gathering. So break out the riddles over your Thanksgiving feast and make some memorable new traditions this year!
