Fall Foods
This squash, often associated with fall, is technically a fruit and features prominently in seasonal pies and lattes.
What is pumpkin? It's a type of winter squash, and its seeds are edible, too!
This country celebrates its version of Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October.
What is Canada? Canadian Thanksgiving predates the U.S. version and focuses on harvest rather than pilgrims.
Celebrated in November, this American holiday involves gratitude, turkey, and parades.
What is Thanksgiving? It commemorates a 1621 harvest feast shared by Pilgrims and Wampanoag people.
As leaves fall in autumn, many people do this chore in their yards.
What is raking? It helps keep lawns healthy and is sometimes turned into play when kids jump in the piles.
Leaves change color in the fall when this green pigment breaks down.
What is chlorophyll? As it fades, other pigments like carotenoids (yellow) and anthocyanins (red) become visible.
This Nat King Cole song begins, “The falling leaves drift by the window…”
What is “Autumn Leaves”? Originally a French song, it became a jazz standard in English.
This warm beverage is made by simmering apples with spices like cinnamon and cloves. It's a popular drink at fall festivals.
What is mulled apple cider? Cider is often served warm and spiced, especially in cooler months.
In Japan, this fall tradition involves admiring the changing leaves, especially the red maple.
What is Momijigari? It translates to “maple leaf hunting” and is similar to cherry blossom viewing in spring.
This spooky October holiday has roots in ancient Celtic traditions like Samhain.
What is Halloween? Originally a pagan festival marking the end of harvest and beginning of winter.
This activity involves picking fruit from trees, often at a family-owned orchard.
What is apple picking? It’s a traditional fall outing, especially in the northeastern U.S.
After fall, this season begins in the northern hemisphere.
What is winter? It officially starts on the winter solstice, around December 21st.
This Peanuts character famously waits in the pumpkin patch for a mythical figure every Halloween.
Who is Linus? He believes in the Great Pumpkin in the classic TV special.
These nuts are often roasted and associated with holiday songs, especially in colder weather.
What are chestnuts? Popularized by the line "chestnuts roasting on an open fire," they were once a staple crop in America.
This famous German festival, held in late September and early October, involves beer, traditional foods, and folk music.
What is Oktoberfest? It originated in 1810 in Munich to celebrate a royal wedding.
Observed on November 11, this U.S. holiday honors all those who served in the armed forces.
What is Veterans Day? It was originally called Armistice Day to mark the end of WWI in 1918.
This carved fruit, lit with candles, originated from an Irish folktale about Stingy Jack.
What is a jack-o'-lantern? The original lanterns were made from turnips before pumpkins became popular in America.
Many animals do this in the fall to prepare for colder months, such as storing food or flying south.
What is migration or gathering? Birds migrate, and squirrels gather nuts for winter storage.
This romantic 1998 movie, starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, is set in the fall and centers around emails.
What is You've Got Mail? Set in New York during fall, it’s a cozy rom-com favorite.
This spice blend, not an actual fruit, includes cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. It's a fall favorite in drinks and desserts.
What is pumpkin spice? Despite the name, it contains no pumpkin — just the spices traditionally used in pumpkin pie.
On November 5th in the UK, this holiday commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
What is Guy Fawkes Night? Celebrated with bonfires and fireworks, it marks the capture of Guy Fawkes.
This Jewish holiday, meaning “head of the year,” usually falls in September or October.
What is Rosh Hashanah? It begins the Jewish High Holy Days and includes symbolic foods like apples and honey.
A fall tradition where you try to find your way through a puzzle made out of tall crops.
What is a corn maze? Popular at farms and fall festivals, they can range from easy to very complex.
This tilt of the Earth is the reason for seasonal changes, including fall.
What is the axial tilt? Earth is tilted about 23.5 degrees, affecting sunlight distribution.
This 1962 Tony Bennett song references a month associated with fall romance.
What is “September Song”? The lyrics metaphorically compare aging to the months of the year.
This root vegetable, rich in beta-carotene, is often roasted or mashed and was a Native American staple food.
What is sweet potato? It’s often confused with yams, but they're botanically different.
This festival, celebrated across East Asia in the fall, honors the moon and harvest with lanterns and mooncakes.
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival? Celebrated in China, Vietnam, and more, it's one of the most important holidays in many cultures.
Celebrated in Mexico and parts of Latin America, this early-November holiday honors the dead with altars and offerings.
What is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)? It combines Aztec and Catholic traditions to celebrate ancestors.
These decorative figures, dressed in old clothes and stuffed with straw, were originally used to protect crops.
What are scarecrows? They date back to ancient Egypt and were designed to scare away birds.
This type of wind, often cool and brisk, is common in fall and can spread falling leaves across neighborhoods.
What are autumn breezes (or winds)? These are typical as high and low pressure systems shift during the season.
This 1946 film by Alfred Hitchcock includes scenes set in a small Vermont town during fall.
What is The Trouble with Harry? A dark comedy with beautiful fall scenery and a mysterious body.