Holidays and Traditions
What's the name of the holiday some countries celebrate on December 26th?
Boxing Day
On the day after Christmas, countries like England and Canada celebrate Boxing Day. It's a tradition that dates all the way back to when servants were given gifts in boxes.
What fast food restaurant is home to the Golden Arches?
McDonalds
Since 1955, McDonald's has been an American favorite. The yellow glowing "M" outside of each restaurant is called the Golden Arches.
What games used to be called Criss-Cross Words?
Scrabble
Alfred Butts created Scrabble in 1933 because he wanted to cheer people up during The Great Depression. The name was changed in 1948.
How many fingers does Mickey Mouse have on each hand?
4
Mickey Mouse has been around since 1928, and he's never had more than three fingers and one thumb on each hand.
Who is the president who chopped down a cherry tree and can be seen on the $1 bill?
George Washington
A lot of people think George Washington had wooden teeth, but they were real. Before becoming the first president, he was a surveyor.
How many reindeer does Santa have pulling his sleigh on Christmas Eve (including Rudolph)?
9
There are a total of 9 reindeer flying in front of Santa's sleigh. Rudolph always leads, but he's backed up by Donner, Dasher, Vixen, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Cupid, and Blitzen
What common name is given to vegetables that grow underground?
Root vegetables.
Vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and parsnips are sometimes called root vegetables. You are, in fact, eating the root of the plant.
What's the name of the famous bricks that snap together to build almost anything?
Legos
Since 1958, Lego bricks haven't changed at all. Every 2.8 seconds a set of Legos is sold around Christmastime.
Which "Toy Story" character was named after the second man to walk on the moon?
Buzz Lightyear
Buzz Lightyear's name was taken from Apollo 11 astronaut, Buzz Aldrin. He was enlisted to serve in Star Command on his home planet of Zurtron.
What is the name of the Civil Rights leader who is celebrated on January 18th?
Martin Luther King Jr.
During the 1960's, Martin Luther King Jr. brought great attention to the Civil Rights Movement. You may have heard his "I have a dream speech"
Which holiday bird does the US President pardon every year?
Turkey
Since 1989, it's been a White House tradition to pardon a turkey before Thanksgiving. The lucky turkey returns to the farm rather than becoming a meal.
What shape of pasta is usually used to make mac and cheese?
Elbow
There are over 360 million boxes of mac and cheese sold every year, and most of them are made with elbow shaped pasta.
"Left foot on red" is a direction in what game created in 1966?
Twister
When Twister was created, it was almost called Pretzel. The name was already taken, but it's grown into one of the world's favorite party games anyways.
What Sesame Street character loves to take baths with a rubber duck?
Ernie
Bert and Ernie have been part of Sesame Street since 1969 when it first aired. Ernie is the one that's famous for his "Rubber Duckie" song though.
Who is the famous female aviator who has never been found?
Amelia Earhart
Before Amelia Earhart was a pilot, she was a nurse's aid. No one knows what happened to her plane in 1937, but people are still searching for clues.
What is a pumpkin called once it gets carved for Halloween?
Jack o'lantern
During the Halloween season, over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are sold! While many are carved to become jack o'lanterns, some are used for decoration or pies.
Do you know what they call sausage and mashed potatoes in the United Kingdom?
Bangers and mash
In the UK, a mashed potato mountain topped with sausages is call bangers and mash. If you wanted bacon instead, it would be rashers and mash.
What game do you win when you land on the rainbow space?
Candy Land
If you can dodge the licorice spaces, it's easy to win Candy Land. It was created for polio patients in 1949.
With the long tusks and stubby nose, what kind of animal is Pumbaa?
Warthog
Although Pumbaa from "The Lion King" is voiced by a male actor, she is a female warthog. Her best friend Timon is a meerkat.
What is the name of the founding father who is rumored to have tied a key to a kite?
Benjamin Franklin
If you were holding money with Benjamin Franklin's face on it, you would have a $100 bill. He is best known for creating the lightning rod.
What is the name of the song that plays when the ball drops on New Year's Eve?
Auld Lang Syne
At the stroke of midnight, many people sing, "Auld Lang Syne". It marks the changing of years on our Gregorian calendar.
Aloo gobi, samosas, and tikki masala are all dishes from what country?
India
Filled with all sorts of spices, Indian food has become popular all over the world. There are 22 different languages there, so each food might have a different name.
What is the name of the board game with 100 squares and 10 snakes?
Chutes and Ladders.
During a game of Chutes and Ladders, you'll spin the wheel almost 40 times. If you go first, you have a 1% higher chance of winning.
What does the "cinder" part of Cinderella's name mean?
Ashes
Cinderella's name was taken from a word that means ashes. Her real name is Mary Beth Ella Gertrude.
What former president is often pictured wearing a top hat?
Abraham Lincoln
The 16th President of the US, Abraham Lincoln mostly taught himself everything he knew. You'll often hear him called by his nickname, Honest Abe.