Winter in the Wild
How thick does ice need to be to walk on?
A) 2 inches
B) 4 inches
C) 5 inches
D) 6 inches
B) 4 inches
Fun fact! Clear, solid ice is stronger than cloudy ice — cloudy ice can be dangerous even at the same thickness.
Which of the following holidays is celebrated during the winter solstice in many cultures?
A) Yule
B) Diwali
C) Holi
D) Beltane
A) Yule
Fun fact! Yule celebrations influenced many modern Christmas traditions, including evergreen decorations.
In “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, how many sizes larger does the Grinch’s heart grow?
3 sizes larger
Fun Fact! Cindy Lou Who was inspired by Dr. Seuss’s own daughter, who was around her age when he wrote the story.
Which sport involves racing down an ice track on a small sled while lying face-up?
Luge
Fun Fact! Luge athletes can reach speeds over 80mph, making it one of the fastest - and most dangerous - winter sports
Which of the following is an official birthstone for December?
A) Alexandrite
B) Turquoise
C) Sapphire
D) Peridot
B)Turquoise!
Fun Fact: December actually has 3 birthstones - turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon
How long do grizzly bears hibernate in the winter?
A) 2–3 months
B) 4–5 months
C) Up to 7 months
D) Up to 9 months
C) Up to 7 months
Fun fact! During hibernation, a grizzly bear’s heart rate can drop from about 40 beats per minute to just 8.
Which fruit is a traditional ingredient used to make a Christmas pudding?
A) Currants
B) Cranberries
C) Oranges
D) Apples
A) Currants
Fun Fact! Currants, raisins, and other dried fruits are soaked in brandy to make the pudding moist and flavorful.
Which traditional Christmas hymn concludes the animated special A Charlie Brown Christmas?
A) Silent Night
B) O Come All Ye Faithful
C) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
D) Joy to the World
C) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Fun Fact! The Peanuts all perform this carol at the end after decorating Charlie Brown’s tiny Christmas tree.
Which new sport was added to the 2026 Winter Olympics?
A) Ski Mountaineering
B) Snowball Fighting
C) Ice Dancing
D) Curling
A) Ski Mountaineering
Fun Fact! Ski mountaineering has been practiced for centuries in the Alps as a means of winter travel, not just a sport.
What is the medical term for an irrational fear of snow?
A) Cryophobia
B) Hiemophobia
C) Glaciophobia
D) Chionophobia
D) Chionophobia
Fun Fact! “Chion” is the Greek word for snow — the same root used in many winter-related terms.
Which plant is commonly harvested in the winter?
A) Juniper
B) Rowan
C)Cranberry
D) Marionberry
A) Juniper
Fun Fact! Juniper “berries” aren’t true berries — they’re actually cones, and they’re what give gin its signature flavor.
What type of bread is traditionally baked in Sweden during December, often flavored with saffron?
A) Vetebrod
B) Lussekatter
C) Kanelbullar
D) Fattigmann
B) Lussekatter
Fun Fact! Lussekatter, or “Lucia buns,” are eaten on St. Lucia’s Day (December 13).
What was the name of the misfit elf who befriends Rudolph in the 1964 stop-motion special?
A) Jingle
B) Hermey
C) Buddy
D) Nibs
B) Hermey
Fun fact! Hermey wanted to be a dentist instead of making toys
$600 - Where were the first Winter Olympics held?
A) St. Moritz, Switzerland
B) Oslo, Norway
C) Innsbruck, Austria
D) Chamonix, France
D) Chamonix, France
Fun fact! The 1924 Winter Olympics were originally called “International Winter Sports Week” and only later recognized as the first official Winter Games.
In 1980, the best selling christmas toy was what?
A) Rubik’s cube
B) Etch a Sketch
C) Cabbage Patch Kids
D) Legos
D) Rubik's Cube
Fun Fact! Back then, it was going for $1.99 and today it retails for approximately $10
Which animal can survive being frozen solid in the winter and thaw out alive in spring?
A) Painted turtle
B) Wood frog
C) European hedgehog
D) American toad
B) The wood frog
Fun Fact! Wood frogs can stop breathing and let up to 70% of their body water freeze, protecting their cells with natural antifreeze chemicals.
In Scandinavian folklore, which creature is said to guard farms during winter and bring good luck if treated well?
A) Krampus
B) Brownie
C) Baba Yaga
D) Nisse
D) Nisse
Fun Fact! Farmers would leave porridge out for the nisse to ensure a safe and prosperous winter. Each nisse has its own mischievous personality, like Sausage-Swiper or Spoon-Licker.
Which Hollywood star performed multiple characters in the animated film The Polar Express?
A) Tom Hanks
B) Tim Allen
C) Robin Williams
D) Jim Carrey
A) Tom Hanks!
Fun fact! He performed six roles using motion capture, including the Conductor and Santa Claus.
In ice skating, what is the difference between a “toe loop” and a “loop jump”?
A toe loop uses the toe pick of the skate to launch, while a loop jump takes off from the edge without the toe pick
Fun fact! The toe loop is often the first jump skaters learn, while the loop jump is considered much harder because it takes off from one foot without assistance.
Poinsettias are the national emblem of what nation?
A) Mexico
B) Guatemala
C) Colombia
D) Spain
A) Mexico
Fun Fact! They’re called Flor de Nochebuena in Spanish, meaning “Christmas Eve flower.
Which Arctic animal has the warmest fur in the world?
Arctic fox
The Arctic fox’s fur changes color with the seasons and provides incredible insulation — it’s the warmest of any land mammal.
The roots of the strange modern tradition of the “Christmas Pickle” ornament in the U.S. has been attributed to this country.
Germany
Fun Fact! In America, legend has it that the Christmas Pickle is a very old German tradition. The pickle is the last ornament to be hung on the Christmas tree and then the first child to find the pickle gets an extra present. However, most people in Germany have never heard of the Christmas Pickle!
In Home Alone, what does Kevin say when he’s setting up traps to protect his house?
“Keep the change, ya filthy animal.”
Fun Fact! This line is actually from a fictional gangster movie within the film called Angels with Filthy Souls. It’s one of the most memorable quotes in Christmas movie history!
In curling, what is the name of the target area that players aim for?
The house
Fun fact! The very center of the house is called the button, and shots are often judged by how close a stone is to it.
In 1836, the first US state to recognize Christmas as a state holiday was which?
Alabama
Fun Fact! Arkansas and Louisiana followed suit, but it wasn't until 1870 that President Grant declared Christmas a national holiday.