Thanksgiving riddles for kids are a simple way to turn a regular holiday moment into a giggle-filled memory. Whether you’re waiting for dinner, riding in the car, or keeping kids busy while adults cook, riddles bring everyone together.

Even better, they help kids practice listening, thinking, and wordplay. So, instead of hearing “I’m bored,” you’ll hear “One more!” And honestly, that’s a win for everyone.

Why Thanksgiving Riddles Are Perfect for Kids

Thanksgiving is all about connection. However, long cooking times and crowded rooms can make kids restless.

That’s why riddles work so well. They’re quick, clean, and easy to share. Plus, they fit anywhere—at the table, in the classroom, or during a family game night.

Also, riddles are flexible. You can read them aloud, let kids take turns, or even turn them into a mini contest with small prizes.

How to Use These Riddles During Thanksgiving

Before you start, pick a fun way to play. For example, you can:

• Ask one riddle before each course

• Let kids “earn” dessert by answering a few

• Use them as place-card games at the table

• Put them in lunchbox notes for Thanksgiving week

Meanwhile, keep it light. If a riddle feels tricky, give a hint and move on. The goal is laughs, not pressure.

55 Thanksgiving Riddles for Kids (With Answers)

Turkey Riddles

1. What sound does a turkey’s phone make?
   Answer: Wing-wing!

2. Why did the turkey cross the road?
   Answer: To prove it wasn’t chicken.

3. What do you call a turkey the day after Thanksgiving?
   Answer: Lucky.

4. Why did the turkey join the band?
   Answer: Because it had drumsticks.

5. What’s a turkey’s favorite dessert?
   Answer: Peach gobbler.

6. What do you get when you cross a turkey with a ghost?
   Answer: A poultry-geist.

7. Why do turkeys never tell secrets?
   Answer: They always gobble them up.

8. What do turkeys wear to look fancy?
   Answer: Feather bow-ties.

9. What did the turkey say to the computer?
   Answer: “Google, google!”

10. What do you call a turkey who tells jokes?
    Answer: A comedi-hen… but on Thanksgiving, it’s a comedi-tom!

Food Riddles

11. What kind of music do pilgrims like?
    Answer: Plymouth Rock.

12. Why did the cranberry turn red?
    Answer: Because it saw the turkey dressing!

13. What has a crust and sleeps in the oven?
    Answer: A pie.

14. What is a pumpkin’s favorite sport?
    Answer: Squash.

15. Why did the mashed potatoes blush?
    Answer: They saw the gravy boat.

16. What do you call a sad pumpkin?
    Answer: A gourd-geous mess. (Okay, it’s a “blue gourd.”)

17. What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter?
    Answer: Pumpkin pi.

18. Why did the apple pie go to school?
    Answer: To become smarter a la mode.

19. What did one plate say to the other?
    Answer: “Dinner’s on me!”

20. What food always wins races?
    Answer: Fast food.

Thanksgiving Table Riddles

21. What has forks but no food?
    Answer: A pitchfork. (Or a road fork!)

22. What can you catch but not throw at dinner?
    Answer: A cold.

23. What has a neck but no head on Thanksgiving?
    Answer: A bottle.

24. What runs but never walks at the table?
    Answer: Water.

25. What has hands but cannot clap?
    Answer: A clock.

26. What can be served but never eaten?
    Answer: A volleyball. (Or tennis!)

27. What goes up when the rain comes down?
    Answer: An umbrella.

28. What has lots of teeth but can’t bite?
    Answer: A comb.

29. What is full of holes but still holds water?
    Answer: A sponge.

30. What begins with T, ends with T, and has T in it?
    Answer: A teapot.

Pilgrim and Harvest Riddles

31. What do you get when you cross a pilgrim with a turkey?
    Answer: A bird that’s thankful.

32. Why did the pilgrim’s candle stop working?
    Answer: It was burnt out.

33. What’s a pilgrim’s favorite kind of bread?
    Answer: “Mayflower” rolls.

34. What did the corn say to the butter?
    Answer: “You make everything better!”

35. What did one ear of corn say to the other?
    Answer: “I’m all ears.”

36. Why did the scarecrow get a prize?
    Answer: Because it was outstanding in its field.

37. What do you call a turkey on the farm who’s good at math?
    Answer: A feathered calcu-later.

38. What has leaves but isn’t a tree?
    Answer: A book.

39. What gets wetter the more it dries?
    Answer: A towel.

40. What has a head and a tail but no body?
    Answer: A coin.

Silly “What Am I?” Riddles

41. I’m orange, I’m round, and I might be a pie. What am I?
    Answer: Pumpkin.

42. I’m on the table, I’m sweet, and I have a crust. What am I?
    Answer: Pie.

43. I’m small, I’m red, and I pop at dinner. What am I?
    Answer: Cranberries.

44. I’m hot, I’m smooth, and I pour like a river. What am I?
    Answer: Gravy.

45. I’m fluffy, I’m white, and I love butter. What am I?
    Answer: Mashed potatoes.

46. I’m a bird, I’m famous in November, and I gobble. What am I?
    Answer: Turkey.

47. I’m a fruit, I’m served in a sauce, and I might be jiggly. What am I?
    Answer: Cranberry sauce.

48. I’m a veggie, I’m orange, and I crunch. What am I?
    Answer: Carrot.

49. I’m used to say thanks, and I warm hearts. What am I?
    Answer: Gratitude.

50. I’m a tradition, I’m loud, and I happen after dinner. What am I?
    Answer: Family laughter (or a game night!).

Quick Bonus Riddles

51. What do you call a running turkey?
    Answer: Fast food.

52. Why did the turkey sit on the drum?
    Answer: To make drumsticks.

53. What do you call Thanksgiving without turkey?
    Answer: A missed-steak.

54. What’s the best dance on Thanksgiving?
    Answer: The turkey trot.

55. Why did the chef break up with the stuffing?
    Answer: It was too clingy.

Tips to Make Riddles Even More Fun

First, pick kids who like to perform and let them “host” the riddles. That small job can make them feel proud.

Next, add movement. For instance, after every correct answer, everyone does one “turkey wobble” or a quick high-five chain.

Finally, keep the pace moving. If a riddle doesn’t land, smile and jump to the next one. After all, the fun is in the flow. Also, if you want more holiday fun afterward, check out these riddles for Christmas for another round of laughs.

FAQs

What age are Thanksgiving riddles best for?

Most of these Thanksgiving riddles for kids work well for ages 5–12. However, younger kids may need hints, and older kids may enjoy a timed challenge.

Can I use these riddles in a classroom?

Yes! In fact, they’re great as warm-ups, writing prompts, or small-group games during Thanksgiving week.

How many riddles should I use at one time?

Start with 5 to 10. Then, if kids are still excited, add more. That way, it stays fun instead of feeling long.

How do I make riddles easier for younger kids?

Give a hint that points to the category, like “It’s a food” or “It’s on the table.” Also, reading slowly helps a lot.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is already special, but Thanksgiving riddles for kids can make it even brighter. They create laughter, build connection, and keep kids happily busy without screens or stress.

So, save this list, share it at the table, and start a new tradition. Also, if you want even more fun ideas, check out our full collection of Thanksgiving riddles. Because when the jokes are flowing, the holiday feels warmer for everyone.