Autumn is a time for fun, friends, and family — but how much do you actually know about this season? Fall trivia is a great way to learn about this time of change and have a little fun along the way.
From pumpkins and leaves to Halloween and hay bales, we have gathered a cornucopia of autumn trivia questions that will astound and delight you!
Fun Fall Trivia Questions to Test Your Knowledge of the Season
When we think of fall, vibrant landscapes, apple orchards, corn mazes, and autumn decor all come to mind. These fall trivia questions encompass everything you autumn know about this fabulous time of year!
What marks the official start to the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere?
The autumnal equinox
In colonial times, what were apples called?
Winter bananas or a melt-in-the-mouths
What sport do folks gather together to watch every weekend in the fall months?
Football
What happens if hay bales get too wet?
They can spontaneously combust.
What was fall originally called?
Harvest
Who was the first group of people in history to use scarecrows?
What do you call a male turkey?
A gobbler
What is the official word for the sound of leaves and trees rustling in the wind?
Psithurism (pronounced sith-yuh-riz-uhm)
Why do you see more large spiders around Halloween?
Spiders that hatched in the spring have grown up and are now actively in their mating season!
What is the natural color of leaves?
Yellow and orange. The green is produced thanks to chlorophyll.
What pigment is responsible for trees with red and purple leaves?
Anthocyanins
When is fall in the Southern Hemisphere?
March through May
What's the name for the science of growing apples?
Pomology
How many pies can a bushel of apples make?
What fall month will you see a full corn moon?
September
Which U.S. state has named apple cider their official state drink?
New Hampshire
Cranberries grow in water. True or false?
False — Cranberries grow on vines in the wetlands. These areas are typically flooded by harvest time.
What bug flies south to Mexico for the winter during the fall months?
What kind of trees lose their leaves in autumn months?
Deciduous
Why do leaves change colors in the fall?
Chlorophyll production slows down due to less exposure to sunlight.
Where can you see the world's largest bat colony?
San Antonio, Texas at Bracken Cave
Where do you go in the fall months to eat all kinds of fried food?
The fair
Daylight Saving Time ends each November. Do we gain an hour or lose an hour?
We gain an hour because we set our clocks back.
Why is it typically more humid in the corn maze than in the pumpkin patch?
Simply put, corn sweats!
Evapotranspiration is the process where plants extract water from the land, and it evaporates into the air. Unlike other plants, just one acre of corn can give off 3,000-4,000 gallons of water each day." In comparison, a large oak tree typically transpires 40,000 gallons per year. This makes the surrounding air much more humid!
Why don't evergreen trees change colors in fall?
The leaves are coated with a waxy substance that protects them from the cold.
In Greek mythology, it wasn't the Earth's tilt that caused fall. It was something else. What was it?
Persephone's return to the underworld.
What was Johnny Appleseed's real name?
John Chapman
What are the traditional ingredients in a hot toddy?
Whiskey, lemon juice, honey, and hot water
True or false: More babies are born in September than in any other month.
True
True or false: There are more heart attacks on the Monday in fall after the shift to Daylight Savings Time.
False, there are less
What is the smell of the first rain of fall called?
Petrichor
What are fall's three zodiac signs?
Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius
Puzzling Pumpkin Trivia Questions
Are you having a gourd time yet? If the first set of fall trivia questions wasn't challenging enough, consider trying your hand at these perplexing pumpkin questions!
Is pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable?
Fruit
How much did the largest pumpkin in the world weigh?
What country do pumpkins originate from?
Central America
Where is the Pumpkin Capital of the U.S.A.?
Floydada, Texas
What does it mean when someone places a teal pumpkin on their porch for Halloween?
They are handing out non-food treats to make sure that kids with food allergies can participate in the fun of the holiday!
Where is the Pumpkin Capital of the World?
Morton, Illinois
What percentage of a pumpkin is water?
94%
If you throw a pumpkin in water, will it sink or float?
Float
Pumpkin flowers are edible. True or false?
True
What substance gives pumpkins their signature yellow color?
Beta carotene
What country started the tradition of pumpkin carving?
Ireland
The Irish originally did not carve pumpkins. What did they carve instead?
Turnips
Pumpkins are brimming with what essential nutrient?
Vitamin A
What part of the pumpkin is not edible?
Trick question! You can eat every part of a pumpkin!
Pumpkin is not an ingredient in pumpkin spice lattes. True or false?
True
Where is the one place in the world where you can't find pumpkins?
What did the Native Americans originally use for their pie shell when making pumpkin pie?
Pumpkin! They filled the inside with honey, milk, and spices.
What do you call a fear of pumpkins?
Cucurbitophobia
At the annual Pumpkin Chunkin' Festival in Stowe, VT, what is used to toss the pumpkins?
Trebuchets
The word "pumpkin" originated from the Greek "pepon." What does it mean?
Large melon
At Starbucks, what does PSL stand for?
Pumpkin spice latte
What are the spices in McCormick's pumpkin pie spice?
Cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg
Related: Ultimate List of 275 Fun Trivia Questions for the Whole Family
Fantastic Fall Trivia About the Season's Holidays
Autumn would not be complete without the spooktacular and savory holidays that spice up the season! Try your hand at these fall trivia questions that circle around the celebrations we enjoy during this family-filled time of year.
What year was the first Thanksgiving?
1621
What was candy corn originally called?
Where was Christopher Columbus from?
Italy
Why do we celebrate Columbus Day?
It is the day that Christopher Columbus landed in the New World.
What is the name of the parade that Americans watch on Thanksgiving?
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
What year did Christopher Columbus land in America?
1492
What was the first balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Felix the Cat
What comes on television right after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thanksgiving?
The National Dog Show
What organization sanctions the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving?
The American Kennel Club
What is the Halloween-themed town where the infamous Witchcraft Trials of 1692 took place?
Salem, Massachusetts
What is the name of the classic Halloween movie that features the Sanderson Sisters?
Hocus Pocus
Which President first pardoned a turkey?
John F. Kennedy
What year were there two Thanksgivings?
Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November?
This is to make the Christmas shopping season longer. President Roosevelt did this to aid in the country's financial recovery from the Great Depression.
What animal is most associated with Halloween and said to bring bad luck if it crosses your path?
A black cat
Retailers tried to rename Black Friday in the 1960s. What was the failed title that they gave it?
Monster Mash is played every year at Halloween parties. Who is famous for writing and singing this song?
Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
What was the name of the Native American tribe that was invited to the first Thanksgiving?
The Wampanoag Indians
How do the Irish celebrate Halloween?
They set off fireworks.
When is Día de los Muertos celebrated?
November 1st & 2nd
What holiday is celebrated on November 11th?
Veteran's Day
Autumn Trivia Is A-maize-ing Fun
While you wait in line at fall carnivals, sit on the hayride to the pumpkin patch, or sit around the table on Thanksgiving with family and friends, fall trivia questions can serve as a fun way to pass the time! If you are looking for more autumn trivia questions, consider checking out these Halloween and Thanksgiving trivia queries!
