This is a fun way to educate your children about the first Thanksgiving, and other things pertinent to that time period. Have your children write the questions on index cards, then you can write the answers on the back of the card. Sometime during the day (we often do this during dinner), have someone ask the questions. The children often know more historical facts than the adults!
1.What year is recognized as the first Thanksgiving? Fall, 1621
2.What was the name of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World? The Mayflower
3.How many passengers were aboard the ship? 102
4.How long was their voyage? 65 days
5.Where were the Pilgrims headed for, and where did they end up instead? They were headed for Virginia, but they ended up in Cape Cod (what is now Massachusetts).
6.How was New England different from the Pilgrims' home? It was much colder. The Pilgrims were not prepared to gather their own food. They did not have boats or nets to use for fishing. They did not know which berries and plants were safe to eat.
7.How many Pilgrims died during the first winter? 55 or the original 102.
8.What is scurvy? A disease caused by not eating fruits and vegetables-which the Pilgrims were lacking.
9.Who was Samoset? A Native American who came to the Pilgrims' village, and spoke to them in English. He introduced the Pilgrims to Squanto.
10.What did Squanto teach the pilgrims? He taught them how to farm, fish, hunt, and gather food.
11.What is maize? Indian corn.
12.What did the Pilgrims call the "Indian Three Sisters?" Corn, pumpkins, and beans (the Indians three main crops).
13.Who was the Governor of the Pilgrims? Governor William Bradford.
14.How many Native Americans came to the first Thanksgiving dinner? About 90.
15.How long did the feast last? Three days.
16.What kinds of food were served? Meat, fish, corn, pumpkin dishes, cranberries, deer, turkeys, squash, and beans.
17.What did Benjamin Franklin want the national bird to be, instead of the bald eagle? The turkey.
18.Where did cranberries get their name? Originally called "crane berries" because the plant's blossoms looked like a crane's head. Loaded with vitamin C, Squanto showed the Pilgrims how to gather them, and dry them for the winter. The Pilgrims sweetened the bitter berries with maple syrup, creating the cranberry sauce.
In addition to Thanksgiving Day questions, make questions about your own family's heritage: What country did great-great grandfather come from? What did grandfather do for a living? What is grandmother's maiden name? Did grandfather have any pets? How did grandparents and parents celebrate Thanksgiving? What are you thankful for?
Adlen Robinson is a free lance food writer and columnist. Feel free to send her an email with your questions at [email protected].
Monday
August 4th, 2025
5:13PM
