Sample pickBodhi Day, kept on December 8 in Japan, is a holiday of which religion?
Christmas Trivia Questions for Kids, From Reindeer to Carols: how it works
Read a question aloud, tap the choice the children shout, then press Check answer for the right one and a short reason. There are 153 Christmas trivia questions for kids aged 6 to 12 in 6 topics, from customs around the world and carols to reindeer, winter nature and other December festivals. None is about a film or a TV show.
Play a round at the table or in class
Pick a Topic, or leave all six on for a mixed round. Tap a choice, then press Check answer. The card shows the right answer, a reason a child can follow and a link to the Wikipedia article it was checked on. Easy and hard questions are mixed in every topic, and each has four choices. Wrong ones wait under Missed for another go. Exam mode asks 20 and scores them at the end.
More than one December festival
The topic Other December festivals holds 22 holiday trivia questions for kids on Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yalda Night, Dongzhi, Bodhi Day, Saint Lucy's Day, Junkanoo and New Year's Eve, so a mixed class can play one fair round. Each question says what a festival is and how it is kept, and takes no side. For a paper round, press Print question sheet, then Print answer key: 20 questions with lettered choices, then a key with each reason.
Tips
Sing the line before you answer: Carols and songs asks how many swans are a-swimming and which treat the singers demand.
Start the youngest on Santa, reindeer and gift bringers: how many reindeer pull the sleigh, and what goes out for Sinterklaas.
Mix the ages in each team, then let Winter nature break a tie: why snow looks white, and who warms a penguin's egg.
Questions and answers
What ages are these questions for?
Ages 6 to 12. A six-year-old who knows the poem can say how St. Nicholas gets into the house. A twelve-year-old may still not know which kind of light reindeer can see and people cannot. When a guess is wrong, the reason on the card teaches the answer.
Are there questions about Christmas movies?
No. There are no film, TV or cartoon questions, no brand names and no songs still in copyright, so nobody needs to have seen anything. The pack keeps to customs, plants, reindeer, snow and festivals, and nothing in it spoils the secret of who fills the stockings.
How do I know the answers are right?
Each answer was checked on September 19, 2026 against the Wikipedia article linked under it, by reading the sentence that states the fact. Where an article did not state a fact plainly, the question was dropped, which is why some well-known carol lines are missing.
Charades Ideas by Theme and AgeCharades decks by crowd, format and occasion: funny scenes for adults, kids, teens, reverse and telephone charades, animals, Bible stories and holidays.
A pantomime is a Christmas stage show with fairy tales, songs and jokes. In which country did it develop?Wikipedia: Pantomime
A parol hangs outside many homes in the Philippines at Christmas. What is a parol?Wikipedia: Parol
At a Polish Christmas Eve supper, an extra place is laid at the table. Who is it for?Wikipedia: Wigilia
At a Polish Christmas Eve supper, what is sometimes placed under the tablecloth?Wikipedia: Wigilia
Christmas crackers are pulled open at the dinner table in Britain. What do they do when pulled?Wikipedia: Christmas cracker
Colorful Christmas nativity scenes called szopki are typical of which country?Wikipedia: Nativity scene
During Las Posadas in Mexico, what do children break open at the end of each night?Wikipedia: Las Posadas
Epiphany, on January 6, is sometimes called by another name. Which one?Wikipedia: Epiphany (holiday)
How many different dishes should a traditional Polish Christmas Eve supper have?Wikipedia: Wigilia
In Australia, Christmas Day falls in which season?Wikipedia: Christmas in Australia
In Ethiopia, on which date is Christmas Day celebrated?Wikipedia: Observance of Christmas by country
In Finland, what do people usually do just before the Christmas festivities begin?Wikipedia: Observance of Christmas by country
In Italy, the Befana brings children gifts on the night of January 5. How is she usually shown traveling?Wikipedia: Befana
In Norway, what is often hidden in the Christmas rice porridge for one lucky person to find?Wikipedia: Observance of Christmas by country
In Poland, the Christmas Eve supper called Wigilia traditionally begins when what has been seen?Wikipedia: Wigilia
In the Philippines, the last dawn service before Christmas is called Misa de Gallo. What does that Spanish name mean?Wikipedia: Simbang Gabi
In the short form 'Xmas', the X comes from a letter in which alphabet?Wikipedia: Xmas
Las Posadas is held in Mexico from December 16 to 24. What does the Spanish word 'posada' mean?Wikipedia: Las Posadas
On Saint Lucy's Day in Sweden, a girl dresses as Saint Lucy in a white dress and red sash. What does she wear on her head?Wikipedia: Saint Lucy's Day
On the night before Three Kings' Day, children in Argentina leave out grass and water. Which animals is it for?Wikipedia: Epiphany (holiday)
Outdoor Christmas markets are now held in many countries. In which country did they begin?Wikipedia: Christmas market
The Philippines is known for a very long Christmas season. In which month does it begin?Wikipedia: Christmas in the Philippines
The pohutukawa tree is a symbol of Christmas in New Zealand. What does it do in December?Wikipedia: Observance of Christmas by country
Stollen is a holiday bread that is often coated in powdered sugar. What is baked inside it?Wikipedia: Stollen
What were Christmas parol lanterns in the Philippines traditionally made from?Wikipedia: Parol
Why is Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean, called Christmas Island?Wikipedia: Christmas Island
Trees, plants and decorations 27
A real Christmas tree is usually which kind of tree?Wikipedia: Christmas tree
A star on top of a Christmas tree stands for which star?Wikipedia: Christmas tree
A well-known story says candy canes began in a German cathedral in 1670. Why were they handed out?Wikipedia: Candy cane
An old custom says it is unlucky to take down the Christmas decorations before which night?Wikipedia: Christmas tree
Before electric lights, what did people use to light up a Christmas tree?Wikipedia: Christmas tree
The blown glass Christmas ornament was invented in a small town called Lauscha. In which country is Lauscha?Wikipedia: Christmas ornament
Christmas nutcracker dolls are most often made to look like what?Wikipedia: Nutcracker doll
The city of Oslo, in Norway, gives a Christmas tree as a present to the people of which city?Wikipedia: Christmas tree
Erwin Perzy got the first patent for the snow globe at the end of the 1800s. Which country was he from?Wikipedia: Snow globe
Holly berries are slightly toxic to people. Which animals eat them as food?Wikipedia: Holly
Holly has bright red berries, but only some holly plants grow them. Which ones?Wikipedia: Ilex aquifolium
How do the cones of a fir tree sit on its branches?Wikipedia: Fir
How many candles does an Advent wreath usually hold around its ring?Wikipedia: Advent wreath
How many sides does a spruce needle have?Wikipedia: Spruce
In Germany, Poland and Ukraine, finding which small creature on a Christmas tree is said to bring good luck?Wikipedia: Legend of the Christmas Spider
In one German-American custom, an ornament is hidden on the tree and the finder gets a reward. What shape is it?Wikipedia: Christmas pickle
In Scandinavia, a Yule goat is a popular Christmas ornament. What is it usually made of today?Wikipedia: Yule goat
In which part of the world did the custom of the decorated Christmas tree develop?Wikipedia: Christmas tree
The name 'Advent calendar' comes from a word in which language?Wikipedia: Advent calendar
Pines, firs and spruces are conifers. What do conifers grow in place of flowers?Wikipedia: Conifer
The poinsettia is a popular Christmas plant. Where does it grow wild?Wikipedia: Poinsettia
Tinsel was invented in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1610. What was it first made from?Wikipedia: Tinsel
What color are the berries of European mistletoe?Wikipedia: Mistletoe
What does the word 'evergreen' tell you about a plant?Wikipedia: Evergreen
What were the very first decorated Christmas trees hung with?Wikipedia: Christmas ornament
Who organized the first nativity scene with live actors, in the Italian town of Greccio in 1223?Wikipedia: Nativity scene
Why do many conifer trees have a cone shape, wide at the bottom and pointed at the top?Wikipedia: Conifer
Carols and songs 23
The 1864 song 'Up on the Housetop' is thought to be the first Christmas song mainly about whom?Wikipedia: Up on the Housetop
'Away in a Manger' was long said to be the work of Martin Luther in Germany. Where is it now thought to come from?Wikipedia: Away in a Manger
The carol 'Good King Wenceslas' is about a king of Bohemia who lived long ago. Which modern country is Bohemia part of?Wikipedia: Good King Wenceslas
The carol 'Here We Come A-wassailing' begins with singers coming among what?Wikipedia: Here We Come A-wassailing
In 'Good King Wenceslas', how does the king's page manage to keep going through the deep snow?Wikipedia: Good King Wenceslas
In 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', which gift arrives on the twelfth day?Wikipedia: The Twelve Days of Christmas (song)
In 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas', which treat do the singers demand before they will go?Wikipedia: We Wish You a Merry Christmas
In the carol 'Away in a Manger', what does the baby not have for a bed?Wikipedia: Away in a Manger
In the carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', how many swans are a-swimming?Wikipedia: The Twelve Days of Christmas (song)
In the old English custom of orchard wassailing, who or what do people sing to?Wikipedia: Wassail
In the song 'Jingle Bells', what are the singers riding in as they dash through the snow?Wikipedia: Jingle Bells
In the song 'Jolly Old Saint Nicholas', what does the singer ask Saint Nicholas to do first?Wikipedia: Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Jingle bells, also called sleigh bells, were first made to be fastened to what?Wikipedia: Jingle bell
'O Come, All Ye Faithful' is also known by its original title, 'Adeste Fideles'. Which language is that?Wikipedia: O Come, All Ye Faithful
The old word 'wassail' comes from a greeting. What did that greeting mean?Wikipedia: Wassail
The rhythm of the tune of 'Jingle Bells' is said to copy which sound?Wikipedia: Jingle Bells
'Silent Night' was first sung on Christmas Eve in 1818. Which instrument played along?Wikipedia: Silent Night
The twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day. On which evening do they end?Wikipedia: Twelve Days of Christmas
'The Twelve Days of Christmas' is called a cumulative song. What does that mean?Wikipedia: The Twelve Days of Christmas (song)
The usual tune of 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' was first written to celebrate which invention?Wikipedia: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Which carol did the English hymn writer Isaac Watts write in 1719?Wikipedia: Joy to the World
The word 'carol' may come from an old French or Latin word for what?Wikipedia: Christmas carol
The word 'Noel' goes back to a Latin word, natalis. What does natalis refer to?Wikipedia: The First Noel
Santa, reindeer and gift bringers 28
A small American city called North Pole gets letters to Santa every year. In which state is it?Wikipedia: North Pole, Alaska
'A Visit from St. Nicholas' was first printed in a newspaper in Troy, New York. In which year?Wikipedia: A Visit from St. Nicholas
By tradition, what does a badly behaved child find in a Christmas stocking?Wikipedia: Christmas stocking
Ded Moroz brings presents to children in Russia. When does he deliver them?Wikipedia: Ded Moroz
Father Christmas is the traditional name for the spirit of Christmas in which country?Wikipedia: Father Christmas
The Finnish name for Santa Claus is Joulupukki. What does that name literally mean?Wikipedia: Joulupukki
How many Yule Lads visit the children of Iceland in the nights before Christmas?Wikipedia: Icelandic Christmas folklore
Icelandic children leave a shoe on the windowsill for the Yule Lads. What does a badly behaved child find in it?Wikipedia: Icelandic Christmas folklore
In Austria and parts of Germany, who is said to bring the presents on Christmas Eve?Wikipedia: Christkind
In Christmas stories, who makes the toys in Santa's workshop?Wikipedia: Christmas elf
In Finland, a place called Korvatunturi has long been known as Santa's home. In which northern region is it?Wikipedia: Santa Claus
In Scandinavia, what do families leave out on Christmas Eve for the nisse, the little spirit of the farm?Wikipedia: Nisse (folklore)
In the 1823 poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas', how many reindeer pull the sleigh?Wikipedia: Santa Claus's reindeer
In the legend of the Christmas stocking, what did Saint Nicholas toss into a poor family's house?Wikipedia: Christmas stocking
In the Netherlands, what do children put out for Sinterklaas to fill with treats?Wikipedia: Sinterklaas
In the Netherlands, which animal does Sinterklaas ride?Wikipedia: Sinterklaas
In the poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas', how does St. Nicholas get into the house?Wikipedia: A Visit from St. Nicholas
Many reindeer make a sound as they walk that can be heard from far away. What makes it?Wikipedia: Reindeer
The poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' is better known by its first line. How does it begin?Wikipedia: A Visit from St. Nicholas
Reindeer can see a kind of light that people cannot, which helps them in the snowy Arctic. Which kind?Wikipedia: Reindeer
Reindeer live wild in North America too. What are they called there?Wikipedia: Reindeer
Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated in much of Europe on which date?Wikipedia: Saint Nicholas Day
Saint Nicholas was a bishop in the city of Myra long ago. In which modern country is Myra?Wikipedia: Santa Claus
Two of Santa's reindeer were first named Dunder and Blixem. What do those old Dutch words mean?Wikipedia: Santa Claus's reindeer
What is a reindeer's favorite winter food, which it digs for under the snow?Wikipedia: Reindeer
Which cartoonist's drawings in the 1800s helped to fix the modern picture of Santa Claus?Wikipedia: Santa Claus
Which city near the Arctic Circle do Finns consider the official hometown of Santa Claus?Wikipedia: Rovaniemi
Which people of northern Scandinavia are known for herding reindeer?Wikipedia: Reindeer
Winter nature 27
A sled slides over snow on long narrow strips under its body. What are the strips called?Wikipedia: Sled
A snow house can keep people warm. Why is snow good at keeping heat in?Wikipedia: Igloo
Before a long winter sleep, how do larger hibernating animals store the energy they will need?Wikipedia: Hibernation
Emperor penguins lay one egg in the Antarctic winter. Who keeps it warm for the first two months?Wikipedia: Emperor penguin
From 1885, Wilson Bentley studied thousands of snowflakes one at a time. How did he record them?Wikipedia: Snowflake
Frost is a thin layer of ice on a cold surface. What does it form from?Wikipedia: Frost
How did the snowshoe hare get its name?Wikipedia: Snowshoe hare
How do emperor penguins in a colony defend themselves against the bitter cold?Wikipedia: Emperor penguin
How does an icicle form?Wikipedia: Icicle
How does the thick winter fur of an Arctic fox help it hide?Wikipedia: Arctic fox
Ice is clear, so why does snow look white?Wikipedia: Snow
Ice skates found in north-west China are thought to be about 3,500 years old. What are they made of?Wikipedia: Ice skating
If you stood exactly at the North Pole, which direction would every path lead?Wikipedia: North Pole
In many places, a typical snowman is built from how many large snowballs?Wikipedia: Snowman
In the Arctic, an aurora is called the aurora borealis. What is its everyday name?Wikipedia: Aurora
Male and female northern cardinals are different colors. What color is the male?Wikipedia: Northern cardinal
Most owls hunt at night. What is unusual about the snowy owl?Wikipedia: Snowy owl
The rock ptarmigan is a bird of cold northern lands. What color are its feathers in winter?Wikipedia: Rock ptarmigan
What are falling snowflakes made of?Wikipedia: Snow
What causes the glowing lights of an aurora in the night sky?Wikipedia: Aurora
What does an Arctic hare usually do to keep warm and to sleep?Wikipedia: Arctic hare
What happens to an animal's body while it hibernates?Wikipedia: Hibernation
What is a stoat called when it is wearing its pure white winter coat?Wikipedia: Stoat
What lies at the North Pole?Wikipedia: North Pole
Which small bird with a red breast has been pictured on Christmas cards since the 1800s?Wikipedia: European robin
Why is it unlikely that any two snowflakes are exactly alike?Wikipedia: Snowflake
Why is it winter in the northern half of the world in December?Wikipedia: Winter
Other December festivals 22
According to tradition, where did the Buddha sit to meditate before the awakening that Bodhi Day remembers?Wikipedia: Bodhi Day
Apart from the helper candle, how many Hanukkah candles are lit on the first night?Wikipedia: Hanukkah
Bodhi Day, kept on December 8 in Japan, is a holiday of which religion?Wikipedia: Bodhi Day
By tradition, the four Hebrew letters on a dreidel stand for a phrase. What does the phrase mean?Wikipedia: Dreidel
The Dongzhi Festival is a traditional Chinese festival in December. What does it mark?Wikipedia: Dongzhi
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of which month of the Hebrew calendar?Wikipedia: Hanukkah
Hanukkah gelt is given to children during the holiday. What is the candy kind of gelt?Wikipedia: Hanukkah gelt
Hanukkah remembers the time when a group recovered Jerusalem and its Temple, over 2,000 years ago. Who were they?Wikipedia: Hanukkah
How many branches does a Hanukkah menorah have?Wikipedia: Hanukkah menorah
In Modern Hebrew, Hanukkah may also be called the Festival of what?Wikipedia: Hanukkah
In Spain, what do people eat at midnight on New Year's Eve, one for each chime of the clock?Wikipedia: New Year's Eve
Junkanoo is a Christmas-time festival of masks, drumming, dance and parades. Where is it best known today?Wikipedia: Junkanoo
The Kwanzaa candle holder has three red candles and three green ones. What color is the single candle in the center?Wikipedia: Kinara
The Kwanzaa candle holder is called a kinara. In which language does kinara mean 'candle holder'?Wikipedia: Kinara
Kwanzaa is a celebration of African-American culture. On which date does it begin?Wikipedia: Kwanzaa
The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase. What does the phrase mean?Wikipedia: Kwanzaa
On a Hanukkah menorah, the ninth candle is called the shamash. What is its job?Wikipedia: Hanukkah menorah
Saint Lucy's Day, on December 13, is widely kept as a festival of light. What does the name Lucy mean?Wikipedia: Saint Lucy's Day
Saturnalia was a December festival with feasting and gifts. Which ancient people held it?Wikipedia: Saturnalia
Which old song do people traditionally sing after midnight on New Year's Eve, often holding hands in a circle?Wikipedia: New Year's Eve
Why are Hanukkah lights often placed in the window closest to the street?Wikipedia: Hanukkah
Yalda Night is an ancient festival in Iran and nearby lands. Which night of the year does it celebrate?Wikipedia: Yalda Night
How this list was compiled: Written for this site by the editors; nothing was copied from another list. Every question, wrong choice and explanation is our own wording. Each answer was checked on 2026-09-19 against the English Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org) named and linked beside the question: the article text was fetched that day and the sentence that states the fact was read before the question was kept. Every extra claim in an explanation was checked the same way. Questions were dropped or reworded when the article did not state the fact plainly: carol lines that the article did not print, where Saint Nicholas was born, who first drew Santa Claus in a red suit, and a nativity custom said to come from one region of France. Carol questions use only old carols that are out of copyright, and quote no more than a line. Left out on purpose: films and TV shows, trademarked characters, living people, songs still in copyright, brand names, records that change, and customs that are frightening or unkind to animals. Questions about faith describe what a festival is and how it is kept, and take no side. No question repeats one in the site's other holiday quiz sets. Levels are an editor's judgment for ages 6 to 12. Licence: own work