I haven’t logged our conversations, but if I had to take a guess, I’d bet the top three things said around our dinner table are, “Please chew with your mouth closed,” “Slow down,” and “How was your day?” Our time with food and each other is precious and important for our kids’ well-being, but without a game plan and maybe even some dinner conversation starters, mealtime can easily turn silent or rigid.
So how about a side of trivia-based dinner conversation starters to go with your meatloaf and mashed potatoes? Take turns asking the questions so everyone has a chance to guess. Once the answer has been revealed, ask the dinner conversation starter question. You might have such interesting answers that you only have time to get to one of these 20 questions. I guess everyone will have to come back tomorrow night for more!
1. What famous soft drink was introduced in 1886?
Coca-Cola
If you could only have one drink, other than water, for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
2. What famous European landmark opened to visitors in 1889?
The Eiffel Tower opened in Paris in March of 1889 after taking just two years, two months, and five days to complete.
If you could visit any famous landmark in the world, where would you go?
3. What state joined the union in March of 1803?
Ohio became the 17th state March 1st, 1803.
If you could visit any state in the U.S., which one would you choose?
4. What kind of animal is Abu in Aladdin?
Abu is a monkey.
If you had a magic carpet, what would you name it?
5. In what year did the Star-Spangled Banner become our national anthem? 1876, 1912, 1931, or 1951?
President Herbert Hoover signed the bill on March 4, 1931
If you could sing the national anthem at any event, what would you choose?
6. How many moons does Saturn have? 3, 73, 146, or 198
Saturn has 146 moons.
If you could live in an experimental community on Mars, would you? Why?
7. What color is a giraffe’s tongue?
It’s purple and can measure 18 to 20 inches.
Would you rather have a neck like a giraffe, a nose like an elephant, or ears like a bat?
8. In which country did the Olympic games originate?
Greece
If you could compete in any Olympic sport, which one would you choose? (Oh, and you’re really good at it!)
9. Which was the first country to use paper money?
China
If our family has its own currency, whose face would be on the $1, $20, $100?
10. What is a female donkey called?
A female donkey is a jenny or a jennet.
What animal would you want to have living in our back yard?
11. Closest without going over: How many breaths does the average human take in a day?
20,000
What makes you nervous?
12. What color is an emerald?
Green
Which character from The Wizard of Oz can you relate to most? Dorothy, the Lion, the Tinman, the Scarecrow, or the wizard?
13. What color is the M in the McDonald’s logo?
Yellow (They’re the golden arches, after all.)
Which fast food place has the best fries?
14. What’s the most eaten food in the world?
Rice. About half of the world’s seven billion people eat rice every day.
What cuisine is your favorite?
15. In Australia, which three months make up spring?
September, October and November
What’s your favorite season and why?
16. What’s the only land animal that can’t jump?
An elephant. Why? According to John Hutchinson, a professor of evolutionary biomechanics at the Royal Veterinary College in London, it’s likely because of elephants’ size and weight and because they have relatively weak leg muscles and fairly inflexible ankles.
You’re an elephant calf exploring the savanna with your mom. What’s the first thing you’d use your trunk for?
17. Who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?
Michelangelo
If you could paint your bedroom any color or pattern, what would you pick?
18. George Washington Carver produced around 300 inventions using what ingredient?
Peanuts. Some of his peanut creations include milk, Worcestershire sauce, punches, cooking oils, salad oil, paper, cosmetics, soaps and wood stains.
If you could have a tea party with a famous person, but they could only eat peanut butter sandwiches, who would you invite and what kind of peanut butter sandwich would you make them?
19. What sport is “love” a score in?
Tennis
If we could add any wacky element to tennis (like giant bouncy balls or trampolines on the court), what would it be and why?
20. What mountain range includes Mount Everest?
The Himalayas
If you were going on a Himalayan expedition, what five items would you bring other than food and water?
Ok, give us your best trivia question and pair it up with a dinner conversation starter! Leave it in the comments below.
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