via: Pexels / gya den
How are you with summer trivia?
All seasons are special in their own way, but there’s a certain je ne sais quoi about summer that makes it truly one of a kind. Long days, warm nights, and zero layers — it just doesn’t get better than that!
So, how about some summer trivia questions that you can use to break the awkward silence at your next beach party?
Contents
10 Best Summer Trivia
via: Unsplash / Elmer Cañas
Curious to learn the best summer trivia we could dig out? The following list will ensure that you and your friends will have a cool and fun time in the warmest season of the year.
1. What Old English word did the word “Summer” come from?
Show Answer
Answer
Sumor.
More Information
Not much of a change there!
2. When did the first swimming school open in the United States?
Show Answer
Answer
1827
More Information
The school was founded on July 23, 1827, in Boston, MA, by German-American intellectuals and polymaths Francis Lieber and Charles Follen, who also introduced gymnasiums to the U.S. educational system.
3. The term SPF is seen on all sunscreen bottles. What does it stand for?
Show Answer
Answer
Sun protection factor.
More Information
You should use sun protection every day. Regular use of SPF 15 can reduce the risk of melanoma by 50%. Plus, it helps with premature aging. The trick, however, is to apply it properly. Be sure to check out this video on the most common mistakes people make when putting on sunscreen.
4. Which president hosted the first barbecue at the White House?
Show Answer
Answer
Lyndon B. Johnson.
More Information
President Johnson held the first “formal” White House barbecue on the South Lawn to thank his supporters after announcing that he would not be running for reelection. However, presidential BBQs had been a thing since the time of Washington.
5. What is the longest continuous beach in America?
Show Answer
Answer
Long Beach, WA.
More Information
It’s 28 miles long!
6. When was “the year without summer” because Mount Tambora erupted?
Show Answer
Answer
1816
More Information
The most destructive eruption in the past 10,000 years killed an estimated 10,000 inhabitants of the island of Sumbawa in an instant. Volcanic debris in the atmosphere chilled the Northern Hemisphere for months, resulting in epidemics, crop failure, and famine, which killed thousands in Europe and North America.
7. What is the oldest beach in America?
Show Answer
Answer
Revere Beach in Revere, MA.
More Information
In 1896, it became America’s first public beach.
8. What is the longest day of the year?
Show Answer
Answer
Summer solstice.
More Information
The word “solstice” comes from the Latin “solstitium” or sun-stopping.
9. What U.S. holiday unofficially signifies the end of the summer season?
Show Answer
Answer
Labor Day.
More Information
It is celebrated on the first Monday of September. Traditionally, Labor Day was considered the last day of the year when it was acceptable to wear white clothing.
10. What is the most sold item in the summer?
Show Answer
Answer
Swimsuits.
More Information
What else would it be?
11. In what country is the biggest water park in the world?
Show Answer
Answer
Germany.
More Information
Tropical Islands Resort is located 30 miles south of Berlin and can host up to 6,000 visitors at a time! It’s also open year-round.
12. In what city is the ice cream sandwich believed to be invented?
Show Answer
Answer
New York City.
More Information
Originally, street vendors would sell ice cream sandwiched between sheets of paper. These delicacies were known as “hokey pokeys.” Mercifully, at some point, someone decided to use cookie wafers instead.
13. What do kids who like whizzing around but have limited balance and coordination use instead of skateboards?
Show Answer
Answer
Razor scooters.
More Information
It’s much easier if you have something to hold on to!
14. What are the measurements of the largest inflatable pool toy? 70.52 x 50.31 x 54.41 feet.
Show Answer
Answer
More Information
It’s shaped like a giant blue swan.
15. Before the Civil War, kids had school off during which season?
Show Answer
Answer
Spring and fall.
More Information
That’s right: kids were needed at home to help plant and harvest the crops in spring and fall, which probably wasn’t their idea of off-school fun.
16. In which year was ice pops invented by an 11-year-old boy?
Show Answer
Answer
1905
More Information
11-year-old Frank Epperson mixed water and sweetened soda powder, dunked a wooden stirrer in, and left the mixture out in the cold overnight. He called the result an “Epsicle.”
17. What famous Walt Disney character’s first words were “hot dog”?
Show Answer
Answer
Mickey Mouse.
More Information
Mickey first spoke in the short film The Karnival Kid (1929).
18. What national competition was first held on June 17, 1925?
Show Answer
Answer
The first National Spelling Bee.
More Information
It was held in Washinton D.C. with 9 contestants.
19. In Southern England, where do 35,000 people gather to see the summer solstice?
Show Answer
Answer
Stonehenge.
More Information
Stonehenge is at least 5,000 old!
20. Which park hosts a massive meet-and-mate night for fireflies?
Show Answer
Answer
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
More Information
The event is held annually in late May or early June.
21. What do goats climb on every June in Morocco?
Show Answer
Answer
Argan trees.
More Information
Moroccan goats can effortlessly climb argan trees as tall as 8–10 meters to feast on their leaves and fruit.
22. Where do people from all over the world gather for a reunion of the Finks?
Show Answer
Answer
Fink, TX.
More Information
Where else would it be?
23. Who holds the largest collection of surfboards, according to Guinness World Records?
Show Answer
Answer
Donald Dettloff.
More Information
As of November 5, 2009, Donald Dettloff had a whopping 647 surfboards!
24. Where is the World Margarita Championship held each August?
Show Answer
Answer
Tuscon, AZ.
More Information
The festival features tastings of Margaritas and tequilas, cocktail competitions, food sampling, live music, and art events.
25. Where did the largest summer bikini parade take place on August 19, 2012?
Show Answer
Answer
Huludao City, Liaoning, China.
More Information
1,085 people participated!
26. Which tower actually grows in the heat of the summer?
Show Answer
Answer
The Eiffel Tower.
More Information
On colder days, the tower is around 6 inches shorter.
27. What year was the first beach ball invented?
Show Answer
Answer
1938
More Information
The first beach ball was invented by Jonathon DeLonge, and it was the size of a hand.
28. What festival is held every July in Louisville, Kentucky?
Show Answer
Answer
The Annual Lebowski Fest
More Information
The Annual Lebowski Fest, a weekend-long celebration of the cult film classic The Big Lebowski (1998).
29. How did ancient pagans celebrate midsummer?
Show Answer
Answer
They lit bofire
More Information
Among other things, they would light bonfires and jump over them.
30. How tall was the tallest bonfire ever recorded?
Show Answer
Answer
155 feet
More Information
The world’s largest bonfire was lit in the town of Ålesund, Norway, on June 25, 2016. At its highest point, it measured an imposing 155 feet and 5.9 inches, and it burned for two days straight.
31, Which music artist had a hot dance hit called “Summer Love”?
Show Answer
32. What happens more often in the summer because of the warm, humid air? Thunderstorms.
Show Answer
Answer
More Information
There are some 16 million thunderstorms every year, but most happen in the summer months.
33. Which place holds a hotdog contest on Independence Day?
Show Answer
Answer
Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York City
More Information
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has been an annual tradition since 1972.
34. Which beach sport became official in 1986?
Show Answer
Answer
Beach volleyball
More Information
People first started playing beach volleyball around 1915 in Hawaii. The game grew in popularity over the years and was eventually recognized as a sport by the International Volleyball Federation in 1986.
35. What flower thrives in summer because it loves the sun?
Show Answer
Answer
Sunflower
More Information
Once the plants reach maturity, however, they stop following the sun and only face east.
36. What horror film directed by Steven Spielberg takes place in the summertime and involves sharks?
Show Answer
Answer
Jaws (1975)
More Information
Jaws was a massive hit, grossing a record $21+ million in its first 10 days in theaters.
37. Which insects are most prevalent during the summer months?
Show Answer
Answer
Mosquitoes
More Information
Most insects, including mosquitoes, are cold-blooded. Their body temperature is about the same as the temperature of their environment. As a result, lower temperatures can slow down their development or even kill them.
38. What is the last day of summer?
Show Answer
Answer
September 22 or 23
More Information
In the Southern Hemisphere, however, summer ends on February 28 or 29.
39. What is the date for the first day of summer?
Show Answer
Answer
June 20 or 21
More Information
And that would be December 22 for the Southern Hemisphere.
40. Which insect sounds can you use to find out the temperature?
Show Answer
41. When did Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech?
Show Answer
Answer
August 28, 1963
More Information
He gave the speech in front of an audience of some 250,000 people at the 1963 March on Washington.
42. How hot was the temperature in the Libyan Desert on September 13, 1922?
Show Answer
Answer
136 degrees Fahrenheit
More Information
On that day, the Libyan town of Al Aziziyah set the record of being the hottest place on Earth. Since then, however, that record has been broken many times — which tells you something about climate change.
43. What star is associated with the phrase “the dog days of summer”?
Show Answer
Answer
Sirius
More Information
To the ancient Greeks and Romans, the “dog days” was the period in late July when Sirius appears to rise just before the sun. Typically, this was the hottest time of the year, and it was thought to bring war, disease, and disasters.
44. Which resort boasts the highest number of pools in the world?
Show Answer
Answer
Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickinson
More Information
The five-star Malaysian resort boasts a staggering 639 pools.
45. How long is the largest cruise ship?
Show Answer
Answer
Four football fields
More Information
The 18-decker Symphony of the Seas is 1,188 feet long and has 2,759 cabins, 22 restaurants, and 24 pools.
46. When was the first women’s bathing suit created (which was actually a pair of bloomers)?
Show Answer
Answer
1800’s
More Information
Mid-19th century bathing suits covered women from head to toe and consisted of a dress worn over Turkish-style pants. The whole ensemble was made from heavy fabric that was anything but swimmer-friendly.
47. The month of June is named after which Roman goddess?
Show Answer
Answer
Juno
More Information
Juno was the wife of the king of the gods, Jupiter. She was the goddess of marriage and childbirth.
48. The month of July was named by Roman general Marc Antony July after who?
Show Answer
Answer
Julius Caesar
More Information
And August was named after Augustus, Rome’s first emperor.
49. Which sport made its debut at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?
Show Answer
Answer
Rugby sevens
More Information
Prior to that, rugby union was last played at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.
50. Which sport has been a part of the Summer Olympic Games since their inception in 1896?
Show Answer
Answer
Cycling
More Information
The only exception was the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
51. Which water sport is not in the Summer Olympics?
Show Answer
Answer
Surfing
More Information
In 2016 the International Olympic Committee voted to include surfing, as well as baseball, karate, skateboarding, softball, and sport climbing in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
52. Which European city hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics?
Show Answer
Answer
Athens
More Information
That marked a return of the Games to their birthplace.
53. In stickball, a broomstick is used as a bat. What is the ball called?
Show Answer
Answer
Spaldeen
More Information
Traditionally, stickball was played on streets and in back alleys using a hard rubber ball and a broomstick or a mop handle.
54. What game was once featured in the Olympics?
Show Answer
Answer
Tug-of-war
More Information
Tug-of-war was part of the Olympics from 1900 to 1920.
55. How many baths can you take using the water in an Olympic-size pool?
Show Answer
Answer
9,400 baths
More Information
Olympic-size pools are about 164 feet (50 m) long, 82 feet (25 m) wide, and 6 feet (2 m) deep. That makes for a volume of 88,263 cubic feet or some 660,253.09 gallons of water!
56. When were the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece?
Show Answer
Answer
Summer of 1896
More Information
The Games were extremely popular. The marathon alone was watched by 100,000 spectators.
57. These were originally invented as pie plates, but college students began throwing them around in the 1940s.
Show Answer
Answer
Frisbees
More Information
In 1871, William Frisbie opened his Frisbie Pie Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Local college students came up with a game where they would throw empty pie tins to each other, yelling “Frisbie!” One thing led to another, and by 1958, the Wham-O company (which also introduced the hula-hoop to the mass market) was selling Frisbee discs.
58. It is the favored portable food when people camp, go to the ballpark, or at a family picnic.
Show Answer
Answer
Hot dog
More Information
Duh!
59. True or false: Watermelon consists of over 90% water.
Show Answer
Answer
TRUE
More Information
In terms of water content, watermelon is up there with cantaloupe, grapefruit, and strawberries.
60. What food was endorsed by Brazilian surfers and jiu-jitsu fighters?
Show Answer
Answer
Acai bowl
More Information
The acai palm tree is indigenous to the Amazon. Native people call it the “fruit that cries.”
61. Which brand name is associated with the bright red, icy cold bottle of root beer?
Show Answer
Answer
Hires
More Information
Hires Root Beer is America’s second-oldest soft drink. It first hit the stores in 1876.
62. According to the Watermelon Board, how many varieties of watermelons are there?
Show Answer
Answer
More than 1,000
More Information
The watermelon was first domesticated in West Africa thousands of years ago.
63. Who is the record holder for the longest barbecue that lasted 80 hours?
Show Answer
Answer
Jan Greef
More Information
He grilled 1,000 hotdogs, 558 burgers, 526 sausages, 200 pieces of corn, and 104 pieces of chicken.
64. What is the best vegetable summer treat belonging to the cucumber family?
Show Answer
Answer
Watermelon
More Information
The Cucurbitaceae family also includes gourds. However, the jury is still out on whether watermelon is a fruit or a veggie.
65. What is the national ice cream month? July
Show Answer
Answer
July
More Information
President Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day.
66. Name the 1980s girl band that sang about the cruelest summer breakup ever.
Show Answer
Answer
Bananarama
More Information
Their song “Cruel Summer” is #13 on Billboard magazine’s list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.
67. Which reggae artist covered Mungo Jerry’s summer song “In the Summertime”?
Show Answer
Answer
Shaggy
More Information
The cover version is every bit as laidback as the original.
68. Which song was featured in the movie “Caddyshack”?
Show Answer
Answer
“Summertime Blues"
More Information
“Summertime Blues” was originally written and recorded by rockabilly singer Eddie Cochran.
69. Who created the original version of “Wipe Out”?
Show Answer
Answer
The Surfaris
More Information
“Wipe Out” was the summer hit of 1962.
70. This artist performed “The Ultimate Pop Burlesque Rockshow” at Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival.
Show Answer
Answer
Lady Gaga
More Information
21-year-old Lady Gaga and performance artist Lady Starlight created the show as a tribute to 1970s variety acts.
71. Lana Del Ray evoked nostalgia for summers with what song?
Show Answer
Answer
“Summertime Sadness”
More Information
“Summertime Sadness” was featured in Lana Del Ray’s 2012 album Born to Die.
72. Since it began in 1971, this festival has been attracting 20,000 people each year.
Show Answer
Answer
Ukulele Festival Hawaii
More Information
If you are in Hawaii, make sure to check the festival out. It’s great fun!
73. Where is the Underwater Music Festival held?
Show Answer
Answer
Looe Key Reef in Florida
More Information
The festival is part of an effort to raise awareness for coral preservation.
Ultimate List of Summer Trivia
via: Unsplash / Alistair MacRobert
Contents
Summer Trivia for Kids
via: Pexels / freestocks.org
Children love summer more than anyone, which is why this selection of summer trivia for kids is a great way for them to have fun and effortlessly learn cool new facts in the process!
12 Fun Summer Trivia
via: Unsplash / INFSD SWIMWEAR
Summer is about having fun whether you spend it on the beach, going on a vacation somewhere nice or just staying at home. Check out the summer-themed fun trivia questions!
9 Easy Summer Trivia
via: Pexels / Sake Le
Summer is about chilling with friends. Take it easy with these cool easy trivia questions that should do the trick!
9 Hard Summer Trivia
via: Unsplash / Rayyu Maldives photographer
Ask your friends if they have what it takes to tackle our hard trivia. From insects to historical facts, test their knowledge now!
9 Summer Sports Trivia
via: Unsplash / Vidar Nordli-Mathisen
Summer is the season for outdoor sports. Check these sports trivia questions and brush up on your sports knowledge.
8 Summer Food Trivia
via: Pexels / Sebastian Coman Photography
Calling all foodies! What do you say to a fresh serving of summer-themed food trivia? See if you know a thing or two about the perfect food for summer.
8 Summer Music Trivia
via: Unsplash / John Fornander
These music trivia are perfect for summer. With the abundance of music festivals playing different kinds of music, this should be easy!
Summer Trivia Video
Summer Trivia Infographic
via: Mantelligence
Share This Image On Your Site
Downloadable and Printable List of Summer Trivia
Here is a downloadable list of summer trivia (right-click the image and select Save Image As...):
via: Mantelligence
Frequently Asked Questions
via: Unsplash / Caju Gomes
Here Is How to Pick the Best Summer Trivia
Picking the best trivia is easier than you think! Just follow the steps below and you'll definitely pick the best ones!
- Stick to Popular Subjects. “Summer” is quite a broad topic, so you might want to narrow it down a bit by sticking to popular subjects such as summer sports, foods, blockbusters, or chart-topping music hits. As an added bonus, that should also help things on the lighter side. Summer generally goes best with more cheerful trivia.
- Mix things up. Broad topics such as this one are a great opportunity to branch out and explore various trivia that may not always go together. Who would have thought that Frisbees and Lana Del Ray had something in common?
- Consider your audience. As always, you want to match your trivia to your audience. Questions about games, ice cream, and cartoons are a perfect fit for kids. In contrast, teenagers might appreciate trivia about summer songs, movies, and sports. And what about adults? While they can certainly try their hand at just about any topic, you still want to keep things interesting for them by choosing subjects they are interested in.
More Awesome Trivia Questions
Would you like to check out some more awesome trivia questions?
- Be sure to read our travel trivia.
- Next, head over to our Christmas vacation trivia.
- Top it all off with these 4th of July trivia.
