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Quizzes > Society & Culture

April Fools' Day Trivia: Test Your Prank Knowledge

Quick, free April Fools trivia quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Adelle SpalloneUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration promoting free April Fools trivia quiz on dark blue background

This April Fools' Day trivia quiz helps you spot real hoaxes, remember classic pranks, and pick up fun facts as you play. Want more laughs? Try Impractical Jokers trivia, or explore festive customs with a holiday traditions quiz.

On what date is April Fools' Day celebrated each year?
March 31
April 1
April 2
May 1
April Fools' Day is celebrated every year on April 1st, a tradition that dates back centuries. The day is known for practical jokes and hoaxes, and those who fall for them are called "April fools." This date has been widely observed in Western countries and beyond. For more on the history, see .
In France, which creature is symbolically associated with April Fools' Day?
Rabbit
Fish
Bird
Cat
In France, April Fools' Day is called "Poisson d'avril" which literally means "April fish." Children often tape paper fish to their friends' backs as a prank. The fish motif dates back to medieval times when fish were easy and cheap to catch in early spring. Learn more at .
What is the French term for April Fools' Day?
Fête des Fous
Poisson d'avril
Jour des Blagues
Journée des Fous
The French call April Fools' Day "Poisson d'avril," which translates to "April fish." The tradition involves children pasting paper fish on each other's backs. This playful custom dates back to at least the 16th century. More details at .
In what year did the BBC broadcast its famous "spaghetti-tree" hoax?
1962
1965
1957
1950
On April 1, 1957, the BBC TV news program Panorama aired a fake report about the Swiss harvesting spaghetti from trees. Many viewers were fooled and even called asking how to grow their own spaghetti trees. This prank remains one of the most famous April Fools' jokes ever broadcast. Read more at .
Which BBC program aired the original spaghetti-tree hoax?
Panorama
Newsnight
Blue Peter
Horizon
The spaghetti-tree hoax was broadcast on BBC's current affairs show Panorama. The segment featured a family harvesting strands of spaghetti from tree branches in Switzerland. Panorama was known for serious journalism, which made the prank even more convincing. For background, visit .
In which year did Google introduce "Google Nose" as an April Fools' prank?
2015
2012
2014
2013
Google Nose was announced on April 1, 2013, claiming to bring smell search to users. It included humorous descriptions of scents and claimed to catalog smells from around the world. The idea was to satirize Google's ongoing product innovations. Check out the archive at .
Which fast-food chain claimed to have bought the Liberty Bell and renamed it the "Taco Liberty Bell" in 1996?
KFC
Taco Bell
Burger King
McDonald's
On April 1, 1996, Taco Bell took out a full-page ad in several major newspapers claiming it had purchased the Liberty Bell to help reduce the national debt and would rename it the "Taco Liberty Bell." The prank fooled many Americans before Taco Bell revealed the joke later that day. More info at .
Which burger chain introduced the "Left-Handed Whopper" as an April Fools' prank?
McDonald's
Wendy's
Burger Queen
Burger King
On April 1, 1998, Burger King published a full-page ad announcing the "Left-Handed Whopper," specially designed for left-handed customers by rotating all the condiments 180 degrees. Many customers requested the new sandwich before learning it was an April Fools' joke. See the original ad at .
The Roman festival of Hilaria, considered a precursor to April Fools' Day, was held in honor of which deity?
Mars
Cybele
Diana
Jupiter
Hilaria was an ancient Roman festival celebrated on March 25 to honor the goddess Cybele, featuring masked processions and jocular behavior. Scholars believe the spirit of Hilaria influenced modern April Fools' customs. The festival's themes of laughter and disguise echo today's pranks. More at .
In what year did Google announce "Google Gnome," a voice-activated assistant for your yard, as an April Fools' joke?
2018
2016
2017
2015
Google Gnome was introduced on April 1, 2017, as a companion for outdoor activities, complete with a gnome-shaped design and voice control. It parodied Google Home by moving the assistant outside. The tongue-in-cheek video went viral before Google confirmed it was a prank. Read more at .
NASA once played an April Fools' prank claiming the Moon was made of what substance?
Blue cheese
Water ice
Sandstone
Iron
On April 1, 1977, NASA released a spoof stating that moon rock samples revealed the lunar surface was covered in blue cheese. The joke played on the old "cheese moon" myth and amused both the public and students. NASA later clarified it was just April Fools' fun. Further reading at .
In 2019, Google introduced "Google Tulip" claiming it could translate which of the following?
Snails
Bees
Tulip bulbs
Whales
Google Tulip was a prank from April 1, 2019, claiming to translate tulip bulb vibrations into human language. The spoof included posters and a mock-up device. It lampooned Google's AI experimentation and delighted gardening enthusiasts. See the campaign details at .
In what year did Burger King propose the "McWhopper," a collaborative burger with McDonald's, as an April Fools' idea?
2016
2014
2015
2017
On April 1, 2015, Burger King published an open letter to McDonald's proposing a one-day mashup called the "McWhopper" to promote peace. The initiative ran as a viral video and a pop-up in Atlanta but was ultimately a stunt. It highlighted corporate rivalry in a humorous way. More info at .
Which toy company announced "LEGO for Cats" as an April Fools' joke?
LEGO
Mega Bloks
Mattel
Hasbro
The LEGO Group unveiled "LEGO for Cats" on April 1, 2014, featuring tiny brick sets designed for feline play. The idea included a scratching post and a kibble dispenser, though it was purely fictitious. Fans appreciated the creativity and detail of the mock site. Details archived at .
Which airline claimed it would offer nonstop commercial flights to Mars in an April Fools' press release?
United
Virgin Atlantic
Delta
American Airlines
On April 1, 2012, Virgin Atlantic issued a press release announcing nonstop passenger service to Mars starting in 2015, complete with in-flight space suits. The stunt reflected Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic ambitions. It generated media buzz before being revealed as a joke. Read more at .
National Geographic once published an April Fools' map showing which fictional location?
Neverland
Middle-earth
Hogwarts
Narnia
On April 1, 2015, National Geographic ran a special map showcasing J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth with topography and travel times. The beautiful illustration looked genuine until readers noticed the Elvish inscriptions. It celebrated fantasy literature while honoring April Fools' tradition. See the details at .
What is the traditional Scottish name for the April Fools' prank of sending someone on a fool's errand?
Hunt the Gowk
Chase the Cailleach
Find the Fae
Seek the Sassenach
In Scotland, April Fools' Day was historically called "Hunt the Gowk," where the "gowk" (a foolish person) would be sent on absurd errands. The prank highlights the humble origins of fool's day fun in Celtic traditions. Although less common today, the phrase survives in folklore studies. More at .
Which Indian festival, celebrated with colored powders and water fights, shares elements of pranks and laughter similar to April Fools' Day?
Navratri
Raksha Bandhan
Diwali
Holi
Holi, known as the Festival of Colors, involves playful water fights and colored powder smears. While not directly tied to April Fools', its spirit of fun, surprise, and pranks parallels April 1st traditions. Holi usually falls in March, marking spring's arrival. Learn more at .
In 1582, the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar moved New Year's Day to January 1. Those unaware of the change were mocked as "April fools," marking the date as a day for pranks. In which year did this calendar reform occur?
1620
1582
1600
1555
Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582, shifting New Year's Day from April 1 to January 1. People who continued celebrating on April 1 were labeled "April fools" and became targets of jokes. This historical switch is one theory for the holiday's origin. Details at .
What is the German word for an April Fools' joke?
Tagesstreich
Faschingswitz
Narrenspiel
Aprilscherz
In German, an April Fools' joke is called an "Aprilscherz." "Scherz" means joke, so the term literally translates to "April joke." Germans partake in elaborate hoaxes and reveal them with the cry "April, April!" More at .
Which 14th-century literary work contains what is considered the earliest known reference to April Fools' pranks?
The Canterbury Tales
The Decameron
Mabinogion
The Divine Comedy
Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" (circa 1392) includes a passage referencing a foolish character tricked into believing New Year's Day was on April 1. Scholars debate the exact meaning, but it's often cited as the earliest written mention of April Fools. More at .
In Spain and many Latin American countries, a day similar to April Fools' is celebrated on December 28. What is this day called?
Día de los Santos Inocentes
Bromas Navideñas
Carnaval de Bromas
Fiesta de los Locos
December 28 is "Día de los Santos Inocentes" in Spanish-speaking countries, commemorating the biblical Massacre of the Innocents. It evolved into a prankster's day similar to April Fools, with jokes and hoaxes common. Media outlets often run spoof headlines. Learn more at .
According to tradition, by what time must April Fools' jokes end on April 1st to avoid being called an "April Fool" oneself?
Midnight
3:00 PM
Noon
Sunset
In some traditions, pranks are only acceptable until noon on April 1. Anyone playing a trick after midday is dubbed the "April Fool" themselves. The custom emphasizes the morning as the proper time for jests. For more, see .
Who was the BBC anchor that presented the 1957 spaghetti-tree hoax on the program Panorama?
Michael Buerk
David Attenborough
John Humphrys
Richard Dimbleby
Renowned newsreader Richard Dimbleby narrated the 1957 Panorama segment portraying a Swiss spaghetti harvest. His authoritative delivery lent credibility to the hoax, fooling many viewers. Dimbleby was BBC's leading broadcaster at the time. More about him at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the Origins of April Fools -

    Learn the historical roots and evolution of april fools trivia from ancient customs to modern-day pranks.

  2. Recall Classic Pranks and Anecdotes -

    Memorize the most outrageous april fools trivia questions and answers about famous practical jokes throughout history.

  3. Analyze Cultural Variations -

    Compare how different regions celebrate April Fools' Day with unique traditions and prank styles around the world.

  4. Apply Fun Facts in Conversation -

    Use surprising april trivia questions and answers to entertain friends, family, or coworkers with little-known prank stories.

  5. Create Your Own Trivia Challenges -

    Design engaging trivia for April gatherings by incorporating learned facts and testing others' knowledge of april fools day trivia.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of April Fools Day -

    First documented in 1392 in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," April Fools Day traces back to medieval Europe, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Reviewing this early reference will deepen your understanding of april fools trivia and how historic context shaped modern prank traditions.

  2. Calendar Confusion Theory -

    Scholars at Oxford University and History.com highlight that the 1582 switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar led to date”mixups, with April 1st "fools" persisting in play. This april fools day trivia explains how misplaced celebrations became an enduring april trivia question topic.

  3. BBC Spaghetti-Tree Hoax -

    In 1957, the BBC aired a fake report on Swiss farmers harvesting spaghetti, fooling thousands - a case study archived on the BBC's official website. Analyzing this prank offers a prime example of media's power in april trivia questions and answers.

  4. Cross-Cultural Pranking Traditions -

    From France's "Poisson d'Avril" paper fish to India's Holi powder-throwing, UNESCO notes diverse global April 1st customs. Comparing these practices enriches your trivia for april awareness and shows how humor unites cultures.

  5. F.O.O.L. Mnemonic for Memorable Pranks -

    Use the F.O.O.L. formula - Fun, Original, Outrageous, Lighthearted - to design classic April Fools gags, as recommended by the American Psychological Association's humor research. This simple framework helps you craft pranks that stand the test of time in any april fools trivia challenge.

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