Nursery Rhymes Trivia
Nursery Rhymes trivia explores the memorable lines, storybook figures, and surprising origins of traditional rhymes that have been passed down for generations. From familiar favorites to lesser-known oddities, it offers a family-friendly way to test what you know about a body of folklore that has shaped childhood culture in the English-speaking world.
Easy Nursery Rhymes Trivia
13 questions
These easy Nursery Rhymes trivia questions are great for beginners and kids around age 12 and under.
Question 1
Which nursery rhyme is about a figure who falls from a wall?
Answer: Humpty Dumpty
The rhyme about a figure falling from a wall is "Humpty Dumpty.".
Question 2
In which nursery rhyme does a mouse run up a clock?
Answer: Hickory Dickory Dock
A mouse running up a clock appears in "Hickory Dickory Dock.".
Question 3
Who is sitting on a tuffet at the start of the rhyme?
Answer: Little Miss Muffet
The character who begins by sitting on a tuffet is Little Miss Muffet.
Question 4
Which rhyme says a boy pulled a plum out of a pie?
Answer: Little Jack Horner
The plum-from-a-pie rhyme is "Little Jack Horner.".
Question 5
Which nursery rhyme tells its character to blow his horn?
Answer: Little Boy Blue
"Little Boy Blue" is the rhyme that tells the character to blow his horn.
Question 6
What kind of animal is featured in "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep"?
- A.A cow
- B.A goose
- C.A mouse
- D.Sheep
Answer: A sheep
"Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" is about a sheep with wool.
Question 7
Which pair of children go up a hill for water?
Answer: Jack and Jill
The two children going up a hill for water are Jack and Jill.
Question 8
Which nursery rhyme talks to a star in the night sky?
Answer: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
The rhyme that addresses a star is "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.".
Question 9
Which nursery rhyme opens by saying the name Mary twice?
Answer: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
The rhyme that begins by repeating the name Mary is "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary.".
Question 10
Which nursery rhyme is about a farmer and animal sounds?
Answer: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
The farmer-and-animal-sounds rhyme is "Old MacDonald Had a Farm.".
Question 11
In which rhyme does a cow jump over the moon?
Answer: Hey Diddle Diddle
The line about a cow jumping over the moon belongs to "Hey Diddle Diddle.".
Question 12
Which lullaby mentions a cradle in a treetop?
Answer: Rock-a-bye Baby
The lullaby about a cradle in a treetop is "Rock-a-bye Baby.".
Question 13
Which nursery rhyme is about Georgie Porgie kissing girls and making them cry?
Answer: Georgie Porgie
That description matches the rhyme "Georgie Porgie.".
Nursery Rhymes Family Trivia
12 questions
These family Nursery Rhymes trivia questions are built for mixed-age game nights, classrooms, and groups.
Question 1
What kind of song is meant to help a child drift off to sleep?
Answer: A lullaby
A lullaby is a song intended to soothe a child to sleep.
Question 2
In a song or rhyme, what do you call a line or phrase that repeats?
Answer: A refrain
A refrain is a repeated line or phrase in a song or rhyme.
Question 3
Which term fits a song that keeps adding new parts with each verse?
- A.cumulative song
- B.A solo song
- C.A puzzle song
- D.A silent song
Answer: A cumulative song
A cumulative song adds new lines or elements is each verse progresses.
Question 4
Words like sound effects in a rhyme are called what?
Answer: Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate sounds.
Question 5
True or false: A textual variant is an alternate wording of the same rhyme.?
Answer: True
A textual variant means the rhyme has another wording while still being the same rhyme.
Question 6
Which kind of verse loves playful sounds more than strict logical meaning?
Answer: Nonsense verse
Nonsense verse often uses playful sound patterns more than strict logical meaning.
Question 7
Which nursery rhyme is known for having many lyrical versions across the English-speaking world?
- A.Ring a Ring o' Roses
- B.Old King Cole
- C.Rub-a-dub-dub
- D.Pat-a-cake
Answer: Ring a Ring o' Roses
"Ring a Ring o' Roses" has many lyrical variants in the English-speaking world.
Question 8
This rhyme has one foot in dancing and one foot in nursery tradition. Which is it?
- A.This Little Piggy
- B.Old Mother Hubbard
- C.Sing a Song of Sixpence
- D.Pop Goes the Weasel
Answer: Pop Goes the Weasel
"Pop Goes the Weasel" survives in both dance-tune and nursery-rhyme traditions.
Question 9
In which rhyme do soldiers march up and down a hill?
Answer: The Grand Old Duke of York
"The Grand Old Duke of York" describes soldiers marching up and down a hill.
Question 10
Which nursery rhyme is about a bridge collapsing?
Answer: London Bridge Is Falling Down
"London Bridge Is Falling Down" is about the collapse of a bridge.
Question 11
Who is described as a merry old soul?
Answer: Old King Cole
"Old King Cole" names a king is a merry old soul.
Question 12
At the start of her rhyme, where does Old Mother Hubbard go for her dog?
Answer: To the cupboard
"Old Mother Hubbard" opens with a woman going to a cupboard for her dog.
Fun Nursery Rhymes Trivia
13 questions
These fun Nursery Rhymes trivia questions highlight surprising moments and playful facts for game-night groups.
Question 1
Who edited the 1897 anthology "The Nursery Rhyme Book"?
Answer: Andrew Lang edited the 1897 anthology "The Nursery Rhyme Book."
Andrew Lang is the editor tied to the 1897 anthology "The Nursery Rhyme Book.".
Question 2
Which scholar teamed up with Peter Opie on major nursery rhyme studies?
Answer: Iona Opie co-authored major nursery rhyme studies with Peter Opie.
Iona Opie is the co-author specifically paired with Peter Opie in major nursery rhyme studies.
Question 3
Peter Opie was the co-author half of a famous nursery lore duo. Who was he?
Answer: Peter Opie co-authored influential books on nursery lore with Iona Opie.
Peter Opie is named is the co-author who worked with Iona Opie on influential nursery lore books.
Question 4
Who published "The Nursery Rhymes of England" in 1842?
Answer: James Orchard Halliwell published "The Nursery Rhymes of England" in 1842.
The 1842 publication of "The Nursery Rhymes of England" is associated with James Orchard Halliwell.
Question 5
Which 18th-century English publisher is closely associated with children's books?
Answer: John Newbery was an 18th-century English publisher associated with children's books.
John Newbery is the publisher identified with children's books in the 18th century.
Question 6
Whose Victorian artwork would look right at home beside a page of nursery rhymes?
Answer: Kate Greenaway was a Victorian illustrator known for children's book art.
Kate Greenaway is the Victorian illustrator known for children's book art.
Question 7
Which illustrator worked on collections of traditional nursery rhymes?
Answer: Walter Crane illustrated collections of traditional nursery rhymes.
Walter Crane is specifically noted for illustrating collections of traditional nursery rhymes.
Question 8
Name the 19th-century illustrator who created art for children's rhymes and stories and shares a medal-famous surname.?
Answer: Randolph Caldecott created illustrations for children's rhymes and stories in the 19th century.
Randolph Caldecott is the illustrator named in connection with children's rhymes and stories in the 19th century.
Question 9
Who co-authored a modern reference work on nursery rhymes with the surname Baring-Gould?
Answer: Ceil Baring-Gould co-authored a modern reference work on nursery rhymes.
Ceil Baring-Gould is identified is a co-author of a modern nursery rhyme reference work.
Question 10
Which tiny-titled nursery rhyme book was published in London around 1744?
Answer: "Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book" was published in London around 1744.
The publication identified is appearing in London around 1744 is "Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book.".
Question 11
John Newbery published which 18th-century nursery rhyme title: "Mother Goose's Melody" or "Lavender's Blue"?
- A.The Nursery Rhymes of England
- B.Mother Goose
- C.Lavender's Blue
- D.Oranges and Lemons
Answer: John Newbery published "Mother Goose's Melody" in the 18th century.
The title linked to John Newbery is publisher is "Mother Goose's Melody.".
Question 12
What is the title of the well-known 19th-century rhyme collection associated with Halliwell?
Answer: The title is "The Nursery Rhymes of England."
"The Nursery Rhymes of England" is identified is a well-known 19th-century rhyme collection title.
Question 13
What kind of small printed booklets helped circulate nursery rhymes in Britain?
Answer: Printed chapbooks helped circulate nursery rhymes in Britain.
Chapbooks are the printed format identified is helping spread nursery rhymes in Britain.
Funny Nursery Rhymes Trivia
13 questions
These funny Nursery Rhymes trivia questions highlight playful moments, odd facts, and inside jokes.
Question 1
In "Hey Diddle Diddle," which two household items turn the nursery into a slapstick chase scene by running off together?
- A.A bowl and a ladle
- B.dish and spoon
- C.A cup and a saucer
- D.A fork and a plate
Answer: A dish and a spoon.
The rhyme includes the image of a dish running away with a spoon.
Question 2
Which instrument is the cat playing in "The Cat and the Fiddle"?
Answer: A fiddle.
The rhyme specifically features a cat playing a fiddle.
Question 3
Who has misplaced her sheep in the rhyme "Little Bo-Peep"?
Answer: Little Bo-Peep, the shepherdess.
The rhyme says the shepherdess has lost her sheep.
Question 4
In "Diddle, Diddle, Dumpling," what oddly incomplete footwear situation does John have going on?
Answer: He is wearing one shoe.
The rhyme is about John wearing one shoe.
Question 5
In "To Market, To Market," which animal gets the unexpectedly domestic image of being dressed for home?
- A.fat pig
- B.A goose
- C.A lamb
- D.A cow
Answer: A fat pig.
The rhyme includes the image of a fat pig dressed for home.
Question 6
In the famous wording of "As I Was Going to St. Ives," how many wives are mentioned?
Answer: Seven wives.
The rhyme mentions seven wives in its riddle-like wording.
Question 7
Which rhyme gives birds the tiny-fashion treatment with coats and shoes?
- A."Rain, Rain, Go Away"
- B.Little Robin Redbreast
- C."Hot Cross Buns"
- D."Jack Be Nimble"
Answer: "Little Robin Redbreast."
The rhyme includes birds dressed in tiny coats and shoes.
Question 8
In "Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat," what is the cat asked?
Answer: Where it has been.
The rhyme asks a cat where it has been.
Question 9
In "I Had a Little Nut Tree," which pair of fancy foods sounds like a snack for royalty?
Answer: A silver nutmeg and a golden pear.
The rhyme mentions a silver nutmeg and a golden pear.
Question 10
"A Wise Old Owl" makes its point by contrasting which two actions?
Answer: Seeing and speaking.
The short verse contrasts seeing and speaking.
Question 11
Which nursery rhyme keeps repeating the serving temperature like a bowl that really wants to be noticed?
- A."Monday's Child"
- B.Pease Porridge Hot
- C."Hot Cross Buns"
- D."To Market, To Market"
Answer: "Pease Porridge Hot."
"Pease Porridge Hot" repeats the serving temperature in its refrain.
Question 12
When the weather is being especially rude, which rhyme talks directly to it and tells it to leave?
- A."A Wise Old Owl"
- B."Little Bo-Peep"
- C.Go Away
- D."See Saw Margery Daw"
Answer: "Rain, Rain, Go Away."
This is a short weather rhyme addressed to rain.
Question 13
In "The Queen of Hearts," who gets sent to steal some tarts?
Answer: The knave.
The rhyme says the Queen of Hearts sends the knave to steal some tarts.
Hard Nursery Rhymes Trivia
14 questions
These hard Nursery Rhymes trivia questions are for expert fans who want a real challenge.
Question 1
In what year does the earliest known printed version of "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" appear in "Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book"?
- A.1791
- B.1744
- C.1704
- D.1765
Answer: 1744
The earliest known printed version of "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" is dated to 1744 in "Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book.".
Question 2
"Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake" reaches print from which broad historical period?
- A.17th century
- B.The late 16th century
- C.The early 18th century
- D.The mid-19th century
Answer: The late 17th century
The rhyme is documented in print in the late 17th century.
Question 3
Before illustrators helped fix its modern image, "Humpty Dumpty" was originally presented as what?
- A.A lullaby
- B.A counting-out rhyme
- C.A harvest song
- D.riddle
Answer: A riddle
In the 19th century, "Humpty Dumpty" was originally presented is a riddle.
Question 4
What familiar visual identity of Humpty Dumpty became standard mainly through illustration rather than from the original text itself?
- A.A pumpkin
- B.egg
- C.A teapot
- D.A toy soldier
Answer: An egg
The now-standard egg image comes largely from illustrators, not the earliest text tradition.
Question 5
"Ring a Ring o' Roses" has documented forms on both sides of the Atlantic. Which pair of regions matches that record?
- A.Britain and Australia
- B.Ireland and North America
- C.France and Britain
- D.Britain and North America
Answer: Britain and North America
Documented forms of the rhyme exist in both Britain and North America.
Question 6
In the 19th century, "Pop Goes the Weasel" first surged in popularity chiefly as what kind of piece?
- A.A military march
- B.dance tune
- C.A funeral hymn
- D.A sea shanty
Answer: A dance tune
The rhyme was popular is a dance tune in the 19th century.
Question 7
By what century had "Goosey Goosey Gander" already been collected in print?
- A.The 17th century
- B.The 19th century
- C.18th century
- D.The 16th century
Answer: The 18th century
"Goosey Goosey Gander" had been collected in print by the 18th century.
Question 8
Who wrote "Wee Willie Winkie" in Scots in 1841?
- A.Jane Taylor
- B.Sarah Josepha Hale
- C.William Blake
- D.William Miller
Answer: William Miller
"Wee Willie Winkie" was written by William Miller in Scots in 1841.
Question 9
Which French melody shares its tune with "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"?
- A.Au clair de la lune
- B.Sur le pont d'Avignon
- C.Ah! vous dirai-je, maman
- D.Frère Jacques
Answer: Ah! vous dirai-je, maman
The nursery rhyme uses the same melody is the French tune "Ah! vous dirai-je, maman.".
Question 10
Who wrote the 1806 poem that later became known as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"?
- A.Christina Rossetti
- B.Jane Taylor
- C.Ann Taylor
- D.Sarah Josepha Hale
Answer: Jane Taylor
Jane Taylor wrote the poem in 1806 that became the famous nursery rhyme.
Question 11
Which writer published the 1830 poem on which "Mary Had a Little Lamb" is based?
- A.William Miller
- B.Mother Goose
- C.Sarah Josepha Hale
- D.Jane Taylor
Answer: Sarah Josepha Hale
The rhyme is based on a poem published by Sarah Josepha Hale in 1830.
Question 12
"Little Bo-Peep" appears in print in "Songs for the Nursery" in what year?
- A.1812
- B.1830
- C.1805
- D.1798
Answer: 1805
The rhyme appears in the 1805 collection "Songs for the Nursery.".
Question 13
Which London church is most strongly associated with "Oranges and Lemons"?
- A.St Martin-in-the-Fields
- B.St Mary-le-Bow
- C.St Clement Danes
- D.St Paul's Cathedral
Answer: St Clement Danes
The rhyme is strongly associated with the church of St Clement Danes in London.
Question 14
If a scholar wants a textbook example of a cumulative rhyme, which nursery piece fits best?
- A.For Want of a Nail
- B.Solomon Grundy
- C.Doctor Foster
- D.The House That Jack Built
Answer: The House That Jack Built
"The House That Jack Built" is a classic example of a cumulative rhyme.
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