Spring quiz questions: nature, traditions and the great outdoors

Spring brings longer days, warmer weather and the first proper excuse to spend time outside since October. It's also a goldmine for quiz questions. There's plenty to work with here: astronomy, botany, cultural traditions, and the odd bit of trivia about insect collectors. These ten questions cover a good range of topics and difficulties, so they'll work as a standalone spring round or as part of a bigger quiz night.

The questions

1What is the name of the astronomical event that marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when day and night are roughly equal in length?

Answer:The spring equinox (also accept vernal equinox)(click to reveal)

The word "equinox" comes from the Latin for "equal night." In 2026, it falls on 20th March. On this date, the Sun crosses the celestial equator heading northward, and from then on the days keep getting longer until the summer solstice in June. The Southern Hemisphere experiences the opposite: their autumn begins on the same date. More on the March equinox from timeanddate.com

2What is the Japanese tradition of gathering outdoors to appreciate cherry blossoms called?

Answer:Hanami(click to reveal)

The word translates literally as "flower viewing." The tradition dates back to at least the Nara period (710-794 CE), though back then people gathered under plum trees rather than cherry trees. These days it's all about the sakura. The Japan Meteorological Agency even issues a "cherry blossom front" forecast each year so people can plan their picnics. The blossoms only last a week or two, which is part of the appeal: they represent the fleeting nature of beauty. Read more about hanami on Wikipedia

3The daffodil is the national flower of which country in the United Kingdom?

Answer:Wales(click to reveal)

Daffodils bloom around the 1st of March, just in time for St David's Day, the Welsh national day. The flower's Welsh name, cenhinen Bedr, translates as "Peter's leek," which connects it to the older Welsh symbol. David Lloyd George, the Welsh-born Prime Minister, helped popularise the daffodil as a national emblem in the early 20th century. Wales.com on national symbols

4Hay fever affects millions of people every spring. What substance released by plants triggers the allergic reaction?

Answer:Pollen(click to reveal)

When you breathe in pollen grains from trees, grasses and weeds, your immune system can overreact and treat them as a threat. It releases a chemical called histamine, which causes the sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose that hay fever sufferers know all too well. That's why antihistamines are the go-to treatment. Tree pollen tends to peak first in spring, followed by grass pollen in late spring and summer. NHS information on hay fever

5In India, which spring festival is known as the "festival of colours," where people throw coloured powder and water at each other?

Answer:Holi(click to reveal)

It falls on the last full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna, usually in March. The festival celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. On the night before, people light bonfires to mark the end of winter. The next day, normal social rules go out the window and everyone is fair game for a dousing in colour. It's now celebrated by communities all over the world. Britannica on Holi

6Which New Zealand-born entomologist first proposed the idea of daylight saving time in 1895, because he wanted more evening light to collect insects?

Answer:George Hudson(click to reveal)

He worked at the Wellington Post Office by day and collected insects in his spare time. Frustrated that summer evenings were too short for his hobby, he proposed shifting the clocks forward by two hours during summer months. He presented the idea to the Wellington Philosophical Society and was initially mocked for it. The concept wasn't widely adopted until World War I, when several countries introduced it to save energy. Wikipedia on George Hudson

7In Iran, the traditional new year celebration Nowruz coincides with the spring equinox. What does the word "Nowruz" mean in Persian?

Answer:New Day(click to reveal)

It's been celebrated for over 3,000 years, with roots in Zoroastrianism. Preparations include a thorough spring clean of the house (called "shaking the house") and setting up a Haft Sin table with seven symbolic items beginning with the Persian letter S. The festival is observed across Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and parts of the Caucasus. National Geographic on Nowruz

8Swallows are one of the most famous migratory birds to return to the UK each spring. Roughly how far do they travel from their wintering grounds in southern Africa?

Answer:Around 6,000 miles (accept 10,000 km or any close answer)(click to reveal)

The first arrivals typically reach the south coast of England in late March and early April, with the main wave spreading across the country by mid-April. They make this journey every year to breed during the British summer before heading back south in autumn. The old saying "one swallow does not a summer make" reflects how eagerly people watch for their return as a sign that warmer weather is coming. RSPB on spring arrivals

9Lambing season is one of the most visible signs of spring in the British countryside. Roughly how long is a sheep's gestation period: three months, five months, or nine months?

Answer:Five months (approximately 147 days)(click to reveal)

Rams and ewes mate in autumn, and lambs arrive roughly five months later, with the peak falling between February and April. Farmers time this so that lambs are born when the grass is growing well and the weather is warm enough for outdoor births. Many farms across the UK now open their doors to visitors during lambing season, making it one of the most popular spring activities for families. Countryfile guide to lambing

10The tradition of spring cleaning appears in many cultures around the world. In China, a thorough clean before Chinese New Year is believed to sweep away what?

Answer:Bad luck (also accept bad fortune or misfortune)(click to reveal)

The custom is called "sweeping the dust" and involves a deep clean of the entire home before the Lunar New Year celebrations begin. The idea is that clearing out the old makes room for fresh good luck in the year ahead. Crucially, you're not supposed to sweep during the New Year festivities themselves, as that would sweep the new good luck away. Similar spring cleaning traditions exist in Iran (before Nowruz) and in Jewish households (before Passover). National Geographic on the history of spring cleaning

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These questions cover a solid range of spring topics, from astronomy to allergies. They work well as a dedicated seasonal round or scattered through a general knowledge quiz. If you're putting together a full quiz night, try mixing in a few picture round questions showing spring flowers or baby animals to break things up.