Fun Trivia Categories (20 Trivia Category Ideas)

Written by:
Collin Waldoch
Updated:
November 9, 2023

Picking fun trivia categories for your next quiz is a serious task.

The stakes are high. If you pick the wrong trivia categories, you will never get entrusted with hosting a trivia night again.

  • Are you tired of repetitive and predictable trivia categories?
  • Struggling to find categories that appeal to a diverse audience?
  • Looking for unique themes to keep your participants engaged and entertained?

As an experienced quiz master and event organizer, I’ve hosted numerous successful trivia nights.

My expertise lies in crafting categories that are not only fun but also challenge the intellect and spark lively discussions.

This article is for:

  • Trivia enthusiasts seeking innovative and diverse category ideas.
  • Event planners and hosts looking for creative themes to keep their audience engaged.
  • Teachers or team leaders who want to add an educational yet fun twist to their events.

Remember the last time you played trivia and wished for something more exciting than the usual history or sports questions?

We've all been there!

That's why I've put together this unique list, ensuring your next trivia night is as entertaining as it is enlightening.

To save yourself from the embarrassment of reading out cringe-worthy and yawn-inducing trivia questions, you need to go into the trivia night fully equipped.

Let's dive into the world of fun trivia categories together and make your next event a hit!

How To Pick Fun Trivia Categories

Before you start thinking about the quirky trivia categories that will make your quiz stand out, there are some ground rules to follow.

We have all seen or played trivia quizzes where the questions were either far too easy, or so obscure and confusing that no one could get them right.

While it's tempting to go for obscure questions that no one else is thinking of, you need to make sure they are still fun.

As a general rule of thumb, avoid anything too niche.

Unless your group has a specific unifying interest, it's best to avoid niche trivia.

Nobody likes a smart aleck, especially when they're making others feel intellectually inferior.

You also want to make sure your trivia categories are well balanced.

You don't want all of your questions to focus on a single topic.

This will quickly get dreary.

A good mix of topics is key to keeping everyone engaged.

In every group, there is always someone that's hard to please.

Think about how you can create a trivia quiz for everyone.

You may want to ask the group for their input ahead of the quiz.

They can brainstorm some ideas and you can pick out the best ones.

Fun Categories For Trivia (20 Trivia Category Ideas)

We're always on the look out for the next best piece of trivia.

1 - Infamous Bank Robbers

If your group is interested in true crime, this is a great trivia category idea.

You could focus on infamous bank robbers throughout history and their biggest heists.

2 - Movie Musicals

This is a fun trivia category for movie lovers.

You could focus on well-known musicals or delve into more obscure films.

3 - The Beatles

For music lovers, this is a great trivia category.

You could focus on the band's history, their music, or their influence on popular culture.

4 - Fashion Through The Ages

This is a fun trivia category for fashionistas.

You could focus on specific designers, decades, or styles.

5 - Superheroes

A mix of Marvel and DC Comics trivia questions will satisfy fans.

You could focus on the comics, the movies, or the characters themselves.

6 - Urban Legends

This is a great trivia category for people who love a good mystery.

You could focus on the various urban legends throughout history and their origins.

7 - Fast Food Chains

This is a fun trivia category for those that are passionate about food.

You could focus on the founding of these chains, their logo designs, or their slogans.

8 - Famous Sports Personalities

This is a good trivia category for sports fans.

You could focus on athletes, coaches, or broadcasters.

9 - Literature Classics

For those that love to read, this is a great trivia category.

You could focus on specific authors, genres, or time periods.

10 - Famous Duos

This is a fun trivia category for those that love to dissect relationships.

You could focus on real-life celebrity couples, fictional duos, or historical figures.

11 - TV Sitcoms

This is a good trivia category for those who love television.

You could come up with questions on characters from the most popular sitcoms of all time.

12 - Nostalgic Board Games

This is a fun trivia category for people who love to play games and reminisce.

You could focus on classic board games, arcade cabinets, or even video game consoles.

13 - Art History

This is a great trivia category for art lovers.

You could focus on specific movements, artists, or time periods.

14 - The Academy Awards

This is a fun trivia category for movie buffs.

You could focus on the history of the awards, the nominees, or the winners.

Yes, everyone already knows who slapped Chris Rock. You can leave that one out.

15 - National Parks

A great way to satisfy nature lovers and adventurers alike.

You could focus on the history of national parks, their locations, or the wildlife within them.

16 - Historic Battles

This is a great trivia category for history buffs.

You could focus on specific wars, battles, or generals.

Nobody said crafting the perfect trivia quiz was easy!

17 - Old School Toys

This is a fun trivia category for those that love to reminisce.

You could focus on classic toys, old commercials, or even toy companies.

18 - Classic Video Games

For gamers and retro aficionados alike, this is a great trivia category.

You could focus on video game consoles, popular games, or even the history of arcade cabinets.

19 - Celebrity Birthdays

This is a good trivia category for those that love to keep up with celebrities.

You could ask questions about celebrity birthdays by month, famous people born in certain years, or specific details about their lives.

20 - Major Holidays

A fun trivia category for those that love to celebrate during the holiday season.

You could focus on the history of specific holidays, traditions, or food.

What are the best topics for trivia?

The perfect combination of trivia questions will vary depending on the group.

A mix of unexpected and intriguing topics will bring some variety to the quiz.

You want to keep the group guessing.

This is the easiest way to get people hooked on the game.

How To Find Unique Trivia Categories

Water Cooler Trivia is your secret weapon for hosting a successful trivia night.

As you're reading through this article, our trivia pros are hard at work creating the most interesting, fun, and challenging trivia categories on the internet.

When you sign up for Water Cooler Trivia, all you need to do is pick the trivia categories and we'll do the rest.

Before you know it, you'll have a mix of fun trivia questions delivered to your inbox.

Our trivia is always unique and up-to-date, so you'll never have to worry about coming up with new material.

The best bit? You can try Water Cooler Trivia for free. Get the ball rolling today!