(Photo: DINA BELENKO PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES)
Riddle me this
Grown-ups aren’t the only ones who enjoy a good thought-provoking question. Riddles are just brain-teasers that use language. They help us exercise our brains in a different way than we normally do day-to-day. They are especially good for kids because riddles will ultimately help them with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It may even help them learn new vocabulary and teach them to read in a new way. These riddles for kids can be great for all ages—even kindergarteners! We have everything from easy riddles for kids all the way to hard riddles for kids.
1) Easy Riddles: Now you see me
You can touch me, but I can’t touch you back. You can see me, but I only reflect you and can never reject you. What am I?
2) Riddle: Cold calling
I can travel at nearly 100 miles per hour, but never leave the room. You can cover me up, but that doesn’t slow me down. You will not know if I come only once or again and again and again. What am I?
3) Riddle: Changing tide
People have stepped on me, but not many. I never stay full for long. I have a dark side. What am I?
4) Riddle: Food for thought
I am always running, but never get tired or hot. What am I?
5) Riddle: Rock on
I have a head much smaller than my long neck. People who play with me pick at me and that’s fine. What am I?
6) Riddle: Picture perfect
I look like you, but I am not you. You can blow me up or find me in a wallet. Share me or frame me, both are nice. What am I?
7) Riddle: Field day
I sound like I could cut you, but I’m actually quite comfortable. I can be green or yellow. I can be stiff or soft. I am a friend to bugs and also bare feet. What am I?
8) Riddle: Feel for it
I can be red or blue—I am always changing. I can ruin your day or lift you up. I am always with you except when you sleep. What am I?
9) Riddle: Drink up
I have a stem, but I am not a flower. I have a foot, but I cannot hop. Children are too young to hold me. What am I?
10) Riddle: Solar system
I have seven rings made of rock and ice, but you cannot wear them on your fingers. They are way, way too big. What am I?
11) Riddle: Grin and bear it
I can be open or closed, or big or small. I can reveal the truth or hide it. I am almost always welcome and can spring up unannounced. Everyone has one, but not everyone shares. Laughter comes after me. What am I?
12) Riddle: Close-knit
I am round as a sphere but then become something else. I am also one hundred yards long, or even longer. What am I?
13) Riddle: Add flavor
We come in a set. We can dash or pour. If we’re too much, the serving is ruined. If we’re held back, the course is flat. What are we?
14) Riddle: Lifeforce
I am light and seem to have no substance at all. But even the strongest person in the world can’t hold me for very long. What am I?
15) Riddle: Go with the flow
I don’t have money, though I do have banks. I feed others, though I don’t eat. Cross me if you can, I won’t be mad. What am I?
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ANSWERS
1) Easy Riddles: Now you see me
You can touch me, but I can’t touch you back. You can see me, but I only reflect you and can never reject you. What am I?
Answer: A mirror
This is a riddle that encourages children to think outside the box and consider the clues from new and different angles. To give them a hint, encourage them to think about the word “reflect” and what it means.
2) Riddle: Cold calling
I can travel at nearly 100 miles per hour, but never leave the room. You can cover me up, but that doesn’t slow me down. You will not know if I come only once or again and again and again. What am I?
Answer: A sneeze
“Bless you!”
3) Riddle: Changing tide
People have stepped on me, but not many. I never stay full for long. I have a dark side. What am I?
Answer: The moon
This riddle offers an opportunity for your kids to learn more about the moon.
4) Riddle: Food for thought
I am always running, but never get tired or hot. What am I?
Answer: The refrigerator
If your kids learn the double meaning of running, they’re set when it comes to jokes and gags. Introduce them to the limerick for more comedy gold.
5) Riddle: Rock on
I have a head much smaller than my long neck. People who play with me pick at me and that’s fine. What am I?
Answer: A guitar
It doesn’t actually matter if your child figures out the answer or not. The fun and learning come from playing with the riddle and discussing the different nuances. Even a wrong answer is a learning tool.
6) Riddle: Picture perfect
I look like you, but I am not you. You can blow me up or find me in a wallet. Share me or frame me, both are nice. What am I?
Answer: A photograph of you
Explain the concept of “blowing up” and how it relates to pictures and images–that might be difficult for smaller children to get in the age of digital pictures.
7) Riddle: Field day
I sound like I could cut you, but I’m actually quite comfortable. I can be green or yellow. I can be stiff or soft. I am a friend to bugs and also bare feet. What am I?
Answer: A blade of grass
This is the kind of riddle that makes everyone want to get up and go outside. Hope you’ve got a bright sunny day.
8) Riddle: Feel for it
I can be red or blue—I am always changing. I can ruin your day or lift you up. I am always with you except when you sleep. What am I?
Answer: Your mood
Have open conversations with your kids about being both angry and sad, as well as happy. They’re kids, but they still have a lot of emotions to deal with.
9) Riddle: Drink up
I have a stem, but I am not a flower. I have a foot, but I cannot hop. Children are too young to hold me. What am I?
Answer: A wine glass
Here’s a chance to learn about the different parts of a wine glass—and it’s fine for kids to learn too even if you’ve told them it’s a fancy juice cup.
10) Riddle: Solar system
I have seven rings made of rock and ice, but you cannot wear them on your fingers. They are way, way too big. What am I?
Answer: Saturn
This riddle gives you a great opportunity to talk about science and astronomy with your child. Let them know about Saturn’s seven rings that are not like the first rings that may come into their minds. Wordplay lets them stretch their critical thinking skills.
11) Riddle: Grin and bear it
I can be open or closed, or big or small. I can reveal the truth or hide it. I am almost always welcome and can spring up unannounced. Everyone has one, but not everyone shares. Laughter comes after me. What am I?
Answer: A smile
Hopefully, this riddle brings an easy smile to your children’s faces. Riddles are fun to contemplate with a group of kids who can help each other think through it.
12) Riddle: Close-knit
I am round as a sphere but then become something else. I am also one hundred yards long, or even longer. What am I?
Answer: A ball of yarn
13) Riddle: Add flavor
We come in a set. We can dash or pour. If we’re too much, the serving is ruined. If we’re held back, the course is flat. What are we?
Answer: Salt and pepper
Encourage kids to think about the puns and double meanings in the clue. Serving and course could be mistaken for outside activities like tennis or golf. This riddle helps children learn the different nuances of words like dash, which here means a small amount and not just a quick jaunt.
14) Riddle: Lifeforce
I am light and seem to have no substance at all. But even the strongest person in the world can’t hold me for very long. What am I?
Answer: Breath
Take a deep breath and give any riddle some deep thought. The answer may just flow in. Did you know meditation boosts brainpower?
15) Riddle: Go with the flow
I don’t have money, though I do have banks. I feed others, though I don’t eat. Cross me if you can, I won’t be mad. What am I?
Answer: The mouth of a river
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