Fun
Riddle me this.
Word play, puns, and puzzles are a great learning tool for children. Kids might think they’re a game, but at the same time you’re secretly teaching them critical thinking skills — it’s like hiding vegetables in a bar of chocolate. And to get you started in raising an enthusiastic puzzler, consider these riddles for kids.
Yes, they’re silly. Yes, they’re ridiculous. And, yes, some contain far too many puns. But isn’t that the fun of it all?
Kids’ understanding of a riddle will depend on their age range, but concern about whether they’ll “get it” shouldn’t stop you from riddling them. You might be surprised to find that your child either a) loves the game regardless of whether they understand what they’re playing or not or b) keeps mulling over the riddle for a few days coming up with different answers each day. And each answer to a riddle for kids is an opportunity to explore their ideas, understanding of abstract thoughts, and just giggle. Because let’s be honest, kids have hilarious answers to confusing questions.
As a bonus, once your child has mastered some of these riddles, tell them to make their own. You might be shocked to discover what clever ideas they come up with.
1What’s black and white and read all over?
A newspaper.
2If you don’t keep me, I’ll break. What am I?
A promise.
3There’s only one word in the dictionary that’s spelled wrong. What is it?
The word “wrong.” It’s the only word that’s spelled W-R-O-N-G.
4What two things can you never eat for dinner?
Breakfast and lunch.
5I’m tall when I’m young. Short when I’m old. What am I?
A candle.
6What question can you never answer yes to?
“Are you asleep?”
7What goes up but never goes down?
Your age.
8What can’t talk but will respond when spoken to?
An echo.
9The more of this there is, the less you see. What is it?
Darkness.
10I am always running, but never get tired or hot. What am I?
The fridge.
11I am yellow and I write, and my mate is white. What am I?
A pencil.
12If you threw a yellow stone into a blue sea, what would it become?
Wet.
13What bank never has any money?
A riverbank.
14What belongs to you but is used most often by everyone else?
Your name.
15What has legs but cannot walk?
A chair.
16I sometimes run but cannot walk. You follow me around. What am I?
Your nose.
17What do you find at the end of a rainbow?
The letter W.
18What is easier to get into than out of?
Trouble.
19What has a tongue but cannot talk?
A shoe.
20Remove my skin and I won't cry, but you might! What am I?
An onion.
21I can be cracked or played; told or made. What am I?
A joke.
22What is so delicate that it breaks when you say its name?
Silence.
23What has a head and a tail but no body?
A coin.
24What is always on the dinner table but you cannot eat it?
A plate.
25I fall but I never get hurt. What am I?
Snow.
26If you feed me, I grow, but if you give me water, I die. What am I?
Fire.
27What three-letter word is a mousetrap?
Cat.
28Who always goes to sleep with his shoes on?
A horse.
29What has the head of a cat, the tail of a cat — but is not a cat?
A kitten.
30What kind of a dot can dance?
A polka dot.
31What bird is always sad?
A blue jay.
32Which month has 28 days in it?
All of them, of course.
33They come out at night without being called, and are lost in the day without being stolen. What are they?
Stars.
34What can make an octopus laugh?
Ten tickles (tentacles).
35Where do cows go for their holidays?
Moo York.
36Which word in the dictionary is spelled incorrectly?
Incorrectly.
37Why are teddy bears never hungry?
Because they’re always stuffed.
38What did the beach say when the tide came in?
Long time, no sea.
39Why couldn’t the sailors play cards?
The captain was standing on the deck.
40In which month do monkeys play baseball?
Ape-ril.
41How do rabbits travel?
By hare plane.
42What has many rings, but no fingers?
A telephone.
43Why did the bumble bee put honey under his pillow?
He wanted to have sweet dreams.
44If two is company and three is a crowd, what are four and five?
Nine.
45What kind of stones are never found in the ocean?
Stones that are dry.
46What instrument can you hear but never see?
Your voice.
47Why is the sun so bright?
Because it pays attention in the class and does its homework on time.
48I am full of keys, but I cannot open any door. What am I?
A piano.
49I have no life, but I can die, what am I?
A battery.
50I go around all the places, cities, towns and villages, but never come inside. What am I?
A street.
51The more you take away, the larger it becomes? What is it?
A hole.
52You 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?
A mirror.
53I am always running, but never get tired or hot. What am I?
A refrigerator.
54We 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?
Salt and pepper.
55What kind of cup doesn’t hold water?
A hiccup.
56What’s really easy to get into, and hard to get out of?
Trouble.
Ready to riddle? Pull this list out next time you’re on a road trip or at the dinner table and put your kids to the test.
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