2Brain games help develop critical thinking skills in children. These riddles for kids are the perfect way to do just that. You can use them as a warm-up, a brain break during class, or to wrap up at the end of the day. Some of these brain teasers are more challenging than others however, they all provide just the brain workout you are looking for by challenging traditional thinking and engaging your students in a different way.
1. “What occurs in every second, minute, month, and century? But not every hour, week, year, or decade?”
Do you think you can solve this Riddle?
Answer: The letter N
This one challenged me, so it will definitely tickle kids’ brains. If you have students that think critically, they’ll get it.
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2. Why did the citrus tree go to the hospital?
Answer: Lemon-aid
Here’s an easier one that younger kids will be able to answer, as long as they know that first aid is medical treatment!
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3. I look at you, and you look at me. I raise my right, you raise your left. What am I?
Answer: Your reflection in the mirror
As long as kids are familiar with how mirrors work, they should get this one. It would be good as an intro for a reflection unit too.
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4. I can be hot, I can be cold, I can run, and I can be still. I can be hard, and I can be soft. What am I?
Answer: Water
The hard and soft parts may require an explanation here, but many will be able to guess this one using the other clues.
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5. What is black and white and blue?
Answer: A sad zebra
Kids may think zebra at first, but the blue part might challenge them. They would have to know that blue also means sad.
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6. I am served at a table, In gatherings of two or four. Served small, white, and round. You’ll love some, and that’s part of the fun. What am I?
Answer: Ping-pong ball
This one may be more difficult than you’d think, but challenges learners views of fun ball games.
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7. I am a ball that can be rolled but never bounced and never thrown. What am I?
Answer: A bowling ball
This riddle is perfect for family games night! Students who can’t guess the answer will, unfortunately, strike out.
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8. If I have it, I don’t share it. If I share it, I don’t have it. What is it?
Answer: A secret
This one stumped me, but I’m sure that some clever kids will be able to guess it!
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9. Three eyes have I, all in a row. When the red one opens, all freeze. What am I?
Answer: A traffic light
I think that this one is fairly easy to guess, but if displayed with this image, it may confuse them.
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10. It is a thing that we eat. A type of sweet, we call it a treat- an icy block treat. What am I?
Answer: Ice cream bar
They may think that it’s an ice pop. Either way, they should be able to guess this tasty treat.
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11. I’m not clothed, but I cover your body. The more I’m used, the thinner I grow. What am I?
Answer: A bar of soap
With the prevalence of liquid soap, some kids may not know what a bar of soap is, so they may not guess this one quickly.
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12. I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. What am I?
Answer: A computer keyboard
While kids may not be exposed to computer keyboards all the time, they are using phone keyboards frequently.
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13. All about but cannot be seen. It can be captured, cannot be held. No throat, but it can be heard. What is it?
Answer: The wind
This riddle is best suited for older learners, as younger kids won’t get many of the references. Pair it with a science unit on the weather for an element of fun.
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14. I don’t have eyes, but once I did see. Once I had thoughts, but now I’m white and empty. What am I?
Answer: A skull
Kids may not get this one immediately if they don’t know about the human body, but many will do.
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15. Poor people have it, rich people need it, and if you eat it, you will die. What is it?
Answer: Nothing
This one is abstract and will definitely confuse many students, but one or two in a class will get it. Older kids will fare better than younger ones here.
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16. Although I have many eyes, I cannot see. I have a round brown face with lots of acne. What am I?
Answer: A potato
The acne part of this clue may cause some kids to doubt themselves, but most will guess potato.
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17. I have a lot of teeth, but I cannot bite. I’m used often during the day but rarely at night. What am I?
Answer: A comb
The vocabulary in this clue is challenging but appropriate for upper elementary and middle school learners.
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18. I give milk and have a horn, but I’m not a cow. What am I?
Answer: A milk truck
This is one of these riddles for kids that will depend on where you live.
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19. I grow from darkness but shine with a pale light. Very round I am and always a lady’s delight. What am I?
Answer: A pearl
Most kids should know what a pearl is, but if not, this riddle provides the perfect opportunity to introduce learners to it.
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20. I have a metal roof and a glass wall. I burn and burn but never fall. What am I?
Answer: A lantern
This one is definitely best for older kids, but it adds fun to an electrical unit no matter the grade level of learners!
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