How to Write a Riddle

Kids love riddles. And so do some adults. Writing riddles is fun and easy and kids will lose themselves in creativity for hours. This can also be used as a great family time activity. Enjoy!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• pen or pencil
• paper
• imagination

1. Think of a subject. For this example, we will use “cat.”
2. Create three sections on your paper.
3. In the first section, jot down any characteristics that come to mind that relate to your subject. For the subject “cat,” we list:
   • Meow
   • Paws
   • Claws
   • Whiskers
   • Tail
   • Purr
4. In your second section, list words that rhyme with each characteristic. For our example:
   • meow— sow, plow, cow
   • whiskers—(can you think of any to match this word?)
   • paws—claws, straws, laws
   • tail—pail, scale, rail, mail
   • purr—sir, allure.
5. In the third section, refer back to your list in section one. Now you will create a list of words that contain the sound of the words on your list. For example, one of the characteristics of “cat” is “purr.” So, words with the sound “purr” in them would be “purr-fect” (perfect), “purr-trude” (protrude), “em-purr-or” (emperor). Or take “meow” one step further and create a lawn “meow-er.”
6. Now, before you come up with the riddle, you must create the answer. Let’s choose “purrfect” as the answer to our first riddle.
7. Using cat as our subject, we will create a riddle. How about, “what did the cat say when the mouse said he’d be back before lunch?” Answer: “That’s purr-fect.” Another riddle: “How did the cat cut the grass?” Answer: “With a lawn meow-er.”

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your favorite riddles in a notebook.
• After you've accumulated a lot of riddles, have them printed and give them away as gifts.
• Research the children's magazine market and send your riddles in for publication to magazines. Kids can do this, too!
• Start a riddle club at home or in the classroom and save all your riddles in a binder with plastic sheet protectors.
• Add pictures for visual appeal!
• This activity may cause loads of fun and loud bursts of laughter.