How to Create a Riddle Book

Riddle books combine writing and art.

Kindergarten and early elementary age children could create a simple riddle book independently or with help from an adult. This kind of activity incorporates creative thought and drawing and offers children an opportunity to build descriptive writing skills. Riddle books encourage the use of strong adjectives. When the project is complete, children have a personally designed, interactive book.

Things You'll Need

• Envelopes
• Crayons or markers
• Index cards
• Staples

Instructions

1. 

   Fruits make good objects for a riddle.

   Choose five objects that a child can easily describe. Think of tangible, familiar objects such as foods, household items or animals.

2. Write the names of the objects on five separate index cards (one object per card). Underneath the word, draw a picture of the object. Use the back side of the index card for the illustration if you need more room. Place each card inside a separate envelope.

3. 

   Use your five senses to describe an object such as a cat.

   Write down clues about the objects on five new index cards. Each card should have three to five clues about one of the objects. Clues for a cat might read: "I am soft and furry. I have pointy ears, white whiskers, and a long tail. I come in different colors and sometimes have spots or stripes. I am usually a very quiet pet."

4. 

   Use a range of colors.

   Decorate the envelopes. Use markers or crayons to color the outside of each envelope. Encourage children to make the envelopes unique by using a variety of colors and patterns.

5. Glue each clue card to the front of the appropriate envelope based on the answer card inside. Center the cards on the envelopes.

6. Cut out a piece of paper or card stock the same size as the envelopes. Design a cover using a title such as: "A Funny Riddle Book" or "My Envelope Book."

7. Stack the envelopes in the same direction (right side up with the front of the envelope facing forward). Staple them together along the left side to create a book. Avoid stapling the answer cards inside the envelopes.

Tips & Warnings

• Color the envelopes on top of scrap paper in order to prevent marker stains on the table or desk.

• Wait for the marker ink to dry before attaching the clue cards to the front of each envelope.

• Choose objects the child feels comfortable drawing to avoid frustration on the answer cards (or skip the drawing).

• An adult may need to put the finished book together.

• An adult should supervise the stapling or should staple the envelopes together for a younger child.

References

• What Am I: An Animal Guessing Book; Margarita Bernal; 2000.