Rhyming “who am I?” riddles · ages 3 to 8

Animal riddles for kids

63 rhyming “who am I?” riddles, with answers and free printable cards.

Riddles are our favorite way to read with a child. You say two little lines, you wait, and you watch them think. Then their whole face lights up. “A COW!”

So here are 63 of them, all in rhyme, from the farm to the bottom of the ocean. In every riddle the animal talks and gives you two clues. Read the first one. If they're stuck, read the second. Then tap to see if they were right, and find out one real thing about that animal while you're there.

Keep playing, keep asking questions. And if they get every single one? Ask them to make up a riddle for YOU.

Start with the farmPrint the cards (free)

Riddle of the day

No. 1

Like a cloud, I'm fluffy and white.I come to you at night.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Show me!
Sheep, a paper cut-out

A new riddle every day. Come back tomorrow!

How to play

Two clues, then the answer

  1. 1

    Read clue 1 out loud. Don't show the picture yet.

  2. 2

    Stuck? Read clue 2. It almost gives it away, and the animal's sound always comes last.

  3. 3

    Tap “Who am I?” See the answer, the animal and the clue explained.

For little ones (3 to 4)

Start with clue 2, the easy one. Point at the shadow, make the sounds together, and cheer every guess, right or wrong.

For big kids (5 to 8)

Clue 1 only. Can they get it without the second one? Then let them explain why it's right.

Who's playing?

On the farm · 10 riddles6 easy riddles

Farm animal riddles

Our riddle book started on the farm. Three of these riddles come straight from its pages; the rest are brand new.

Riddle 1Easy

From our book Farm Animals

Like a cloud, I'm fluffy and white.I come to you at night.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Sheep, a paper cut-out

Sheep!

Riddle 2Easy

From our book Farm Animals

Close to the dawn, around 6 o'clockmy melody wakes you up. I rock!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Rooster, a paper cut-out

Rooster!

Riddle 3Easy

From our book Farm Animals

I am tall, in chess they call me knight.I can be brown, black or white.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Horse, a paper cut-out

Horse!

Riddle 4Easy
I chew my lunch, then I chew it once more.My tummy has rooms. How many? Four!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My coat has patches like a puzzle, you see,and when you hear MOO, you know it is me!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Cow, a paper cut-out

Cow!

The clue explained: A cow has one big stomach with four parts, and she brings her grass back up to chew it again. (Mississippi State University Extension)

Riddle 5Easy
I hardly sweat, so what do I do?I roll in the mud to cool down. Wouldn't you?
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My nose is flat and my tail is a curl.Oink oink! I say to every boy and girl.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Pig, a paper cut-out

Pig!

The clue explained: Pigs can barely sweat, so a mud bath is how they keep cool, and it works as sunscreen too. (RSPCA)

Riddle 6Easy
Rain on my feathers just rolls away.I stay dry on the wettest day!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My feet are like flippers, orange and wide.Quack quack! I say, with my ducklings beside.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Duck, a paper cut-out

Duck!

The clue explained: Ducks spread oil from a gland near their tail over their feathers, which makes them waterproof. (Missouri Department of Conservation)

Riddle 7Tricky
I look like a horse who forgot to grow tall,with ears so long, I can hear it all.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I carry the bags up the hill with care.HEE HAW is my song. Can you hear it up there?
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Donkey, a paper cut-out

Donkey!

The clue explained: A donkey's coat isn't waterproof like a horse's, so donkeys need a roof when it rains. (The Donkey Sanctuary)

Riddle 8Tricky
My head turns red, then white, then blue.It shows how I feel. Isn't that true for you?
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I open my tail like a big paper fan.Gobble gobble! Catch me if you can!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Turkey, a paper cut-out

Turkey!

The clue explained: The bare skin on a turkey's head changes color when it is excited or calm. (Pennsylvania Game Commission)

Riddle 9Tricky
I guard the farm better than any old dog.I honk at the fox and the cat and the frog.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
We fly in a V, high up in the sky.HONK HONK! we shout as we're passing by.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Goose, a paper cut-out

Goose!

The clue explained: Geese are so loud and brave that farmers have kept them as guards for thousands of years. (National Geographic)

Riddle 10Tricky
My wool is soft and my neck is long.When I'm happy, I hum a little song.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Be nice to me, or watch out, beware!When I get grumpy, I spit through the air!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Llama, a paper cut-out

Llama!

The clue explained: Llamas spit mostly at other llamas, not at people. Some llamas even work as guards for sheep! (US Cooperative Extension)

Cover of Farm Animals, a rhyming picture book of animal riddles

Our book Farm Animals is a whole book of riddles like these.

Guess who's talking, then scan the page with a phone or tablet and the answer stands on your floor.

Buy on Amazon · $14.99Look inside

Pets · 5 riddles4 easy riddles

Pet riddles

The animals who live with you know your socks, your sofa and your secrets.

Riddle 11Easy
I nap in the sun for most of the day,then chase a red dot that runs away.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Nine lives, people say, and whiskers too.Purr purr, meow! I'm the boss of you!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Cat, a paper cut-out

Cat!

The clue explained: A slow blink is a cat's smile. Slow-blink at a cat, and it will often blink back. (University of Sussex)

Riddle 12Easy
My nose is so clever, it's never wrong.I sniff your socks and I sniff all day long.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I wag my tail when you walk through the door.WOOF! Throw the ball, and I'll fetch it once more!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Dog, a paper cut-out

Dog!

The clue explained: Every dog's nose print is different, just like your fingerprint. (VCA Animal Hospitals)

Riddle 13Easy
I have no eyelids, so I never blink.I live in a bowl, not in the sink!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I'm orange and shiny, I swim round and round.I open my mouth, but I don't make a sound.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Goldfish, a paper cut-out

Goldfish!

The clue explained: Fish have no eyelids; the water keeps their eyes clean and wet. (Washington State University)

Riddle 14Easy
My teeth keep growing my whole life long,so crunchy hay keeps them short and strong.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
When I'm happy, I jump and I twist in the air.It's called a binky! I hop everywhere.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Bunny, a paper cut-out

Bunny!

(a rabbit)

The clue explained: A rabbit's teeth never stop growing, so it needs hay to wear them down. The happy jump really is called a binky. (RSPCA)

Riddle 15Tricky
I stuff my cheeks with seeds for later.My cheeks are my pockets, my own refrigerator!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
When you're asleep, I run on my wheel.Nobody knows how busy I feel!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Hamster, a paper cut-out

Hamster!

The clue explained: Hamsters have stretchy cheek pouches that reach back to their shoulders. (National Geographic)

In the forest · 10 riddles3 easy riddles

Forest animal riddles

Quiet, clever, a little shy. Our book Forest Animals is about these neighbors.

About the book Forest Animals

Riddle 16Easy
I listen for mice under the snow,then jump head first, and down I go!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My coat is red and my tail is a brush.I borrow golf balls, then run off in a rush!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Fox, a paper cut-out

Fox!

The clue explained: Foxes hear mice moving under the snow and pounce on them nose first. The golf balls come from the fun facts in our book Forest Animals. (US National Park Service)

Riddle 17Easy
I turn my head almost all the way round,and I fly through the night without a sound.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Who, who, who? That's the question I ask.Staying up all night is my favorite task.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Owl, a paper cut-out

Owl!

The clue explained: Owls cannot move their eyes, so they turn their heads instead, up to three quarters of the way around. (National Audubon Society)

Riddle 18Easy
I eat and I eat until autumn is done,then I sleep through the winter and miss all the fun!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Berries and nuts, and some honey, please!I'm big and furry, and I climb up trees.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Bear, a paper cut-out

Bear!

The clue explained: Bears eat mostly berries, nuts, roots and insects, and a mother bear has her tiny cubs in the winter den while she sleeps. (US National Park Service)

Riddle 19Tricky
Each year I grow branches, but I'm not a tree.They fall off in winter. Oh, poor me!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My babies have white spots and wobbly knees.I'm quick and I'm quiet, I hide in the trees.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Deer, a paper cut-out

Deer!

The clue explained: A male deer grows new antlers every year and drops them every winter. (US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Riddle 20Tricky
I live with my family, we call it a pack.We go out together, and we all come back.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
When the moon is full and the night is bright,I lift up my nose and I howl with all my might.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Wolf, a paper cut-out

Wolf!

The clue explained: As the fun fact in our book Forest Animals says, wolves don't howl at the moon, but they howl more on bright nights. (Smithsonian's National Zoo)

Riddle 21Tricky
I bury my snacks in a hundred spots,and I forget where I put quite a lot.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Some nuts I forget grow into trees,so thank me for the forest, please!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Squirrel, a paper cut-out

Squirrel!

The clue explained: Squirrels forget many of the nuts they bury, and those nuts grow into new trees. (Smithsonian Science Education Center)

Riddle 22Tricky
When I'm scared, I don't run away.I roll into a ball, and there I stay.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I have lots of spines, but I'm not a cactus, no!I snuffle for snails wherever I go.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Hedgehog, a paper cut-out

Hedgehog!

The clue explained: A hedgehog has thousands of spines. When it smells something new, it licks foam onto them, and scientists still don't know why! (Hedgehog Street)

Riddle 23Tricky
Knock knock! Who's there? It's me on the tree.I'm not at your door, so you don't need a key.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My tongue is so long, it wraps round my head,and I drum on the trees until it's time for bed.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Woodpecker, a paper cut-out

Woodpecker!

The clue explained: When it's tucked away, a woodpecker's tongue wraps all the way around the back of its skull. (American Bird Conservancy)

Riddle 24Tricky
I wear a black mask, but I'm not a thief...well, maybe a little. I'll keep this brief.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My hands are so clever, I open your bin,and my ringed tail waves as I climb right in!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Raccoon, a paper cut-out

Raccoon!

The clue explained: Raccoons have very sensitive front paws that work almost like hands. (National Geographic)

Riddle 25Tricky
I'm black with a white stripe, I'm fluffy and small,but nobody comes near me. Nobody at all!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I stamp my feet first, as a warning to you.Don't listen, and you'll smell me all week through!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Skunk, a paper cut-out

Skunk!

The clue explained: Before it sprays, a skunk stamps its feet and raises its tail to warn you. (National Wildlife Federation)

Dinosaurs · 11 riddles1 easy riddles

Dinosaur riddles

A few of these borrow real facts from the last page of our book Dinosaurs Are Back. And one of them isn't a dinosaur at all. Can you find it?

Dinosaur facts for kids: meet all ten

Riddle 26Easy
My teeth are as long as a banana, you see,but my arms are so short, I can't scratch my knee.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I'm the king of the dinosaurs, everyone knows.Now run, run, run, before I nibble your toes!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Tyrannosaurus rex, a paper cut-out

Tyrannosaurus rex!

The clue explained: T. rex had about 60 teeth, and the biggest were up to 20 cm (8 inches) long, about the size of a banana. (Natural History Museum, London)

Tyrannosaurus rex facts →
Riddle 27Tricky
My head is as big as a small car, they say,and T. rex and I lived in the very same day.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My name says it all: three horns on my face.A young one like me went on a big egg chase!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Triceratops, a paper cut-out

Triceratops!

The clue explained: "Triceratops" means "three horned face". The egg chase is Spike's story in Dinosaurs Are Back. (Natural History Museum, London)

Triceratops facts →
Riddle 28Tricky
My head is tiny, like a walnut, it's true,but don't be fooled, I know what to do!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Big plates on my back and spikes on my tail.I swing it at danger, and I never fail!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Stegosaurus, a paper cut-out

Stegosaurus!

The clue explained: The tail spikes even have a nickname: the thagomizer. (Smithsonian Magazine)

Stegosaurus facts →
Riddle 29Tricky
I eat from the treetops, I munch and I munch,a hundred kilos of plants just for lunch!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My neck is so long, like a crane at the port,and my front legs are long, but my back legs are short!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Brachiosaurus, a paper cut-out

Brachiosaurus!

The clue explained: Its name means "arm lizard", because its front legs were longer than its back legs. From Dinosaurs Are Back: it ate 100 to 400 kilograms of plants every day. (Natural History Museum, London)

Brachiosaurus facts →
Riddle 30Tricky
I'm the size of a turkey, with feathers, it's true,but I run much faster than most humans do!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
A big curved claw on each of my feet.I'm clever and quick when I'm looking for meat.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Velociraptor, a paper cut-out

Velociraptor!

The clue explained: From Dinosaurs Are Back: small like a big turkey, but it could run up to 65 km (40 miles) per hour. (Dinosaurs Are Back)

Velociraptor facts →
Riddle 31Tricky
I'm covered in armor like a knight in a fight,but I only eat plants, from morning till night.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My tail has a club like a big bony ball.Swing! Bang! I'm the tank of them all!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Ankylosaurus, a paper cut-out

Ankylosaurus!

The clue explained: From Dinosaurs Are Back: armored like a knight and as powerful as a tank, with a club on its tail. (Dinosaurs Are Back)

Ankylosaurus facts →
Riddle 32Tricky
Bigger than T. rex? Yes, that's me!I swim like a crocodile, happy and free.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
A sail on my back like a ship at sea.I snap up fish for breakfast and tea.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Spinosaurus, a paper cut-out

Spinosaurus!

The clue explained: From Dinosaurs Are Back: it grew up to 15 meters (49 feet) long, even bigger than T. rex. (Dinosaurs Are Back)

Spinosaurus facts →
Riddle 33Tricky
Two crests on my head, like a fancy hat.Poison? Spitting? Oh no, I never did that!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My jaws were made for catching fish, you see,but I was still a meat-eater. Who can I be?
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Dilophosaurus, a paper cut-out

Dilophosaurus!

The clue explained: From Dinosaurs Are Back: some people think it was poisonous, but there's no evidence for that. Its name means "two-crested lizard". (Natural History Museum, London)

Dilophosaurus facts →
Riddle 34Tricky
They called me Brontosaurus for years and years,but we're two different dinosaurs, my dears!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I grew as long as two school buses, end to end,with a tail like a whip. Will you be my friend?
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Apatosaurus, a paper cut-out

Apatosaurus!

The clue explained: From Dinosaurs Are Back: it grew up to 23 meters (75 feet) long, and Brontosaurus is a different dinosaur. (Dinosaurs Are Back)

Apatosaurus facts →
Riddle 35Tricky
Two horns on my head, like a bull, it's true,and arms so short, I can't wave at you!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I was one of the fastest, as fast as can be,and one single gulp was a dinner for me!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Carnotaurus, a paper cut-out

Carnotaurus!

The clue explained: Its name means "meat-eating bull". From Dinosaurs Are Back: it was one of the fastest dinosaurs, with remarkably short arms. (Natural History Museum, London)

Carnotaurus facts →
Riddle 36Tricky
My wings were wider than a car, tip to tip.I scooped up fish, but my beak had no teeth to grip!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Everyone calls me a dinosaur. Oh my!I'm a flying reptile, the king of the sky!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Pteranodon, a paper cut-out

Pteranodon!

The clue explained: Surprise: Pteranodon was not a dinosaur. It was a pterosaur, a flying reptile that lived at the same time. Its name means "wing without tooth". (Field Museum)

In the ocean · 10 riddles4 easy riddles

Ocean animal riddles

Three hearts, no brain, a daddy with a pouch. The sea is full of surprises.

Riddle 37Easy
I'm bigger than a dinosaur, the biggest of all,but my favorite food is tiny and small.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I breathe through a hole on the top of my head,and I sing long songs in my deep ocean bed.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Whale, a paper cut-out

Whale!

(the blue whale)

The clue explained: The blue whale is the biggest animal that has ever lived, and it eats tiny shrimp called krill. (NOAA Fisheries)

Riddle 38Easy
I lose my teeth, but I never feel sad.New ones grow back, so it isn't so bad!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
A fin on my back cuts through the sea.Dun dun, dun dun... Can you guess? It's me!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Shark, a paper cut-out

Shark!

The clue explained: Some sharks go through thousands of teeth in a lifetime. (Natural History Museum, London)

Riddle 39Easy
My skeleton's outside, my armor is my shell,and I wave my claws to say hi as well.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I don't walk forward, I don't walk back.I walk sideways! Click clack, click clack!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Crab, a paper cut-out

Crab!

The clue explained: A crab's legs bend sideways, so walking sideways is the quickest way to go. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

Riddle 40Easy
I'm a bird, but I don't fly in the sky.I fly underwater instead. Oh my!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I wear a tuxedo everywhere I go.I waddle, then slide on my tummy in the snow.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Penguin, a paper cut-out

Penguin!

The clue explained: Penguins "fly" underwater, using their wings like flippers. (SeaWorld)

Riddle 41Tricky
I have three hearts and my blood is blue.I can change my color like magic. It's true!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Eight long arms, and I'm great at hide and seek.I squirt dark ink if you try to peek!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Octopus, a paper cut-out

Octopus!

The clue explained: Octopuses really have three hearts and blue blood. (Natural History Museum, London)

Riddle 42Tricky
I sleep with one eye open, half of me awake,so I never forget to breathe, for goodness' sake!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I click and I whistle, I leap through the spray.I'm a mammal, not a fish, and I love to play!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Dolphin, a paper cut-out

Dolphin!

The clue explained: Dolphins rest one half of their brain at a time, so they can keep swimming up for air. (Georgia Aquarium)

Riddle 43Tricky
If I lose an arm, don't worry for me.I grow a new one, easy peasy, you see!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I'm shaped like a star, but I don't shine at night.I cling to the rocks, and I hold on tight.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Sea star, a paper cut-out

Sea star!

(many people call it a starfish)

The clue explained: Sea stars can grow back lost arms, and they are not fish at all. (NOAA National Ocean Service)

Riddle 44Tricky
I'm a daddy who carries the babies inside,in a pouch on my tummy, cozy and wide.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My head looks like a horse's, but I never neigh.I hold on to seagrass with my tail all day.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Seahorse, a paper cut-out

Seahorse!

The clue explained: In seahorse families, the dad carries the eggs until the babies hatch. (National Geographic Kids)

Riddle 45Tricky
I was born on a beach, then I ran to the sea,and one day I'll come back where the sand welcomed me.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My shell is my house, I never move out.I'm slow on the sand, but I swim all about.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Sea turtle, a paper cut-out

Sea turtle!

The clue explained: Mother sea turtles swim back to the beach where they hatched to lay their own eggs. (NOAA National Ocean Service)

Riddle 46Tricky
No brain, no heart, and no bones at all.I was here before the dinosaurs, before them all!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I'm wobbly like jelly, I drift with the tide.Don't touch my long tentacles! They sting, so step aside.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Jellyfish, a paper cut-out

Jellyfish!

The clue explained: Jellyfish have lived in the oceans for more than 500 million years, long before the dinosaurs. (Natural History Museum, London)

Jungle and savanna · 10 riddles6 easy riddles

Jungle and savanna animal riddles

Lions live on the savanna, tigers in the jungles of Asia, and sloths in the rainforest. We checked!

Riddle 47Easy
My nose is a hose, a hand and a straw,the longest nose you ever saw!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I flap my big ears to cool down in the heat,and the ground goes boom boom under my feet.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Elephant, a paper cut-out

Elephant!

The clue explained: Baby elephants suck their trunks for comfort, the way children suck their thumbs. (National Geographic Kids)

Riddle 48Easy
My tongue is blue-black and as long as your arm,and I hum in the night, very quiet and calm.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I'm the tallest animal, with a neck up so high,I say good morning to the birds in the sky.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Giraffe, a paper cut-out

Giraffe!

The clue explained: A giraffe's tongue is up to 50 cm (20 inches) long, and scientists have recorded giraffes humming at night. (Smithsonian Magazine)

Riddle 49Easy
No two of us have the very same stripes,like your fingerprints. We are all different types!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Am I white with black stripes, or black with white?I look like a horse in pajamas at night!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Zebra, a paper cut-out

Zebra!

The clue explained: Every zebra's stripes are different, like a fingerprint. (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Riddle 50Easy
I nap most of the day, sixteen hours or more,but five miles away, you can still hear my roar!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My golden mane looks just like a crown.My family is called a pride. Please bow down!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Lion, a paper cut-out

Lion!

The clue explained: Lions are the only cats that live in families, called prides, on the African savanna (not in the jungle!). A lion's roar carries about 8 km (5 miles). (National Geographic Kids)

Riddle 51Easy
I'm a big cat who loves water, it's true.I swim in the river. Do you like swimming too?
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I'm orange with black stripes, the biggest cat around.I walk through the jungle without a sound.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Tiger, a paper cut-out

Tiger!

The clue explained: Tigers live in Asia and love to swim. Their skin is striped too, not just their fur. (National Geographic Kids)

Riddle 52Easy
I groom my friends and pick out their bugs.That's how we say thank you, instead of hugs.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Ooh ooh, aah aah! I swing tree to tree,and fruit, leaves and bugs are dinner for me.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Monkey, a paper cut-out

Monkey!

The clue explained: Grooming keeps monkeys clean, and it's how they make and keep friends. (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Riddle 53Tricky
I'm so slow that green plants grow in my hair.I hang upside down without a care.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I climb down from my tree just once a week,to go to the toilet! Please, don't peek!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Sloth, a paper cut-out

Sloth!

The clue explained: Green algae grow in a sloth's fur and help it hide. It climbs down only about once a week, to poo. And it isn't lazy: leaves just give it very little energy. (Smithsonian's National Zoo)

Riddle 54Tricky
My beak is so strong, it can crack a hard nut,and I talk and I talk. I can't keep it shut!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Red, blue, yellow and green, I'm a rainbow in flight.Say hello and I'll say it back. I'm polite!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Parrot, a paper cut-out

Parrot!

The clue explained: Pet parrots can learn to copy words. And parrots have a favorite foot, just like you have a favorite hand! (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Riddle 55Tricky
I've been around since the dinosaurs' day.I float like a log and wait for my prey.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
My snout is a V, and my teeth always show,even with my mouth shut! Snap! Now go!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Crocodile, a paper cut-out

Crocodile!

The clue explained: A crocodile's pointy snout shows its teeth even when its mouth is shut; an alligator's rounder snout hides them. And a mother crocodile carries her babies to the water, gently, in her mouth. (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Riddle 56Tricky
I make my own sunscreen, a red and pink goo,and I stay in the river all day. Wouldn't you?
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
They call me a river horse, but I can't really swim!I walk on the bottom. I'm grumpy, so don't come in!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Hippo, a paper cut-out

Hippo!

(a hippopotamus)

The clue explained: Hippopotamus means "river horse". Hippos can't swim or float: they walk and bounce along the river bottom. Their red "sweat" is a sunscreen. (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Bugs and garden · 7 riddles6 easy riddles

Bug and garden riddles

Tiny, busy and everywhere. Get down low and look.

Riddle 57Easy
I'm red with black dots, like a tiny round shell,and I eat the bugs that make gardens unwell.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Land on your hand? Make a wish, people say.Then I open my wings, and I fly away.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Ladybug, a paper cut-out

Ladybug!

The clue explained: One ladybug can eat thousands of aphids, the little bugs that hurt plants. (National Geographic Kids)

Riddle 58Easy
I taste with my feet. Isn't that neat?I land on a flower to find something sweet.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I was a caterpillar, hungry and small.Now I have wings, the most colorful of all!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Butterfly, a paper cut-out

Butterfly!

The clue explained: Butterflies have taste sensors on their feet. (Florida Museum of Natural History)

Riddle 59Easy
I can carry a leaf that weighs more than me.Could you lift a car? No? I'm stronger, you see!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I live with my sisters, a million or more.We march in a line to the picnic next door.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Ant, a paper cut-out

Ant!

The clue explained: Ants can carry things much heavier than themselves, and the ants you see marching are almost all sisters. (National Geographic Kids)

Riddle 60Easy
I'm not an insect, I have eight legs, not six,and I make my own string for my building tricks.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I spin a web with the silk from inside,then wait for a fly to come for a ride.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Spider, a paper cut-out

Spider!

The clue explained: Spiders have eight legs, so they are arachnids, not insects. (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)

Riddle 61Easy
I have just one foot and I'm slow as can be.When it's too dry outside, I nap for weeks, you see!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
I carry my house on my back when I roam,and leave a shiny trail on my way back home.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Snail, a paper cut-out

Snail!

The clue explained: In dry weather, snails seal themselves inside their shells and sleep until it rains. (UC Statewide IPM Program)

Riddle 62Easy
I dance a little wiggle to show friends the wayto the very best flowers. Let's go, hooray!
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Buzz buzz! In my stripes of yellow and black,I make your honey, and I always fly back.
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Bee, a paper cut-out

Bee!

The clue explained: Honeybees do a "waggle dance" to tell the hive where the flowers are. (University of Sussex)

Riddle 63Tricky
I'm a beetle with a little lamp inside.When the summer night comes, I don't need to hide.
A shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Another clue
Blink blink! My tail lights up in the dark.Don't keep me in a jar. Let me fly in the park!
Show the shadowA shadow clue: whose shadow is this?
Who am I?
Firefly, a paper cut-out

Firefly!

The clue explained: Fireflies are beetles, and they flash their lights to find each other. (US National Park Service)

Free, no sign-up

Print the riddle cards

Six cards on a page. Cut them apart and fold each card in half: the riddle is on one side, the animal is on the other. Put one in a lunchbox, take a few in the car, or read five at bedtime. There's a color version, and a black and white one to color in once you've guessed it.

Free for home and classroom use. Please share the link to this page rather than the file.

8 ways to play

Lunchbox, car, bedtime, circle time and more, on one page.

US LetterA4

Make your own riddle

Five steps, a fill-in rhyme and a box to draw the animal.

US LetterA4

Beyond the screen

8 ways to play animal riddles

  • Guess the animal bag

    Put toy animals in a bag. Read a riddle; whoever guesses pulls it out.

  • Riddle of the day

    One riddle at breakfast. The answer comes at dinner.

  • Lunchbox note

    A folded card in the lunchbox. They open the fold at school.

  • Car rides

    One clue per mile. No screens needed.

  • Bedtime

    Five riddles, lights low, whisper the sounds.

  • Circle time (for teachers)

    Hand out picture cards. The child holding the answer stands up.

  • Riddle hunt

    Each answer tells you where the next card is hiding (under the cat, next to the goldfish).

  • Act it out

    Instead of saying the answer, they have to BE the animal.

The best part

Make your own animal riddle

A child who makes up a riddle has to think like the animal, which is why we love this part. Here's how:

  1. 1

    Pick an animal you know well.

  2. 2

    Find one surprising thing about it. That's your tricky clue. (A cow's tummy has four rooms!)

  3. 3

    Find the thing everyone knows. That's your easy clue. Save the sound for last.

  4. 4

    Find two words that rhyme. Sea and me. Tall and all. Night and white.

  5. 5

    Let the animal talk. Say “I” and “me”. It's more fun when the animal is the one showing off.

Fill in the blanks

I have and I love to .
I live in . Who am I, can you say?

Print the template:US LetterA4

What the research says

Why riddles are good for kids

Riddles won't make your child a genius, and we won't pretend they do. Here's what the research does say.

Questions

Grown-ups ask

What's a good riddle for a 4 year old?
One that describes the animal, not a pun. Two short clues, the easy one last, the sound at the very end. Try the cow, the duck or the dog riddles.
What is a “who am I?” riddle?
A riddle where the animal talks about itself (“I have eight legs...”) and you guess who it is. Every riddle on this page is one.
How do you play guess the animal?
Read one clue at a time and let children guess after each. Little ones can point at picture cards; big kids can ask yes or no questions.
Are riddles good for preschoolers?
Yes, as a game. They practice working out answers from clues and listening to rhyme. Keep it short, and praise guessing, not just right answers.
How do I make riddles easier for a 3 year old?
Start with the second clue, make the animal's sound, and show the shadow, or give them two or three pictures to choose from. The “Little ones” switch above does most of this for you.
Can I print these riddle cards?
Yes. They're free for home and classroom use. Please share this page's link rather than the file.
How do you make up an animal riddle?
Pick an animal, find one surprising fact and one thing everyone knows, find two rhyming words, and let the animal talk. Here's how.
Is a starfish a fish?
No! Scientists call it a sea star. It has no gills, fins or scales. (NOAA National Ocean Service)
Is Pteranodon a dinosaur?
No. It was a flying reptile called a pterosaur that lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Try its riddle. (Field Museum)
Cover of Farm Animals, a rhyming picture book of animal riddles

The book · ages 3 to 6

Farm Animals

Nine farm animals, each with its own rhyming riddle. Read it aloud, let them guess, then scan the page with a phone or tablet and the answer steps out into your room.

Buy on Amazon · $14.99Look inside