Examples of Riddles
Some of us have the sort of witty mind that can easily think up a riddle for a game or get together. The rest of us need a little help, which is where examples of riddles come in handy. Below are some great samples to use for inspiration, as well as ideas for places to try them.
Finding Good Examples of Riddles
There are plenty of terrible riddles out there, from guessing games to knock-knock jokes you’ve heard a thousand times. The most difficult part of a good riddle is finding it in the first place, but thanks to the Internet, it is now easier than ever before.
There are plenty of riddle books available at your local library or bookstore, however when you need a riddle quickly, the computer is often the best place to go.
When searching for riddle examples, there are two things to be on the lookout for – humor and degree of difficulty. Remember that riddles do not always have to be hard. In fact, sometimes riddles are so simple in their solution that people will wrestle with the question for hours, convinced it couldn’t possibly be so easy. This "too simple to be true" form of riddle can often bring a chuckle, killing two birds with one stone.
For example: Q – How do you put a polar bear in the freezer? A- Open the freezer, stuff in the polar bear and close the door.
Most people tend to overthink this sort of problem (Lure him there with salmon? Use a forklift?) so the "simple" answer is a startlingly humorous surprise. Who could deny the beauty and pure riddle essence of classics like: "Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side, of course."
To get a laugh, visit a website such as FunnyRiddles.net, where you can learn plenty of riddles and brain teasers that will warrant either a giggle or groan.
Riddles With Depth
Some riddles involve a little more brain power and thought, and may even have deep solutions. Two examples are found below. These thought-provoking riddles may use allegories or philosophy as part of their constructs.
Q – What animal walks on all fours in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening?
A – Man. He crawls as a baby, walks as an adult, and uses a cane when he’s elderly.
The mind automatically focuses on wild animals, when the answer is found within oneself all along.
Q – Rich people want it, poor people have it; It Is greater than God but worse than Satan. What is it?
A – Nothing. Rich people want nothing, poor people have nothing, nothing is greater than God and nothing is worse than Satan.
This is a simple answer, and yet it may not be obvious, especially if you are not thinking along the right paths.
For children, riddle-poems can be fun as well as challenging. They are easy to write and can exercise your creativity in a whole new way. To create a riddle-poem, you must limit yourself to short stanzas with even shorter answers. Adjust the skill level required to the age of the riddle solver, creating very simple ones for youngsters, and more challenging sets for teens.
Q: Three eyes have I, all in a row;
When the red one opens, all freeze.
A: Traffic light
By making it poetic, it adds an aura of mystery to the challenge. The solution, while logical, is also not crystal clear for most people when they first hear it.
Nature is also a great subject for riddle poems:
Q – I am the red tongue of the Earth; I bury cities beneath.
A – Volcano.
The trick to riddle-poems is to convey a mystery while using only a few clues. These two examples, as well as many others, can be found through a simple internet search. After you have challenged some young minds, allow them time to create their own riddle-poems and see if you can guess their creations.
How to Use Riddle Examples
Use examples of riddles to inspire you to create treasure hunt clues, birthday cards or even fun games for adults or children. While you can write your own original riddles, often you can modify classics to use in a fresh way that fits your needs or theme. Also, remember that the "stale" riddles you grew up with sound fresh and new to today's children.
by Tamara Warta