Riddles are a fun and engaging way to practice English as a Second Language (ESL). They challenge the mind, help with language comprehension, and make learning enjoyable. Whether you’re a student or a teacher, incorporating riddles into your study or teaching routine can improve vocabulary, encourage critical thinking, and provide a bit of laughter along the way.
Here’s a collection of 301 ESL riddles that are perfect for learners of all levels. Each riddle includes emojis to make the experience even more engaging!
Simple ESL Riddles 😄
- I have keys but open no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter but not go inside. What am I?
Answer: Keyboard ⌨️ - I’m full of holes but can hold water. What am I?
Answer: Sponge 🧽 - I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have nobody, but I come alive with wind. What am I?
Answer: Echo 📢 - I have hands but cannot clap. What am I?
Answer: Clock 🕰️ - I’m tall when I’m young, and I’m short when I’m old. What am I?
Answer: Candle 🕯️ - I can be cracked, made, told, and played. What am I?
Answer: Joke 😄 - I am not alive, but I can grow. I don’t have lungs, but I need air. What am I?
Answer: Fire 🔥 - I have a head, a tail, but no body. What am I?
Answer: Coin 💰 - I can travel around the world while staying in a corner. What am I?
Answer: Stamp 📬 - I’m light as a feather, yet the strongest person can’t hold me for five minutes. What am I?
Answer: Breath 🌬️ - I have one eye but can’t see. What am I?
Answer: Needle 🪡 - I’m a word of letters three, add two and fewer there will be. What am I?
Answer: Few 🧮 - I go up and down but never move. What am I?
Answer: Stairs 🪜 - I am taken from a mine, and shut up in a wooden case, from which I am never released, and yet I am used by almost every person. What am I?
Answer: Pencil ✏️ - I am a box that holds keys without locks, yet they can open your heart. What am I?
Answer: Piano 🎹 - I have a thumb and four fingers, but I am not alive. What am I?
Answer: Glove 🧤 - The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?
Answer: Footsteps 👣 - I’m used to write but never speak. What am I?
Answer: Pen 🖊️ - I’m full of words but I can’t speak. What am I?
Answer: Book 📖 - I have teeth but cannot bite. What am I?
Answer: Comb 🧸 - I can be cracked, made, told, and played. What am I?
Answer: Joke 😆 - I’m white when I am dirty and black when I am clean. What am I?
Answer: Blackboard 🖤 - I have a face and two hands but no arms or legs. What am I?
Answer: Clock 🕒 - I have cities but no houses, forests but no trees, and rivers but no water. What am I?
Answer: Map 🗺️ - I am a five-letter word and am very important to know. If you remove my first letter, I am something you eat. If you remove my second letter, I am something you drink. What am I?
Answer: Bread 🍞 - I’m a fruit with seeds on the outside. What am I?
Answer: Strawberry 🍓 - I’m a room you can enter but you cannot go outside. What am I?
Answer: Mushroom 🍄 - I’m usually white and worn on the head, and I protect you from the sun. What am I?
Answer: Hat 🧢 - I’m a two-letter word, used for asking. What am I?
Answer: Do ❓ - I’m often served with milk, and you can find me in a bowl. What am I?
Answer: Cereal 🥣
Daily Life ESL Riddles 🏡
- I’m found in the kitchen and used to cook food. What am I?
Answer: Stove 🍳 - I’m something you can eat but never chew. What am I?
Answer: Soup 🍲 - I’m found in the bedroom and you sleep on me. What am I?
Answer: Bed 🛏️ - I keep things cold and am found in the kitchen. What am I?
Answer: Refrigerator 🧊 - I’m used to wash your hands or face, and I’m found in the bathroom. What am I?
Answer: Sink 🚰 - I’m used for writing or drawing, and you can find me on a desk. What am I?
Answer: Paper 📜 - I’m used to clean clothes, and you put dirty clothes in me. What am I?
Answer: Washing machine 🧺 - I’m used to make phone calls, and you can find me in your hand or on a desk. What am I?
Answer: Phone 📞 - I’m used to sit on, and you find me in the dining room or office. What am I?
Answer: Chair 🪑 - I’m used to cut food, and you can find me in the kitchen. What am I?
Answer: Knife 🔪 - I’m used to light up the room, and you can turn me on or off. What am I?
Answer: Lamp 💡 - I’m found in the bathroom and used for personal hygiene. What am I?
Answer: Toothbrush 🪥 - I’m a type of furniture where you can keep clothes and personal items. What am I?
Answer: Closet 🚪 - I’m used to cook food and found in the kitchen, but you don’t put food in me. What am I?
Answer: Oven 🔥 - I’m used to cover your body and keep you warm. What am I?
Answer: Blanket 🛏️ - I’m a place where you keep your shoes and find them when you leave the house. What am I?
Answer: Shoe rack 👟 - I’m used for taking a shower, and you can adjust the temperature of the water. What am I?
Answer: Shower 🚿 - I’m used for drying your hair after a shower, and you can hold me in your hand. What am I?
Answer: Hairdryer 💨 - I’m used to cook rice and found in many kitchens. What am I?
Answer: Rice cooker 🍚 - I’m used to open cans, and you can find me in the kitchen. What am I?
Answer: Can opener 🥫 - I’m used to clean windows and often have a long handle. What am I?
Answer: Squeegee 🧼 - I’m a tool for measuring time, and you wear me on your wrist. What am I?
Answer: Watch ⌚ - I’m used to cut paper and found in an office or home. What am I?
Answer: Scissors ✂️ - I’m used for storing food, and you find me in the kitchen. What am I?
Answer: Pantry 🍲 - I’m used to heat up food quickly, and you find me in the kitchen. What am I?
Answer: Microwave 🍲 - I’m a container where you keep drinks cold and often take me to picnics. What am I?
Answer: Cooler 🧊 - I’m a type of container used for holding liquids, and you can find me in the kitchen. What am I?
Answer: Bottle 🍼 - I’m used to bake cakes and cookies, and you find me in the kitchen. What am I?
Answer: Baking tray 🍪 - I’m a tool for writing, and you often find me in a pencil case. What am I?
Answer: Pen 🖊️ - I’m used to store books, and you find me in a library or living room. What am I?
Answer: Bookshelf 📚
Travel ESL Riddles 🗺️
- I’m used to carry your luggage, and you pull me along. What am I?
Answer: Suitcase 🧳 - I’m used to travel by air, and you can sit in me during a flight. What am I?
Answer: Airplane ✈️ - I’m a type of vehicle used for long journeys and have a bed inside. What am I?
Answer: Camper 🚐 - I’m used for moving on water, and you can sail or motor in me. What am I?
Answer: Boat ⛵ - I’m used for navigating on the road, and you often find me in a car. What am I?
Answer: Map 🗺️ - I’m a place where you sleep while traveling, and you can find me in a hotel. What am I?
Answer: Room 🛏️ - I’m used to check in for flights, and you often find me at the airport. What am I?
Answer: Ticket 🎫 - I’m a place where travelers can stay overnight, often in a rural area. What am I?
Answer: Inn 🏨 - I’m used to drive on the road, and you can rent me for a trip. What am I?
Answer: Car 🚗 - I’m a place where you can get information about tourist attractions, often found in cities. What am I?
Answer: Tourist information center 🗺️ - I’m used for navigating a boat, and you can find me on the water. What am I?
Answer: Compass 🧭 - I’m a long journey on the road, often in a large vehicle. What am I?
Answer: Road trip 🚐 - I’m a place where you can get food and drinks while traveling, often found on the road. What am I?
Answer: Rest stop 🛤️ - I’m used to travel through a city, and you can find me on public transport. What am I?
Answer: Bus 🚌 - I’m a type of ticket used for traveling by train. What am I?
Answer: Train ticket 🚂 - I’m used for booking accommodations and often found online. What am I?
Answer: Reservation 🗓️ - I’m a small vehicle used for transporting people in cities. What am I?
Answer: Taxi 🚖 - I’m a document required for international travel, and you carry me in your passport. What am I?
Answer: Visa 🛂 - I’m a type of travel where you visit multiple cities or countries. What am I?
Answer: Tour 🗺️ - I’m used for checking your travel schedule, and you find me at the airport or train station. What am I?
Answer: Timetable ⏰ - I’m a type of vehicle used for travel within a city, often found on tracks. What am I?
Answer: Tram 🚊 - I’m used to protect your luggage and often have a combination or key. What am I?
Answer: Lock 🔐 - I’m a place where you can find souvenirs and gifts while traveling. What am I?
Answer: Gift shop 🎁 - I’m a guidebook with information about tourist spots. What am I?
Answer: Travel guide 📖 - I’m a travel document that proves your identity and citizenship. What am I?
Answer: Passport 🛂 - I’m a way to travel without a car, often found in cities. What am I?
Answer: Bicycle 🚲 - I’m a place where you can exchange currency for travel. What am I?
Answer: Currency exchange 💵 - I’m a type of travel where you stay in different hotels or lodges. What am I?
Answer: Hotel hopping 🏨 - I’m a type of transportation that runs on tracks and connects cities. What am I?
Answer: Train 🚄 - I’m used for booking travel accommodations and often found online. What am I?
Answer: Booking website 💻
Food ESL Riddles 🍔
- I’m small and sweet, and often found in desserts. What am I?
Answer: Candy 🍬 - I’m a type of fruit that is green on the outside and red on the inside. What am I?
Answer: Watermelon 🍉 - I’m used to make tea and have a strong flavor. What am I?
Answer: Tea bag 🍵 - I’m long and yellow and loved by monkeys. What am I?
Answer: Banana 🍌 - I’m a round fruit that is red or green and often used to make juice. What am I?
Answer: Apple 🍏 - I’m used to make pasta and come in many shapes. What am I?
Answer: Noodles 🍝 - I’m a baked good that can be sweet or savory and often comes in a round shape. What am I?
Answer: Muffin 🧁 - I’m often served with butter and jam and can be toasted. What am I?
Answer: Bread 🍞 - I’m made from milk and come in many flavors, often served cold. What am I?
Answer: Ice cream 🍦 - I’m a type of vegetable that is orange and good for your eyes. What am I?
Answer: Carrot 🥕 - I’m a small, round fruit that is often used to make a sauce. What am I?
Answer: Tomato 🍅 - I’m used in salads and sandwiches, and I’m green and leafy. What am I?
Answer: Lettuce 🥗 - I’m a dairy product often used in cooking, and I come in a block. What am I?
Answer: Cheese 🧀 - I’m often served with breakfast and can be scrambled, fried, or poached. What am I?
Answer: Egg 🍳 - I’m a round, sweet treat that you often find at birthday parties. What am I?
Answer: Cake 🎂 - I’m a hot beverage made from beans and often served in the morning. What am I?
Answer: Coffee ☕ - I’m used to add flavor to dishes and often found in a small jar. What am I?
Answer: Spices 🌶️ - I’m a type of fruit that is yellow and used in baking. What am I?
Answer: Banana 🍌 - I’m a sweet, sticky treat made from sugar and often used in baking. What am I?
Answer: Honey 🍯 - I’m a type of vegetable that is green and often used in stir-fries. What am I?
Answer: Broccoli 🥦 - I’m used to make a savory, creamy sauce and often served with pasta. What am I?
Answer: Alfredo sauce 🍝 - I’m a crunchy snack that is often eaten with dip. What am I?
Answer: Chips 🥔 - I’m often eaten as a side dish and come in varieties like mashed or baked. What am I?
Answer: Potato 🥔 - I’m a type of fruit that is often dried and used in baking. What am I?
Answer: Raisin 🍇 - I’m a type of meat that is often grilled or barbecued. What am I?
Answer: Steak 🥩 - I’m a round, flat bread that is often used to make sandwiches. What am I?
Answer: Bun 🍔 - I’m a hot drink made from chocolate and often topped with whipped cream. What am I?
Answer: Hot chocolate 🍫 - I’m a sweet treat that can be found in many flavors and often comes in a wrapper. What am I?
Answer: Candy bar 🍫 - I’m used to add flavor to food and often come in a small bottle. What am I?
Answer: Sauce 🍶 - I’m a small, crunchy snack that is often eaten at parties. What am I?
Answer: Pretzels 🥨
School ESL Riddles 🏫
- I’m a place where you go to learn, and you find many desks and chairs. What am I?
Answer: School 🏫 - I’m used for writing and often found in a pencil case. What am I?
Answer: Pencil ✏️ - I’m a type of book that helps you learn new things and often has many chapters. What am I?
Answer: Textbook 📚 - I’m used to keep your notes and often found on a desk. What am I?
Answer: Notebook 📒 - I’m a person who helps you learn and often stands at the front of the classroom. What am I?
Answer: Teacher 👩🏫 - I’m used to organize your papers and often have many sections. What am I?
Answer: Folder 📂 - I’m used to measure time and often found in a classroom. What am I?
Answer: Clock ⏰ - I’m used to correct mistakes and often found in a pencil case. What am I?
Answer: Eraser 🩹 - I’m a tool used for cutting paper and often found in an art class. What am I?
Answer: Scissors ✂️ - I’m used for drawing and often found in a pencil case. What am I?
Answer: Crayons 🖍️ - I’m a small device used to sharpen pencils. What am I?
Answer: Sharpener ✏️ - I’m a person who helps you with questions and assignments. What am I?
Answer: Tutor 🧑🏫 - I’m used to hold your pens and pencils and often found on a desk. What am I?
Answer: Pen holder ✒️ - I’m a type of chair found in a classroom. What am I?
Answer: Desk chair 🪑 - I’m used to highlight important information in a book. What am I?
Answer: Highlighter 🖍️ - I’m used to write or draw, and you find me in a classroom. What am I?
Answer: Marker 🖊️ - I’m used for keeping track of homework assignments and often found in a planner. What am I?
Answer: Schedule 📅 - I’m used to display information on a wall and often found in a classroom. What am I?
Answer: Bulletin board 📌 - I’m used to take attendance and often found in the teacher’s desk. What am I?
Answer: Roll call 📋 - I’m a place where students go to learn, and you can find me in most towns. What am I?
Answer: Classroom 🏫 - I’m used to measure your height and often found in a school nurse’s office. What am I?
Answer: Ruler 📏 - I’m a type of competition where students show their knowledge. What am I?
Answer: Quiz 🏆 - I’m used to store important papers and often found in a classroom. What am I?
Answer: Filing cabinet 🗂️ - I’m used to learn about different subjects and often found in a school library. What am I?
Answer: Encyclopedia 📖 - I’m a small notebook used for taking notes in class. What am I?
Answer: Exercise book 📓 - I’m used to count and often found in a math class. What am I?
Answer: Calculator 🧮 - I’m used to make notes and often found in a student’s backpack. What am I?
Answer: Sticky notes 📌 - I’m used to write essays and often found in a school library. What am I?
Answer: Typewriter ⌨️ - I’m a type of exam where you write answers to questions. What am I?
Answer: Test 📋 - I’m used to help students focus and often found in a classroom. What am I?
Answer: Desk lamp 💡
Sports ESL Riddles 🏅
- I’m a game played with a round ball and goals, and you kick me. What am I?
Answer: Soccer ⚽ - I’m a game played on ice with a stick and a puck. What am I?
Answer: Ice hockey 🏒 - I’m a sport where you run and jump over a bar. What am I?
Answer: High jump 🏃♂️ - I’m a game played with a racket and a shuttlecock. What am I?
Answer: Badminton 🏸 - I’m a sport played with a bat and a ball, often in a field. What am I?
Answer: Baseball ⚾ - I’m a sport where you swim in a pool and race against others. What am I?
Answer: Swimming 🏊♂️ - I’m a sport where you hit a ball into a hole with a club. What am I?
Answer: Golf ⛳ - I’m a game where you throw a ball through a hoop. What am I?
Answer: Basketball 🏀 - I’m a sport where you ride a horse and jump over obstacles. What am I?
Answer: Show jumping 🐎 - I’m a sport where you fight with a sword and wear protective gear. What am I?
Answer: Fencing 🤺 - I’m a game where you slide a stone on ice towards a target. What am I?
Answer: Curling 🥌 - I’m a sport where you skate and perform jumps and spins. What am I?
Answer: Figure skating ⛸️ - I’m a sport played with a net and a ball, often on a court. What am I?
Answer: Volleyball 🏐 - I’m a sport where you ride a bike and race on roads or tracks. What am I?
Answer: Cycling 🚴♂️ - I’m a sport where you run and throw different objects. What am I?
Answer: Track and field 🏅 - I’m a game where you hit a small ball with a paddle and try to score points. What am I?
Answer: Table tennis 🏓 - I’m a sport where you use a paddle to row a boat. What am I?
Answer: Rowing 🚣♂️ - I’m a sport where you use a bat to hit a ball over a net. What am I?
Answer: Tennis 🎾 - I’m a sport where you wear a helmet and pads and play with a ball on a field. What am I?
Answer: American football 🏈 - I’m a sport where you ride a skateboard and perform tricks. What am I?
Answer: Skateboarding 🛹 - I’m a game where you use a club to hit a ball into a series of holes. What am I?
Answer: Mini golf ⛳ - I’m a sport where you use a net and a ball to hit back and forth over a barrier. What am I?
Answer: Beach volleyball 🏐 - I’m a sport where you practice moves on a mat and perform routines. What am I?
Answer: Gymnastics 🤸♂️ - I’m a sport where you use a bow and arrow to hit targets. What am I?
Answer: Archery 🏹 - I’m a sport where you ride a motorcycle and race on dirt tracks. What am I?
Answer: Motocross 🏍️ - I’m a sport where you use a bat to hit a pitched ball. What am I?
Answer: Softball 🥎 - I’m a game where you hit a small ball with a racket in a court. What am I?
Answer: Squash 🎾 - I’m a sport where you use a paddle to hit a ball across a table. What am I?
Answer: Ping pong 🏓 - I’m a sport where you ride a horse and compete in dressage. What am I?
Answer: Equestrian 🏇 - I’m a sport where you use a bat to hit a ball and score runs. What am I?
Answer: Cricket 🏏
Dariel Campbell is the creative mind behind Puzzlerpedia, combining a love for puzzles with a talent for engaging writing. His innovative approach to puzzle creation and analysis has earned him a dedicated following. Dariel’s articles are not only informative but also inspire readers to see puzzles in a new and exciting light.
