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Now that you have met Pigúiça here, discover the story behind her world. See the illustrations, read the beginning and choose a book to share with your child, one page at a time.
Looking for snow and winter riddles for kids? Here are 20 short riddles with answers about snow, snowmen, ice, coats, hot chocolate, fireplaces, penguins and polar bears. Read the clue out loud, wait for a guess, then reveal the answer. They work at the breakfast table, on a car ride, and even in the grocery line.
Even where it never snows, winter makes for great games: shorter days, warm blankets, soup and lots of imagination. The riddles below are grouped by theme, so you can start easy and finish silly.
Snow, ice and snowmen
Start here. These clues are the most visual, and younger kids tend to get them fast.
- I fall from the sky without making a sound, and I turn the whole world white and round. What am I? Answer: snow.
- I have a carrot nose and two coal eyes; when the sun comes out, I melt in surprise. Who am I? Answer: a snowman.
- I'm clear and cold and slippery to the feet; I live in your freezer and melt in the heat. What am I? Answer: ice.
- I drift down so tiny with six little arms; no two of us look alike, and that's one of our charms. What am I? Answer: a snowflake.
- I hang from the roof like a sharp, shiny spear; I drip when it's warm, and I'm pretty and clear. What am I? Answer: an icicle.
- My house is made of blocks, but there's no brick or wood; I keep out the wind, and I'm cozy and good. What am I? Answer: an igloo.
Clothes and cozy things
Now the challenge is to think about what we wear to beat the cold. After a correct guess, ask your child to point to that item on their own clothes.
- I have sleeves and a zipper, I'm puffy and warm; I keep you all snug in a freezing cold storm. What am I? Answer: a coat.
- Four fingers together and a thumb on its own; I keep your hands cozy when the cold winds have blown. What are we? Answer: mittens.
- I'm long and I'm woolly and I wrap round your neck; I'm not a snake, just a hug, and I keep out the chill. What am I? Answer: a scarf.
- I sit on your head with a pom-pom on top; I cover your ears till the cold has to stop. What am I? Answer: a winter hat.
- We always come in twos and we hide in your boots; we keep your toes toasty, as wool always suits. What are we? Answer: socks.
- I cover you up when the night turns cold; I'm soft on your bed and warm to hold. What am I? Answer: a blanket.
Warming up inside and out
Clues about things that warm us up. For the fireplace, remind everyone of the rule: kids stay close only with a grown-up.
- I'm sweet, brown and steamy and served in a mug; with marshmallows floating, I'm warm as a hug. What am I? Answer: hot chocolate.
- I crackle and glow and I warm the whole room, but a grown-up must watch me, so don't come too close. What am I? Answer: a fireplace.
- I'm hot in a bowl, and I'm eaten with a spoon; I warm you right up on a cold afternoon. What am I? Answer: soup.
- On a frosty cold day, you can see me appear; I'm a puff from your mouth, a small cloud right here. What am I? Answer: your breath.
Cold-weather animals and seasons
To finish, the animals that love ice and the season that brings it all.
- I can't fly in the air, but I swim like a dart; I waddle on ice in my tuxedo, so smart. What am I? Answer: a penguin.
- I'm huge, white and furry and I roam the Arctic snow; I swim in icy water wherever I go. What am I? Answer: a polar bear.
- I slide down the hill with kids on my back; I have runners, not wheels, and I glide down the track. What am I? Answer: a sled.
- I come after autumn with short days and long nights; I bring snow and cold and cozy fire lights. What am I? Answer: winter.
How to play riddles in winter
A few simple ideas to make the riddles last longer than five minutes:
Give hints in steps. If your child gets stuck, offer a second clue: «it's something you wear» or «it's an animal». That way they win without getting frustrated.
Let your child be the host. After hearing a few, they make up one of their own. It's fine if the rhyme goes wrong; the laughing is the main part.
Pair the game with drawing. Guessed the penguin? Print a free coloring page and color the answer in blue and gray.
Keep safety in mind. Fire, fireplaces and heaters are grown-up business. Use the riddle to talk about it gently, without scaring anyone.
And if there's energy left after the riddles, Pigúiça has a free game in your browser, with no sign-up and no ads. The little blue-eyed husky is a perfect fit for chilly days, and she stars in the Dogavios book, great for reading under a blanket.
Frequently asked questions
What age are these riddles for?
They work well between ages 4 and 9. With younger kids, read slowly and give the second clue early. With older ones, ask them to explain why the answer makes sense.
Can I use the riddles in a classroom?
Yes. They are short, need no materials, and can turn into a conversation about the seasons, winter clothes and polar animals.
What if my child has never seen snow?
That's fine. Show a photo or a video, talk about the ice in the freezer and the breath that turns into a little cloud on a cold day. Curiosity does the rest, and imagination doesn't need real snow.
Your next adventure could be a moment together.
Now that you have met Pigúiça here, discover the story behind her world. See the illustrations, read the beginning and choose a book to share with your child, one page at a time.
Your next adventure could be a moment together.
Now that you have met Pigúiça here, discover the story behind her world. See the illustrations, read the beginning and choose a book to share with your child, one page at a time.
