ABC Animal Riddles

Ideas for Parents and Teachers

As a young child, I had dyslexia and had a difficult time reading, writing and speaking words. Fortunately, my parents believed that children can learn language lessons and be entertained at the same time. So as a family we played a word game we called alphabet riddles. We would make up riddles while riding in the car, or waiting on a bus, or whenever we felt bored, or had a few minutes to spare. It worked like magic! It made learning words fun!Creating riddles that rhyme is a wonderful way to explore the world of words. As you engage children personally in the poetic process, you will see them blossom in their vocabulary, their understanding of words and their meanings. You will help them develop reading, writing, thinking and vocal presentation skills.Create your own riddles! They don't have to be fancy. Choose an animal you like. Think of words that describe the animal. Begin with letter and word clues. Start with a simple riddle:

I start with an H and end with an E.
I have a long face. What can I be?

Stretch the exercise. Look the definition of the animal up in the dictionary. Read the definition aloud. Look at a picture of the animal. Add more lines, with more clues to the riddle.Share riddles! Most written riddles can be solved independently, but it's always more fun to share a rhyming riddle. So, write it down and then share it with others.Instruct children to wait until all clues have been given before guessing the riddle. Have the child who guesses the answer first say the correct word, spell it out, and then make up a new animal riddle.Encourage children, as an extended activity, to draw the animal.Have fun!