Winter Riddles for Kids
Updated November 2026 · 14 free printables
Twenty-five winter riddles with answers about icicles, blizzards, snow angels, earmuffs, snow forts and the shortest day of the year. They are good for snow days, indoor recess or a cup of cocoa after sledding.
Below them are winter "What am I?" worksheets for kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade, winter riddle cards and winter joke cards, plus the Christmas sets that share the season. Every page is in color with pictures.
25 Winter Riddles with Answers
I come after fall and before spring, and I am the coldest season. What am I?
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Winter.
I am a frozen spike of water that hangs from the edge of the roof. What am I?
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An icicle.
What do you call it when a bear sleeps through the whole winter?
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Hibernation.
I am a frozen place where you glide around in skates. What am I?
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An ice rink.
We are long and flat. Strap us onto your boots and slide down the mountain. What are we?
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Skis.
Friends throw snow at each other in me, and everybody laughs. What am I?
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A snowball fight.
You make me by lying in the snow and sweeping your arms and legs. What am I?
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A snow angel.
I am a big truck that pushes snow off the road. What am I?
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A snowplow.
Push me along to clear the snow off the sidewalk. What am I?
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A snow shovel.
I am a huge snowstorm with strong, howling wind. What am I?
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A blizzard.
I am the shortest day of the year, in late December. What am I?
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The winter solstice.
We are two fuzzy circles that keep your ears warm. What are we?
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Earmuffs.
We are tall and waterproof, and we keep your feet dry in the snow. What are we?
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Snow boots.
I make pretty white patterns on windows on very cold mornings. What am I?
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Frost.
What do you call it when water turns into ice?
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Freezing.
What do snowmen call their kids?
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Chill-dren.
Where do snowmen go to dance?
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To a snow ball.
I am a game played on ice with sticks and a puck. What am I?
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Ice hockey.
I am knitted and warm, and you pull me over your head on chilly days. What am I?
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A sweater.
What falls all winter but never gets hurt?
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Snow.
What do penguins wear on their heads?
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Ice caps.
I am the first full month of winter. What am I?
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January.
I crackle in the fireplace and keep the whole room toasty. What am I?
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A fire.
I am a wall of packed snow you hide behind in a snowball fight. What am I?
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A snow fort.
I am the shortest month of the year, and I come near the end of winter. What am I?
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February.
All 14 Winter Riddles for Kids, One by One
Here is a closer look at every page in this collection: what it practices, which grade it fits and a tip for each one. 10 of them belong to a smaller theme and are described there instead.
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1. What Am I? Christmas Riddles (Kindergarten)
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2. What Am I? Winter Riddles (Grade 1)
Five winter riddles: a snowflake, a mitten, a sled, an igloo and a penguin. A free printable 1st grade "What am I?" riddle worksheet in color: kids read 5 riddles and circle the picture that answers each one. Answer key on page 2. First graders can read it on their own and ask for help only with the trickier words.
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3. What Am I? Christmas Riddles (Grade 3)
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4. What Am I? Winter Riddles (Grade 3)
Five winter riddles for 3rd grade: a scarf, hot cocoa, a winter hat, a snowman and a snowflake. A free printable 3rd grade "What am I?" riddle worksheet in color: kids read 5 riddles and write each answer from a picture bank. Answer key on page 2. Third graders can use it for independent reading practice and to look back in the text for evidence.
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5. What Am I? Christmas Riddles (Grade 1)
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6. What Am I? Christmas Riddles (Grade 2)
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7. What Am I? Winter Riddles (Kindergarten)
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8. What Am I? Winter Riddles (Grade 2)
Five winter riddles for 2nd grade: a penguin, an icicle, a sled, a mitten and an igloo. A free printable 2nd grade "What am I?" riddle worksheet in color: kids read 5 riddles and draw a line to the matching picture (one picture is extra). Answer key on page 2. It fits second grade readers, around ages 7 to 8.
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9. Christmas Riddle Cards for Kids
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10. Winter Riddle Cards for Kids
Eight winter riddle cards: an igloo, a coat, a sled, mittens, a snowman, ice skates and more. Cut out the 8 cards; each answer is printed upside down at the bottom, with a small picture, so kids can quiz a friend. A free color printable for 1st grade and up. It matches first grade reading goals, roughly ages 6 to 7.
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11. Harder Christmas Riddle Cards (Grade 3)
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12. Christmas Math Riddles: What Number Am I? (Grade 3)
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13. Christmas Jokes for Kids: Lunchbox Cards
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14. Winter Jokes for Kids: Lunchbox Cards
Download PDF · View page · More in Jokes for Kids: Funny, Clean Jokes and Lunchbox Cards
Tips for parents and teachers
- Read riddles while you warm up after playing in the snow.
- Ask kids to act out the answer (skating, building a snowman).
- Talk about the science answers like frost, freezing and the winter solstice.
Did you know?
- Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The winter solstice, around December 21, is the shortest day of the year in the United States.
- Most snowflakes have six sides or six points.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Freeze a riddle card in an ice cube and let kids melt it to read the riddle.
- Make paper snowflakes with a riddle written on each one.
- Build a snowman and give it a riddle sign.
How to print
Click Download PDF and print at 100% on US Letter or A4 paper. Page 1 is the worksheet and page 2 is the answer key, so choose “page 1” in the print dialog if you only want the practice page. Every worksheet is free for home, homeschool and classroom use, so print as many copies as you need.
Frequently asked questions
What are good winter riddles for kids?
Riddles about things kids touch in winter work best: mittens, sleds, snowmen, icicles and hot cocoa. Our 1st grade page has five of them with pictures to circle.
Can I use these riddles all winter?
Yes. Unlike holiday riddles, winter riddles fit from December to the end of February.
What is a snow day activity with riddles?
Hide riddle cards around the house; each answer tells where the next card is, ending at a warm treat.
Do the worksheets have answer keys?
Yes, page 2 of each worksheet shows the answers.