🔎 What Am I?
Clues appear one by one. How few do you need to guess what it is?
How to play
- Pick a topic: Animals comes first, and stars open the rest.
- Choose to pick from four answers, or type your guess.
- Read the first clue. It's the hardest one.
- If you're not sure, press Next clue. Each one makes it easier, and costs 40 points.
- Answer as soon as you know. All four clues appear after you answer.
- Win up to 3 stars for each topic and mode.
What Am I? riddles for kids
What Am I? is a free guessing game with nearly 100 riddles for children. Each one gives you clues, one at a time, and you try to work out what it is. The first clue is the hardest, and the last one nearly gives it away, so the sooner you guess, the more points you score. It plays in your browser with no download, and all the riddles are listed further down this page to read together or print.
Why What Am I riddles are great for learning
These little riddles build real thinking skills. Children must listen carefully, remember what they've heard, narrow down the possibilities and test each idea against new information, which is the same process a scientist or a detective uses. They also pick up new words and facts along the way: that an octopus has three hearts, say, or that a tortoise can live for over a hundred years. Younger players can press the read-aloud button and answer from four choices, and older ones can type their guess and try to use only one clue.
Four topics to explore
Animals is full of creatures from flamingos to moles. Around the House turns everyday objects such as toasters and remote controls into mysteries. Places and Nature has volcanoes, rainbows and planets. People and Jobs asks who wears the tall white hat or carries the big wrench. Each round deals riddles you haven't seen yet first.
Great for class and car trips
What Am I? is simple to play as a group. Read the clues one at a time, and let children call out when they think they know. Teachers can use it as a warm-up or to practise describing words, and parents can use the list below for a car journey with no screen at all. Once children know how it works, try inviting them to write their own four clues, starting with the trickiest. It's a lovely writing activity.
What am I riddles about animals
I have a very long neck. I live on the African savanna. I eat leaves from the tops of trees. I have brown patches on my coat.
Answer: A giraffe.
I can't fly, but I have wings. I live where it's very cold. I wear what looks like a tuxedo. I am great at swimming.
Answer: A penguin.
I carry my house wherever I go. I can live for over a hundred years. Some of my kind swim and some walk. I am famous for being slow.
Answer: A tortoise.
I can change colour. My eyes move separately. My long tongue catches insects. I am a lizard that lives in trees.
Answer: A chameleon.
I have eight arms. I live in the sea. I can squirt ink. I have three hearts.
Answer: An octopus.
I sleep hanging upside down. I use echoes to find my way. I come out at night. I am the only mammal that truly flies.
Answer: A bat.
I have black and white stripes. I look a bit like a horse. I live in Africa. No two of my kind have the same pattern.
Answer: A zebra.
I have a trunk, but I'm not a tree. I have big ears. I never forget, people say. I am the biggest animal on land.
Answer: An elephant.
I hop but I'm not a bird. I keep my baby in a pouch. I have a big, strong tail. I live in Australia.
Answer: A kangaroo.
I start life as an egg in the water. I lose my tail as I grow. I have long back legs. I say ribbit.
Answer: A frog.
I make something sweet. I live with thousands of sisters. I dance to give directions. I buzz from flower to flower.
Answer: A bee.
I start out as a caterpillar. I rest in a chrysalis. I have colourful wings. I sip nectar from flowers.
Answer: A butterfly.
I spin something sticky. I have eight legs. I catch flies. My web can be beautiful.
Answer: A spider.
I hoot at night. I can turn my head a long way round. I fly silently. I am said to be wise.
Answer: An owl.
I have a mane, though only the males do. I live in a group called a pride. I roar loudly. People call me king of the jungle.
Answer: A lion.
I am the largest animal that has ever lived. I live in the ocean. I breathe air through a blowhole. My colour is in my name.
Answer: A blue whale.
I am black and white, and I'm a bear. I live in the mountains of China. I eat mostly bamboo. I am a symbol of nature conservation.
Answer: A panda.
I have spines all over my back. I curl up in a ball. I come out at night. I love to eat slugs in the garden.
Answer: A hedgehog.
I build dams. I have big front teeth. I have a flat tail. I live in a lodge.
Answer: A beaver.
I am a pink bird. I often stand on one leg. I eat with my head upside down. My colour comes from what I eat.
Answer: A flamingo.
I am the fastest animal on land. I have spots. I live in Africa. I can reach 100 km/h in seconds.
Answer: A cheetah.
I can store fat in my hump. I can go a long time without water. I am called the ship of the desert. I have long eyelashes.
Answer: A camel.
I sleep for up to fifteen hours a day. I hang from branches. I move very slowly. I live in the rainforest.
Answer: A sloth.
I have a horn on my nose. I have thick grey skin. I am very big, and I live in Africa and Asia. My horn is made of the same stuff as your nails.
Answer: A rhino.
I have no legs. I shed my skin. I flick my tongue to smell. I slither on the ground.
Answer: A snake.
I live in a shell on the beach. I walk sideways. I have two big claws. I wave my pincers at you.
Answer: A crab.
I have a pouch and eat eucalyptus leaves. I sleep most of the day. I am not a bear, though people say so. I live in Australia.
Answer: A koala.
I can copy what you say. I have bright feathers. I live in the tropics. I crack nuts with my beak.
Answer: A parrot.
I live underground and I'm almost blind. I dig long tunnels. I have big digging hands. I leave little hills in lawns.
Answer: A mole.
I am an insect that glows. You see me on summer nights. Children like to catch me in jars. My light blinks on and off.
Answer: A firefly.
What am I riddles about things at home
I have a face but no eyes. I hang on the wall. I have hands that move slowly. I tell you when it's lunchtime.
Answer: A clock.
I have teeth but I don't bite. I live in the bathroom. I help you tidy up in the morning. I run through your hair.
Answer: A comb.
I have a long handle. I live in a closet. I eat dust and dirt. I am noisy, and I have a hose.
Answer: A vacuum cleaner.
I am cold on the inside. I hum all day. I have a little light inside. I keep your milk fresh.
Answer: A refrigerator.
You can see yourself in me. I hang on the wall. I am made of glass. I show your left hand on the left.
Answer: A mirror.
I am full of pages. I have a spine but no bones. I have a story to tell. You borrow me from a library.
Answer: A book.
I have four legs but I can't walk. You sit at me to eat. I hold your plates. Sometimes I wear a cloth.
Answer: A table.
I am soft and I sit on your bed. I hold your head at night. I am filled with feathers or foam. I can be used for a friendly fight.
Answer: A pillow.
You turn me on when it gets dark. I have a bulb. I sit on a table or the floor. I wear a shade.
Answer: A lamp.
I have many buttons. I am lost in the sofa a lot. I point at the TV. I change the channel.
Answer: A remote control.
I can pop up with a ding. I have slots on top. I get hot inside. I turn bread brown.
Answer: A toaster.
I am a big bowl with a handle. I whistle when I'm ready. I sit on the stove. I boil water for your tea.
Answer: A kettle.
I have bristles. You squeeze paste on me. I visit you twice a day. I keep your smile clean.
Answer: A toothbrush.
I have a bowl and a long handle. I live in a drawer with forks. I can stir your drink. You eat soup with me.
Answer: A spoon.
I go round and round with soap. I have a little round window. I shake when I'm full. I get your socks clean.
Answer: A washing machine.
I open up when it rains. I have a curved handle. I have thin metal ribs. I keep your head dry.
Answer: An umbrella.
I am a soft, fluffy block. You see me next to the bath. I get wetter as I dry you. I hang on a rail.
Answer: A towel.
I have a lock and a handle. I can be knocked on. I swing on hinges. You walk through me.
Answer: A door.
I have two handles and sharp edges. I open and close. I go snip snip. I cut paper.
Answer: Scissors.
I get shorter as I burn. I have a wick. I'm made of wax. You blow me out on your birthday.
Answer: A candle.
I come in pairs. I go on your feet. I am often lost in the wash. I go inside your shoes.
Answer: Socks.
I can hold your drink. I have a handle. I often live in the kitchen. I'm great for hot chocolate.
Answer: A mug.
I have a keyboard and a screen. I fold in half. I run on a battery. You can sit with me on your knees.
Answer: A laptop.
What am I riddles about nature
I fall from the sky. You need me to grow plants. I make puddles. You wear boots to splash in me.
Answer: Rain.
I am white and fluffy, up high. I can bring a storm. I float past you. Sometimes I look like an animal.
Answer: A cloud.
I am very hot and very bright. I am a star. You see me in the day. The Earth goes around me.
Answer: The sun.
I change shape through the month. I go around the Earth. People have walked on me. I shine at night.
Answer: The moon.
I am made of seven colours. You can't touch me. I appear after rain. I make an arc in the sky.
Answer: A rainbow.
I start small and melt away. I have six points. No two of us are the same. I fall softly in winter.
Answer: A snowflake.
I am tall and made of wood. I have a trunk, but no suitcase. I drop my leaves. Birds nest in my branches.
Answer: A tree.
I am a mountain with a secret. I sleep for a long time. I have a crater on top. I shoot out lava.
Answer: A volcano.
I am very dry. I am often hot, and I have dunes. Few plants grow on me. Camels love me.
Answer: A desert.
I am hard and frozen. I float in the sea. Most of me is under water. Ships need to keep clear of me.
Answer: An iceberg.
I am big and wet and salty. I have waves. Whales live in me. I cover most of the Earth.
Answer: The ocean.
I run but I never walk. I have banks but no money. I start in the hills. I flow to the sea.
Answer: A river.
I roar, but I'm not a lion. I come with a flash. I can't be seen, only heard. I follow lightning.
Answer: Thunder.
I am a thin line of water. I fall over rocks. I can be taller than a tower. Niagara is a famous one of me.
Answer: A waterfall.
I am the planet you live on. I am mostly water. I have one moon. I am the third from the sun.
Answer: Earth.
I am the red planet. I have robots rolling on me. I have the tallest volcano in the solar system. I am named for a Roman god of war.
Answer: Mars.
I have beautiful rings. I am a giant ball of gas. I am the sixth from the sun. My rings are made of ice and rock.
Answer: Saturn.
I am the biggest planet. I have a great red spot. I have dozens of moons. I am named after the king of the Roman gods.
Answer: Jupiter.
I am a grain of something small. Lots of me make a beach. I get in your shoes. You build castles with me.
Answer: Sand.
I grow on a tree and I'm shaped like a heart. I fall in autumn. I change from green to red. You can jump in a pile of me.
Answer: A leaf.
I am frozen water. I fall in small white balls. I can bang on your car. I come with a storm.
Answer: Hail.
I am a long, deep crack in the land. One of me is in Arizona. A river cut me out. I am called grand.
Answer: A canyon.
I am like a very fast spinning wind. I look like a funnel. I touch the ground. I can pick up a house.
Answer: A tornado.
I glow in the sky at the far north. My colours dance. People travel far to see me. My name means "northern dawn".
Answer: The northern lights.
What am I riddles about jobs
I wear a big helmet. I ride in a red truck. I carry a long hose. I put out fires.
Answer: A firefighter.
I see a lot of sick people. I have a stethoscope. I work in a hospital. I tell you to say "ahh".
Answer: A doctor.
I look after people's teeth. My chair goes up and down. I tell you to brush. I can fill a hole for you.
Answer: A dentist.
I help you learn. I work in a classroom. I mark your homework. I write on the whiteboard.
Answer: A teacher.
I wear a tall white hat. I work in a hot kitchen. I taste everything. I make your dinner in a restaurant.
Answer: A chef.
I bring things to your door. I wear a uniform. I carry a big bag. I bring your letters.
Answer: A mail carrier.
I wear a blue uniform and a badge. I keep people safe. My car has a siren. I catch people who break the law.
Answer: A police officer.
I fly very high. I wear a cap and stripes. I talk to you over a speaker. I sit in the cockpit.
Answer: A pilot.
I wear a suit with a big helmet. I float without gravity. I live on a space station. I blast off in a rocket.
Answer: An astronaut.
I take care of sick animals. I look at cats and dogs. I also visit farms. I give animals their shots.
Answer: A vet.
I plant seeds and I get up early. I drive a tractor. I have a barn. I milk the cows.
Answer: A farmer.
I use a hammer and a saw. I make things with wood. I measure twice. I can build you a chair.
Answer: A carpenter.
I work with pipes. I carry a big wrench. I fix leaky taps. You call me when the toilet is blocked.
Answer: A plumber.
I cut hair all day. I use scissors and combs. I work in a shop. I can give you a new style.
Answer: A hairdresser.
I am good with a brush. I mix colours. I stand at an easel. My pictures hang in galleries.
Answer: An artist.
I stand in front of a band. I have a little stick. I wave my arms a lot. I lead the orchestra.
Answer: A conductor.
I work in a building full of books. I help you find what you need. I stamp the date. I might tell you to be quiet.
Answer: A librarian.
I look for clues. I use a magnifying glass. I ask lots of questions. I solve mysteries.
Answer: A detective.
I catch fish from the sea. I have a net and a boat. I get up before dawn. I smell a bit salty.
Answer: A fisher.
I wear a red nose. I have giant shoes. I work in a circus. I make you laugh.
Answer: A clown.
I watch over a beach. I sit on a tall chair. I blow a whistle. I can save swimmers.
Answer: A lifeguard.
I wear a white coat and goggles. I work in a lab. I test ideas. I do experiments.
Answer: A scientist.
More riddles for kids
For more, try Riddle Rush, the silly jokes in Funny Riddles, or a new challenge every day in Riddle of the Day. Every quiz and puzzle is on the Brain Games page.
Free and safe
What Am I? is free to play, with no download, no sign-up and nothing to buy. There is no chat, and your stars are saved only on your own device. See the Parents & Safety page for more.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play What Am I?
Read the clues one at a time and guess what's being described. In this game, the first clue is the hardest, and the fewer clues you use, the more points you score.
What is an example of a What Am I riddle?
I have a trunk, but I'm not a tree. I have big ears. I am the biggest animal on land. What am I? An elephant!
What age is this game for?
It suits children from about five, using the read-aloud button and the four choices. Older children can type their guess and aim to use only one clue.
Can I print these riddles?
Yes. The print buttons above the lists make a sheet with or without the answers.
Is What Am I? free?
Yes. It is free to play in the browser with no download, no account and nothing to buy.