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Get festive with these Christmas riddles and brain teasers for kids and adults! From Santa and snowmen to holiday treats and classic carols, there’s something for everyone to crack up and solve. Game on!
Between baking cookies and wrapping presents, the Christmas season can be busy for everyone involved. But when there’s a moment of downtime, why not lift spirits by adding a round of festive riddles and holiday puzzlers between your preparations? Gather everyone around for some seasonal fun and see who can solve these Christmas riddles for kids (and everyone else.) first. Good luck.
Fun & Festive Riddles
Let’s start out with some simple and hilarious options to quiz each other on.
- I get thrown at a tree to make it look pretty. What am I?
Tinsel. - You can hold me in your left hand but not your right hand. What am I?
Your right elbow. - I have a body and a head, but I get smaller the more I am used. I come in many colors and scents. What am I?
A candle. - I have no voice, but I tell stories of Christmas to all who will listen. What am I?
A book. - I am a plant seen at Christmas that people hang up high and kiss under. What am I?
Mistletoe. - I have a bell and bring cheer, but I am not Santa. I am rung during the holidays. What am I?
A sleigh bell. - Why did the Christmas cookie go to the doctor?
It felt crumbly. - What do you call a broke Santa?
Saint Nickel-less. - What's a sheep's favorite Christmas song?
Fleece Navidad. - Why is the Grinch good at gardening?
He has a green thumb. - What's the Grinch's least favorite band?
The Who. - Why doesn't the Grinch like knock-knock jokes?
Because he hates visitors.
Classic Christmas Riddles
They’re timeless and classic for a reason, just like the season itself.
- What do you get if you cross a snowman and a vampire?
Frostbite. - What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
Frosted Flakes. - What falls at the North Pole but never gets hurt?
Snow. - I come with many colors, so beautiful and bright. I turn so many houses into a beautiful sight. What am I?
Christmas lights. - I can travel around the world while staying in a corner. What am I?
A stamp. - The more you take away from me, the bigger I become. What am I?
A hole (like the one you dig to plant a Christmas tree.). - A man rode into town on Christmas Eve. He stayed for three nights and then left on Christmas Eve. How is this possible?
His horse's name was Christmas Eve. - If an electric Christmas train travels from the North Pole heading south at 100 mph, and the wind is blowing from the west, which way does the smoke blow?
Electric trains don't have smoke. - Santa was having problems with his legs and was unable to walk, so he went to the hospital. What did the doctor give him?
A candy cane. - Who says "Bah, humbug." and doesn't like Christmas until visited by three ghosts?
Ebenezer Scrooge. - I am made of snow, with a carrot for a nose and two eyes made out of coal. I came to life one day. Who am I?
Frosty the Snowman. - I am green and very mean, and I try to steal Christmas from everyone in Whoville. Who am I?
The Grinch. - What did the little drummer boy play as his best gift to the newborn king?
My drum. - I am a wooden soldier who comes to life to fight the Mouse King. Who am I?
The Nutcracker. - Why is it getting harder to buy Advent calendars?
Their days are numbered. - What Christmas carol is loved in the desert?
O Camel Ye Faithful. - What do you get when you cross a Christmas tree with an apple?
A pineapple. - What nationality is Santa?
North Polish.
Winter Wonderland Riddles
Feel festive with some Christmas-themed puzzlers.
- I'm made of snow but I'm dressed like a person. I have a carrot nose and coal for eyes. What am I?
A snowman. - I'm cold and I'm hard, I hang from your roof. I'm shaped like a spike and I'm waterproof. What am I?
An icicle. - What kind of ball doesn't bounce?
A snowball. - You can catch me easily, especially around Christmas time, but you can never throw me. What am I?
A cold. - What do you call a snowman in July?
A puddle. - What did one snowman say to the other?
"Do you smell carrots?" - Why was the snowman looking through bags of carrots?
He was picking his nose. - What do snowmen wear on their heads?
Ice caps. - What's a snowman's favorite Mexican food?
Brrr-itos. - What do you call a chicken at the North Pole?
Lost. - Why did the turkey join the Christmas band?
Because it had the drumsticks. - What's the best thing to put into Christmas dinner?
Your teeth.
Christmas Tree & Gift Riddles
Trees and presents and decorations, oh my.
- I'm tall when I'm young and short when I'm old. At Christmas, I'm covered with decorations of gold. What am I?
A Christmas tree (and a candle works too.) - What did the beaver say to the Christmas tree?
"Nice gnawing you." - You can hold me and shake me, but I'm easy to break. I have a tail but I'm not an animal. What am I?
An ornament. - We travel all around the world but never leave the corner. What are we?
Stamps (on Christmas cards.) - What do Christmas trees and bad knitters have in common?
They both drop needles. - I'm at every house at Christmas but I'm never invited in. What am I?
A wreath. - What did the Christmas tree say to the ornament?
"Aren't you tired of just hanging around?" - How do Christmas trees get ready for a night out?
They spruce themselves up. - What's a Christmas tree's least favorite month?
Sep-timber. - I run around the Christmas tree but never move. What am I?
The tree skirt. - I come in all shapes and wrapped up tight. Kids shake me and wonder what's inside. What am I?
A present. - What do you call Santa's little helpers?
Subordinate Clauses. - You're running a race on Christmas morning and you pass the person in second place. What place are you in now?
Second place. - What did the stamp say to the Christmas card?
Stick with me and we'll go places. - I have no legs but I travel around the world. What am I?
A Christmas package
Silly & Punny Christmas Riddles
Get everyone giggling with these.
- What do you call an old snowman?
Water. - What do gingerbread men use when they break their legs?
Candy canes. - Why did the Christmas tree go to the barber?
It needed to be trimmed. - What's the best Christmas present ever?
A broken drum—you can't beat it. - What do elves post on social media?
Elfies. - Why are Christmas trees so bad at sewing?
They always drop their needles. - What do you get when you cross a Christmas tree with an iPad?
A pineapple. - What's every parent's favorite Christmas carol?
Silent Night - Why did the elf push his bed into the fireplace?
He wanted to sleep like a log. - What do you call an elf who sings?
A wrapper. - How long should an elf's legs be?
Just long enough to reach the ground. - What did the Christmas present say to the birthday present?
"I'm more wrapped up in my work than you." - Why did the present go to therapy?
It had too many issues to unwrap. - What happens if you eat Christmas decorations?
You get tinsel-itis. - Why don't mountains get cold in winter?
They wear snow caps. - What did the big snowflake say to the little snowflake?
"You're one of a kind."
Santa Clause & His Reindeer Riddles
Classic riddles for a timeless season.
- What do you call Santa when he takes a rest while delivering presents?
Santa Pause. - What's Santa's favorite type of music?
Wrap music. - Why does Santa have three gardens?
So he can "hoe, hoe, hoe". - What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees?
Horn-aments. - Why is Santa so good at karate?
Because he has a black belt. - What do you call a reindeer with bad manners?
Rude-olph. - How does Santa keep track of all the fireplaces he visits?
He keeps a log. - What do Santa's helpers learn in school?
The elf-abet. - I have a big belly, a white beard, and I laugh, "Ho, ho, ho." Who am I?
Santa Claus. - I have antlers and can fly, and I help pull a magical sleigh through the sky. What am I?
A reindeer. - I have a very shiny nose, and if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows. Who am I?
Rudolph. - I am where Santa and his elves live. It's always cold here. What place am I?
The North Pole. - I work in Santa’s workshop building toys for girls and boys. What am I?
An elf. - This is a list Santa checks twice to see who has been good. What is it?
The naughty or nice list. - Why doesn't Santa get parking tickets?
Because he always finds the perfect spot—on the roof. - What do you call Santa living at the beach?
Sandy Claus. - How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?
Nothing—it was on the house. - What's Santa's favorite sandwich?
Peanut butter and jolly. - Why did Santa go to music school?
To improve his wrapping skills. - What do you get if you cross Santa with a detective?
Santa Clues. - I am filled with toys and presents, and Santa carries me on his back. What am I?
Santa's sack. - I am what Santa travels in to deliver all his gifts. What am I?
A sleigh. - What do reindeer say before they tell a joke?
"This one's gonna sleigh you." - Why did Rudolph get a bad report card?
Because he went down in history. - Which of Santa's reindeer has the best moves?
Dancer, obviously.
Religious Christmas Riddles
Can you crack these nativity riddlers?
- We followed a bright star in the east to bring gifts to the newborn king. Who are we?
The Three Wise Men. - I am the mother of Jesus. Who am I?
Mary. - I am a structure where animals are kept, and where a special baby was laid in a manger. What am I?
A stable. - We are heavenly beings who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Who are we?
Angels. - I was a present of gold, frankincense, or myrrh. What am I?
A gift from a Wise Man. - I followed a star on a winter's night to find a baby wrapped up tight. Who am I?
The Wise Men (or Magi). - I'm the town where a special baby was born, in a stable on a cold winter's morn. Where am I?
Bethlehem. - I was born in a manger because there was no room. Angels sang of my birth beneath the moon. Who am I?
Baby Jesus. - We were watching our sheep when angels appeared and told us good news that we needed to hear. Who are we?
Shepherds.
Food & Treat Riddles
Treat yourself to some goodie-based questions.
- I'm red and white and shaped like a hook. You'll find me on trees if you take a look. What am I?
A candy cane. - I'm built like a house but made to eat. I'm covered in candy and oh so sweet. What am I?
A gingerbread house. - What do you call a greedy elf?
Elfish. - I'm round and I'm sweet, left out with care, for the man in red who travels through air. What am I?
Cookies. - What's the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the regular alphabet?
The Christmas alphabet has No-el. - I'm creamy and sweet, people drink me as a treat, especially at Christmas with a sprinkle on top. What am I?
Eggnog
Riddle Me This: Christmas Edition
Why not break out the riddles and brain teasers this festive season, and compete to see who can figure it out first? We hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas, and a very Happy New Year.
For more information, check out these popular topics:
- Festive Christmas Jokes for Kids to Make Them Chuckle
- 40 Festive "Would You Rather" Questions for Christmas
- 62 Best Stocking Stuffers for Kids of All Ages
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