Every December, my kids start asking me riddles at the most random times — in the car, while decorating the tree, or when everyone’s this close to losing patience waiting for dinner. Christmas riddles have become one of our favorite low-effort ways to keep things light, get a few laughs, and sneak in some thinking without anyone realizing it.
This list is packed with kid-friendly Christmas riddles that work for classrooms, holiday parties, family game nights, Advent activities, or just for fun during the busy holiday season. No prep, no screens — just smiles and groans in the best way.
More festive fun your family will love:
- Christmas Jokes for Kids
- Christmas Knock-Knock Jokes
- Christmas Would You Rather Questions
- Christmas Trivia Questions
More riddle collections:
Free Printable: Riddle Cards
Grab our free Riddles for Kids printable cards—perfect for car rides, brain breaks, family game night, or anytime kids want a challenge. Each card includes a kid-friendly riddle that gets kids thinking, laughing, and problem-solving together.
Top 10 Best Christmas Riddles
- What do elves learn in school?
Answer: The elf-abet - What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
Answer: Frosted Flakes - What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees?
Answer: Horn-aments - What do you call Santa when he stops moving?
Answer: Santa Pause - What kind of music do elves listen to?
Answer: Wrap music - What do you call a cat on the beach at Christmas?
Answer: Sandy Claws - Why does Santa have three gardens?
Answer: So he can ho-ho-ho - What do you get if Santa goes down the chimney when a fire is lit?
Answer: Crisp Kringle - What’s Santa’s favorite kind of candy?
Answer: Jolly Ranchers - What do you call an old snowman?
Answer: Water
Easy Christmas Riddles (Ages 4–7)
- What does Santa say when he sneezes?
Answer: Ho-ho-choo - What do elves use to take notes?
Answer: Their Santa-pad - What’s white, cold, and falls from the sky?
Answer: Snow - What kind of ball doesn’t bounce?
Answer: A snowball - What do snowmen wear on their heads?
Answer: Ice caps - What do elves eat for lunch?
Answer: Wraps - What melts but isn’t hot?
Answer: Ice - What do reindeer say before telling a joke?
Answer: This one sleighs me - What do snowmen do on the weekend?
Answer: Chill - What does winter wear on its head?
Answer: A snow cap
Funny Christmas Riddles
- Why was the snowman looking through carrots?
Answer: He was picking his nose - What do you call a reindeer with bad manners?
Answer: Rude-olph - Why did the ornament go to school?
Answer: To get brighter - Why did Santa bring a ladder to the bar?
Answer: He heard the drinks were on the house - Why did the elf get fired from the calendar factory?
Answer: He took too many days off - What do you call a snowman with a six-pack?
Answer: An abominable snowman - Why don’t reindeer like fast food?
Answer: They can’t catch it - Why did Santa go to music school?
Answer: To improve his wrapping skills - Why did the tree get grounded?
Answer: Too many bad branches - Why did the cookie cry at Christmas?
Answer: It felt crumby
Snowman & Winter Riddles
- What falls but never gets hurt?
Answer: Snow - What do snowmen use to ride bikes?
Answer: Ice cycles - Why did the snowman call a doctor?
Answer: He felt a meltdown coming - What’s a snowman’s favorite snack?
Answer: Ice Krispies - What do snowflakes eat for breakfast?
Answer: Frosted cereal - Why did the snowman smile?
Answer: He saw the snowblower - What do snowmen drink?
Answer: Ice tea - What do snowmen do when they’re mad?
Answer: Have a meltdown - What’s a snowman’s favorite season?
Answer: Winter - What do snowmen wear to parties?
Answer: Ice ties
Reindeer & Santa Riddles
- Who delivers presents to baby sharks?
Answer: Santa Jaws - Why does Santa go down the chimney?
Answer: Because it’s soot-able - What kind of photos does Santa take?
Answer: Elfies - What does Santa use to measure?
Answer: A Claus-ulator - Why is Santa good at karate?
Answer: He has a black belt - What do reindeer use to clean their houses?
Answer: Comet cleanser - Why does Santa always laugh?
Answer: Because he sleighs - What do you call Santa in the summer?
Answer: Santa Claus-trophobic - What’s Santa’s favorite dessert?
Answer: Ice Cream Claus - What do reindeer wear to bed?
Answer: Their deer-jamas
Christmas Tree & Ornament Riddles
- Why did the Christmas tree go to school?
Answer: To learn how to branch out - What do you call a singing Christmas tree?
Answer: A pine tuner - Why was the ornament shy?
Answer: It didn’t want to hang out - What do Christmas trees say before bedtime?
Answer: Light out - What’s a tree’s favorite drink?
Answer: Root beer - Why did the tree break up with the ornament?
Answer: Too clingy - What’s green and sings carols?
Answer: A Christmas tree choir - What do trees wear at Christmas?
Answer: Orna-ments - What kind of tree fits in your hand?
Answer: A palm tree - Why did the tree go to the barber?
Answer: It needed a trim
Christmas Treat Riddles
- What kind of cookie does Santa like best?
Answer: Chocolate chip - Why did the gingerbread man go to school?
Answer: To become a smart cookie - What do elves bake?
Answer: Shortbread - What kind of candy can you hang on a tree?
Answer: Candy canes - Why don’t cookies tell secrets?
Answer: They might crumble - What’s Santa’s favorite cereal?
Answer: Snow flakes - Why did the candy cane go to therapy?
Answer: Too twisted - Why was the hot cocoa sad?
Answer: It got cold - What do elves snack on at night?
Answer: Wrap snacks - What dessert melts hearts at Christmas?
Answer: Ice cream
Tricky Riddles (Ages 8–12)
- What month has 28 days?
Answer: All of them - What has keys but no locks?
Answer: A piano - What gets bigger the more you take away?
Answer: A hole - What has a head and a tail but no body?
Answer: A coin - What goes up but never comes down?
Answer: Your age - What has hands but can’t clap?
Answer: A clock - What can you catch but not throw?
Answer: A cold - What has words but never speaks?
Answer: A book - What runs but never walks?
Answer: A river - What belongs to you but others use it more?
Answer: Your name
Classic “Think About It” Riddles
- What gets wetter the more it dries?
Answer: A towel - What has one eye but can’t see?
Answer: A needle - What has many teeth but can’t bite?
Answer: A comb - What breaks without being touched?
Answer: A promise - What comes down but never goes up?
Answer: Rain - What has an end but no beginning?
Answer: A stick - What can travel around the world while staying in one spot?
Answer: A stamp - What has a neck but no head?
Answer: A bottle - What has a face and two hands but no arms or legs?
Answer: A clock - What has an eye but can’t see?
Answer: A needle
Christmas Brain Teasers
- What comes once a year but lasts all month?
Answer: December - What is always coming but never arrives?
Answer: Tomorrow - What is full of holes but still holds water?
Answer: A sponge - What can you keep after giving it away?
Answer: Your word - What has a ring but no finger?
Answer: A phone - What has a bottom at the top?
Answer: Your legs - What is so fragile that saying its name breaks it?
Answer: Silence - What can go through glass without breaking it?
Answer: Light - What has four wheels and flies?
Answer: A garbage truck - What has an eye but no sight?
Answer: A needle
Christmas gets busy fast and sometimes the simplest moments end up being the most memorable. These riddles are easy to pull out whenever you need a quick laugh, a distraction while waiting, or something fun to do together without screens.
Save this list, share it with other parents, or bookmark it for December because a good riddle never goes out of season.
Christmas Riddles FAQs
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We’ve collected easy, tricky, and holiday riddles for kids—all in one place to make screen-free fun simple.
Michele Tripple is a renowned author and expert in the fields of parenting, relationships, and personal development. She is a certified Life Coach with her degree in marriage and family studies, her experience as a Family Life Educator, and over a decade of experience as a professional writer; Michele has authored books that provide practical advice and insights into improving family dynamics and personal growth. Her work is celebrated for its blend of research-driven information and relatable, real-world applications. Michele has been a keynote speaker at conferences and has contributed to numerous publications and media outlets, solidifying her reputation as an authoritative voice in her field and helping families build relationships.