How it works
These space riddles are 18 old riddles about the sun, the moon, the Earth, the stars and a comet. Each answer stays hidden until you tap Show answer, so everyone can guess first.
Read the full guide
Sun, moon and stars
Sun, moon and Earth has 10 riddles, such as the moon that weighs four quarters. Stars and comets has 8, from the comet with a tail to the Pointers, two stars of the Great Bear that point the way to the North Star.
Where they come from
Every riddle is in an old riddle book, free to read at Project Gutenberg and named under the full list. They were written for fun, not for science: the answers are puns, and a star riddle teaches word play rather than astronomy.
Tips
- Read one on a clear night and let the answer wait until everyone has found the moon.
Questions and answers
What are good riddles on space for kids?
"How much does the moon weigh?" (four quarters) and "Plant the setting sun, and what comes up?" (a morning glory) need no hard words. Word play marks the 13 that turn on a sound, such as tidy and tide.
Are the Pointers real stars?
Yes. Merak and Dubhe, two stars of the Big Dipper in the Great Bear, are called the Pointers because a line through them leads to the North Star. The riddle's joke is that pointers and setters are also kinds of hunting dog.
Why are there only 18 riddles?
The old riddle books hold few about space, and we took only those that are clean and still make sense. The star and moon riddles on the main riddle page are not repeated here.