Hey there, future scientists!
I’ve put together a massive list of 167 awesome science riddles just for you. Whether you’re into stars and space, plants and animals, or cool chemistry and buzzing electricity … there’s a riddle in here that’ll make you think, giggle, and learn all at once.
These riddles are great for classrooms, science fairs, family road trips, or just when you want to show off how smart you are.
Try solving them on your own or quiz your friends and family to see who’s got the biggest brain in the room!
Ready to riddle your way through the world of science? Let’s get cracking!
167 Science Riddles for Kids (with answers)
1. I shine bright in the sky during the day, giving heat and light in every way. What am I?
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Sun
2. I fall from the sky but I’m not a bird. I’m made of drops, haven’t you heard?
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Rain
3. You can hear me, but you can’t see me. I travel through air and sometimes make you jump.
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Sound
4. I go up and never come down. What am I?
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Age
5. I am full of gas but float in the air. You see me at parties with color and flair.
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Balloon
6. I’m round and spin, and people live on me. What planet am I?
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Earth
7. I have no bones and no skin, but I have a spine and live within. What am I?
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Book
8. I’m made of metal, round and flat. I can attract, what do you think of that?
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Magnet
9. I’m the part of a plant that grows underground. What part am I?
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Root
10. I can strike without warning and light up the sky. What am I?
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Lightning
11. I fly without wings and cry without eyes. What am I?
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Cloud
12. You breathe me in and I help you live. I’m all around, but I don’t give.
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Oxygen
13. I’m not alive, but I grow. I don’t have lungs, but I need air. What am I?
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Fire
14. What do you call frozen water that falls from the sky?
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Snow
15. I make things hot and pop the corn. I live in kitchens and keep food warm.
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Microwave
16. I can be solid, liquid, or gas. What matter am I in your science class?
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States of Matter
17. I orbit the Earth and shine at night. I’m not the sun, but I reflect its light.
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Moon
18. I’m the liquid that plants love to drink. What am I?
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Water
19. I’m the science of life, from large to small, I study plants, animals, and cells — all!
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Biology
20. I’m the study of chemicals and reactions, in labs I bring chain attractions.
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Chemistry
21. I have rings but I’m not a phone. I’m a planet all on my own.
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Saturn
22. I’m the layer of gases that keeps Earth warm and blocks UV harm.
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Atmosphere
23. I live in your mouth but I’m not a tongue. I chew your food, one by one.
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Teeth
24. I’m green and make food with the sun. I live in leaves and have lots of fun!
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Chlorophyll
25. I carry blood and never sleep, my beat goes on without a beep.
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Heart
26. I’m pulled by gravity and never stray. What force makes me fall each day?
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Gravity
27. I’m the closest planet to the sun. I’m super hot and Mercury’s the one.
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Mercury
28. I’m the process plants use to make food. It’s green and very good for mood.
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Photosynthesis
29. I’m the solid part of your body, I’m hard and white and never floppy.
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Bone
30. I’m full of nerves and in your head. I help you think and go to bed.
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Brain
31. You hear me crack, see me flash. I’m followed by thunder in a dash.
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Lightning
32. I’m made of H and O, two parts and one. What liquid makes rivers run?
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Water
33. I look like a stone, but I’m not quite. Dinosaurs left me, hidden from sight.
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Fossil
34. I come after thunder, roaring loud. I rumble across every cloud.
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Thunder
35. I’m the red planet with dusty dunes. You might land on me soon.
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Mars
36. I connect your bones, I’m tough and tight. I help you move left and right.
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Joints
37. I’m cold and white, fall from the sky. Catch me quick before I die!
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Snowflake
38. I can be a conductor or keep you warm. I’m used in blankets, clothes, and yarn.
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Wool
39. I twinkle in the sky at night. Some say I’m a burning light.
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Star
40. I use fuel to go to space. I launch with fire and pick up pace.
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Rocket
41. I’m a planet that’s big and red. A giant storm lives on my head.
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Jupiter
42. I protect the brain and sit on top. I’m hard and strong and make heads pop.
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Skull
43. I’m the skin of Earth, I crack and shift. When I move, buildings lift!
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Tectonic Plate
44. I have wings but I’m not a bird. I flap and flutter, haven’t you heard?
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Butterfly
45. I’m the gas that plants breathe in. I help them grow and start within.
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Carbon Dioxide
46. I’m often in labs, made of glass. I hold liquids in science class.
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Beaker
47. I break food down with acid might. I work all day and most of the night.
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Stomach
48. I shoot up ash, lava, and steam. When I erupt, I’m quite extreme.
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Volcano
49. I’m the longest bone in your frame. In your leg, I stand with fame.
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Femur
50. I help you breathe and are shaped like trees. Inside your chest, I expand with ease.
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Lungs
51. I’m white and puffy, float in the sky. I bring shade as I pass by.
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Cloud
52. I’m the outer shell of your body. I protect you and am never shoddy.
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Skin
53. I’m the powerhouse of the cell, making energy super well.
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Mitochondria
54. I’m what keeps you standing tall. I’m your frame and hold it all.
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Skeleton
55. I keep blood flowing, I’m thin and fine. You can see me in a spider-like line.
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Vein
56. I’m the space between your bones. I help you move and skip some stones.
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Joint
57. I’m found in fruit and very sweet. I give you energy you need to eat.
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Fructose
58. I’m hot and yellow, found up high. I help plants grow from the sky.
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Sun
59. I’m the gas that fills your tire. Without me, you’d need a flyer!
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Air
60. I’m sharp, electric, and hard to hold. I can shock you if you’re bold!
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Electricity
61. I spin around once every day, giving you night and light of day. What am I?
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Earth
62. I’m used in pencils, dark and gray. I help you draw and write all day.
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Graphite
63. I’m the part of the eye that lets in light. Too much, and I shrink up tight.
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Pupil
64. I measure how hot or cold you feel. I help you tell if you should heal.
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Thermometer
65. I go up as heat does rise. You’ll see me in steam before your eyes.
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Vapor
66. I’m a strong pull you cannot see. I keep your feet stuck down with me.
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Gravity
67. I’m bright and fast and shoot through space. I light up the sky in a race.
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Meteor
68. I hold your genes in every cell. I twist and spin and do it well.
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DNA
69. I’m the thing you press to see a view. I zoom and click and capture too.
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Camera
70. I’m in the ocean, wide and deep. I pull and push in endless sweep.
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Tide
71. I’m a rock that floats and formed from fire. I’m used to scrub with rough desire.
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Pumice
72. I’m the fastest land animal around. I run and leap without a sound.
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Cheetah
73. I’m a type of energy that can burn. When wires spark, it’s my turn.
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Electricity
74. I’m a tiny particle in the air. I carry smells from here to there.
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Molecule
75. I give the Earth a magnetic hug. I guide compasses and make them snug.
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Magnetic Field
76. I’m the gas you exhale all day. Plants take me in without delay.
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Carbon Dioxide
77. I’m round and red, and live in cells. I carry oxygen really well.
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Red Blood Cell
78. I’m a scientist who looks at stars. I use a scope to see from far.
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Astronomer
79. I’m what makes plants tall and green. I hold them up, straight and lean.
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Stem
80. I’m the study of animals, from ants to cats. I teach about birds, bears, and bats.
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Zoology
81. I help you see in the dark of night. I’m switched on to give you light.
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Flashlight
82. I’m a shape with three sides that meet. You’ll find me in a prism sheet.
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Triangle
83. I help plants grow by soaking in light. Without me, they’d lose the fight.
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Sunlight
84. I’m soft and white and made of ice. I fall in winter and look nice.
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Snowflake
85. I’m cold and cover land and sea. I freeze water, can’t you see?
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Ice
86. I give milk and go “moo.” I have four legs and chew and chew.
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Cow
87. I measure how far you go. I’m in your car and let you know.
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Odometer
88. I’m white and in your mouth to bite. I help you eat both day and night.
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Tooth
89. I’m found in space with a big black hole. I spin and shine and make a whole.
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Galaxy
90. I’m used by doctors to look inside. I show your bones and can’t hide.
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X-ray
91. I carry sound through wires with grace. Without me, phones have no place.
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Signal
92. I’m the bone in your chest that guards your heart. I help you breathe and do my part.
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Rib
93. I’m the white part of your eye. I guard your vision, oh so sly.
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Sclera
94. I’m the bird that cannot fly. I waddle, swim, and wear a tie.
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Penguin
95. I’m the basic unit of every living thing. Without me, life can’t do a thing.
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Cell
96. I help scientists to mix and pour. I’m made of glass, can’t ask for more.
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Test Tube
97. I orbit planets and shine at night. I’m smaller than stars but still in sight.
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Moon
98. I carry messages in your brain. I’m quick like lightning, without a train.
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Nerve
99. I’m a furry scientist’s pet, sometimes white, sometimes jet. I like to squeak and often eat. My job? Testing things to repeat.
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Lab Rat
100. I’m a material that floats and bends. I come from trees and have many ends.
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Wood
101. I’m a metal that’s soft and red. I carry current, like I said.
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Copper
102. I help blood clot when there’s a cut. I patch it up in a rut.
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Platelets
103. I’m a spinning storm over sea and land. I swirl and twist like a giant hand.
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Tornado
104. I’m the bone that helps you chew. Without me, eating’s hard to do.
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Jaw
105. I’m a body part with chambers four. I beat and pump forevermore.
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Heart
106. I’m filled with lava, deep inside. When I erupt, I open wide.
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Volcano
107. I’m the dark, cold place in space. A vacuum’s home, with no embrace.
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Outer Space
108. I carry food inside your veins. I’m red and flow like tiny trains.
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Blood
109. I’m the force that stops your fall. I push back when you hit a wall.
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Friction
110. I’m a chart with rows and groups, I show elements in lovely loops.
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Periodic Table
111. I’m a test to learn what’s true, I have a question, then observe you.
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Experiment
112. I’m frozen rain that bounces loud. I fall in storms and make a crowd.
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Hail
113. I’m what’s left after fire’s done. I’m gray and dusty, not much fun.
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Ash
114. I’m not a rock, but fall like one. I light the sky and then I’m gone.
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Meteorite
115. I keep you steady when you ride. I spin and roll and never hide.
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Wheel
116. I’m a sound too high for ears. Bats and dolphins love my cheers.
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Ultrasound
117. I’m a push or pull that’s known. I move things fast or make them moan.
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Force
118. I’m a rock that lights at night. You use me if you need some light.
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Flint
119. I’m the science of numbers and measure. I help you count things at your leisure.
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Mathematics
120. I’m the biggest organ you’ve got. I cover all whether cold or hot.
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Skin
121. I’m a scientist of creatures alive. I study how species adapt and thrive.
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Zoologist
122. I’m the way heat moves from flame. I spread around — it’s not a game.
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Conduction
123. I’m cold and solid, made of H2O. I crunch beneath your boots and toe.
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Ice
124. I’m a shiny rock used in a ring. I sparkle bright and am a bling thing.
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Diamond
125. I’m the science of Earth, rocks, and sand. I study how mountains and rivers stand.
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Geology
126. I break apart when atoms split. I’m powerful and hard to quit.
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Nuclear Energy
127. I live in a web and catch my food. I spin and wait — I’m not rude.
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Spider
128. I’m a planet with lovely rings. I’m big and cold and do cool things.
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Saturn
129. I’m the energy that warms the day. I shine bright in every way.
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Solar Energy
130. I’m made of gas and burn real bright. I live in galaxies far from sight.
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Star
131. I keep your drinks cold, I make things freeze. I live in the kitchen with icy ease.
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Freezer
132. I’m the study of weather, storms, and rain. I predict sunshine and hurricane.
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Meteorology
133. I give your voice a place to go. I vibrate when you say hello.
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Vocal Cords
134. I’m used in science to see things small. I help you look at things not tall.
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Microscope
135. I’m a very, very fast spin. When I’m on, things pull out and in.
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Centrifuge
136. I’m made of rock and orbit Earth. I cause the tides with silent mirth.
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Moon
137. I’m the science of motion, cars, and gears. Engineers use me for many years.
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Physics
138. I’m part of your skeleton, curved and tight. I help protect organs with all my might.
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Ribs
139. I’m invisible but carry sound. Without me, music won’t be found.
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Air
140. I’m liquid gold in Earth’s dark veins. I fuel your cars and sometimes planes.
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Oil
141. I’m the test to check your sight. I help you read both left and right.
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Eye Chart
142. I’m a tool to find direction fast. I point to North and always last.
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Compass
143. I’m the science of mixing things neat — liquids, powders, and something sweet.
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Chemistry
144. I’m your body’s control center, small and tight. I send out orders day and night.
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Brain
145. I’m a drop of water that floats and flies, light as air across the skies.
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Cloud
146. I’m used to smell and on your face. I help you sniff and sense the space.
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Nose
147. I’m a muscle, big and round. I help you chew with every pound.
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Jaw Muscle
148. I shine and glow when charged just right. I power homes with glowing light.
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Electric Bulb
149. I’m in your blood and very blue. I carry iron and oxygen too.
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Hemoglobin
150. I help you clean and swirl with force. In kitchens and labs, I’m used of course.
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Water Jet
151. I’m found in the ocean and make waves high. I spin in storms that fill the sky.
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Hurricane
152. I’m found in soil and give plants might. Without me, leaves lose their fight.
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Nitrogen
153. I’m sticky and make trees weep. I trap bugs and secrets deep.
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Resin
154. I’m a gooey state, not quite firm. I’m between solid and liquid in term.
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Gel
155. I’m part of the food chain, small and green. I turn sunlight into something keen.
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Producer
156. I cause rust when water’s near. I change the metal year by year.
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Oxygen
157. I’m loud and flash before your eyes. I crash with thunder across the skies.
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Lightning
158. I’m a kind of fuel from millions past. I power plants and engines fast.
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Fossil Fuel
159. I’m a change that can’t go back. I toast bread or make things crack.
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Chemical Change
160. I’m a path for electric might. I flow and glow with proper light.
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Circuit
161. I’m what makes things float or sink. I’m a science of weight and drink.
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Buoyancy
162. I’m a mix that’s even and neat. Salt in water makes a treat.
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Solution
163. I can store energy for a time. When you need it, I help you shine.
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Battery
164. I’m an animal with lots of legs. I spin silk without any pegs.
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Spider
165. I break down food inside you tight. I help you feel your energy right.
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Digestion
166. I’m the color of the sky so wide. I scatter light and like to hide.
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Blue
167. I’m made of protons, neutrons too. Electrons zip as part of the crew.
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Atom
Final Thoughts
If you made it to the end of all 167 science riddles, you’re officially a certified Riddle Scientist (yes, I just made that up … but it still counts).
Whether you guessed them all or had to peek at a few answers, I hope you had a blast and maybe even learned something new along the way.
Keep asking questions, keep solving mysteries, and keep being curious, because that’s what real scientists do!
Until the next riddle adventure!