Riddles have always been a playful way to stretch our brains, twist our thoughts, and see things from new angles. But when you mix in emojis — today’s universal visual language — they become even more exciting. With just a few symbols, emojis turn everyday riddles into mini mysteries that are fun to solve and share.
In this post, we’re diving into 33 creative riddles with emojis and answers. Each puzzle uses emojis to describe a word, phrase, object, or idea. Your challenge is to figure out the meaning, using a mix of logic, pattern recognition, and a sense of humor.
Whether you’re a teacher looking to engage students, a parent searching for fun learning activities, or someone who just loves a good emoji brain teaser, you’re in for a treat.
1. Riddle:
🐝➕🍂
- Answer: Belief
- Explanation: “Bee” sounds like “be,” and the leaf represents “lief” — together they sound like “belief.”
2. Riddle:
🐘❌🐁
- Answer: Elephant in the room
- Explanation: The elephant is present, but the mouse is missing — a twist on the idiom.
3. Riddle:
🌞➕😄➕🍀
- Answer: Sunshine and happiness
- Explanation: A literal reading of the emojis results in this cheerful phrase.
4. Riddle:
👂📞
- Answer: Earring
- Explanation: Ear + ring (as in phone ringing) = earring.
5. Riddle:
🍎➖🍏
- Answer: Apple of my eye
- Explanation: The red apple (favorite) minus the green (less favored) shows a preference — a hint at the phrase.
6. Riddle:
🐟💡
- Answer: Fish out of water
- Explanation: A fish near a light is out of its element — a visual metaphor.
7. Riddle:
🔑👨
- Answer: Keyman
- Explanation: Combining the images literally — key + man = keyman.
8. Riddle:
🐄➕🌙
- Answer: The cow jumped over the moon
- Explanation: A direct reference to the classic nursery rhyme.
9. Riddle:
🚪🚶
- Answer: Doorstep
- Explanation: A door and someone stepping suggest the word “doorstep.”
10. Riddle:
📚🔥
- Answer: Bookworm or book burning
- Explanation: Could go either way depending on interpretation — both are valid.
11. Riddle:
🕰️🍞
- Answer: Time to toast
- Explanation: A combination of time and bread suggests making toast.
12. Riddle:
🥚➕😆
- Answer: Egghead
- Explanation: An egg with a smile could suggest a nerd or a very smart person — slang term.
13. Riddle:
🐍🔄
- Answer: Snake in the grass
- Explanation: A sneaky snake circling hints at something hidden — betrayal.
14. Riddle:
👁️❤️🔢
- Answer: I love numbers
- Explanation: Eye = I, heart = love, numbers = literal — a clear visual sentence.
15. Riddle:
🌧️➕😄
- Answer: Rain or shine
- Explanation: The emojis reflect both weather types — a common expression.
16. Riddle:
🧊👑
- Answer: Ice king
- Explanation: Ice + crown = Ice King — could be a character or a metaphor.
17. Riddle:
🐦📦
- Answer: Bird box
- Explanation: Exactly as it reads — a bird and a box.
18. Riddle:
🚗🌊
- Answer: Carpool
- Explanation: A car and water = pool — combined into “carpool.”
19. Riddle:
🎯🧠
- Answer: Sharp mind or focus
- Explanation: A brain with a bullseye represents someone focused or intelligent.
20. Riddle:
⏰👟
- Answer: Time runs out
- Explanation: Clock and shoe suggest running, or that time is running.
21. Riddle:
🧀🐀
- Answer: Cheese trap or mouse trap
- Explanation: Classic setup for a trap involving a mouse and cheese.
22. Riddle:
👑🍽️
- Answer: Royal feast
- Explanation: Crown and plate suggest a fancy or royal dinner.
23. Riddle:
🧼🚿
- Answer: Clean up
- Explanation: Soap and shower — used to clean — suggest “clean up.”
24. Riddle:
🌍🔚
- Answer: End of the world
- Explanation: Earth followed by an end symbol — a dramatic riddle.
25. Riddle:
🛏️🕊️
- Answer: Rest in peace
- Explanation: Bed and dove symbolize sleep and peace — a poetic expression.
26. Riddle:
🕷️📱
- Answer: Spider web or web app
- Explanation: A spider and a phone hint at the web — tech or natural.
27. Riddle:
🧠➕⚡
- Answer: Brainstorm
- Explanation: Brain + lightning = brainstorm — creative thinking.
28. Riddle:
🌵😅
- Answer: Stuck in a prickly situation
- Explanation: Cactus and nervous face suggest discomfort or difficulty.
29. Riddle:
🎩🐇
- Answer: Magic trick
- Explanation: A hat and rabbit — classic magic show elements.
30. Riddle:
📈💸
- Answer: Business is booming
- Explanation: Rising graph and money — implies profit or success.
31. Riddle:
🏠🔥
- Answer: House on fire
- Explanation: A literal interpretation — can mean urgency or actual flames.
32. Riddle:
🍫🍪
- Answer: Sweet tooth
- Explanation: Candy and cookie suggest someone who loves sweets.
33. Riddle:
🐱🎻
- Answer: Cat playing the fiddle
- Explanation: Another nursery rhyme visual — from “Hey Diddle Diddle.”
Conclusion
Emoji riddles combine the best of two worlds — classic brain teasers and modern visuals. They encourage lateral thinking, creativity, and sometimes a little humor. With just a few icons, you can express a whole idea or phrase, making these puzzles fun for all ages.
Which of these riddles with emojis and answers was your favorite? Did any stump you or make you laugh?