R

iddles present children with the perfect opportunity to struggle in a low-stakes environment, developing patience, critical thinking, and perseverance. Yet many give up quickly when answers don’t come easily, missing the chance to stretch their minds. Teaching them to ask, “What do the clues suggest?” encourages persistence and methodical reasoning — skills that strengthen their ability to tackle complex problems in academics, careers, and life.

One afternoon, my daughter faced a brain teaser involving a hidden object. After a few guesses, she slumped in frustration. Rather than offering hints, I asked her to list what she knew for certain from the clues. Slowly, she pieced together the information, narrowed her options, and solved it herself. Her triumph was greater because the struggle had been real, and the methodical approach became a habit she later used in math and writing.

Make riddles a weekly tradition. Pick puzzles appropriate for your child’s age — picture riddles for younger children, logic puzzles for teens. Encourage them to list three possibilities before choosing their final answer, sketching or writing out their thinking process. Celebrate the effort as much as the solution. Puzzle books like “Mind Benders” or apps like “Logic Light” keep the material fresh and challenging. Through regular play, children learn that persistence and structure often lead to the deepest satisfaction — a lesson that extends well beyond games.

TIPS

• Ask “What clues do we have?” to guide logic
• Encourage multiple guesses and rule-outs
• Show that frustration means the mind is stretching
• Celebrate perseverance more than speed
• Keep puzzles fresh to maintain engagement

ACTIVITIES

• Riddle Round: Solve one logic riddle or lateral-thinking puzzle together — 10 min
• Clue Match: Read a riddle or brain teaser aloud, underline 2 key clues, test one guess — 10 min
• Visual Mystery: Use picture-based puzzles (spot the difference, hidden object) — 10 min