Riddle for kids: Measurement

Have you ever had your kids in the kitchen? Watching them measure ingredients into a bowl can be amusing at times. "Half of this, a quarter of that and a full cup of … don't spill it!" This riddle will test their measuring knowledge and give them a giggle, too.

What you need:

You won't need anything at all to tell the riddle.

But if you choose to act out your riddle you will need:

• 2L jug of water 
• 3 cup (750ml) measuring jug 
• 5 cup (1.2L) measuring jug

Number of players:
2+

Activity:

Riddle:

You have a jug full of water from which you have to remove exactly one cup. You only have a three-cup measuring container and a five-cup measuring container. How will you remove exactly one cup?

Solution:

Fill the three-cup container with water and then pour all three cups of water into the five-cup container. Fill the three cup container with water again, and then use it to fill the five-cup container the rest of the way. The five cup container will only take 2 more cups and the water left in the three-cup container will be only one cup.

Notes:

• Gather the materials and test this one out. You can even leave the riddle out with no visible solution to puzzle the kids.