What Can Be Seen but Not Touched? is a short riddle with a surprisingly long list of possible answers. See which one you think of first, then tap Show Answer.
Riddle: What can be seen but not touched?
Answer: Shadow
Need a hint?
It follows you around on a sunny day.
Answer and explanation (spoiler!)
The answer is a shadow.
A shadow forms when something blocks light. You can see its dark shape clearly on the ground or a wall, but if you try to touch it, you only touch the ground or wall underneath.
That’s what makes shadows fun for this riddle: they look solid, but there’s nothing there to hold.
Difficulty: Easy · Best for: ages 5 and up
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FAQ
Are there other answers?
Yes! A rainbow, the sky, the moon, a reflection or a dream all fit too. A shadow is the classic answer.
Is this a good riddle for kids?
Yes. Children can test the answer outside on a sunny day by trying to grab their own shadow.