What Can You Add to a Bucket Full of Water to Make It Lighter? sounds like a science puzzle, but the answer is much simpler. Have a guess, then tap Show Answer.
Need a hint?
Adding this to the bucket would make the water escape.
Answer and explanation (spoiler!)
The answer is a hole.
Put a hole in the bucket and the water drains out. With less water inside, the bucket becomes lighter, even though you “added” something.
The riddle tricks you into thinking about things you could pour in, like ice or air. The answer is something that lets water out.
Difficulty: Medium · Best for: ages 7 and up
Similar riddles
- What Gets Bigger the More You Take Away?
- What Is Full of Holes but Still Holds Water?
- What Can Be Any Size or Shape and Gets Bigger the More You Take From It?
- What Gets Wetter and Wetter the More It Dries?
FAQ
Wouldn’t ice make it lighter?
Ice floats, but adding it still adds weight. Only something that lets water out, like a hole, makes the bucket lighter.
Is this a good riddle for class?
Yes. It’s a great way to talk about weight and volume, and the answer always gets a laugh.