30+ questions to ask kids for connection and conversation
Getting your child to open up can sometimes feel like an impossible mission. If you often receive nothing more than a "good" and an "okay" when you ask, "How was your day?" you're definitely not alone.
Many parents face this challenge, and as children grow older, they naturally start to share less with their parents.
But it’s critical to keep those communication lines open to build connection and trust with our little ones. All you need is the right compelling and thought-provoking question to get them talking.
How fun questions help kids
When we go beyond the usual, we create opportunities for our children to express themselves and communicate more effectively. Not only does this conversation help them develop better language skills and critical thinking while building self-esteem but it also strengthens your bond.
Fun questions that lead to self-expression and healthy conversations are vital for a child’s social and emotional learning and can even boost their confidence through positive affirmations.
We’ve lined up some of the best questions for kids that you can ask to get those little minds talking, whether it’s in the car, at the dinner table, or during a quiet moment together.
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Fun questions for little kids
Engaging with young children through imaginative and fun questions can enhance bonding, foster open communication, and brighten their mood. Here’s a list of 30 creative questions for kids that you can ask to spark interesting conversations.
- Would you rather be a grown-up or stay a kid forever?
- What’s a funny thing that adults often say?
- If food started falling from the sky like in a movie, would you go outside to eat it?
- If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be? Any special reason?
- Imagine that you can make a new rule that everyone in the world must follow. What would it be?
- What’s the worst song you’ve ever heard?
- If you could invent a new holiday, what would you call it and how would we celebrate it?
- What’s the most fun holiday, in your opinion?
- What would be your superhero name and what powers would you have?
- Would you choose to live in Disney World or Sea World?
- How does it make you feel when someone hugs you?
- If you could design a new toy, what would it look like and what would it do?
- What kind of person do you dream of becoming when you grow up?
- Can you tell me about the coolest dream you’ve ever had?
- Is there a sound you really love? What does it sound like? What’s a funny sound? (I’m betting the answer is farts for this one.)
- What would you do if you found a magic wand?
- What special features would you add to your dream treehouse?
- What’s the first thing you’d do if you became invisible?
- If you could be any character from a movie, who would you choose to be?
- Imagine you found a magical egg. What do you think would hatch from it, and what would you name it?
- If you could have any animal as a pet, real or mythical, which would you choose?
- What’s your favorite game to play at school with your friends?
- If you could go anywhere in outer space, where would you go first?
- What’s your favorite storybook? Can you think of a different ending for it?
- If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
- What makes you laugh the most?
- If you had to choose a color to paint the whole world, which one would you pick?
- What is the best gift you have ever received?
- If we could go on a treasure hunt, what kind of treasure would you hope to find?
- What do you think clouds feel like?
Favorite food, favorite song- I want your opinion!
Kids love talking about things they enjoy.
If you have younger children who don’t enjoy questions that require creative thinking skills, ask them about things they love. From a favorite holiday, or a favorite outfit to even their favorite subject at school, or their favorite superhero.
And then watch them go on about how Batman or Hulk is the most amazing thing ever.
Questions for older kids
Gen Alpha’s got their lingo so while we may think we’re still cool with our ankle socks, we’re sort of, um, not cool. In fact, we’re pretty “cringe.”
So if you have a tween or teen stomping the halls, it might be a little trickier to get them talking and decoding some of the lingo.
However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Here are 30 thought-provoking and playful questions to ask tweens and teens, designed to spark critical thinking and provoke interesting discussions:
- If aliens invaded the world, what would it be that one thing they’d find weird about the human race?
- If you could travel to the future with a time machine, what item would you bring back?
- What are three things you feel thankful or grateful for today?
- Do you believe in the existence of mermaids/ the lochness monster/ big foot? Why or why not? (kids love conspiracy theories.)
- Would you rather be a member of the Incredibles family or the Weasley family from Harry Potter?
- If there was a secret passage in our house, where would it be and where would it lead to?
- What color would you want your first car to be?
- If you could choose to be any age for a week, which age would that be?
- What’s your go-to trick for making someone laugh?
- If you owned a shop, what would be the main item you’d sell?
- What’s the most unconventional pet you can imagine having in your room?
- Would you choose to be invisible or super strong? Why?
- Imagine you’re under a magical spell that puts you to sleep; what should happen to break the spell?
- If you could design a luxury vehicle, what would you put in it?
- What’s the weirdest thing you heard someone say today?
- If you were to win an award, what do you think it would be for?
- What skill do you wish you were really good at?
- If you were a spy, what would your first mission be?
- If you could move to another country, where would you prefer to live and why?
- If you had the chance to ask the president one question, what would it be?
- What’s the funniest sound you can make?
- Would you rather have a pet monkey or a pet giraffe?
- If you could teach your pet a new trick, what would it be?
- What’s your favorite unusual food combination?
- Would you prefer a camping trip or a day at the beach?
- What is the most unique name that you have ever heard?
- Can you tell us about the strangest dream you’ve ever had?
- Have you ever picked your nose and wiped it on the wall when you thought nobody was watching? (Ask this one at your own risk. )
- What’s the kindest act you think you could perform for someone else?
- If you went to Hogwarts, which house do you think you’d belong to?
Funny and silly questions to get them talking and giggling
Unleashing creativity and humor is essential when engaging with children. Here are 30 whimsical and imaginative questions to keep the fun rolling:
- What would you do if you had to wear shoes on your hands instead of your feet?
- What ice cream flavor would be perfect for breakfast?
- Why do we have our faces as profile pictures? Why not our hands or foreheads?
- How would you react if you woke up with purple hair one morning?
- Imagine you built a robot; what unique tasks would it perform?
- Can you share two weirdest food combinations that you would like to try someday? (Tuna with ice cream? Sushi and yogurt?)
- If your house could be made of any candy, what candy would you choose?
- If your parents turned into any other cartoon character, who would they be?
- If you were one of Snow White’s dwarves, what would your name reflect about you?
- What animals would you and your family transform into?
- How would you paint our house if you had total freedom?
- What kind of potion would you brew if you were a wizard?
- If you were a pirate, what would your pirate name be?
- If we had a ‘Yes Day’, what’s the first thing you would want to do?
- Is there a dangerous activity you’d like to try, knowing you wouldn’t get hurt?
- Do you believe the Loch Ness Monster is real?
- Would you prefer to be a giant or be very tiny?
- If you owned a toy factory, what kind of toys would you produce?
- Do you like your name or is there another name you think would fit you better?
- What’s the first thing you’d do if you won a million dollars?
- What’s your favorite family tradition and is there another one you’d like to start?
- If you could meet any character from a favorite movie, who would it be?
- Which famous person would you love to meet?
- Would you like to have an extra body part? Which one and where would it go?
- If you could eat only one food forever, what would it be?
- What new rule would you make if you could decide one for our house?
- If you had a time machine, to which era would you travel?
- If you could change your name, what new name would you choose?
- What do you think is the most difficult job in the world and why?
- If you went on a treasure hunt, what kind of treasure would you hope to find?
Open-ended questions that get them chatting
Need questions that won’t lead to one-word answers?
Then your best bet is open-ended questions. These are perfect for prompting detailed responses and diving into your child’s perspective.
Here are 30 open-ended questions that encourage deep thinking and expression:
- What do you enjoy doing during your free time the most?
- What’s your favorite book or movie, and what makes it special?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
- If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go and why?
- Who is your best friend and what activities do you enjoy doing together?
- What’s your favorite food and what about it do you like so much?
- If you could be any animal, which one would you choose and why?
- What is your most cherished memory and why does it stand out?
- What profession do you want to pursue when you grow up and why?
- What are you exceptionally good at, and what makes you skilled at it?
- What personal skill are you currently trying to improve?
- What’s something new you’re eager to try but haven’t yet?
- Which historical figure would you want to meet and why?
- If you could talk to your future self, what would you ask?
- If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be and why?
- What’s a hobby you would like to start?
- What’s a subject they should teach at school? (The kids have to come up with new subjects like Pet 101 or ‘How to avoid chores’ )
- Which school subject do you find the most interesting or fascinating? Why?
- If you could invent something, what would it be and how would it help people?
- What’s your favorite way to relax after a long day?
- What character trait do you admire in others?
- What’s the funniest thing you’ve experienced recently?
- If you could live in any book or movie world, which one would it be?
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
- If you could design your dream home, what unique features would it include?
- What is the most important lesson you’ve learned this year?
- If you could be proficient in any musical instrument, which one would it be?
- What is your favorite thing about your family?
- If you could start a new tradition in our family, what would it be?
- What do you think makes a good friend?
Pro tips to get those conversations started
As children grow older, conversations can go from monologues during car rides to caveman grunts with those tiny fingers tapping away on their screens. Here are some extra tips to help them open up:
Make sure it’s a good time
Try to find moments when your child isn’t distracted. Mealtimes, car rides, and before bed are some great opportunities. If your child seems upset, you might have to step back and give them quiet time to figure out their own emotions.
When in doubt, ask the fun questions
One of the best tips I share with parents is to focus on the fun and silly questions. These allow you to open up and communicate with each other.
Practice active listening
Conversations with your kids enhance communication skills and also develop their social skills by teaching them how to engage in meaningful conversations. But for that parents have to be present during the conversation.
Use them wisely
Some of these are great starting points that can help your kid open up about what’s bothering them. Of course, the latest kindergarten gossip is just a bonus.
Wrapping it up
Remember, these silly questions don’t just get your child to talk, they’re also important in building a strong bond with your kids. So ask, and then listen and understand. Let them know that they have a safe space with you to hold difficult and uncomfortable conversations — and all the silly stuff in between.
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