Conversation Starters for Kids
Looking for ways to spark fun and meaningful conversations with kids? Whether you're a parent looking to liven up family dinner, a teacher encouraging classroom dialogue, or someone who loves connecting with young minds, our collection of engaging conversation starters and follow up questions are great to help children open up and express their thoughts on a range of topics. You can use these conversation starters over family dinner or exploring creative ideas in the classroom and connect with kids in an easy, fun, and memorable way.
How to Talk to Kids
Here are some strategies to help you talk to kids in a way that encourages open dialogue and understanding:
Listen Actively
Listen carefully to what your child says, using both your ears and eyes. This helps create a bond and encourages them to communicate better. For older children, make time each day to listen without distractions.
Use Age-Appropriate Language
Tailor your language to your child's age and understanding. For younger children, use simple sentences and concrete examples. As they grow older, they can handle more complex conversations.
Encourage Expression of Feelings
Help children deal with their emotions by acknowledging and validating their feelings. This encourages them to open up and communicate effectively.
Show Interest and Respect Take your child's thoughts seriously and avoid condescending tones. Encourage them to express opinions and ideas, and show genuine interest in their interests.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a supportive environment where your child feels heard and valued, leading to stronger communication and a deeper connection. Use the below questions to help you start a conversation.
Personal
- How old are you?
- What's your favorite thing about being [age]?
- When is your birthday?
- What would you like for your birthday?
- How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
- Do you have any brothers or sisters?
- What are their names?
- Do you like being an only child?
- Do you have any pets?
- What pets do you have?
- What are your pets' names?
- Who is your best friend?
- What do you like to do together?
- How long have you been friends?
- How often do you see them?
- Do you play a musical instrument?
- What instrument do you play?
- Do you have a favorite song to play?
- If you could learn a new instrument, which one would you pick?
- What is your favorite color?
- Why do you like that color?
- Do you like to wear that color a lot?
- What are you good at?
- Do you practice a lot?
- Where did you learn that?
- What do you like most about your family?
- Do you all have any special traditions or fun things you do together?
- What's your favorite memory with your family?
- Do you have any fun plans coming up with your family?
- What does your mom/dad do for work?
- Do you ever want to do something like that when you grow up?
- What's something cool about their job?
- Does their job help other people or do something important
School
- What grade are you in?
- What's your favorite thing about [grade] so far?
- Are you learning anything really fun or cool this year?
- What do you like to do during recess or lunch?
- What school do you go to?
- What's the best thing about your school?
- Do you have a lot of friends there?
- Are you in any clubs or activities?
- What is your favorite subject at school?
- Why do you like [subject]?
- What's the coolest thing you've learned in [subject]?
- Do you think you might want a job related to [subject] when you grow up?
- What is your least favorite subject at school?
- What makes [subject] hard or not fun for you?
- Is there anything that could make it better or easier?
- Is there any part of [subject] that you do like?
- What do you do during recess?
- Who do you usually play with at recess?
- What's your favorite game or activity to play outside?
- Do you like running around or do you prefer something quieter?
- Do you ride the bus to school?
- Who do you usually sit with on the bus?
- What do you like to do while you're riding the bus? Do you talk, read, or just look out the window?
- What is your least favorite thing about school?
- Why is it your least favorite thing about school?
- If you were in charge, how would you change it?
- What is your favorite thing about school?
- Was it always your favorite thing or has it changed?
- What would you tell someone who doesn't like it as much as you?
- What is your teacher's name?
- What do you like most about your teacher?
- What type of teacher is he/she? Is he/she, funny, nice, mean, strict, fun, etc?
- Do you have a favorite thing your teacher does in class?
- How much homework do you get each day?
- Do you think it's too much, too little, or just right?
- Which subject do you have most homework in?
- Do you ever need help with your homework? Who helps you?
- What did you learn in school today?
- Did you find it interesting or boring?
- Was it something completely new or did you already know a little about it?
- Which subject was it in?
Food
- What did you have for lunch?
- Who do you usually sit with at lunch?
- Do you bring your lunch from home or get it from school?
- If you could choose anything for lunch tomorrow, what would it be?
- What is your favorite food?
- Who makes the best version of it?
- How often do you eat it?
- What's your second favorite food?
- What is your favorite candy?
- When was the last time you had it?
- Do you like to share it with friends or keep it all to yourself?
- What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
- Do you like it in a cone, a cup, or on a stick?
- Do you ever add toppings, like sprinkles or chocolate sauce?
- What's the best place to get ice cream?
- What is your favorite pizza topping?
- Do you like it with any other toppings or just by itself?
- Have you ever made your own pizza?
- Do you prefer eating pizza hot or cold?
- What is your least favorite vegetable?
- Why don't you like it? Is it the taste, texture, or smell?
- What's your most favorite vegetable?
- What is your favorite drink?
- Do you drink it a lot or just on special occasions?
- Do you ever mix it with anything else to make it even better?
- Do you like to drink it with certain foods or just by itself?
- What is your favorite snack?
- How often do you eat it?
- What do you usually drink with your snack?
- If you had the chance to eat only that snack for one day, would you?
Entertainment
- What is your favorite book?
- What was the book about?
- Who's your favorite character in it?
- Have you read any other books by the same author?
- What is your favorite toy?
- Why is that your favorite toy?
- Where did you get it from?
- How often do you play with it?
- Do you play any sports?
- Do you play on a team or just for fun?
- Have you ever won any games, tournaments, or awards?
- Is there any sport that you would like to learn to play?
- What is your favorite TV show?
- How often do you watch it?
- What is the show about?
- If you could be in the show, what kind of character would you be?
- What is your favorite cartoon?
- What's your favorite episode or moment?
- Who's your favorite character?
- Do you watch it by yourself or with family or friends?
- What is your favorite movie?
- How many times have you seen it?
- What was the movie about?
- Why do you like that movie so much?
- What kind of music do you like to listen to?
- Who's your favorite singer or band?
- What's your favorite band?
- Do you like to sing along or dance to the music?
- Do you like to play video games?
- What's your favorite video game?
- How often do you play?
- Do you play on a console, computer, phone, or tablet?
- Who is your favorite superhero?
- What do you like most about that superhero?
- What's your favorite superhero movie or TV show?
- If you could have a superhero team, who would you choose to be on it?
- If you could visit any TV show, what show would you visit?
- What would you do first when you got there?
- Would you want to be a character in the show, or just visit as yourself?
- Would you want to help the characters with anything?
Hmmm...
- If you could be any age to be, what age would you pick?
- Why would you want to be that age?
- What's something cool you could do at that age?
- What do you think would be the hardest part about being that age?
- What is your favorite zoo animal?
- Would you want to have that animal as a pet?
- Have you ever seen that animal in real life?
- Do you know any animal facts about them?
- How long does it normally take you to fall asleep?
- What do you do if you can't fall asleep right away?
- Do you sleep with a stuffed animal or a blanket?
- What is your bedtime routine like?
- What is your favorite holiday?
- How do you usually celebrate it?
- Do you have a favorite tradition or activity for that holiday?
- If you could create a new holiday, what would it be about?
- What's your least favorite rule at home?
- Why don't you like that rule?
- Do you think the rule is fair?
- What rule do you think is the most important in your house?
- What new rules would you make for home or school?
- Why do you think that would be a good rule?
- What's one rule that would make school or home more fun?
- How do you think other people would feel about your rule?
- Where is your favorite place to go?
- What do you like to do when you're there?
- Do you go there with anyone special, like family or friends?
- What do you bring with you when you go there?
- What is something nice that you did for someone else this week?
- How did the person react when you did something nice for them?
- Do you think it's important to help others? Why?
- What's the nicest thing someone has done for you?
- What is your favorite part of the day?
- Why do you like that part of the day?
- What would make that part of the day even better?
- If you could change anything about your day, what part would you change?
- Would you rather stay a kid or be instantly turned into a grown up?
- What's the best part about being a kid?
- What's something you think you'd like about being a grown-up?
- Do you think grown ups have it easier?
- What is your favorite day of the week?
- What makes that day your favorite?
- What would make your favorite day even better?
- Is there a day of the week you don't like as much?
- Would you rather take a shower or a bath?
- Do you like baths because of the bubbles or toys?
- Do you like to take your time and relax/play or get done quickly?
- Where do you want to live when you grow up?
- Why do you want to live there?
- Would you prefer a big house, an apartment, or a tiny house?
- Would you want to live alone or with other people?
- What's the worst thing about being a kid?
- What's the hardest rule to follow as a kid?
- Is there something you can't do yet that you really want to try?
- How would you change things if you were in charge for a day?
- What are you thankful for today?
- Why are you thankful for that?
- How do you show your thanks when you're grateful for something?
- What's the best gift or kindness you've received recently?
Fun
- What do you usually do on the weekends?
- Do you like to sleep in or wake up early?
- Do you usually stay home or do you go out?
- If you could plan your perfect weekend, what would it look like?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- Why do you want to be that?
- What do you think is the best part of that job?
- What kind of tools or equipment would you need?
- What is the one thing you can't live without?
- Why is that so important to you?
- If it was missing, how long would it take for you to notice it was missing?
- If you had three wishes, what would they be?
- Which one would you wish for first? Why?
- Would any of your wishes help other people or just use them for yourself?
- Would you save any of the wishes to use for later?
- What do you do after school?
- What's the first thing you do when you get home?
- Do you have any after school activities or hobbies?
- What snacks do you like to have after school?
- If you could have a super power, what would it be?
- What's the first thing you'd do with it?
- Would you use your power to help people, or just have fun?
- Would you want your superpower to be a secret, or would you tell everyone?
- Describe your perfect day.
- Who would you spend the day with?
- Would you stay at home, or go somewhere special?
- What activities would you do?
- What job would you not want to have?
- Why wouldn't you want to do that job?
- What do you think would be the hardest part of that job?
- If someone offered you a lot of money to do it, would you?
- What do you like to do for fun?
- How often do you do that?
- Is there a place where you like to do this?
- Is there anything new you'd like to try for fun?
- Do you prefer to play inside or outside?
- Why do you like playing [inside/outside] more?
- What's your favorite thing to do when you play [inside/outside]
- What's your favorite kind of weather for playing outside?
- If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be?
- Why did you choose that animal?
- What's the first thing you'd do as that animal?
- Would you want to be a wild animal or someone's pet?
- What is something that you would like to learn how to do?
- Why do you want to learn that?
- Do you think it would be easy or hard to learn?
- Is it something you could learn on your own or would you need help?
- What is something fun you did this week?
- Why was that so much fun for you?
- Who were you with when you did it?
- What would you change to make it even more fun next time?
- If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- What's the first thing you'd want to do when you get there?
- Do you know anything special about that place?
- How long would you like to stay on your vacation?
- If you won $100, what would you do with it?
- Would you spend it all or save some of it?
- Would you share any of it with family or friends?
- Would you rather buy lots of little things or one big thing?
