50+ Questions for Kids (That They’ll Actually Answer)

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We, parents, always like to think that we know our kids like the back of our hand.

We know their favorite food and those that they refuse to eat. We know the faces they make when they are surprised, sad, or uncomfortable.

But, we shouldn’t forget that kids, like other people, are continually changing. Our little ones are developing new references for emotions and thoughts.

It’s essential to get to know our kids more by continually asking questions as they grow, especially the ones that will make them open up to more relationship with us.

Get your child’s inner chatterbox talking with these simple conversation starters.

Questions to Get to Know your Children Better

When did you feel most proud of yourself today?
What rule was the hardest to follow today?
Which playground skill do you plan to master this year?
What is your favorite movie of all time? Why?
What cartoon character would you most like to be?
How would you describe your perfect day?
Which person in your class is your exact opposite?
Who is your best friend? Why are they your best friend?
What traits do you look for in friends?
Who do you want to make friends with but haven’t yet? Why not?
What’s your favorite car, and why?
What’s easier, math or English?
What was your favorite subject to study today? Why?
What’s the hardest part about going to school?
Which area of your school is the most fun?
What do you think of the way the other kids at school dress these days?
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
What is the most important thing in your life?
What is the one thing you couldn’t live without?
Who brought the best food in their lunch today? What was it?
What did you eat for lunch?
What games did you play at recess?
What is the most popular thing to do at recess?
What was the funniest thing that happened today?

Questions that will Improve your Family Relationship

What do you think is the best thing about our family?
What is your favorite thing about our family?
Do you have a favorite family tradition?
What are the most important things we’ve taught you?
Do you think the discipline and consequences in our family are fair?
If you could make three family rules, what would they be?
What do you think are the most important qualities of your parents?
What should we do more of as a family?
What do you like best about your siblings, and why?

Questions that Enhance Imagination

If your pets could talk, what would they say?
Which one of your teachers would survive a zombie apocalypse? Why?
If school were a ride at the fair, which ride would it be? Why?
If you won $1000, what would you do with it?
If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
If one of your classmates could be the teacher for the day, who would you want it to be? Why?
If you had the chance to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you teach the class?
Does your teacher remind you of anyone else you know? How?
What job would you never want to have?
If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
What color is the happiest color? What makes it happy?
What new fact did you learn today?
What is one thing you hope to learn before the school year is over?

Questions that Help Develop Mental Strength

What challenged you today?
What feeling do you think is most uncomfortable? Sadness, embarrassment, anger, fear, or something else?
What do you tell yourself when your brain tells you things that are too negative to be true, such as ‘you’ll never succeed’ or ‘no one likes you?’
What do you do make yourself face your fears?
What would you rate your day on a scale of 1 to 10? Why?
Did anyone push your buttons today?

Questions that Cultivate Gratitude

What are some things you feel grateful for today?
Did anyone do anything super nice for you?
Who made you smile today?
What is one thing you did today that was helpful?
What are some things that you don’t need, but you’re really happy that you have?
What are some things you get to do those other people might not be able or allowed to do?
What are some things that I didn’t have as a kid that you’re happy you get to have?

Questions that Help Establish Empathy

What was the nicest thing you did for someone else?
Did you have a chance to be kind to anyone today?
How do you think other people feel when you’re kind to them?
Does anyone in your class have a hard time following the rules?
Who gets teased at school or in your activities, and why?
How do you think kids who do the teasing feel about themselves? How do you think kids who get teased feel?
Does anyone else ever step in to stick up for the kids being teased?
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

Questions that Help Develop Ethical Thinking

If your friend always forgets to bring his lunch to school, should other kids always share with him?
Did you catch anyone doing something funny?
Is it ever OK to ever cheat in school or sports?
What is your teacher’s most important rule?
Is there ever a time that it would be alright to steal from someone?
Tell me something you learned about a friend today.

Questions that Help Build Confidence

What are you most proud of?
Do you think it would be fun to be famous?
What is something you are good at?
Have you ever taught anyone how to do something?
What are some things you can do to make a difference in the world?
If someone wrote an article about you in your school’s newspaper, what would you want them to say?

Tips for Asking Kids Questions

Kids are smart, so avoid making the conversation sound like an interrogation and keep the flow of the dialogue natural.

Asking them a lot of questions would be tempting, but it is best to limit asking one to two big questions a day.

Remember to keep the focus of the conversation about them and make the children feel how interested you are to hear what they have to say.

Children will enjoy the conversation when they realize that you value them and their opinion.