63 Fun Questions to Get Your Kid Talking
Parents of young kids are likely very used to their child asking hundreds of questions each day. But while you might get frustrated with the constant barrage of "why," answering their questions actually keeps your child's mind open, says author and parenting expert Michele Borba, Ed.D. It also lets kids know that imagination and curiosity are welcomed and encouraged.
So, how can we motivate kids to keep inquiring? Ask them questions in return! After all, it's proven that kids mimic the words, patterns, routines, and behavior of their parents and caregivers. Plus, Dr. Borba adds, "You're modeling what a good question looks and sounds like."
Move beyond the basic "How was your day?" and consider this list of 63 fun questions to ask kids to get them talking, thinking, and engaging.
Questions for Toddlers and Preschoolers
If your stuffed animals could talk, what would they say?
What does it feel like when I hug you?
If you drew everything that came into your head, what would you be drawing right now?
What do you think you're going to dream about tonight?
What sounds do you like best and why?
If you were going to spend the whole day outside, what activities would you do?
What are the best ways to make a fort?
How do you think animals communicate?
Describe a great day: What are you doing that makes it special?
What animal would make a great driver?
Do you like it when other people share with you? Why?
Who is your favorite storybook character?
What one thing do you do now that you usually need an adult for but would like to try to do all by yourself?
If you had to give everyone in the family new names, what would they be?
What makes you happy?
If you could do anything right now, what would you do?
If you had a pet dragon, what would you name it?
What would you do together with your pet dragon?
Questions to Ask Kindergarteners
Do you ever think about renaming the colors of your crayons?
What movie, TV, or book character makes you laugh the most?
If you opened a store, what would you sell?
What's your superhero name, and what powers do you have?
If you could grow anything in the yard, what would it be?
What do you enjoy giving to people?
Did you smile or laugh extra today? What did you laugh about?
Pretend you're a chef and tell me about your restaurant: What foods do you serve?
Where would you like to travel and why? How would you get there?
If you could ask a wile animal any question, what would you ask?
What are some of the best things about nature?
If you were a photographer for a day, what would you take pictures of?
What bugs you the most?
Do you have any inventions in your brain?
If you could learn any language, what would it be?
If you could make up a new holiday, what would it be?
What is the funniest thing you've ever eaten?
What would you do if you made the rules at home?
What makes someone smart?
What was your favorite thing about today?
Fun Questions for Older Kids
What do you like daydreaming about?
What is something about you that you think I might not know?
What have your friends been up to?
What's a memory that makes you happy?
What do you look forward to when you wake up?
Let's say you're at the beach: What's the first thing you do?
What makes you feel brave?
What makes you feel loved?
How do you show people you care?
If you could give $100 to a charity, what charity would you choose?
How would you design a treehouse?
If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
If you designed clothes, what would they look like?
How do you best like helping others?
What makes you feel thankful?
If you lived in a cave in the woods, what would be inside it?
What makes you feel energized?
If you were in a play, what would your character be like?
What makes your friends so awesome?
What makes you so awesome?
What are three things you want to do this summer?
If you had friends all over the world, how would you keep in touch?
If you joined the circus, what would your circus act be?
If you were a teacher and could teach your students anything at all, what would you teach them?
If a friend asked you to keep a secret that you don't feel comfortable keeping, what would you do?
The Power Asking Your Kids Open-Ended Questions
There are tremendous benefits to asking your kids questions that require more than yes or no answers. Doing so helps to develop their language, communication, critical thinking, and social skills. Open-ended conversations also foster creativity, self-esteem, and confidence. And perhaps most importantly, listening to your kids' answers helps you get to know them and how their minds work even better, deepening your parent-child bond.
A strong bond with our kids is key to their healthy development and emotional well-being—and makes parenting all the more satisfying. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), good communication strengthens the parent-child bond. The AAP recommends consistent, active listening to your child. This approach creates a safe space for them to express their ideas and emotions. Research also shows that having a healthy parent-child connection can help prevent mental health disorders and behavioral issues later in life.
How to Ask Open-Ended Questions
Use the questions above to get the conversation ball rolling. But those ideas are simply a starting place. You can ask your child about anything. You can ask them about something in the past, their present day-to-day life, or the future. You can ground your questions in reality or fantasy. They can be silly, serious, or somewhere in between. You can also follow their lead by asking them the questions that they ask you. If they ask your opinion about something, simply turn it around by asking, "What do you think?"
Subjects likely to cultivate fertile ground for discussion include topics related to their interests, hobbies, friends, and popular culture. If they love superheroes, soccer, piano, or painting, ask them questions related to those passions. Additionally, open-ended discussion tends to flourish when you phrase your questions to encourage more than yes or no answers. Examples are "What do you wish would happen if...", "What do you think would happen if…", "What would you do…", "How could we…", and "Why do you think…."
You can also ask your kids these questions at any time and anywhere. However, choosing a moment and place when your child is focused, calm, and unhurried may result in more in-depth answers. The fewer distractions the better, too. Car rides, bedtime, waiting in line or for an appointment, and the dinner table are all great spaces for these discussions, as you're likely to have your child's full attention at those times.
The Bottom Line
Don't worry if your child isn't very excited initially about answering your questions. And don't rush them to answer or move on to another one too quickly. Letting your child take their time shows that you're genuinely interested in what they have to say, and not just robotically asking. Be sure to join in the fun by giving your answers to these questions, too. Making a regular habit of asking them open-ended questions will pay off in deeper discussions and a stronger bond.