Conversation starters for kids: Tips and 110 fun questions to try

Finding ways to connect with your kids can feel challenging sometimes, especially when one-word answers like "fine" or "nothing" are their go-to responses. But meaningful conversations are essential for bonding, nurturing communication skills, and building confidence. 

Whether chatting during dinner, in the car, or before bedtime, having the right tools to get kids talking can make all the difference. These conversation starters will give you a variety of approaches to help bring out their inner chatterbox. 

The impact of meaningful conversations 

When you engage your kids in two-way conversations, the benefits go far beyond filling the silence. Talking with your kids helps to:

• Strengthen bonds: Conversing regularly helps build trust and demonstrate interest in their thoughts and feelings.

• Boost vocabulary and language skills: Getting children used to having discussions naturally enhances their language development and communication ability.

• Promote emotional intelligence: Asking open-ended questions encourages them to express their feelings and empathize with others.

• Build confidence: When kids know you're listening, they feel valued and are likelier to share their thoughts in other situations, like at school or with friends. 

How to approach meaningful conversations with kids 

Here are some tips to create a safe, fun, and engaging environment for deeper conversations with your kids. 

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Pick the right time and place 

Timing is key. Kids are more likely to open up when they're relaxed and unhurried. Try starting a conversation during moments like:

• A walk or car ride where the focus is on the activity

• Quiet downtime after school when they've had a chance to decompress

• At the dinner table, when everyone can share their day

Avoid moments when they’re tired, hungry, or engrossed in another activity—it’s unlikely to lead to a meaningful exchange. 

Lead with curiosity 

Start with open-ended questions encouraging them to elaborate rather than "yes" or "no" questions. A simple "What was the best part of your day?" often works better than "Did you have a good day?" 

Be an active listener 

When your child speaks, give them your full attention. Maintain eye contact, nod, and reflect on what they say with follow-up questions or comments so they feel heard and understood. 

Share your own stories 

Kids love hearing about your life—even something as simple as a funny mistake you made at work or something you enjoyed as a child. By sharing first, you create an inviting atmosphere for them to share back. 

Respect their boundaries 

Sometimes, kids might not feel like talking—and that's okay. If they seem disinterested, don't push. Instead, give them space and try again later. 

110 conversation starters for kids 

Here are some fun and engaging conversation starters divided by themes to get the dialogue flowing. 

About their day 

• What made you laugh today? 

• What was the most fun thing that happened at school? 

• If you could change one thing about today, what would it be? 

• Who did you enjoy spending time with today? 

• Did you learn something new today? What was it? 

• What was your favorite part of the day? 

• Was there anything that surprised you today? 

• Did you help someone today, or did someone help you? 

• What’s one thing you’re looking forward to tomorrow? 

• If today was a story, what would the title be?

Big imaginations 

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be? 

• If animals could talk, which one would you want to talk to first? 

• If you had a time machine, would you visit the dinosaurs in the past or see flying cars in the future?

• If you could design your dream house, what would it look like? 

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

• If you could instantly learn to be amazing at anything, what would it be?

• Who would you pick if you could trade places with any famous person for a day?

• If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

• If you could be in any movie or TV show, which would you choose? 

• If you could jump into any storybook world, where would you go?

• If you could speak any language, which one would it be? 

• If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be? 

• If you found a treasure chest full of gold, what’s the first thing you would do?

• If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? 

• If you could have dinner with any three people, real or imaginary, who would you choose?

• If you could relive any day of your life, which would it be? 

• If you could try any job when you grow up, what would it be?

• If you could invent something, what would it be? 

• If you could travel to any time in history or the future, when would you choose?

• If you could fly anywhere in the world for free, where would you go?

Family and friends 

• What’s your favorite thing to do when we all spend time together as a family?

• How would you tell a new friend what you're like if they've never met you before?

• What do you think makes someone a good friend?

• What's your favorite thing your family does together?

• Who in our family makes you laugh the most, and why? 

• What's the first fun time you remember having with a friend?

• If you could plan the perfect family day, what would it include? 

• What has a family member taught you that you’ll never forget?

• What fun things do you like to do with your friends on special days?

• What’s a silly or funny thing that happened when you were playing with your friends?

• Who in your family do you look up to the most, and what makes them special to you?

• What’s one thing you admire about your closest friend? 

• If you could have a big family reunion anywhere in the world, where would it be? 

• How do you usually make new friends at school or on the playground?

• What's the best piece of advice someone in your family has ever shared with you?

• What's the most important thing you look for in a good friend?

• What’s your favorite meal or dish to share as a family? 

• Who’s the most adventurous person in our family, and what have they done? 

• What’s your favorite memory of a time you helped a friend or they helped you? 

• If you could live closer to one family member or friend, who would it be and why?

Food, fun, and silly questions 

• What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? 

• If you could invent a new flavor of ice cream, what would it be called? 

• What’s the silliest word you’ve ever heard? 

• What’s the best meal you’ve ever had, and what made it so special?

• If pizza could have any topping in the world, what would you put on it? 

• What’s the weirdest food combination you’ve ever tried? 

• If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why? 

• What’s the most fun you’ve ever had cooking a meal? 

• If you could turn any dessert into a life-sized version, which one would you choose? 

• Would you rather eat super spicy food or super sweet food for a week? 

• What’s a food you’ll never, ever eat again? 

• If you could rename bananas, what would you call them? 

• What’s the funniest sound a food could make while being eaten? 

• If you were stuck on an island with one type of candy, what would it be? 

• What’s the best snack to eat during a movie? 

• If vegetables could talk, which one would have the funniest voice? 

• Would you rather drink only milkshakes or eat only cookies for a month? 

• What’s a food you’d love to try but haven’t yet? 

• If food had superpowers, which dish would save the world? 

• What's the weirdest thing you've ever heard about food?

• Have you ever tried gardening or growing your own food? 

• Do you enjoy cooking or baking? If so, what’s your favorite thing to make? 

Hobbies and interests 

• What hobby would you love to try? 

• If you could learn to play any instrument, which one would it be? 

• What’s your favorite way to spend a rainy day? 

• If you could design your own video game, what would it be about? 

• Do you like indoor activities or outdoor ones better? Why?

• What’s a hobby you’ve recently picked up or want to try?

• Do you enjoy collecting things? If so, what do you collect? 

• Do you like doing things alone or with friends?

• What’s your favorite sport to play or watch? 

• If you could join any type of class, what would it be? 

• Is there a fun craft or project you've been wanting to do?

• What’s the last book or movie that inspired you to try something new? 

• If you could spend a day learning from someone really good at something, what would you want to learn about?

• What's something you love doing that always makes you happy?

• Is there a game, board or digital, that you’d like to master? 

• What’s a skill that you admire in others but haven’t tried yourself yet? 

• If you could take up a hobby that involves traveling, what would it be? 

• What's something fun or calming you like to do to feel better after a busy day?

Questions about goals and values 

• What’s something you’re trying to get better at right now?

• What does success mean to you? 

• What’s one thing you’re really proud of? 

• How do you know when you’re on the right path? 

• What motivates you to keep going when things get tough? 

• What values are most important to you in life? 

• If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? 

• What’s a long-term goal you’ve set for yourself? 

• How do you measure progress toward your goals? 

• What’s a value you strive to live by every day? 

• Who inspires you to be a better version of yourself? 

• What’s a small habit that helps you stay focused on your goals? 

• How do you decide what matters most to you?

• What does getting better at something or learning new things mean to you?

• What do you want people to remember you for?

• How do your goals show what's important to you?

• What’s one thing you’d like to achieve this year? 

• How do you overcome challenges that get in the way of your goals? 

• What does living a meaningful life mean to you?

• What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned this year?

Building ongoing conversations 

Using these types of open-ended questions can help far beyond one conversation. It’s about creating a habit of open, ongoing dialogue in your relationship. Over time, asking thoughtful questions can help encourage your child to come to you with their joys, worries, and everything in between. 

If your kids don’t always want to chat with you, don’t worry! Sometimes, just being present and patient lays the groundwork for future conversations. 

Continuing the conversation

As your child gets more comfortable having conversations, you may decide to discuss other topics, such as finances. Loud budgeting is one method many families use to take control of their financial futures together. But sometimes, talking about finances can be uncomfortable, too, so here are a few conversation starters to talk to your teen about money.

Teach money skills for life. Kids learn by doing — and Greenlight’s all-in-one family app helps you weave money management into daily life. Try Greenlight free.†

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.