125+ Fun Questions to Ask Your Kids to Get Them Talking

Looking for insightful, imaginative, and funny questions to ask your kids? Look no further! These 125+ questions will help your family bond as you learn things about your kids you might not have known.

questions to ask kids

How recently has your child told you what their favorite song is?

Or have you wondered how they would describe their perfect day?

There’s so much going on inside those young minds that we don’t always get to see. But a few key questions could provide insight into our child’s imagination, personality, likes, and dislikes.

But with our busy lives, it can be difficult to slow down and find a way to begin these conversations. After all, most kids – especially older ones – would roll their eyes if out of the blue we asked them: “What was the high point and low point of your day today?”

Which is why creating a small tradition of asking questions – at dinnertime, in the car, or whenever there’s downtime – can help.

And don’t forget that your kids are curious about you too. They’d probably be delighted to hear what you loved about the neighborhood you grew up in. And it can be empowering to hear your answer to the question “What’s your biggest fear?”.

Below are 125+ open-ended questions to ask your kids. In doing so, you’re bound to learn more about your child and them about you.

Want an easy way to turn these questions into a fun family activity? My Family Conversation Starters contain 125 questions on colorful cards. Click here to learn more and grab your own.

hand holding conversation starter cards

Questions that encourage kids to dream

Kids have the wildest imaginations. Learning what they dream about provides a window into their personality. Here are questions – some out-there and others more based in potential reality – that encourage kids to dream.

  • If you were given one million dollars what would you do with it?
  • If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
  • If you could spend the day with anyone in the world (past or present) who would it be?
  • If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
  • If our pets could talk what would they say?
  • If you could be on any TV show or YouTube channel which would it be and why?
  • If you could be any animal which would you be?
  • If you could create a new holiday what would it be?
  • If you could be invisible for a day what would you do?
  • If you could give every person in the world a gift, what would it be?
  • If you could grow up to be famous, what would you be famous for?
  • If you could travel back in time three years what advice would you give yourself?
  • If money wasn’t a factor, how would you live your life differently?
  • What do you imagine your first day or college will look like?
  • If aliens offered you a ride on their spaceship, which two friends would you take?
  • If you had $5000 to design a custom treehouse, what would you include?
  • If you could be any flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why?
  • If you could have any three wishes granted, what would they be?
  • What are you excited to do when you’re a grown-up?
  • What rule will you have as an adult for your home?
  • If you could be the teacher tomorrow, how would you do things?
  • If you could give $100 to a charity, which would you choose? Why?
  • If you could, what two animals would you combine?
  • If you could trade lives with anyone for a day, who would you switch with and why?
  • If there was a cartoon zombie apocalypse, which two of your friends would survive?
  • How would you describe a perfect day?
  • Who’s someone that you’d like to be friends with from history, and why?
  • If we have a private airplane to take us on vacation right now, where would you want to go?
  • If you had a robot what would you make it do?
  • If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?
  • If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring with you?
  • Which dragons are your favorite?
  • If a genie granted you a single wish what would you wish for?
  • If you could be anyone in Harry Potter who would you be?

Insightful questions for kids

Ever wonder what your child would do if they won the lottery? Or would they be fearless enough to go skydiving? These questions are ones parents may not typically ask their kids but they provide insight into children’s personality.

  • Would you ever go skydiving?
  • Where do you imagine yourself in five years?
  • Where would you go on your perfect vacation? Who would you take with you?
  • What’s one of your biggest fears?
  • If you could be any age what age would you be and why?
  • What’s your first memory?
  • If you could plan the perfect day what would you do?
  • Is there something you wish you could do better than you currently do?
  • What was the high point and low point of your day today?
  • Which objects do you associate with your parents or grandparents?
  • What’s your biggest challenge right now?
  • What’s special about the neighborhood you grew up in or the one you live in now?
  • Are you saving for anything right now?
  • What are three things you’re grateful for?
  • If you could create a new family tradition, what would it be?
  • What are you looking forward to next year?
  • What was your biggest accomplishment this week?
  • If you were a teacher at school, what rules would you make?
  • What do you think is different about life now compared to when your parents were kids?
  • What are some ways we could help people this week?
  • If you could choose any name in the world what would it be?
  • If you could have any job in the world what would it be?
  • If you could have any pet in the world what would you choose?
  • If one of your toys were to come alive, like in Toy Story, which would like it be?
  • Who is the person you wish you saw more often?
  • If you could keep only one object what would it be?
  • Would you rather eat a worm or a grasshopper?
  • If you could create your own ice cream flavor what would it be called?
  • What’s the best meal you’ve had at a restaurant?
  • If you could eat any meal for dinner what would you eat?
  • What do you feel are the most important things for living a happy life?
  • Do you prefer a shower or a bath?
  • What’s one thing that you’re afraid of?
  • What’s one achievement you’re proud of?
  • Do you believe money can or can’t buy happiness?
  • Would you rather live in the country or the city? Why?
  • What are some kind things we could do for people this week?
  • What was your last dream about?
  • If you could make a movie, what would it be about?
  • Do you think roller coasters are fun or scary?
  • How old do you think your parents are?
  • Do you have any new jokes to share?
  • What’s one thing that made you happy today?
  • If you could rate your day on a scale of 1-10, how would you rate today?
  • How were you brave today?
  • What’s the funniest word you know?
  • What was the most challenging rule to follow today?
  • If you could change one thing about this week, what would it be?
  • What did you do today that made your brain work hard?
  • What’s one thing you did today that was helpful?
  • Did anyone do something nice for you today?
  • Is there any person in your class that feels like your exact opposite?
  • Who did you enjoy talking with most at school this week?
  • What’s something you wish would have gone differently today?
  • What’s something good that happened today?
  • If you could give everyone in your family new names, what would they be?
  • What’s the first thing you thought about when you woke up this morning?
  • What’s something you’d like to learn how to do?
  • When you’re having a bad day, who or what helps you feel better?
  • What’s one thing you don’t understand about grown-ups?
  • If you could give your sibling one present (no matter what the cost) wht would you give?
  • What’s one thing you are thankful for today?
  • What do you think you will remember the most about Mom and Dad when you grow up?
  • What do you wish we knew about you?
  • Who’s the kindest person you know? Why do you feel this way?
  • If you could know one thing about your future, what would it be?
  • What do you love doing with your Mom/Dad/sibling the most?
  • Who did you say “thank you” to today and why?
  • What made you smile today?
  • What could we do together tomorrow if there were no TVs, computers, or phones allowed?
  • What do you want to ask as “the question of the day” today?
  • What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
  • Where’s your favorite place to read?
  • If you could do anything for your birthday what would you do?
  • If you had a pet dragon what would you name it?
  • Who do you consider to be a good friend?
  • If you could be any cartoon character which would you be?
  • What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten?
  • If you could choose a nickname for yourself what would it be?
  • What’s the funniest joke you’ve every heard?
  • If you could live anywhere for the rest of your life where would it be?
  • What’s your favorite trick?
  • Are you someone who hates spiders or doesn’t mind them?
  • If you were given the chance to travel to the moon would you?
  • If you were given the opportunity to assign yourself homework what would it be?
  • If you were the principal of your school what would you change?
  • Would you rather have a tall neck like a giraffe or a long nose like an elephant?

Like or dislike questions for kids

While most parents know which vegetables their children definitely don’t like. It isn’t often that we’ve heard them talk about what their favorite room in the house is, for example. Find out what your kids like and dislike with these questions.

  • What’s your favorite season of the year? Why?
  • What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
  • If you could only listen to three songs all the time what would they be?
  • What movie could you watch over and over and not get sick of?
  • What’s your favorite movie?
  • What’s your favorite meal?
  • What’s your favorite day or the week?
  • What’s your favorite time of day and why?
  • What’s one of your most loved things? Why?
  • What do you like most about your school or job?
  • What are your favorite ice cream flavors?
  • What’s your favorite thing about our family?
  • What’s your favorite activity that we do together as a family?
  • What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?
  • What’s your favorite thing to do outside?
  • What’s your favorite thing to do in the winter?
  • What’s your favorite holiday and why?
  • What’s your favorite room in our home?
  • What are your favorite books of all time?
  • Do you like cats or dogs better? Why?
  • What’s your favorite song?
  • What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
  • What’s your most favorite gift of all time and why?
  • What’s your favorite shape of noodle?
  • What’s your favorite song to sing?
  • What’s your favorite card or board game?
  • What’s your favorite dessert?
  • What’s your favorite family tradition?
  • What’s your favorite day of the week?
  • What’s your favorite animal?
  • What’s your favorite TV show?
  • What is your favorite outfit?
  • What’s your favorite color?
  • What’s your favorite planet in the solar system?
  • What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
  • What’s your favorite candy?

When and where to ask your kids these questions:

Turn these questions into a tradition or a game as you find free time during your day:

At Dinner

Have your children pick out a conversation starter from a bowl on the dinner table each day. Older kids can read the cards out loud while parents can read the cards to young children

In The Car

Keep conversation starters in your car glove box to make the most out of short car rides with the kids or turn them into a playful road trip game

At Bedtime

Have your child pick out a conversation starter as part of their bedtime routine. Share your answers with each other as a wind-down opportunity.

While Cleaning Up

Make after-dinner kitchen clean-up more playful with a bit of lively discussion as you clear the table and do dishes.

Over Zoom

Grab a conversation starter card at the start of a Zoom call with grandparents for a meaningful family interaction!

See related:

101+ Open Ended Questions to Get Kids Talking

100 Thought-Provoking Questions to Ask Teenagers

21 Family Bonding Activities to Strengthen Your Family’s Connection

5 Essential Rules Every Family Needs

Everything You Need to Know to Run a Successful Family Meeting

What to do next…

1. Subscribe to Self-Sufficient Kids’ email list.

Like what you read here and want to learn more? Every Thursday I’ll send you one parenting tip about raising self-sufficient kids and creating the peaceful relationship you yearn to have with your child. Click here to sign up.

2. Take one of my quizzes!

Find out if you’re raising a self-sufficient kid (click here) or if you’re doing too much for your kids (click here). At the end of each quiz, you’ll be asked to provide your email address to see the results.

3. Get your kids started on chores.

Learn how to get your child started on chores (& keep them motivated + avoid power struggles) by enrolling in my Get Your Kids Successfully Started on Chores course. Click here to learn more and sign up.

About Kerry Flatley

Hi! I’m Kerry, the mother of two girls and a certified parent educator. I believe it is possible for parents to have a supportive, loving, and warm relationship with their kids while raising them to be independent and ultimately self-sufficient. Over the years, I’ve read numerous books and articles that support this belief and I’ve put these ideas into practice with my own kids. Read more about me and Self-Sufficient Kids here.