Questions to Ask Your Kids (and Actually Get Answers!)

Searching for questions to ask your kids? You’re in the right place.

George Carlin famously said, “Don’t just teach your kids to read. Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything.”

As a parent, you know that kids are naturally curious. They ask a million “whys” a day, push buttons just to see what happens, and notice things in the world we adults completely overlook. It’s our job, as parents, to entertain those questions, and to provide the best answers we possibly can.

But how often do we flip the script? How regularly do we, as parents, take the time to ask them the kinds of playful, thoughtful, or even silly questions that spark their imagination and get them thinking?

Here’s a list of creative, age-appropriate questions to ask your child—questions that encourage conversations, build important skills like critical thinking, and (most importantly) make spending time with your kid fun.

Contents:

• Fun and Playful Questions
• Meaningful Questions to Strengthen Your Bond
• Questions for Critical Thinking and Imagination
• When to Ask Questions for Kids (and How?)—Tips for Parents
• Common Pitfalls with Questions—And How To Avoid Them
• FAQs

Fun and Playful Questions

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Here are some fun and playful questions to help spark creativity!

For Small Kids (Toddlers and Preschoolers)

1. If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?
2. What’s your favorite color, and what about it makes it so cool?
3. If you could eat only one thing forever, what would it be?
4. What’s the silliest thing you’ve done today?
5. If your toys could talk, what do you think they would say?
6. What’s the funniest sound you can make?
7. If you had magic powers, what would you do first?
8. What’s the best game you’ve ever played?
9. If you built the best fort in the world, what would it look like?
10. What’s your favorite thing to do with your friends?
11. If you could have any pet—even a dragon—what would it be?
12. What’s your favorite story or book, and why do you love it?
13. If you could make up a new holiday, what would it be?
14. What kind of superhero would you like to be?
15. What makes you laugh the most?
16. If your stuffed animals had a party, what kind of games would they play?
17. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
18. What’s the best snack in the whole wide world?
19. What’s one thing that makes you super happy?
20. Can you teach me your favorite song or dance?

For Older Kids (Schoolers and Teens)

1. What’s the funniest thing that happened at school recently?
2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
3. What’s your ultimate dream for a weekend—no rules, you can do anything?
4. If you were invisible for a day, what’s the first thing you’d do?
5. Who would you like to swap lives with for a week?
6. What’s your current favorite meme or TikTok trend?
7. If you were making a movie, what would it be about and who would star in it?
8. What’s the craziest thing you’d love to try if there were no limits?
9. If you started a band, what kind of music would you play and what would you name it?
10. Which fictional character would you love to hang out with and why?
11. If you could invent a holiday, what would it celebrate and what traditions would it have?
12. What’s one weird food combo you think everyone should try?
13. If you had a pet dragon, what would you name it?
14. What’s the most creative way you’ve ever procrastinated?
15. If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
16. What’s a skill or talent you wish you had instantly?
17. Who is the funniest person you know and why?
18. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
19. What’s your all-time favorite joke?
20. If you could build your dream treehouse, what would it have inside?

Read also: 100+ Trivia Questions with Answers That Kids Will Love.

Meaningful Questions to Strengthen Your Bond

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If your goal is to get closer to your child through the questions you’re asking, these sample questions will help.

For Small Kids

1. What was the most fun thing you did today?
2. Did you laugh at something silly today? What was it?
3. What’s your favorite thing to play with right now?
4. Who did you play with today, and what did you play?
5. What’s something that made you feel happy today?
6. What did you draw or make at school today?
7. Did your teacher tell you any fun stories today?
8. Can you teach me something new you learned?
9. What’s your favorite thing about going to school?
10. Who did you sit next to during snack time?
11. What is your favorite game to play?
12. Do you like coloring, building blocks, or something else?
13. If you could play with anything in the world, what would it be?
14. Can you show me how to play your favorite game or activity?
15. What makes you feel excited when you talk about it?
16. What do you feel really good at doing?
17. When you try something hard, how does it make you feel?
18. Is there something you’d like to practice more?
19. What makes you feel proud of yourself?
20. How do you cheer yourself up when you’re feeling sad?

For Older Kids

1. What was the most interesting part of your day today?
2. Did anything make you laugh or smile today?
3. What was the most challenging thing you faced this week?
4. Is there something you’re really looking forward to this week?
5. What’s a subject or topic you’ve really enjoyed learning about lately?
6. Is there a teacher or classmate who inspires or motivates you? Why?
7. If you could change one thing about school, what would it be?
8. Have you made any new friends at school recently?
9. What’s a hobby or activity you wish you had more time for?
10. If you could learn any skill or talent instantly, what would it be?
11. What’s the last TV show, movie, or book that you loved? Why did you like it?
12. If you could try a brand-new sport or artistic activity, what would it be?
13. What’s something you’re really proud of yourself for recently?
14. Have you learned anything about yourself in the past few months?
15. Is there anything that’s been bothering or stressing you out?
16. How do you usually unwind when you’re feeling overwhelmed?
17. What’s your favorite memory with our family?
18. Do you feel there’s enough time for just us to hang out? What would you like to do more of together?
19. Is there something you’d like to see us all try as a family?
20. What’s the coolest tradition or habit you’d like us to start as a family?
21. What’s a dream goal or project you hope to work on someday?
22. Do you have any plans or ideas about your future career or what you’d like to study more deeply?
23. If you could spend a day in someone else’s shoes (anyone in the world), who would it be and why?
24. What kind of world would you like to help create in the future?
25. What’s one thing you’d love to invent or create if you could?

Read also: Kid’s Most Uncomfortable Questions and How to Answer Them.

Questions for Critical Thinking and Imagination

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To boost critical thinking and creativity, try these unique questions.

For Small Kids

1. If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?
2. What would you do if you found a treasure chest in the backyard?
3. Can you think of a new way to use your favorite toy?
4. If we could build a house out of anything, what would you choose to use?
5. What do you think clouds are made of?
6. How do you think plants grow tall from the ground?
7. If you invented a new ice cream flavor, what would it taste like?
8. What would happen if everyone in the world could fly?
9. If your stuffed animals could talk, what do you think they’d say?
10. Can you think of three different ways to cross a river without a bridge?
11. What do you think the moon does when we’re asleep?
12. Imagine you’re a chef—what’s the most fun meal you would make?
13. If our car could travel to space, where would you want it to go?
14. If you could change the color of the sky, what color would you pick?
15. What do you think a robot would learn if it spent a day with you?
16. Imagine building your dream playground—what would it have?
17. If animals could drive cars, which animal would be the best driver?
18. Where does the sun go at night, do you think?
19. If a magical door appeared in our house, where do you think it would lead?
20. What are three things you’d take on an adventure to the jungle?

For Older Kids

1. If you could solve one problem in the world, what would it be and why?
2. What’s more important—following the rules or questioning the rules when they don’t seem fair?
3. Can you think of a time when you changed your opinion about something? What made you change it?
4. How would you explain friendship to someone who has never experienced it?
5. What do you think makes someone a strong leader? Do leaders always have to agree with their team?
6. If you had to teach a class, what subject would you teach and how would you structure the lessons?
7. What’s something you’ve learned recently that surprised you?
8. What advice would you give to someone younger than you who’s facing a challenge?
9. How do you decide what’s fair in a situation when two people want different things?
10. Do you think it’s more important to work hard or to be lucky? Why?

Talking with your child is essential—but so is knowing they’re safe. Findmykids helps you stay in touch, track their location, and ensure they feel secure every day. Download now!

When to Ask Questions for Kids (and How?)—Tips for Parents

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Connecting with your child can sometimes be difficult. You want to know what’s going on in their head, but getting more than a “fine” or “nothing” can be a challenge.

The key? Asking the right questions, at the right time, in a way that helps them open up naturally. Here’s how you can use simple, clever ways to make sure you don’t just ask, but also truly connect and get them thinking.

Timing is Everything

You know that classic “How was school today?” question asked the moment your child gets in the car or drops their bag on the floor? Unfortunately, it’s probably getting you nowhere. That’s because timing matters just as much as the type of question.

Try catching your child during these golden moments when they’re most likely to open up:

• During dinner: Sharing a meal is the perfect time to casually slip in a few fun or reflective questions.
• On car rides: There’s something about sitting side-by-side instead of face-to-face that makes kids more likely to talk. (Pro tip? Turn off the radio for this.)
• Before bed: This is when kids are naturally more relaxed and introspective. It’s also a great way to wind down while sneaking in quality conversation.
• During playtime or activities: Build LEGO, kick a soccer ball, or color together. Conversations flow best when your child is engaged in something low-stress.

No matter what time you choose, always start with something silly or imaginative to lighten the mood. Throw in a “What’s the one thing you’d change if you ruled the world for a day?” instead of stock questions. You’ll be surprised how little ones (and even moody teens) light up when they’re caught off guard by something playful.

Ask Questions That Spark Meaningful Conversations

Different questions lead to different answers. Ask “yes” or “no” questions, and you’ll likely get just that—a simple “yes” or “no.” But toss in open-ended questions, and you’re more likely to unlock their thoughts and feelings.

Here’s the trick—you’ve got to go beyond the basics. Instead of “What did you do at school?” try something like:

• “What’s one thing that made you smile at school today?”
• “If you could only pick one subject to study forever, what would it be?”
• “Who’s someone in your class you think is really funny and why?”

The beauty of these questions is that they encourage reflection, creativity, and sometimes a little humor, which makes talking fun instead of feeling like an interview.

Perfecting the Art of Listening

Okay, so you’ve nailed down the clever questions and asked them at just the right time—now comes the fun (and sometimes hard) part. Listening.

When your child starts talking, give them your full attention. Put down your phone, look them in the eye (when appropriate), and really listen. Show them that their thoughts and feelings matter to you. Resist the urge to “solve” or lecture unless they’re asking for advice.

And here’s a gold nugget to remember—kids will tell you more if they feel like they’re being understood, not judged. Use phrases like, “That sounds exciting!” or “Wow, I didn’t know that! What happened next?” to keep the conversation flowing.

Common Pitfalls with Questions—And How To Avoid Them

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The questions you ask your child are about more than just finding out what happened in their world—they’re a great opportunity to help them build skills like critical thinking, self-awareness, and even empathy.

The trick? You’ve got to phrase them in a way that sparks their curiosity and makes them want to open up.

Here are some common pitfalls with questions and how you can avoid them.

Being Too Vague

Asking something like “What did you do today?” might sound good, but it’s too broad. Instead, try asking, “What’s one thing that made you smile at school today?” A specific, open-ended question is much harder to dodge!

Related: 30 Questions to Ask Your Kid Instead of “How Was Your Day?”

Only Focusing on Outcomes

You’ll want to avoid turning every conversation into a fact-finding mission. Ask about how something made them feel, like, “What was the best part of your day?” or “What’s one thing that made you happy?”

Going All Business, No Fun

Sometimes, the best way to get your kid talking is to make it fun. Toss in playful questions like, “If you could eat only one thing forever, what would it be?” or “If the world was made of candy, which would you eat first?” Kids love a good riddle!

Never Stop Asking Questions

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Big connections are made with little questions. These casual conversations help your child develop important life skills like critical thinking, self-expression, and reflection. They also give you insight into their world—what they’re learning, dreaming about, or struggling with.

When you ask them questions and genuinely listen, you’re also building trust. It shows them that they can count on you to take an interest in their life, no matter what age they are.

And remember, there’s no perfect script—just lots of opportunities to figure out what works for the two of you.

Got a favorite question or even some riddles you love asking your kids? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear it!

FAQs

What are 20 questions for kids?

A game of twenty questions for kids might include things like “What’s your favorite color?” or “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”

What are some fun questions to ask kids?

Fun questions could be “If you could invent a new holiday, what would it celebrate?” or “What would you name a pet dinosaur?” These questions spark imagination and often lead to silly, giggle-worthy answers.

What are 10 good questions?

Good questions inspire meaningful conversations. Try these:

1. What’s your favorite memory?
2. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
3. If you could have one wish, what would it be?
4. Who is someone you look up to and why?
5. What’s your dream job?
6. What do you love to do when no one is watching?
7. If you could learn any skill, what would it be?
8. What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
9. Who makes you laugh the most?
10. If you had a time machine, would you go to the past or future?

What are 10 random questions?

Here’s a mix of fun and unexpected questions to keep any conversation lively:

1. Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?
2. If animals could talk, what would your pet say about you?
3. What would you name your own spaceship?
4. If your life were a movie, what genre would it be?
5. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?
6. Which fictional character would you want as a best friend?
7. What’s the first thing you’d do on the moon?
8. If you could swap places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
9. Would you rather have no elbows or no knees?
10. If you could only eat one food forever, what would it be?

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