25 Questions to Ask Kids to Get Them Opening Up

Questions to ask kids often sound simple, but any parent knows they don’t always lead to real conversations. The other day, I asked my child a few simple questions after school.
“Did you play with your friends today?” — “Yeah.”
“Was school fun?” — “Uh-huh.”
“Do you want a snack?” — “No.”

And that was it. The conversation was over before it even started. As a parent, I’ve had this experience more times than I can count. My child answers, but only with one word, and I’m left searching for ways to keep the dialogue going. It made me realize how easy it is to fall into these closed-ended exchanges, and how important it is to find better questions that actually spark real, meaningful conversations.

I believe many parents and educators have shared the same experience. So the challenge becomes: what kinds of questions to ask kids can truly open them up? Which prompts encourage more than a “yes” or “no” and instead lead to stories, feelings, and imagination?

25 Questions to Ask Kids to Get Them Opening Up

The key to meaningful conversations is asking the right questions. Instead of the routine “yes” or “no” answers, open-ended questions invite children to share their stories and feelings. This list of 25 carefully chosen questions to ask kids will help you move past small talk and discover what’s really on their minds.

1. What is your favorite book, movie, or song?
2. If you could be any animal, what would you be?
3. What do you want to be when you grow up?
4. What is your favorite family tradition?
5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
6. What is something you are good at?
7. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
8. What does your dream house look like?
9. What would your perfect day be?
10. You have $500 to spend. What are you buying?
11. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
12. What is your favorite part of school?
13. Who is your best friend and what do you like about them?
14. Who is someone you look up to and why?
15. What is something new you’d like to learn?
16. What is your favorite thing to do with your family?
17. What is something you’d like to learn how to do?
18. What is your favorite food to eat for dinner?
19. What is one thing you are thankful for today?
20. What is a memory that always makes you smile?
21. What is your favorite season and why?
22. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
23. What is your favorite game or activity to play with friends?
24. Which holiday do you like the most and why?
25. If you could grow wings and fly, where would you go?