We’ve all been there as parents. You ask your kid how their day was, and all you get is a one-word response like “Good,” “Fine,” or “Okay.”
It doesn’t have to be this way. With a few fun conversational prompts, you can turn blah dinner conversation into a time to share, connect, and enjoy each other’s company. These prompts can help spark meaningful conversations… or help kids share their silliest selves. Use them at the dinner table, during drives, before bed, or any other time!
Conversation Starters About Their Day
What was your favorite part of today, and why?
What was one thing you did today that was kind?
What was one thing you did today that was brave?
What was something that made you laugh today?
What made you feel proud of yourself today?
Did you read anything today that got you thinking?
Did you learn any new facts today?
Did you try anything new today?
Did you feel inspired today?
What’s the most interesting word you heard today?
General Conversation Starters
What do you like best about where you live?
What is one thing I do that makes you feel loved?
What is something you like about yourself that others might not notice?
What are you thankful for?
What’s your favorite thing to do?
What’s your favorite food?
What do you want to be when you grow up? (And it doesn’t have to be a job. “Space alien” and “puppy” are totally valid answers.)
Who’s your favorite superhero?
You can become a brand-new superhero. What are your superpowers? What’s your secret identity? What’s your super-outfit look like?
What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
What’s your favorite summer memory?
What was your favorite toy when you were small?
What’s your favorite toy now?
What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
What’s your favorite family tradition?
If you could start a new family tradition, what would it be?
If you could go on any trip with your best friend, where would you go and why?
What’s your favorite joke?
What’s your favorite word?
What’s your favorite movie (one that you’d show to someone who wanted to know what you’re like)?
What’s your favorite holiday and why?
What makes you feel safe?
What makes you feel heard?
Fun Conversation Starters
What’s your favorite form of potato?
Which food would you erase from the planet?
If you were in charge of the world, what’s the first rule you would make?
You must erase one color forever. What shade is going and why?
You can only use one condiment forever: Which one will you choose?
For one week only, you can be a world-famous pop icon, a Hollywood movie star, or one of the best athletes on the planet. Which would you choose and why?
If you could meet any historical figure from any time, who would it be and why?
If you could add your favorite subject to your school curriculum (beyond what’s already covered), what would you add?
If animals could talk, which one would be the rudest?
Which animal would have the silliest voice?
Which animal would have a lot of smart things to say?
If you could invent a brand-new holiday, what would it be? How would people celebrate?
If you were the principal of your school for the day, what would you change?
You can add one thing to your school playground. What are you adding?
What does your dream bedroom look like?
You can live in a castle, a mansion, or a fancy apartment in the city. Which do you choose?
What do you think your favorite animal’s favorite color is?
Imagination-Inspiring Conversation Starters
If you could live in any imaginary book world, which one would you choose and why?
If you could invite one fictional character to Thanksgiving dinner, who would it be and why?
If you were an action figure, what would your accessories be?
You’re stuck on a deserted island. You can bring one book, one movie, and one song. What are you choosing and why?
You must live for one month with either sausages for fingers or spaghetti for hair: Which will you choose and why?
If aliens landed on Earth, what would you show them first?
If you could live in any fictional world for one week, which would you choose and why?
Magical Conversation Starters
If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?
What animal would you like to be reincarnated as?
What two liquids would you choose to have come out of your two pointer fingers on demand?
You are given a magic wand that can perform one kind of chore for you forever. What job do you assign to it and why?
You can travel back in time to re-live one day of your life. Which day are you going to and why?
If you could talk to animals, which animal would you talk to first and why?
If your best friend had a magical ability, what would it be?
You can have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn. Which do you pick?
Would You Rather…?
Would you rather have knees that don’t bend or elbows that don’t bend?
Would you rather uncontrollably shapeshift into a dog for a random hour a day every day, or uncontrollably speak like a pirate for a random hour a day every day?
Would you rather live somewhere that’s cold all the time or hot all the time?
Would you rather fly like a bird or swim like a shark?
Would you rather be super fast or super strong?
Would you rather go on vacation on the moon or in Antarctica?
Would you rather have a robot friend or a magical pet?
Conversation Starters for Readers of All Ages
If you could write your own book series, what would it be about?
If your life were a book, what would the title be?
Who would you want for your teammate in a tough challenge?
If you were able to step into any fairytale, which one would you choose?
Which fictional hero do you identify with the most?
If you had a chance to be a hero or a villain, which would you choose and why?
For Ages 4 to 6
If you had to have animal eyes or an animal tail, which one would you pick?
If you had a big red dog like Clifford, what adventures would you take him on?
- The Worrysaurus worries about everything ruining his picnic, from rainstorms to getting lost in the jungle. His worries are anxious butterflies! What are your anxious butterflies like, and how can we soothe them?
- In I Spy books, we hunt for hidden objects. What is something that you spied today that made you smile?
If you could be any Pokémon, who would you be and why?
For Elementary School Aged Readers
If you had a Magic School Bus, where would you take it first?
Who’s your favorite bad guy in any book you’ve read recently?
If you had a secret garden, what would you grow in it?
If you had a poison garden like Millie Fleur, which would you grow in it?
Who would win in a battle between your favorite animal and your friend's favorite animal?
For Middle School and Beyond
Which Hogwarts House would the Sorting Hat put you in and why?
If you could cast any spell used in Harry Potter, which one would you choose?
If you competed in the Hunger Games, what special skill would help you win?
If you started a Baby-sitters Club with friends, which friends would you pick and why?
If you were a dragon in Wings of Fire, what kind of dragon would you be?
What would your dragon name be?
Storytelling Prompts for Kids and Families
You find a mysterious key on the ground. What does it open?
If you could invent a new word, what would it mean?
Describe the best place you’ve ever visited using only three words.
If you discovered a secret passage at school, where might it lead?
If you could change the ending of any book, which one would you change?
What book character would you want for a best friend and why?
Need more ideas for conversion starters? Get your imagination flowing with new reads from The Scholastic Store.
