Dinnertime is the perfect opportunity to connect with your kids and learn more about their day, interests, and growing minds.
But getting kids to open up can sometimes feel like pulling teeth.
By asking the right questions, you can get your kids talking and laughing in no time.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore:
- Why dinnertime conversations are so important
- 10 fun and engaging questions to ask your kids
- Tips for keeping the conversation flowing
- How to create a positive dinnertime atmosphere
So grab a plate, gather around the table, and let’s dive into some delightful dinner conversation starters your whole family will enjoy.
Fun Questions to Ask Kids at Dinner
1. “If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?”
Superpowers are a topic that fascinates most kids. Asking about their preferred superpower is a great way to get their imagination going and learn more about their personality and values.
You could phrase the question like this: “Okay, here’s a fun one. If you could pick any superpower in the world, what would you choose and why? Flying, invisibility, super strength – anything goes!”
This question is important because it gives you insight into what your child values and what kind of person they aspire to be. A child who chooses flying may crave freedom and adventure. One who picks invisibility might be more introverted and observant. Super strength could indicate a desire to be powerful and heroic.
If they choose a common superpower, you can ask follow-up questions about how they would use it. What good would they do in the world? What adventures would they go on? If they pick something more unusual, ask them to describe how the power would work and what a day in their life would be like with it.
The goal is to engage their creativity, learn more about their inner world, and show that you’re interested in their thoughts and ideas. As they share, listen intently and ask questions. Show your enthusiasm for their imaginative scenarios.
2. “What was the best part of your day? What was the hardest part?”
Asking about the high point and low point of your child’s day is a great way to get them to reflect on their experiences. It allows them to process their day and share their perspective with you. Plus, you get insight into what’s happening in their daily life.
Try asking it like this: “So, tell me about your day! What was the absolute best part? And was there anything hard or frustrating?”
This question lets kids know you care about their experiences and feelings – the good and the bad. The “best part” allows them to share triumphs and positive moments. The “hardest part” creates an opportunity for them to open up about challenges and difficult feelings.
For the best part, express joy and excitement as they share. If it’s an achievement, offer congratulations and praise. For the hardest part, listen with empathy. Show that you understand their feelings. Offer advice or problem-solving ideas if they seem receptive, but mostly, just show you care.
Through this simple daily sharing, your child will feel heard and supported. You’ll get a window into their world. And together, you can celebrate the good and work through the challenges – strengthening your connection all the while.
3. “If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?”
Kids love to fantasize about going on wild adventures. Asking about their ideal travel destination lets them stretch their imagination and share their dreams with you. It’s a fun jumping-off point for creative conversations.
You might say: “Let’s dream up an adventure! If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you pick? And what would you want to do there?”
Dreaming up travel plans can reveal a lot about your child’s personality and interests. Do they crave thrills and action? They might dream of going on safari in Africa or climbing pyramids in Egypt. Are they fascinated by history and culture? An ancient city or famous museum might top their list.
As they share their dream destination, ask lots of questions. What attracts them to that place? What would they be most excited to see and do? If they’re unsure, offer some ideas to get their creativity flowing. Before you know it, you’ll be co-creating an epic imaginary itinerary together.
This is a chance to nurture their sense of adventure and show enthusiasm for their interests, no matter how fantastical. One day, they may make those dreams a reality – and you’ll have played a part by encouraging their curious spirit.
4. “What’s one thing you learned today that you think I wouldn’t know?”
Kids often see their parents as all-knowing beings. Expressing interest in learning from them can be empowering and exciting. It shows that you value their knowledge and want to learn from them too.
Try phrasing it like this: “I’m sure you learned so many cool things today. What’s one interesting fact you discovered that you think I probably don’t know? I’d love to learn something new from you!”
When a child gets to share knowledge with a parent, it boosts their confidence and makes them feel valued. They’ll light up with pride getting to be the “expert” for a change.
They might share a science fact, a piece of trivia, a new word, or something they learned in class. Even if you already know it, express genuine interest and enthusiasm. Ask follow-up questions like “Wow, how does that work?” or “That’s amazing! How did you figure that out?”
If it’s a topic they seem excited about, encourage them to keep sharing. Show that their interests matter to you. If it’s something you’re also knowledgeable about, perhaps you can share a related fun fact in return – sparking a back-and-forth exchange of information.
The message you’re sending is that learning is fun, knowledge is worth sharing, and you’re never too old (or too much of an authority figure) to learn something new. And of course, they, and their growing bank of knowledge, are important and impressive to you.
5. “What’s one thing you did today that you’re proud of?”
Kids need to reflect on their accomplishments and feel pride in their efforts. But sometimes they need a little prompting to recognize and celebrate their triumphs. That’s where you come in!
Ask the question like this: “I know you put a lot of effort and heart into the things you do. What’s one thing you did today that made you feel proud of yourself? Big or small, I want to hear about it!”
This question encourages kids to think about their actions in terms of personal values and growth, not just external validation. It helps instill a sense of intrinsic motivation and self-esteem.
They might share a good grade, an act of kindness, a fear conquered, or a new skill learned. Praise their achievement and draw out why it made them feel proud. Was it because they worked hard? Showed courage? Made someone happy? Let them put their accomplishment into meaningful context.
Even if their “proud moment” seems small to you, resist the urge to downplay it. To them, it may feel like a big deal, and your validation will mean the world. Celebrate every achievement – the tenacity it took to keep trying after a missed basket, the creativity of their artwork, the patience they showed a younger sibling.
The more kids feel appreciated and celebrated for their efforts, the more inspired they’ll feel to keep striving. Make pride a part of your everyday conversations and watch their motivation and confidence soar.
6. “If you could invent anything, what would you create?”
Inventing requires creativity, problem-solving, and a dash of wild imagination – all skills that are valuable to nurture in kids. Asking about their invention ideas is a great way to get their gears turning.
Pose the question like this: “Imagine you could invent absolutely anything, with no limits. What amazing creation would you bring to life? Something that solves a problem, makes life more fun, or just seems cool to you?”
This open-ended question pushes kids to think outside the box. They might dream up fantastical gadgets, futuristic machines, or clever solutions to everyday problems. The key is to encourage them to let their imagination run free.
As they describe their invention, ask questions to help them flesh out the details. What would it look like? How would it work? What makes it special and unique? Encourage them to think through the steps of creating and using their imagined invention.
This exercise nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It also gives you a glimpse into what matters to your child. Do their inventions tackle social issues? Make tasks easier? Provide entertainment? Their ideas can clue you into their interests and concerns.
Celebrate the creativity of their ideas and encourage them to keep dreaming big. Who knows, maybe one day they’ll bring one of their amazing inventions to life!
7. “What’s something kind you did for someone else today?”
In the rush of daily life, acts of kindness can often go unrecognized. Taking a moment to reflect on and celebrate kindness encourages kids to prioritize empathy and compassion. It shows them that their thoughtful actions matter.
Ask the question like this: “Kindness makes the world a brighter place. What’s something kind you did for someone today, big or small? I’d love to hear about how you brightened someone’s day!”
This question prompts kids to think about their interactions and choices through the lens of kindness. They might share about helping a friend, standing up to a bully, or doing a chore without being asked. Even small gestures, like a smile or compliment, are worth celebrating.
As they share, emphasize the impact of their kindness. Ask how they think it made the other person feel. Point out how they used empathy to recognize a need and took action to meet it. Highlight how good it feels to make a positive difference for others.
By making kindness a regular topic of conversation, you encourage your child to make it a part of their daily life. They’ll start looking for opportunities to be kind and take more pride in their compassionate choices.
Your recognition will make them feel appreciated and motivated to keep spreading kindness. In time, it will become a core value and an essential part of who they are.
8. “If you could be any animal for a day, what would you choose and why?”
Animals have long captured the imagination of children. Asking kids what animal they’d like to be is a fun way to explore different perspectives and tap into their sense of adventure.
Try asking like this: “Okay, here’s a wild question! If you could become any animal for one whole day, what would you pick? Would you soar like an eagle, swim like a dolphin, or prowl like a tiger? And why?”
This whimsical question invites kids to step outside their human experience and imagine life through the eyes of another creature. Their choice of animal can reveal a lot about their personality and interests.
As they explain their pick, ask about the animal’s qualities that appeal to them. Is it the animal’s strength, speed, or unique abilities? The way it moves or the environment it inhabits? Encourage them to imagine a day in the life of that creature – what they would do, see, and feel.
This imaginative exercise nurtures empathy and perspective-taking skills as kids try to understand and embody the experience of another living being. It also invites curiosity about the natural world and the incredible diversity of animals that share our planet.
Playful questions like this create opportunities for lighthearted, imaginative conversations that bring more joy and laughter to the dinner table. And you might be surprised by the creative and insightful connections your child draws between their chosen animal and their own life.
9. “What’s something new you’d like to learn or try?”
Children are natural learners, hungry to explore and discover new things about themselves and the world around them. Asking about their learning interests shows that you value and support their growth and passions.
Pose the question like this: “If you could learn about anything or try any new activity, what would you pick? Is there a subject you’re curious about, a hobby you’d like to try, or a skill you want to develop?”
This question encourages kids to reflect on their interests and aspirations. They might express a desire to learn a new language, instrument, or sport. Maybe they’re curious about space exploration, ancient history, or how machines work. Or perhaps they want to try a new art form, like painting or dance.
As they share, dig deeper into what sparks their interest. What do they want to know or be able to do? What excites them about this new pursuit? Encourage them to imagine themselves engaging in this learning or activity. How do they think it would feel? What might they create or discover?
Showing enthusiasm for their interests is key. Let them know you think their passions and curiosities are important and worthwhile. Brainstorm together how they could pursue this new interest – books to read, classes to take, projects to try. Offer your support and resources to help them dive in.
When kids feel empowered to explore their interests, they develop a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. They also gain confidence in their ability to grow, learn new things, and shape their path. By championing their curiosity, you set them up for a life of joyful discovery and growth.
10. “What’s something you’re looking forward to right now?”
Anticipation is a powerful, positive emotion. Having something to look forward to brings joy, motivation, and a sense of excitement to life. Asking your kids about what they’re eagerly anticipating is a great way to tap into and amplify that positive energy.
Ask the question like this: “Having cool things on the horizon is so fun! What’s something coming up soon that you just can’t wait for? A special event, a fun plan, or a cool moment?”
This forward-looking question invites kids to share their excitement and practice the joy of anticipation. They might be looking forward to a birthday party, a school trip, a sleepover with friends, or a holiday celebration. Maybe they’re excited about an upcoming movie release, a sports tournament, or a summer camp adventure.
As they gush about their anticipated event or moment, share in their excitement. Ask what makes them most excited – what are they imagining and looking forward to? Encourage them to describe it in detail, painting a vivid picture of the fun to come.
Discussing upcoming happy events is a great way to bond and build shared enthusiasm. You can share your own excitement too, modeling the joy of anticipation. If it’s a shared plan, like a family trip or outing, you can enjoy collaborating on the details together, building up the excitement as a team.
These conversations also provide a good opportunity for teaching delayed gratification – the idea that waiting for something can make it even sweeter. You can talk about how anticipating and planning for something special is part of the fun.
In a world that often demands instant gratification, nurturing the ability to look forward to future joys is a valuable skill. It builds resilience, optimism, and appreciation. And it’s a great way to keep the good vibes flowing, even on the most ordinary of days.
Conclusion
Dinnertime is about so much more than just eating.
It’s a precious opportunity to bond as a family, learn about each other’s lives, and create meaningful memories.
By asking your kids fun, thoughtful questions, you open the door to deeper connection and understanding.
Remember, the key is to make it an enjoyable, pressure-free experience.
Ask questions with genuine interest, listen with undivided attention, and don’t be afraid to let your inner child come out to play.
With a little creativity and an open heart, you can turn dinnertime into the best part of everyone’s day.