100 Engaging Conversation Starters for Families

Best Conversation Starters For Families

One of my favorite benefits of travel is spending more quality time with my kids. Watching them cope with new situations and learn about their preferences and dislikes is amazing.

Travel offers plenty of opportunities to get to know your kids on a deeper level. Long road trips, time spent waiting in lines, waiting for your plane at the airport, or hanging out in a hotel room all offer the chance to initiate a conversation with your little ones.

Sometimes, though, I find myself excited to sit and chat with my kids, but I can’t think of a single thing to talk to them about. Or I ask them a million questions and all I get are 1-word answers. As the kids get older, I'm craving more meaningful conversations with them.

And as someone who hates small talk, I love that the following conversation starters help us move past one-word answers into making a meaningful connection.

That’s why I decided to compile this list of family conversation starters! You can use these during family dinners, on a long road trip, or anywhere you find yourself waiting or bored. Pull these out on a rainy day or bring them along on your next vacation!

I think after asking some of these questions you’ll be surprised at what you discover about your kids. This is such a fun way to get your kids talking!

Family Questions and Conversation Starters

What was the best part of your day?
What was the worst part of your day?
What makes a good friend?
If you could have any superpower in the world, what would it be and why?
What’s something you’re really good at?
Describe someone in the family using 3 words.
Describe yourself using 3 words.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Would you rather go to the beach or Disney World?
What was your favorite place our family has traveled to?
If you had a million dollars, what would you spend it on?
What’s your favorite season? Why?
If you could be any animal what would you be and why?
If you could only keep one of your toys, what would it be?
Name 3 things you’re thankful for.
What are you scared of?
What’s one thing you were scared to do, but you did it anyway?
If you got a new pet, what would it be and what would you name it?
What’s your favorite meal - breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
What’s your favorite candy?
If a genie gave you 3 wishes what would they be?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
What (or who) makes you laugh?
What makes you feel sad?
If you were the parent, what rules would you make?
What do you think is the best thing about being a kid?
What do you think will be the best part about being a grown-up?
If you could have a playdate or meal with anyone in the world, who would it be?
What is your least favorite chore to do?
If you could be part of a movie or tv show, which one would it be?
What is your favorite holiday and why?
If you could get something for free for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
If you had to choose a new name, what would it be?
Who is the funniest person in our family and why?
Who is the smartest person in our family and why?
Who is the best cook in the family?
What new family tradition would you like to start?
Do you prefer cookies or cake? Why?
Do you prefer candy or ice cream? Why?
What instrument would you like to learn?
If you were king or queen of the world for a day, what would you do?
Give someone else a compliment.
Tell us about a time you were very proud of yourself.
Would you rather be really cold or really hot?
What is your favorite thing to do or play outside?
What is your favorite thing to do or play inside?
Who is someone you admire? (Or who is your hero?) Why?
On a hot summer day, would you rather have a smoothie or a popsicle?
On a cold winter day, would you rather have hot chocolate or warm bread?
What’s your favorite thing to do in summer?
What’s your favorite thing to do in winter?
If you could only watch one movie over and over for the rest of your life, what would it be?
What’s your favorite cereal?
If you could be any age right now, what age would you be? Why?
Describe your perfect day. What would you eat? What would you do? Who would be there?
Do you prefer being around other people or being by yourself?
If you could decorate your own room, what would it look like?
If someone gave you $100, what would you buy?
Do you think lying is ever ok? If so, when?
If food started raining from the sky, what food would you want it to be?
Would you rather go on the slide or the swings?
If you had to make someone smile, what would you do?
What language would you like to learn?
If you could be famous for something, what would it be?
Would you rather slither like a snake for a day or hop like a frog for a day?
How do you show someone you love them?
Who is your best friend and why?
If you could drive any kind of car what would it be?
What do you love about school?
What do you NOT like about school?
How do you calm down when you’re angry?
Would you rather be able to fly or breathe underwater?
Tell us your favorite joke.
What helps you fall asleep?
Would you rather be a cowboy/cowgirl or a pirate?
What’s your favorite sport to play?
Where do you like to go out to eat?
What do you do when you’re bored?
Where is your favorite place to go shopping?
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
If you could change one thing about school what would it be?
Tell us about a time you made a big mistake.
Tell us about a time you couldn’t stop laughing.
What’s your favorite thing to drink?
Would you rather fly or drive to your next vacation?
What is something that’s really confusing?
What is your favorite thing to wear?
If you opened a store, what would you sell?
What’s the best gift you ever got?
Would you rather go camping or stay in a hotel? Why?
What makes you feel better when you’re sad?
What’s something special you would like to do with Mom or Dad?
Would you rather be tall as a giant or small as a mouse? Why?
What’s something special or different about our family?
What is your favorite family tradition that we have?
If you invented a new holiday, what would it be?
Would you rather travel by boat or train? Why?
If you could have a robot do something for you, what would it do?
If your pet could talk, what would it say?
What are 3 things you want to do this summer?
What's your favorite book right now? Why?
Would you rather watch your favorite movie every day for the rest of your life, or watch a different movie every day?
If you were on a deserted island, what one thing would you want to have with you?
What is your favorite subject at school?
Who is your favorite teacher at school?
What's the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
What's the nicest thing you've done for someone else?
If you were the richest person on earth, what would you do to improve the world?
What's your favorite part of the day?
If you could wave a magic wand, what talent or skill would you give yourself?
Have you ever met a famous person? What were they like?

Ways to Use These Conversation Starters to Have a Great Conversation

Having conversations with the whole family over a meal or in the car is a great way for kids to practice important social skills like speaking in front of a group of people and active listening.

It's the best way for a kid to practice good communication and being a good conversationalist when the stakes are low and it feels like a game!

Here are a few suggestions for when and how to use these simple questions to spark great discussions.

At Dinner Time

Many families prioritize family meals, but just aren't asking the right questions to get the conversation flowing! If the kids have had a long day at school and the only question we have for them is, "How was school today?", it won't make for very interesting conversations. These dinner conversation starters are my favorite way to get kids talking and laughing.

Try letting each family member choose a question from the list above so that the kids don't feel like the adults are interrogating them.

Each person can answer the question they picked, or everyone at the table can take a turn answering!

During Long Car Rides

Having the whole family trapped in the car is a golden opportunity for fun conversation starters.

The first thing I do when the kids start getting antsy but we have a while to go before we stop again is to pull out these fun questions.

I love that everyone can get involved in the discussion, whether you have young children or teens.

Plus it helps mom and dad put away the cell phones and focus on interacting with the kids for a while. (Though don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of screen time on road trips).

While You're Waiting in Line

Another way to use these open-ended questions to initiate everyday conversations is by pulling out a few while waiting for something.

Whether you're in a long line at the grocery store or waiting for a ride at Disney World, this list of questions will certainly make time go by a little faster.

Waiting with young kids can be stressful, so using these conversation cards can show kids that waiting doesn't have to be boring.

GRAB THESE FREE PRINTABLE CONVERSATION STARTERS FOR FAMILIES!

I hope you enjoy the conversations these engaging prompts inspire! My kids have been loving doing a few at dinner every night, and I know I’ll be bringing these along on our next road trip to keep things interesting.

The most important thing is to keep connecting with your kids, and discussing thought-provoking questions with them is a great way to do that!

I’ve created a colorful printable listing all 100 conversation starters AND black and white cards you can cut out and put in a bowl. Simply take turns grabbing cards out of the bowl and reading them aloud to the rest of the group!

Don’t forget to grab your printables here (click the image below)

Don’t forget to grab your printables here (click the image below):

Thanks for downloading these conversation starters! I know you’re going to love the interactions with your kids. If you have photos of how you’re using your conversation starters, I would love to see them. Tag me on Instagram at @amomexplores!