15 Fun Questions to Get Your Kids Talking to You

Do your kids know they can come to you with questions? About anything? Being available for our kids is important, especially as they grow older. This family bonding challenge will help you get your kids talking to you and coming to you when they have questions.

At your next family meeting, family meal, or car ride, get the ball rolling by asking your kids what they think your average day is like. You might be surprised by what you hear.

I remember thinking that stay-at-home parents had the life. I thought they had the day to themselves to relax and do whatever they wanted to.

Boy, was I wrong! As a stay-at-home (work-from-home) mom, I work harder than I did when I had a “real” job. I rarely stop moving and sometimes don’t even have time to eat lunch.

After they share what they think you do all day, let them know what they were right about and what they got wrong. Fill them in on how you spend your day while they’re at school, and then ask what they think their day will be like when they’re grown up.

Then flip the scenario and share what it was like for you in whatever grade your kids are in. Tell them about all the social drama you had to navigate, the pressure you felt to get good grades, the triumphs you experienced, or the struggles you had on a day-to-day basis. Whatever your school life was like, let them know.

If you don’t remember a whole lot, that’s okay. Share what you do remember or the feelings that come up when you think about school. Then tell your kids what you think they do all day at school. Do you think they answer questions when the teacher asks? Do you think they play with certain friends at recess? Do you think they tell jokes to their classmates? Ask your kids to tell you how close you are.

Even if you have vivid memories from your school days, let your kids know that times are different now and that you’re genuinely curious about how they spend their day and what their struggles or triumphs are.

Then use the following list of questions to get your kids talking on a regular basis. Don’t ask all of them in the same conversation. Spread them out and ask one when you have a few moments together. And then make sure to share your answer to the same question.

When we open up with our kids about our own experiences and listen to theirs, they learn that we’re a trusted person they can come to when they need someone to talk to.

1. What do they hope for in their future?
2. What would they wish to change about their life right now if they could?
3. What would be their ideal vacation?
4. If they could have anything at that moment, what would it be?
5. What’s the last dream they remember?
6. If they were in the Olympics, what sport would they compete in?
7. What’s their least favorite thing?
8. What’s their most favorite thing?
9. What’s something they want to learn?
10. What’s their first memory?
11. Who’s been their favorite/least favorite teacher, and why?
12. If they could live anywhere in the world, where would they want to live, and why?
13. If they could turn into an animal, what animal would they be, and why?
14. What do they worry about?
15. If they could do anything they wanted for an entire day, what would they choose to do?