Sam and I eat all our meals together during the week (especially breakfast). Why? These moments provide a chance to start a conversation with Sam, the ones getting buried in the hustle. Some moments get lost as we scramble out of the house.
I still try to find other ways to spend quality time together. From drives up the canyon and even waiting in line at the grocery store, I’ve found opportunities to get conservations started.
14 Family Conversation Starters for Kids
The best way to encourage your family to talk is through simple conversations. These prompts will get them talking and reveal much more about you and your family. They’re fun, insightful, and a fantastic way for everyone to open up.
Look at these conversation starters for kids and try one every day. I’ve grouped them by similar questions, but you can mix and match and cross them off as you like:
- What was your favorite part of the day?
- Who did you play with at school? / Who did you talk to today from school?
- How were you kind to someone today?
- What are you proud of?
- What are you thankful for?
- What’s one thing you’re good at?
- Who’s the most excellent person you know?
- Which family member do you love seeing the most?
- What are you looking forward to this [season/month/week]?
- How would you change the world when you grow up?
- What could our family do that would make the world better?
- What superpower would you like to have?
- If you could only keep one toy, which toy would it be?
- If you could be an animal, which one would you be?
Benefits of Having Conversations With Your Child
Conversation starters for kids? Don’t kids already talk so much as it is?
Mostly, I’ve allowed conversations to flow as they naturally do. Kids are keen on sharing what happened during the day or how they feel, often on their own.
But I’ve found that prodding is sometimes needed. This is especially true when they seem bored, if one child is taking over the conversation, or if I want to learn more about them.
Experts also say that conversations are essential for learning. Author and Professor Robert D. Putnam wrote in Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis:
“Cognitive stimulation by parents is essential for optimal learning. Children who grow up with parents who listen and talk with them frequently… develop more advanced language skills than kids whose parents rarely engage them in conversation…”
Take a look at these benefits and the importance of having conversations with your children:
- Kids learn conversation skills like how and when to talk versus listening.
- We reflect on our days, how we felt, and our choices.
- Conversations open up topics that otherwise wouldn’t be shared.
- All family members learn about one another.
- Celebrate successes and how to support and encourage one another.
- Kids value how others feel.
- Reinforce family values like kindness, respect, and perseverance.
- Kids build confidence and competence.
- You practice gratitude.
- You strengthen the family bond.
What is the best way to keep the conversation going after your child responds? Ask why and how. Have them explain why they love Christmas or how he plans to enforce rules as the teacher.
And remember, there isn’t a “right” answer, no matter how whimsical theirs might be. It’s perfectly okay for him to say he would love to be a unicorn or fly to the clouds to cheer himself up.
Above all, apply these questions to learn, grow, and bond – whether over nightly dinners or waiting in line at the grocery store.