I think as parents we all want to spend more time with our kids and part of that involves getting to know our kids better. There are so many benefits to spending time together such as building higher self-esteem, better mental health, and lower risk of behavioral health problems. Interestingly enough, family time also helps kids learn future parenting skills. The memories and time we create with our kids help instill in them the desire to do the same things with their own kids. I think one part of spending time together is asking our kids questions to get to know them better. You can do those with young kids as well! However, I know that sometimes it is hard to think of questions to ask our kids, so I created a list for you as a reference. I’ll start with questions to ask your younger kids and then move on to questions you can ask older kids.
Questions to Get to Know Your Young Kids (Toddlers, Preschoolers, Early Childhood)
1. What is your favorite color?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What is your favorite toy?
4. Who is your favorite person?
5. What foods do you not like?
6. Who is your best friend and why?
7. What do you like most about our house?
8. What sounds do you like?
9. What makes you happy?
10. What makes you sad?
11. What do you enjoy giving people?
12. Where would you like to travel?
13. What would you do if you made the rules of our home?
14. What is your favorite superhero and why?
15. What bugs you?
16. What is your favorite thing to do?
17. What makes you feel loved?
Questions to ask Older Kids (Late Childhood, Preteen, Teens)
1. Tell me something about you that you think I may not know.
2. What do you like about your friends?
3. What do you and your friends like to do?
4. What do you like about your school? Is there anything you dislike about it?
5. What makes you feel loved?
6. If you could write a book, what would it be about?
7. If you could open a restaurant, what kind of food would you serve?
8. What makes you feel thankful?
9. What would you like to see in your future? (future plans, being married, etc.)
10. What do you like best about yourself?
11. What are your favorite hobbies?
12. What’s your favorite movie?
13. What’s your favorite book?
14. What is something you are really good at?
15. What do you worry about most?
16. What motivates you?
17. What is something you want to learn how to do?
Final Thoughts on Questions to Ask Your Kids
I hope these questions help get conversations going with you and your kids. I know I always enjoy getting to know my child more, and in turn, it helps me learn more about how to respond to her and interact with her best. Enjoy! 🙂