20 Questions to Ask Kids

One of the best ways to get to know your students is to ask questions.

But of course, they need to be the right questions.

Aim for open-ended, intriguing questions that will get your students to think deeply if you are using them as writing prompts and to interact if you are using them as discussion prompts.

Here are twenty good questions to ask elementary students. You might be surprised at what you will learn!

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Getting to Know You!

Click here for this question picker and digital activity!

At what age is a person an adult? Why do you think so?
If could change one rule that your family has, what would you change?
What is something that makes your family special?
Of all the things you are learning, what do you think will be the most useful when you are an adult?
Are you a good friend? Why do you think so? Why did your best friend choose you?
How would the world be different if animals could talk?
Would you cheat on a test if you knew you would not get caught? Why or why not?
If you could grow up to be famous, what would you want to be famous for?
If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?
What is the best gift you have ever given? Why was it so special?
What is the hardest thing about being a kid?
If you were a teacher, and the kids in your class would not listen to you, what would you do?
Where is your favorite place in the world?
If you could give one gift to every single child in the world, what gift would you give?
If you could travel back in time three years and visit your younger self, what advice would you give yourself?
What five words do you think most describe you?
If you could invent something that would make life easier for people, what would you invent?
When was a time that you felt lucky?
What is your favorite family tradition?
If you could make one rule that everyone in the world had to follow, what rule would you make? Why?

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Randomly Choose A Question!

Click here to grab a free activity that includes these 20 questions! This fun question game can be used with or without technology!

BONUS QUESTIONS:

If you had a million dollars, what would you spend it on?
What do you think could increase the average human life span?
If you could live your life differently would you? Why?
Is there such a thing as a perfect person? Why or why not?
What do you think has been a defining moment in your life?

Question Types:

Looking specifically for social questions for kids? Try # 6, 11, 14, or 17.

Looking specifically for questions for family members: Try #3, 10, or 20.

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Got a few minutes? Play Three Reasons Why with your students. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it encourages students to think flexibly.

Just ask your students one of these questions and see what answers they come up with. You can extend the activity by having your students make up their own questions.

Jacob did his homework, but he did not turn it in. List three possible reasons why.
Karen got invited to a birthday party, but she did not go. List three possible reasons why.
The phone is ringing, but Carlos does not answer it. List three possible reasons why.
Mark and Kayla go to the amusement park, but they do not ride the roller coaster. List three possible reasons why.
Derek buys a new shirt at the store, but he does not wear it. List three possible reasons why.
Amber has the winning card in the game she is playing with her little brother, but she does not play it. List three possible reasons why.
Sasha brings her umbrella to school, even though the sky is clear. List three possible reasons why.
Andrew is very tired, but he stays up until midnight anyway. List three possible reasons why.
Cody has 10 new pencils, but he does not sharpen any of them. List three possible reasons why.
Lucy went to a baseball game but she did not watch the game. List three possible reasons why.

Get More Writing Prompts!

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