71 Questions of the Day for Kids They'll Get Excited About

Some of the best question of the day ideas are topics described as critical thinking questions for kids. Encourage young people to put on their thinking caps by posing age-appropriate, thought-provoking questions.

• What special skills do you have? How could you teach them to other people?
• What three words best describe your personality? Why did you pick each of these words?
• What rule do you think everyone in the world should have to obey? Why?
• If you become a superhero, what would you want your superpower to be? How would you use it?
• What is your favorite type of weather? Why do you like it? Why is it important?
• If you were in charge of picking a new house for your family, describe what it would be like.
• If you decided to write a book, what would it be about? How would you make it interesting to readers?
• What are three things that kids can do to help make the world a better place?
• What items that are in your room at home could you use to build a fort? Describe how you'd put it together.
• If you made up a new board game, what would it be like? How would people play it?
• When you feel angry or upset, what do you do to help yourself feel better? Does it always help?
• What does joy feel like? How would you describe joy to someone who has never experienced it?
• What is something that you thought you could not do then found out that you really could do it? How did you feel when that happened?
• What do you wish your friends would say to you so that you would know for sure that they really like you?

Kids are sure to enjoy answering questions about social matters, such as the activities they love doing and the friendships they are forging.

• What is your favorite game to play with friends? What do you like about the game?
• Which one of your friends do your parents like the best? What is it about that friend that your parents like?
• What would be your ideal birthday celebration? Describe what it would be like.
  
• What is your favorite sport to play or watch? What do you like about it?
• What would your perfect after-school playdate be like?
• If you could start a club at school, what would the theme be? Describe what club members would do.
• Who is your best friend? What is it about that person that you like the most?
• If you could spend a day with a character from a book, TV show or movie, who would you choose? Why?
• If a new student joined your class, what could you do or say to help them feel welcome?
• What is the nicest thing a classmate has said to you? How did you respond?
• Have you ever made a special effort to include a classmate with your group of friends? How would you go about doing this?
• What are the best places for kids your age to make friends other than school? Why are these good options?
• Have you ever felt left out by your siblings or the kids at school? What was that like?
• If someone wants to become your friend, what would be the best way for that person to let you know?

Children often get excited about new things they are learning or doing at school. That's why questions to ask your child about school can make great ideas for question of the day activities.

• What's the most interesting thing you learned in school this week? Why do you find it interesting?
• Think about the teacher who has been your favorite so far. What about that person makes them a great teacher?
• Which part of the school day is your favorite? Why do you like it so much?
• If you were in charge of improving your school, what three things would you change first? Why?
• If you were in charge of the lunch menu in the school cafeteria, what changes would you make? Why?
• Have you ever seen or experienced bullying in school? What happened? How did it make you feel?
• What have you learned in school that your parents didn't already know? How could you explain it to them?
• If you could choose the uniforms that students wear at your school, what would they look like?
• What is your favorite subject to learn about in school? Why do you like it more than the others?
• What subject in school do you like the least? What is it about that subject that you don't like?
• Do you think the school day should be longer or shorter than it is, or is it just right? Why?
• Do you like attending school virtually better than being in a classroom with your teacher and other students? Why?
• What is the best part about working on group projects at school? Why do you enjoy this?
• What is the most difficult part of working with a group or team at school? How do you cope?
• If you decided to run for president of your class, what would your campaign slogan be?

Kids spend a lot of time with their family members, so getting them talking about their relatives can be a fun topic to include in question of the day activities.

• What activities does your family do together? Which ones are your favorite?
• Which of your family members are you the most like? In what ways are you similar to that relative?
• What's your favorite family tradition for a holiday or other special occasion? What is it that you like about that tradition?
• If you could only use three words to describe your family, what words would you pick? Why did you choose these words?
• What's a family rule at your home that everyone has to follow? Do you agree or disagree that it should be a rule? Why or why not?
• What is a rule that one of your friends has to follow at home that is not a rule in your house? Why do you think their family has that rule?
• In what ways do your parents or other older family members help you to be successful in school?
• Which of your family members do you want to be like when you grow up? Why?
• What can you do to set a good example for younger members of your family?
• What are some important ways kids can show respect to their parents and grandparents?
• How do you think your neighbors would describe your family? What three words would they probably use?
• What are the most important things adult family members can do to make sure that kids know they are loved?
• What do you do to let your parents or other grow-ups who take care of you know that you appreciate them?
• Describe spending a perfect day with your family. What would happen?

Sometimes the best way to get kids to answer questions is to ask them to choose between two things. To get them thinking, follow-up by asking them to explain their choice.

• Would you rather stay inside and read a book or go outside and play with a group of kids? Why?
• Would you rather sleep late every day or get up early every morning? Why?
• Would you prefer to take a trip to the mountains or to the beach? Why?
• Would you rather eat pizza or scrambled eggs for breakfast? Why?
• Would you prefer to travel by train or by airplane? Why?
• Would you rather have a cat or a fish as a pet? Why?
• Would you rather be a unicorn or a dinosaur? Why?
• Would you rather eat a banana or a carrot? Why?
• Would you rather play at a park or in your yard? Why?
• Would you rather wear a t-shirt or a button-down shirt? Why?
• Would you prefer to clean your room or wash the dishes after dinner? Why?
• Would you rather ride a bicycle or go roller skating? Why?
• Would you rather take a nap or go play outside? Why?
• Would you rather go to a doctor or a dentist? Why?

For quick access to a list of printable question of the day ideas, use this printable list. It includes several ideas from the lists above. It's a great reference when you're trying to think of what to ask. You could also distribute the list to kids and ask them to select which question(s) they'd like to answer.

Now that you've reviewed this extensive list of more than 70 questions of the day for kids, you have plenty of suggestions to consider. Of course, these are just a few dozen of the seemingly endless possibilities. For even more inspiration, review these journal prompts for kids that spark imagination. Be sure to vary the types of questions you ask each day to keep things interesting for you and the kids.