45+ Get to Know You Questions for Kids to Get Them Talking

I don’t know about you, but my teachers would always find the worst and most awkward get to know you questions they could possibly find when growing up throughout the school. I’m serious. 

A lot of the time, all of us would just sit or stand there awkwardly, and then that would make it even more awkward… you get the point. I’m shivering just thinking about it. 

Ice breaker or get to know you questions for kids, whatever you want to call them are really weird a lot of the times. 

Here is a list of getting to know you questions for kids that don’t suck and will actually get kids talking and interacting with each other! 

My Favorite Get to Know You Questions for Kids

When you’re the only adult amongst a group of children, sometimes it can be intimidating, especially if they don’t want to pay attention to you. 

It can also be super uncomfortable for them, being around new people who don’t necessarily know that well. 

And don’t even get me started at how easily kids get distracted or bored with the activity they are doing. 

Therefore, here are some of my favorite fun get to know your questions and icebreaker games that can help you break down that barrier between you and the little ones!

1. “Your Favorite” Questions for Kids

This category is a great way to start off with. It will get the kids talking and is also a great way to learn a couple of quick facts about each kid. 

Here are some of the best ones I’ve come across:

• What is your favorite color?
• What is your favorite animal?
• What is your favorite movie or TV show?
• What is your favorite holiday?
• What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
• What is your favorite food?
• What is your favorite thing about yourself?
• What is your favorite thing about the person sitting next to you?
• What is your favorite joke?

The last two questions I absolutely love. Not only do you get them to compliment themselves, but it also gives them a chance to praise the person sitting next to them. 

It is always great to make sure that kids receive positive feedback from themselves and their peers daily to help them create good self-esteem from a young age.

2. “Personal” Questions for Kids

The personal category is also a great way to learn a little more about the kids that are a bit more in-depth than your favorite color. 

These are meant to get the kids talking about more personal and more in-tune subjects with the personality. 

I find these types of questions work well with old children; however, you can modify any of the ones that I am about to mention to tailor it towards a younger child!

• What are you grateful for today?
• What are you most proud of?
• What is something that excites you?
• What is something that you are afraid of?
• What is one thing that you couldn’t live without?
• What is something you are really good at?
• What do you want to be when you grow up?

As I said, while most of these questions will work well with many older kids, you can also get entertaining and creative answers from the younger ones with questions like what you want to be when you grow up. 

3. “If You Could” Questions for Kids

These questions are fun because you can get as crazy and as silly as you want to be with them! 

Let’s take a look at some of my favorites!

• If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
• If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Notice that we answer the question and add why to the end of it. By adding the why to the end, you’re asking the children to elaborate more on the subject, which helps them open up more. 

If we leave the why out, you’re more likely to get a couple of kids who just respond with one-word answers, making things a little awkward. 

4. “Would You Rather” Questions for Kids

There are also the types of questions that you can get as creative with as you want and are excellent for kids no matter their age! 

Here are some of my favorite would you rather questions:

• Would you rather ride a scooter or a bike?
• Would you rather play in the snow or in the sunshine?
• Would you rather be able to swim really fast or run really fast?
• Would you rather be able to see things up close or far away?
• Would you instead go to the water park or to the amusement park?
• Would you rather be super smart or super funny?
• Would you rather eat something sweet or something sour? 

5. “Silly” Questions for Kids

There is nothing more that kids love doing than being silly and burning off energy. 

These questions are sure to get them laughing and are a great way to engage with one another and you!

• If you could be a genie, what would you wish for?
• If you had a pet parrot, what would you teach it to say?
• Can you describe a color without saying its name?
• If you could visit one planet, what would it be?
• What makes you feel like dancing?
• If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?
• If you could invent something, what would it be?

Get to Know You Questions for Kids: Toddler and Preschool Edition

While the top couple sets of questions are suitable for kids in elementary school, they may be too advanced for toddlers and preschoolers to understand. 

So let’s look at some of the questions that I would ask the little ones that are sure to get them chattering away!

• What makes you happy?
• If your favorite stuffed animal could talk, what would they say?
• What was your favorite part of school today?
• Who is your favorite friend?
• What or who made you smile today?
• What made your proud today?
• What is your favorite subject?
• What is your least favorite subject?
• How high can you count?
• Can you sing the ABC’s with me?
• What is your favorite toy?
• Do you have a dog or a cat?
• What is your favorite snack? 

Why Is It Important to Ask Children Questions?

There are many benefits to asking kids of all age’s questions. Not only does it help them develop their communication skills, but it also indicates to them that you care what they are talking about and that you are paying attention to what they are saying. 

Even when your child can’t speak yet or is just learning how to say a couple of words, it’s essential to regularly talk to them in a familiar voice and ask them questions even if they don’t respond back to you. 

This will help develop their language and vocabulary quicker and help them learn how to communicate in an effective and meaningful way.

The Importance of Open-Ended Questions

I love open-ended questions because, as I said before, it gets the conversation flowing and makes sure that kids don’t give you one-word answers! 

It is also a great way to encourage thinking and find solutions and possibilities to the questions before giving you an answer. 

Another great thing about open-ended questions is that it increases their vocabulary and speech skills, which will, in the long run, help them describe and explain the world around them.

Best Ways to Engage a Child in a Conversation

It’s one thing to ask a child a question; it’s another thing to actually engage them in a conversation, so here are some of the tips that I recommend you do with any child:

1. Stay at their eye level. When you get on the same level as a child, it helps them know that you are there to listen to them. It is also an indication that you aren’t there to be an authority over them, but rather be equal. It helps them engage better, as well.

2. It’s important to take turns speaking with your child. This will help them learn how to be active listeners and respond to questions that are being asked of them, which allows them to communicate better.

3. Paying attention to facial expressions and body language is one of the top things you should be looking out for. Kids don’t know how to regulate their body language when acting as though they are interested in what you’re saying. If they’re bored, they’re going to let you know right away! 

So make sure to take a look at their facial expressions and how they are answering your questions. If they are visibly bored to death, then change the subject right away!

My Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it, folks! I hope this list helps you get a better understanding of the types of questions you should ask kids according to their age group and their interests.

If you have any other suggested get to know you questions for kids that you would like to add to the list, let me know in the comments. I love hearing from you!