50 Family Conversation Starters

Looking for open-ended questions that will stimulate meaningful discussions and help you connect with your kids? Here are 50 family conversation starters to get the ball rolling!

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Parenting involves a lot of talking. We’re constantly correcting, instructing, and directing our kids. It’s important, then, that we also take the time (and create the opportunities) to listen. And while much of our conversations with our kids happen organically (which is why it’s so important to listen when they do), we can also intentionally cultivate those conversations with purposeful questions.

Asking exploring questions to stimulate family conversations has many benefits, including:

Getting to know our kids better
Strengthening family bonds
Developing communication skills (both speaking AND listening)
Opening the door to deeper discussions
Building a foundation of trust, honesty, and open communication
Teaching emotional regulation, processing, and problem-solving skills

Need ideas of open-ended questions that will stimulate meaningful discussions and help you connect with your kids? Here are 50 family conversation starters to get the ball rolling!

25 General Family Conversation Starters

In addition to asking any of these questions about their day, use the following family conversation starters to prime the dialogue pump. These are great for the dinner table, but you can use them anytime and anywhere you’re together!

If you could make a new family rule, what would it be?
Who are your closest friends, and what do you enjoy about them? In what ways do they encourage/help you grow?
What is your favorite thing about [each family member]?
If you’re having a rough day, what are the best ways to cheer you up?
What are some of your goals for this year (or week, month, school year, etc.)
What three words best describe our family?
If you could be the parents for a day, what would you do differently?
What three words would you use to describe yourself? (and/or each member of the family)
Do you feel appreciated in our family? How could we make you feel more appreciated?
What is something kids understand better than adults?
What do you want to be when you grow up and why?
If we could go anywhere on a family vacation, where would you want to go?
What do you wish we would do differently as a family?
What do you look forward to about being a grown up?
What are your favorite things to do for fun?
How do you most feel loved? (Talk about love languages)
What do I/we do that you really enjoy?
What are some of your gifts, and how can you use them to bless others?
What gifts does [family member name] have that are a blessing to you?
Name three things that make you happy.
What is something you want to learn how to do and why?
What things have you done that make you the most proud of yourself?
If you could send a message to the whole world, what would you say?
What is your idea of an ideal day?
If you could instantly become an expert at something, what would it be?

25 Family Discipleship Conversation Starters

If you’re a Christian parent looking for prompts to foster foundations of faith, consider some of these family discipleship conversation starters.

Related Post: How to Make a Family Discipleship Plan

If you could ask God one question face to face, what would it be?
What questions do you have about God/Jesus/the Bible? (Be prepared for some doozies! Stay humble, admit when you don’t know, and look up answers together.)
What does it mean to worship God? What is one way you can worship God this week other than singing songs?
What is your favorite Bible story or passage, and why?
What is one thing God been teaching/showing/speaking to you lately?
What have you been learning from the Bible?
How did you show the love of Jesus today?
Has God been putting anyone/anything on your heart to pray for or help?
What is one way you know Mom/Dad loves Jesus?
How did you see your need for Jesus today?
What is one way you struggled to obey?
What is your favorite thing about God?
How would people know you love Jesus without you telling them?
What is one thing you’ve been praying for lately?
What is something you can thank God for today?
Is there anything happening in your life that you need to ask God for help?
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Which fruit(s) of the Spirit do you want/need to cultivate more in your life?
If someone asked you how to get to Heaven, what would you say?
What is your favorite way to learn about God?
Name someone you know who is a good model of being Christ-like.
What are some ways you can become more like Christ?
How would you explain why Jesus came to the earth?
How can we talk about Jesus with truth and in love?
If someone asked you, “Why do you believe in Jesus?” what would you tell them?