Instead, try these creative—and challenging—kid-tested openers to spark a response or jumpstart a conversation. You’ll be surprised by what you might learn.

1. Thumbs up or thumbs down for school today?
2. Name three good things—and one not-so-good thing—that happened.
3. Pick one word that describes your day today. What is it?
4. Who did you play with at recess today—and who do you want to play with tomorrow?
5. What did (fill in the blank) say during carpool today?
6. Name two songs you sang at music—and tell me your favorite.
7. Who did you sit with on the bus to school today—and who do you want to sit with tomorrow?
8. Tell me one thing that made you laugh today and whether it was intentional or it just happened.
9. What’s your favorite subject so far, and if you could, which one would you get rid of?
10. Cafeteria food or brown bag it?
11. Which part of the day would you do over if you could—and which part would you erase completely?
12. Name the one toy (or game or person) everyone wants to play with.
13. Name the movie (or TV show or YouTube video) everyone wants to watch this weekend.
14. Who did something to make your day great?
15. What did you do to make someone else’s day terrific?
16. Who did something to make someone else’s day not so amazing?
17. Tell me a story about today. Let’s start with “Once upon a time…” What happens next?
18. Who was the coolest person you talked to today?
19. Who would you want to switch lunch (or toys or friends) with?
20. What do you think (fill in the blank) is telling his mom and dad about school today?
21. What is he telling his mom and dad about you?
22. What question did you ask in class today?
23. Which question did you raise your hand to answer?
24. Which question didn’t you raise your hand for?
25. Let’s play two truths and a lie: Tell me two real things that happened today and one that you made up, and I will try to guess which are real and which is not.