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