30 Questions to Ask Your Kid Instead of "How Was Your Day?"

by ParentCo. November 01, 2021

kids laughing in bed

A conversation to debrief seems like such a great end to the school day. And yet! When I picked my son up from his first day of 4th grade, my usual (enthusiastically delivered) question of “how was your day?” was met with his usual (indifferently delivered) “fine.” Come on! It’s the first day, for crying out loud! Give me something to work with, would you, kid?

The second day, my same question was answered, “well, no one was a jerk.” That’s good...I guess. I suppose the problem is my own. That question actually sucks. Far from a conversation starter, it’s uninspired, overwhelmingly open ended, and frankly, completely boring. So as an alternative, I’ve compiled a list of questions that my kid will answer with more than a single word or grunt.

In fact, he debated his response to question 8 for at least half an hour over the weekend. The jury’s out until he can organize a foot race.

To get some conversation started even - or especially - when it feels like pulling teeth, here are some questions a kid will answer at the end of a long school day:

  1. What did you eat for lunch?
  2. Did you catch anyone picking their nose?
  3. What games did you play at recess?
  4. What was the funniest thing that happened today?
  5. Did anyone do anything super nice for you?
  6. What was the nicest thing you did for someone else?
  7. Who made you smile today?
  8. Which one of your teachers would survive a zombie apocalypse? Why?
  9. What new fact did you learn today?
  10. Who brought the best food in their lunch today? What was it?
  11. What challenged you today?
  12. If school were a ride at the fair, which ride would it be? Why?
  13. What would you rate your day on a scale of 1 to 10? Why?
  14. If one of your classmates could be the teacher for the day who would you want it to be? Why?
  15. If you had the chance to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you teach the class?
  16. Did anyone push your buttons today?
  17. Who do you want to make friends with but haven’t yet? Why not?
  18. What is your teacher’s most important rule?
  19. What is the most popular thing to do at recess?
  20. Does your teacher remind you of anyone else you know? How?
  21. Tell me something you learned about a friend today.
  22. If aliens came to school and beamed up 3 kids, who do you wish they would take? Why?
  23. What is one thing you did today that was helpful?
  24. When did you feel most proud of yourself today?
  25. What rule was the hardest to follow today?
  26. What is one thing you hope to learn before the school year is over?
  27. Which person in your class is your exact opposite?
  28. Which area of your school is the most fun?
  29. Which playground skill do you plan to master this year?
  30. Does anyone in your class have a hard time following the rules?




ParentCo.

Author



Also in Conversations

8 Simple Life Hacks to Help Parents Look Good

by Rhiannon Giles

Let's get real. Those "hacks" you've pinned are 3x harder than doing the thing in the first place. Here are some more appealing options.

Continue Reading

mom dad and kids in bed sleeping
Parenthood: Always Waiting, Often for Sleep

by Pam Moore

Parenting is, by definition, a kind of waiting. We, the parents of the world, are all holding our collective breaths together. The big question: will the child sleep?

Continue Reading

5 Phrases to Help Avoid Toddler Meltdowns

by ParentCo.

Toddlers like to feel autonomous and in control. Adopting these five phrases can help avoid the meltdowns and give them a sense they have a say.

Continue Reading