Conversation Starters for Family, Friends and Work
Published
Good conversation starters ask for a small story rather than a yes or no: what made you laugh this week, what’s something you’d like to try, or who helped you lately. Follow up with “why?” and the talk keeps going.
For the Dinner Table
What made you laugh today? What was the best part of your week? If we could go anywhere tomorrow, where would we go? What’s something you’d like to get better at? What’s a rule you’d add to this house? Who was kind to you this week?
For Kids
What would you do if you were the teacher for a day? What’s the funniest animal? What would your dream treehouse have in it? What did you play today? “How was school?” usually gets one word, and a specific question gets a story.
For New Friends
What are you into at the moment? What’s the best thing you’ve read or watched lately? How did you end up here? What’s a place you’d love to go back to? Ask about what they enjoy, and tell them something about yourself as well.
For Work
What’s something you’re looking forward to this month? What was your first job like? What’s the most useful thing you’ve learned this year? What do you do to take a break? They’re light enough for a coffee line or the start of a call.
For a Quiet Car Ride or Long Table
Pass a phone around and spin a question for each person, so nobody has to think of the next thing to say. You can add your own questions to the wheel, along with family in-jokes, and save it for next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep a conversation going?
Ask a follow-up about what they just said, such as “what happened next?” or “why that one?”, before adding your own story.
What’s a good conversation starter for kids?
A specific, silly one, such as what they’d do as the teacher for a day. It’s easier to answer than “how was school?”.
Find a Wheel for Your Party
Ready-made wheels for party games, from charades to silly forfeits, free to spin on any screen.
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