Question games for kids: what to ask and how to play
Start with a question the children can picture: pizza or tacos, a pet dragon or a pet unicorn, or what they would put in a treehouse. Below are suggested games for ages 4–6, 7–9 and 10–12, with rules for answering together or taking turns. Use the printable questions on this page, and adjust the choices to the children playing. They do not need to read independently to join in.
Which question game fits your group?
Age gives you a starting point; try a practice question before deciding how much explanation the round needs. Some younger children enjoy telling stories, and some older children prefer a quick vote. Keep an adult available to read, explain a choice or move to the next question.
| Game | Suggested starting group | How children answer | What the adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| This or That | Ages 4–6; also older and mixed-age groups | Pick one of two familiar things | Read both options and demonstrate pointing or voting |
| Would You Rather | Ages 7–9; younger children with simpler choices | Choose between two imagined situations; reasons optional | Explain unfamiliar words and invite volunteers to give a reason |
| Question round, including 21 Questions | Ages 10–12; younger children with help | Answer a question in turn | Preview the list, help with reading and keep turns clear |
| Volunteer question turn | Children who want a longer turn | One volunteer answers a few previewed questions | Agree on the questions and let the volunteer stop or pass |
| Introduction round | Children meeting for the first time | Make a choice, then tell a nearby child their name | Help everyone find a partner and offer seated answers |
| Favorites and optional dares | Children who want this variation, roughly 7–12 | Answer about a favorite or choose an agreed action | Preview every question and action; keep passing available |
These rounds do not need points, correct answers or elimination. Explain that before you begin. For activities between question rounds, the party games by age guide includes games with reading and movement adjustments. The question games hub compares more conversation formats; preview any broader list and leave adult or couples packs out of children’s rounds.
Ages 4–6: Start with two familiar choices
Try This or That with foods, animals or things children do. “Pizza or tacos?” is easier to demonstrate than “adventure or comfort.” Read the first choice while holding up one finger and the second while holding up two. Children can copy the gesture, point to a labelled side or say their answer. Nobody has to explain.
Have ten pairs ready, as in the first group of questions on this page. Say, “We’ll try five questions, then see if you want more.” Finish after those five or repeat with the remaining pairs. There is no winner, and choosing differently from friends is part of the game rather than a reason to tease someone.
The This or That questions for kids guide gives more ways to use familiar pairs. The general This or That guide explains shared voting and optional reasons; select its concrete choices rather than thoughtful tradeoffs for this round.
Ages 7–9: Try silly Would You Rather questions
Give everyone the same two imagined choices. Ask, “Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?” Let everyone vote, then invite one willing child from each choice to say why. An answer can be just “dragon”; reasons are optional.
Keep both options easy to picture. “Would you rather sneeze glitter or cry milk?” is a silly imaginary pair you could try, while “be rich or be happy” asks for a more abstract comparison. Start with five to ten questions. If you want a second round, prepare 15–20 options in total so you can skip ones the group does not enjoy; this is a suggested supply of questions, not a target to finish.
Use Would You Rather for kids for children’s scenarios. The main Would You Rather guide explains shared voting and passing, but its broader packs need an adult preview.
For a truth-or-dare variation, keep questions about favorites or things children would like to do: “What game would you teach us?” Let anyone choose a question instead of an action. A child might suggest a silly dance or ten jumping jacks; neither is a requirement or an action suitable for every child. Agree on actions beforehand, offer a seated alternative and leave out anything intended to embarrass someone.
Ages 10–12: Take turns asking and answering
Use the last question group for a spoken round. Read one question, let one child answer, then move to the next player. For example, “What board or card game would you teach a friend?” gives a child something specific to talk about without needing a private story. In a bigger group, everyone can answer the same question with a short response instead.
Confident readers can take turns holding the printed list and reading aloud. An adult can read for anyone who wants help; reading is a job to share, not an entry requirement. Keep the reader’s own answering turn and rotate the job after a few questions.
For a suggested small-group version, play with two to six children and ask five questions before checking whether they want more. A longer round can have 20 or more questions available without requiring every child to answer every one. The 21 Questions game uses a host-led question-and-answer format with guidance for ages eight and up. Its name does not mean you have to finish exactly 21 questions.
If a child wants a volunteer turn, let them select three questions from the previewed list. Other players ask those questions, and the volunteer can pass or end the turn. Offer the next turn to someone else without putting children on the spot.
When siblings or new friends are playing
With mixed ages, start with choices the youngest guests understand and let older children read them aloud. An older child can ask the question without answering for a younger sibling. Invite a reason from anyone who wants to give one, rather than giving older children a separate game. The mixed-age game guide has more ways to share the jobs.
For introductions, ask everyone to choose between a sandcastle and a snowman. Then ask children to tell someone nearby their name and, if they want, why they chose it. Each partner gets a turn. Repeat with a pet dragon or a pet unicorn, then drawing a comic or making a model; finish after the third prompt.
Children can point or hold up fingers while seated. An adult can join a child who has no partner without making an announcement about it. The icebreaker games for kids guide explains this introduction round and other games to follow it. To play again, use new choices and invite different partners; there are no points or eliminations.
An example 30-minute question-game session
This is an illustrative plan for children who want a longer session, not an attention-span rule. Have 25–30 questions available, including spares, and expect to skip some. A whole-group vote takes a different amount of time from listening to each child’s story. End sooner or switch activities if the children are finished.
- 0:00–0:03 · Explain and try one question. Show how to vote and say that passing is allowed.
- 0:03–0:10 · Play This or That. Read familiar pairs and let everyone answer together.
- 0:10–0:13 · Take a break. Put the list aside and ask whether the group wants another round.
- 0:13–0:25 · Play Would You Rather or answer in turn. Choose one format; invite reasons without requiring them.
- 0:25–0:30 · Finish the round. Let willing children suggest a final question, then put the list away.
The five parts total 30 minutes: 3 + 7 + 3 + 12 + 5. For younger children, one short round may be all you need.
Before you start the question game
- Choose one question group and read it before the children arrive. Have a few spare questions ready.
- Decide who will read aloud and how children will answer: together, in pairs or in turn.
- Show one practice answer. Explain that there are no wrong choices and anyone can pass.
- Keep reasons optional, and let children point or answer seated.
- If children are helping, rotate the reader job and preserve their answering turns.
- Say when the round ends: after five choices, three introduction prompts or a time you have agreed.
The printable pack includes all three age-suggested groups. Its random picker also draws from all three, so use the printed or visible group when you want only that group’s questions.
Checkmarks are not saved when you leave this page.
Questions about playing with kids
What question games can five-year-olds play?
Try This or That with two familiar choices, such as pizza or tacos. Read aloud and let children point or say their choice. Have ten pairs ready, but stop sooner if they want to do something else.
How many questions do I need for 30 minutes?
Have 25–30 questions available as a spare list, rather than expecting to use them all. A shared vote is quicker than hearing every child’s answer. The example session includes instructions, two rounds, a break and time to finish.
Can children lead the game without reading independently?
Yes. An adult can read the question while a child chooses who answers next or holds up the two choices. Rotate the helper job and let children keep their own answering turns.
Can I use question games in a classroom?
Yes. Start with a shared two-choice question, then invite children to tell someone nearby their name and, if they want, their reason. Children can answer seated, pass or watch the first round.