This or That Questions for Kids
Pancakes or waffles? Puppies or kittens? Read two choices and let each child pick the one they like. The pack above has 40 questions in four groups, with a random picker and a button to print them all. Use them for a birthday party, a classroom break, a car ride or a family game night. Children can answer aloud, point or move to a side of the room; they don’t need to read the questions themselves.
How to start a round
Tell the children: “I’ll read two choices. Pick whichever you like. There’s no wrong answer, and you can pass.” Decide how everyone will answer before reading the first pair.
- Aloud: Say the name of your choice. With two players or a small family group, take turns so you can hear each answer.
- With fingers: Hold up one finger for the first choice or two for the second. Read both options before everyone votes.
- By pointing: Point left for the first choice or right for the second. Demonstrate once with “Pancakes or waffles?”
Read a pair, give everyone about three seconds to decide, then invite their answers together. Leave more time if you need to explain a word. There are no points, eliminations or tie-breakers: a split vote is simply two different preferences. Anyone who passes can answer the next question.
This or That gives every child the same small decision and a clear way to respond. For more about writing your own pairs, the This or That question guide explains how to offer two clear options.
Which questions should you read first?
Start with a few choices the children recognize, then try the imaginary ones if they want more. The pack is intended for ages 5–12; use what your children understand rather than expecting every pair to suit every child.
- Favorite things: “Markers or crayons?” and “Kites or bubbles?” are good places to begin when you want short, familiar choices.
- Animals and nature: Try “Puppies or kittens?” or “Butterflies or ladybugs?” Explain unfamiliar animals or places before asking for a vote.
- Party picks: “Freeze dance or a scavenger hunt?” can start a conversation about games the children enjoy. Make clear whether you’re asking for fun or actually letting them decide the next activity.
- Make-believe choices: “A friendly dragon or a helpful robot?” gives children something imaginary to picture. Ask what their dragon or robot would do only if they want to talk about it.
You don’t have to read all ten questions in a group. Skip a pair that needs a long explanation and return to a familiar one. The question games for kids guide compares formats by age, while Would You Rather for kids offers longer imaginary choices when children want more to discuss.
How to play by moving to each side
Assign one side of the room to the first option and the other to the second. Show both sides as you read: “Pancakes on this side, waffles on that side.” Let children walk to their choice, then return to the middle before the next pair. Keep the path clear and ask everyone to walk rather than run.
Children can point from their seats instead of moving. They can still vote at the same time as everyone else. If one child is alone on a side, continue without making their answer the focus of the round.
An older sibling can read the next question, but each child chooses their own answer. Rotate the reading job among willing readers; the mixed-age party games guide has more ways to share jobs between older and younger children.
These questions have two options, so use two sides. For a different game with four answers per question, Would You Rather four corners has prompts sorted by age. Choose a group that suits the youngest players rather than assigning these pairs to four corners.
When to ask for a reason
Ask for a reason after a choice that divides the group or makes children laugh. “Why would you want a talking backpack?” is enough. Invite a willing child to answer, then read the next question; nobody needs to explain every choice.
Keep explanations optional so quieter children can participate without being placed in the spotlight. If everyone starts talking at once, hear one volunteer from each side. If no one wants to explain, move on.
For a party round, try ten to fifteen pairs and stop sooner if the children are ready for something else. If you’re filling a delay, say when the game will end: “We’ll play until the cake is ready.” The short backup games guide has other games to use while you wait. For a seated change of activity, birthday picture bingo provides board layouts and calling rules; draw or source the pictures for the squares before playing.
Ways to use the questions at school or at home
For a classroom break, read three familiar pairs and have children vote with fingers. For a graphing activity, write the two options on the board, count each vote and draw a bar for each total. Count passes separately rather than assigning them to a choice.
When children are meeting for the first time, let them answer a pair, then tell someone nearby their name. The icebreaker games for kids page explains a short introduction round and a seated version.
On a car ride or at family game night, take turns reading from the list or a printed copy. Let everyone answer before asking for reasons. In the car, use spoken answers instead of asking children to move sides.
If older children want different topics, This or That for teens includes choices about school, media and weekends. Preview funny This or That questions for children ten and up who enjoy ridiculous alternatives, and choose jokes younger siblings can understand if they’re joining. The party games and question packs index can help you find another format when the group wants to stop choosing between pairs.
Questions about playing This or That with kids
How do you play This or That with kids?
Read two choices and let children answer aloud, point to a side, or move to a marked area. Keep the pace quick and explanations optional.
What is the difference between This or That and Would You Rather?
This or That usually uses short nouns or activities for a fast preference check. Would You Rather often uses complete situations that invite longer reasoning.
Can young children answer these questions?
Most choices use objects and activities children ages five and older recognize. Read the pairs aloud and explain an unfamiliar word when needed.
How can a teacher use this list?
Use one pair for attendance, a brain break, a graphing activity, or a movement transition. Avoid keeping a score when the goal is connection.
How many choices fit one party round?
Try ten to fifteen pairs for a party round, and stop sooner if children are ready for something else. Save the remaining groups for later.