40 This or That Questions for Any Group
Sweet breakfast or savory breakfast? Host the party or arrive as a guest? Read two choices and let everyone pick. Nobody needs a perfect story; a short answer is enough. The pack above has 40 family-clean questions in four groups, with a random picker and a button to print them all. Start with two people or invite the whole group to answer together.
How to use the question pack
Allow about five minutes to open the page or print the questions and agree how everyone will answer. Use Pick a This or That question to draw from all four groups, or read directly from one list. Print all 40 opens your browser’s print dialog.
The picker avoids showing the same question twice in a row, but an earlier question can return. It does not keep track of what you have already read. If you want a round without repeats, work through a group in order or mark used questions on a printed copy.
Tell players: “I’ll read two choices. Pick the one you prefer. You can explain if you want, or pass.” Then agree on one way to answer:
- Aloud: With two people or a small group, say your choices after a count of three.
- With fingers: Hold up one finger for the first option or two for the second. This lets a larger group answer together without talking over one another.
- By choosing a side: Assign one side of the room to each option and point to it as you read. Players can point from their seats instead of moving.
Read both options before asking for answers. The reader can vote too. For “Board game or card game?” say which signal means each option, count down, then look at the answers together. A split vote does not need a tiebreaker, and someone choosing alone does not owe the group an explanation.
Try a short round of ten questions, then ask whether people want more. That is a suggested ending, not a rule. There are no points or eliminations in this version.
Which questions should you start with?
Each group has ten questions. Start with familiar preferences if guests have just met, then change topics when they want something different. You do not need to finish one list before trying another.
- Everyday favorites: “Movie at home or movie theater?” lets someone answer with a few words. Start here when you want a quick first round.
- Imagined adventures: “Camp under the stars or sleep in a treehouse?” gives everyone a situation to picture. Players can choose even if they have never done either activity.
- Social style: “Choose the playlist or choose the snacks?” compares things people might enjoy doing at a gathering. Treat an answer as a preference, not an assignment to help with the party.
- Thoughtful tradeoffs: “Master one skill or become good at five skills?” leaves more room for reasons. Use these when players want to talk longer, and explain or skip a pair that is unclear.
For younger children, This or That questions for kids uses simpler choices. The teen pack covers school, music, friends and future plans. If the group wants two ridiculous possibilities instead of everyday preferences, try funny This or That questions.
For just you and your partner, or a group of adult couples, This or That questions for couples focuses on dates, home routines and plans together. Keep the broad pack for mixed-age play rather than switching children into couple prompts.
How to write your own This or That questions
A useful This or That question creates two clear options without hiding a correct answer. Keep the pair short enough that players can remember both choices when they answer.
For example, “Picnic table or restaurant booth?” names two places to sit. “A nice place or somewhere exciting?” is harder to answer because people may picture very different places. Name the choices instead of expecting everyone to fill in the same details.
Make both options reasonable answers. “Be kind or be cruel?” asks players to identify the approved behavior rather than share a preference. A supplied pair such as “Be known for patience or for courage?” gives them two qualities they might value for different reasons.
A question can be imaginary without needing a long setup. “Find a secret passage or a buried time capsule?” is enough to start. If your pair needs several conditions or a consequence to make sense, the Would You Rather question guide may be a better fit for that longer situation.
When neither option appeals, let a player choose the one that comes closer or pass. Do not treat the answer as proof of their personality or something they must want in real life.
When to ask players to explain
Ask for a reason when someone wants to share one, especially after a choice that divides the group. One willing person from each side is usually enough before the next question.
After “Bookstore or library?” you could ask, “What do you like about that?” Someone might prefer borrowing books; someone else might enjoy choosing one to keep. Those are example answers, and neither needs defending.
Avoid calling on a player just because they are the only person who chose an option. Invite a volunteer instead. If nobody wants to explain, read the next pair. If a conversation takes off and everyone wants to continue, you can put the list aside rather than interrupting just to finish all 40.
What to play after This or That
Switch formats when players want a different kind of turn. These games ask for more than a two-option preference, so explain the new rules before starting.
- For shared experiences, use Never Have I Ever questions. Players can respond to a statement without having to tell the full story.
- For voting about people in the group, try Most Likely To questions. Keep nominations kind and respect anyone who opts out.
- For one person answering at a time, Hot Seat questions gives a willing player a short individual turn, with passing and swapping available.
- For a whispered nomination game, Paranoia questions explains when a question may be revealed and how the named player can decline the reveal. It is a different format from everyone voting aloud.
- For questions and optional actions, use Truth or Dare only after agreeing on pass, swap and stop rules. Stay with age-appropriate prompts for mixed-age groups.
If you want another prompt list, browse question games and packs. If guests would rather draw, act or play a fuller activity, the party games guide is a better place to look.
This or That questions answered
How do you play This or That?
Read two choices and ask every player to pick one. Players can answer aloud, show a hand signal, or move to a side of the room. Explanations are optional, and anyone can pass.
How is This or That different from Would You Rather?
This or That usually uses short preference choices. Would You Rather often adds a situation, consequence, or harder tradeoff. Some questions fit either format.
How many people can play This or That?
Two people can compare answers, while a larger group can vote or move between two sides of the room. No teams or equal-sized sides are needed.
Should players explain every choice?
No. Invite a short reason when someone wants to share one. One volunteer from each side is enough before moving to the next question.
Can children use these questions?
The pack is labelled Family Clean and is best for ages 10 and up. Simplify or skip thoughtful tradeoffs that younger children do not understand, or use the separate kids pack.