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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

15 Playful Interview Questions to Ask Your Kids

Photo by Lenore Edman (Flickr)

There's no doubt that play matters, but play can go beyond just fun physical movement. In fact, a playful brain becomes resilient and creative! Let's explore how we can integrate play into the art of conversation. Not only will these playful "interview" questions help you learn about your child's unique and blossoming mind, it will hone their communication skills and encourage them to speak their opinion freely.

By asking fun and playful interview questions, you inspire them to exercise their imagination and explore undiscovered areas of thought. Best of all, you'll both have so much fun with this energetic exchange! The possibilities for questions are endless, too, and I'm certain your child's answers will surprise and delight you!

Here are 15 playful interview questions that you can ask your kids.

  1. "What's your favorite time of day?" As parents, we generally have a solid handle on when our children thrive and when they tucker out. Even so, this question can give us insight on their favorite activities or situations that stress them out.
  2. "What five words describe you best?" This question can foster a healthy sense of self-awareness. By agreeing with their assessment, it provides reassurance and a boost of confidence.
  3. "What's something you're really good at?" Complimenting a child on their actions is believed to be more impactful and nurturing than just focusing on their traits. This question gives your child a chance to relish in their successes and feel inspired to keep it up!
  4. "If you could give everyone in the world one gift, what would it be?" Not only does this question help to build empathy, it compels kids to imagine what the world truly needs. They may burst out with a silly answer, but at least it can open their horizons.
  5. "If you could be any animal for a day, what would you choose?" This question invites kids to let their imaginations run wild! It's fun and exhilirating to imagine the world through the senses of another creature.
  6. "Would you cheat on a test if you knew you couldn't get caught?" Either answer to this question can become a teachable moment on the value of honesty, integrity, and trust.
  7. "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?" We want to give our kids the world. Even if we can't literally do that, we can inspire them to think BIG! If they mention a specific country, we can foster their curiosity by providing books from the local library and exploring various aspects of the culture.
  8. "What's the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?" Stir up some gratitude and discuss ways that your child can spread the compassion they were given! It's so important to take the time to truly appreciate the heartfelt deeds that unfold all around us.
  9. "What would be your superhero power?" Summon mac n' cheese by just shaking a bowl? Play Frozen on any screen with a point of the finger? I'm sure your kiddos will concoct some brilliant superpowers.
  10. "What meal would you like to share with your idol?" Chocolate chip pancakes with Star-Lord? Cookie dough ice cream with Elsa? This is such a fun question that will spark some whimsical answers!
  11. "What's the hardest thing about being a kid?" While kids don't have to pay the bills, they do have struggles of their own. This question will help foster understanding between you and your child.
  12. "If you could name yourself, what name would you choose?" Bruce Banner? Harry Potter? Mulanderella? Elsa? Once they crown themselves with a new, outlandish name, ask them to rename you and refer to each other that way for a whole day. It's such silly fun!
  13. "If you could invent a piece of playground equipment, what would it be?" Set those engineering cogs in motion! You could even provide a sheet of paper and ask them to draw it. My girls and I play a game where we each take turns drawing one piece of the playground. We've created some zany, delightful playscapes!
  14. "What's the coolest thing you've ever seen?" Be prepared for some wild, incredible answers! The unbridled sense of wonder that kids have is such a blessing. Cultivate it by asking questions and genuinely engaging with their answers.
  15. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" This one is a classic! Maybe your child wants to be an astronaut or iconic sports hero when they grow up. It's a wonderful opportunity to highlight actions they do and traits they have that would be valuable to the role they covet.

Do you have any fun interview questions for kids that you can add to this list? The possibilities could be endless, so let us know about your ideas in the comments section below.

Find more about the author: Kim Hart

1 comment:

  1. I love this! How fun!! We homeschool for 1st grade so I'm going to do this with her and her 4 y/o brother too and turn it into a lesson! Thanks for the great idea!

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