250 Questions to ask your daughter to grow your bond

Whether you’re driving home from school, enjoying dinner or tucking them in for bed, asking a few questions is a great way to forge a closer bond with your daughter.

With kids of any age it can sometimes be tough to get them talking and opening up. Sometimes you have to ask the right things to get a conversation going.

If you’re stuck on what to ask, I have 250 questions that are perfect conversation-starters for you and your child.

They range from simple things – like what’s your favourite colour – to questions that may unlock a big chat, what “what do you think you’re good at” or “what makes you feel supported”.

These questions shouldn’t be asked all at once of course, your child will soon get bored.

I also don’t think it helps to make a huge spectacle of sitting them down for a conversation.

Simply try to weave these questions into your normal day, and carve time out at weekends and in your spare time where you may get the opportunity to have a talk with your child.

Great times to ask these questions include:

On the way to and from school.
During a walk – in the woods, to the park, to the shops, etc.
At bedtime – maybe when they’re having their bath.
When you’re having a lazy afternoon at home.

One thing I have learned with my kids is not to expect them to be particularly verbal right after school. On our journey back from school, they are often exhausted and just not up to chatting.

So pick your moments wisely when they may be ready to talk, but don’t push it or get frustrated if they don’t open up right away. Sometimes you may need to be persistent, keep trying and also remember to open up yourself a little, so you are showing them what to do. If they struggle to answer “what animal would you be”, then tell them what you would be and why. This can help them figure out how to answer the question.

Let’s get on to the questions!

Everyday questions to ask your daughter about her likes and dislikes

What’s your favourite food right now?
Is there a food you never want to eat again?
What’s your favourite outfit you own?
What colour do you like best?
Which animal would you want as a pet (even if it’s wild)?
What’s your favourite dessert?
If you could only eat one snack forever, what would it be?
Do you like sweet or salty better?
What’s your least favourite chore?
What’s your dream bedroom look like?
Which shoes are your comfiest?
What’s your favourite drink?
What’s your favourite thing to do on a rainy day?
If you could change your name for a day, what would you choose?
What’s your favourite holiday?
Do you like mornings or evenings better?
What’s one smell you love?
What’s one smell you can’t stand?
What’s your favourite season?
Would you rather be hot or cold?
Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?
What’s your favourite thing about weekends?
Do you like baths or showers better?
Do you prefer going to bed early and waking up early, or going to bed late and sleeping in?
What’s your dream job today?
Would you rather stay in a hotel or camp in a tent?
What’s your favourite board game?
What’s your least favourite vegetable?
Do you like shopping or hate it?
What’s your favourite thing to wear?
Do you like big crowds or small groups better?
What’s one thing you never want to try again?
What’s the yummiest meal I’ve made?
What’s the most boring meal you’ve had lately?
What’s your favourite ice cream flavour?
Are you more of a cat or dog person?
If you had a secret hideout, what would be inside it?
What’s your favourite fruit?
Do you prefer books or movies?
Would you rather play outside or inside?
What’s the one toy you cannot sleep without?
What’s your favourite part of your room?
Do you prefer chocolate or candy?
What helps you get to sleep faster?
What’s your favourite store to go to?
Would you rather swim or ride your bike?
What’s one toy or thing you couldn’t live without?
If you could change one rule at home, what would it be?
What’s your favourite snack to pack for school?
What’s your least favourite thing to pack in your bag?

Simple questions to ask your daughter about school

What was the best part of school today?
Did anything funny happen today?
Who did you sit with at lunch?
What was the hardest thing you did today?
What subject do you like the most?
What subject do you dread?
Who’s someone in your class you’d like to get to know better?
What’s something new you learned this week?
What makes you feel proud at school?
Have you helped anyone recently?
Has someone helped you recently?
If you could be the teacher for a day, what would you do?
What do you like most about your teacher?
Is there something you wish your teacher knew about you?
What do you usually play at break time?
Who do you feel happiest around at school?
Is there anyone you feel unsure about?
What do you do if someone is being unkind?
Have you seen someone else being left out?
What’s your least favourite part of the school day?
What’s your favourite thing to learn?
Do you like doing homework?
What would make school more fun?
What’s one thing you wish they taught at school?
Do you like group work or working alone better?
What’s your favourite thing to do in the classroom?
If you could change one rule at school, what would it be?
Who do you trust at school?
What’s something you’re really good at?
What’s something you want to get better at?
What’s one thing you don’t understand yet?
Do you like your school uniform (if you have one)?
What do you usually talk about with your friends at school?
Who do you feel safe with at school?
What’s the funniest thing a teacher has said?
If school was only two subjects, which ones would you keep?
What’s your dream school trip?
Do you like sitting at the front or back of the class?
What’s your favourite book you’ve read at school?
What do you think you’ll remember most about this school year?
Is there anything about school that makes you nervous?
What do you wish your friends would stop doing?
What makes someone a good classmate?
Do you ever wish you could skip school?
What’s your favourite memory from school so far?
If your school had a new subject, what would you add?
What makes school feel boring sometimes?
Do you think learning is fun?
What would your dream school lunch be?
Do you feel like your voice is heard at school?

Questions to ask about thoughts and emotions

What made you smile today?
What made you feel a bit sad today?
What’s something that frustrates you?
When do you feel most calm?
What helps you feel better when you’re upset?
What do you do when you’re angry?
Is there anything you’re worrying about?
Who do you talk to when something is bothering you?
What’s something that made your heart feel full today?
What does being brave mean to you?
Do you ever feel left out?
What do you do when you’re nervous?
Do you like being the centre of attention or not really?
What’s something that makes you feel proud?
When do you feel the most loved?
What’s your biggest fear?
What’s something that gives you butterflies?
Have you ever felt embarrassed? What happened?
What does “kindness” mean to you?
What makes you feel really safe?
Do you like trying new things? Why or why not?
What’s something you’ve done that took courage?
When do you feel happiest?
Have you ever stood up for someone?
What does a perfect day feel like for you?
Is it easy or hard for you to say sorry?
When was the last time you felt really excited?
What does being a good friend mean to you?
What do you do when you feel lonely?
How do you show someone you care?
What’s something that annoys you quickly?
How do you feel when people interrupt you?
What’s something that calms your brain?
What helps you fall asleep when your mind is busy?
What makes you feel appreciated?
Do you like being around lots of people or just a few?
What’s something you’re really proud of this year?
When you feel overwhelmed, what helps?
What makes you feel supported?
How do you cheer yourself up?
What’s something you wish people understood about you?
Do you cry easily or try to hold it in?
What’s a memory that always makes you smile?
What do you love most about your personality?
How do you feel about change?
What makes you feel strong?
What’s something you’ve done that you didn’t think you could?
When do you feel most “you”?
What does kindness look like to you?
What’s something you wish you could say out loud?

Questions about your daughter’s dreams and imagination

If you had a magic wand, what would you change?
What would you do if you could fly for a day?
If you could live in a book or movie, which one?
If your toys came alive at night, what would they do?
What’s your dream vacation?
If you had a secret power, what would it be?
What would your dream treehouse have in it?
If you could be famous for something, what would it be?
What would you do if you found £100 on the ground?
What animal would you be for a day?
If your pet could talk, what would they say?
If you opened your own shop, what would it sell?
What would your superhero name be?
What would you invent if you were a scientist?
If you were mayor for a day, what would you change?
What would you put in a time capsule?
If you had a robot, what would you make it do?
If you had to eat only one meal forever, what would it be?
What would your dream playground include?
If you had a twin, what prank would you pull?
What animal would you love to ride to school?
What would your magical creature be named?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go?
What would you grow in your dream garden?
What job would you never want to do?

Questions about family

What’s your favourite thing we do together as a family?
What do you think makes our family special?
What’s your happiest memory with us so far?
What do you love most about being at home?
What’s your favourite family tradition?
What’s one thing you wish we did more of as a family?
Is there something you’d like to plan for our next weekend?
What’s your favourite family meal or dish?
What’s something you want to learn from me?
What do you think I was like as a kid?
What’s one rule you’d like to change at home?
What’s something you think we could do better as a family?
What’s one thing I do that makes you feel loved?
What’s something we haven’t done together yet but should?
What’s your favourite holiday memory as a family?
If we had a family motto, what would it be?
Who makes you laugh the most at home?
What’s your favourite game or activity to play with us?
If we made a family playlist, what song has to be on it?
What do you think we should name our next pet (real or pretend)?
Who’s the best storyteller in the family?
What’s something silly we’ve done together that you’ll never forget?
What’s your favourite thing to do with each member of the family?
If we had a family movie night, what movie would you pick?
What’s something you wish I said to you more often?

Questions about self-esteem

What are you really good at?
What’s something you’ve done recently that made you feel proud?
What do you love most about yourself?
What’s something people often compliment you on?
What’s something you’re working hard to improve?
What’s a strength you have that others might not notice right away?
When do you feel most confident?
What makes you feel brave?
What’s something that used to be hard but is easier now?
What’s one thing you’ve done that scared you — but you did it anyway?
What’s a time you made a mistake and learned from it?
Who makes you feel good about yourself?
When you’re feeling down, what helps you bounce back?
What does being strong mean to you?
What kind of friend are you most proud of being?
What’s something people can count on you for?
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
What do you think makes someone a good person?
What’s one thing about you that you think is really cool?
What do you think is your kindest quality?
When do you feel most like yourself?
How do you remind yourself that you matter?
If someone said something unkind to you, what would you tell yourself?
What does it mean to be proud of yourself?
What’s something that makes you one of a kind?

Your child’s dreams and goals

What do you want to be when you grow up (today)?
If you could learn any new skill, what would it be?
What’s one goal you want to reach this year?
What’s a dream you have for your future?
Where do you want to travel when you’re older?
What kind of home do you want to live in one day?
What’s one thing you hope never changes about who you are?
Do you think you’ll want kids of your own one day?
What does your dream job look like?
What’s one thing you want to be known for?
If you started a business, what would it be?
What would your dream school look like?
What’s one place you hope to visit as a grown-up?
If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be? What would you say to them?
What’s a challenge you want to overcome in the future?
What does “success” mean to you?
What would you do if you had a million pounds?
If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
What would you include in your dream job’s office?
What invention would you like to create one day?
What do you want your grown-up life to feel like?
What are you most excited to do when you’re older?
What’s a talent you’d love to develop?
If you could make one promise to your future self, what would it be?
What’s one thing you hope to always remember from being a kid?