This or That questions are a fun and engaging way to get kids talking, thinking, and making choices. These simple yet effective questions help children express their preferences, spark creativity, and encourage critical thinking.
For example, during a long car ride, asking questions like “Pizza or burgers?” can lead to fun discussions and help kids articulate their choices, while in a classroom setting, questions such as “Reading or drawing?” can foster group interactions and creativity.
Whether at home, in the classroom, or during a road trip, This or That questions can turn any moment into an entertaining conversation starter. These fun activities can also be great tools for cognitive development and social interaction.
Why Are This or That Questions Beneficial for Kids?
According to child development experts, engaging children in decision-making activities like This or That questions can enhance cognitive flexibility, boost self-confidence, and improve social skills.
Studies from the American Psychological Association suggest that children who regularly engage in choice-based activities develop stronger problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills. Additionally, incorporating creative activities to develop language skills can further enhance their communication abilities (learn more here).
Benefits of This or That Questions
- Encourages Decision-Making: Kids learn to make choices and articulate their reasoning.
- Develops Communication Skills: Helps children practice verbal expression and listening skills.
- Fosters Social Interaction: Great for group settings, promoting sharing and discussions.
- Stimulates Critical Thinking: Encourages kids to think about their preferences and explain why.
- Enhances Emotional Intelligence: Helps kids understand their likes and dislikes, promoting self-awareness.
Recommended Age Group
This or That questions are generally suitable for children aged 3 and up, as they begin to develop decision-making and communication skills. For younger children, using visual aids like pictures can help make choices easier to understand. Older kids can benefit from more complex questions that challenge their critical thinking.
How to Use This or That Questions
You can use these questions in various ways:
- Family Time: Ask questions during meals or road trips.
- Classroom Icebreakers: Engage students at the start of the day.
- Playdates: Keep the fun going with friendly debates.
- Bedtime Routine: Wind down the day with fun and lighthearted choices.
- Themed Events: Use them at parties or seasonal gatherings to spark engaging conversations.
Free Printable Resource
Having a printable resource makes it convenient for parents and educators to access and use these questions anytime, whether during travel, classroom activities, or playdates. Download our free printable PDF with a comprehensive list of “This or That” questions here.
200 Fun This or That Questions for Kids
Here are some engaging This or That questions that kids will enjoy:
Food Choices This or That
- Pizza or burgers?
- Ice cream or cake?
- Apples or bananas?
- Chocolate or vanilla?
- Pancakes or waffles?
- French fries or onion rings?
- Orange juice or apple juice?
- Popcorn or pretzels?
- Hot dog or corn dog?
- Smoothies or milkshakes?
- Tacos or burritos?
- Spaghetti or macaroni and cheese?
- Peanut butter or jelly?
- Cupcakes or donuts?
- Cheese or pepperoni pizza?
- Gummy bears or chocolate bars?
- Watermelon or strawberries?
- Yogurt or pudding?
- Chicken nuggets or fish sticks?
- Muffins or croissants?
Animal Choices This or That
- Dogs or cats?
- Lions or tigers?
- Dolphins or sharks?
- Butterflies or bees?
- Rabbits or hamsters?
- Elephants or giraffes?
- Wolves or foxes?
- Owls or eagles?
- Horses or ponies?
- Frogs or turtles?
- Kangaroos or pandas?
- Cows or pigs?
- Snakes or lizards?
- Parrots or canaries?
- Goldfish or tropical fish?
- Squirrels or chipmunks?
- Zebras or cheetahs?
- Hedgehogs or porcupines?
- Penguins or polar bears?
- Deer or moose?
- Lions or tigers?
- Dolphins or sharks?
- Butterflies or bees?
- Rabbits or hamsters?
Activity Choices This or That
- Swimming or biking?
- Reading or drawing?
- Playing outside or watching TV?
- Board games or video games?
- Building blocks or puzzles?
- Running or walking?
- Playing tag or hide and seek?
- Soccer or basketball?
- Dancing or singing?
- Painting or coloring?
- Playing dress-up or building forts?
- Skating or skateboarding?
- Climbing or swinging?
- Indoor games or outdoor games?
- Baking or cooking?
- Playing with action figures or dolls?
- Storytelling or listening to music?
- Camping or fishing?
- Gymnastics or martial arts?
- Playing pretend school or pretend doctor?
- Reading or drawing?
- Playing outside or watching TV?
- Board games or video games?
- Building blocks or puzzles?
Fantasy Choices This or That
- Flying or invisibility?
- Super strength or super speed?
- Mermaid or unicorn?
- Time travel or teleportation?
- Outer space or deep sea?
- Dragons or dinosaurs?
- Magic wand or magic potion?
- Talking animals or talking toys?
- Living in a castle or living in a spaceship?
- Becoming a superhero or a wizard?
- Meeting a fairy or a talking tree?
- Ice powers or fire powers?
- Riding a flying carpet or a dragon?
- Discovering a secret garden or a hidden treasure?
- Living underwater or in the clouds?
- Being invisible or reading minds?
- Having a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?
- Visiting a haunted house or an enchanted forest?
- Having the power to shrink or grow big?
- Living in a fantasy world or the future?
- Super strength or super speed?
- Mermaid or unicorn?
- Time travel or teleportation?
- Outer space or deep sea?
Seasonal Choices This or That
- Summer or winter?
- Halloween or Christmas?
- Beach or mountains?
- Rain or snow?
- Hot chocolate or lemonade?
- Spring or fall?
- Snowball fight or sledding?
- Building a sandcastle or a snowman?
- Fireworks or bonfire?
- Easter or Thanksgiving?
- Wearing sweaters or t-shirts?
- Pumpkin pie or apple pie?
- Trick-or-treating or opening presents?
- Hayrides or ice skating?
- Watching fireworks or going to a parade?
- Picking pumpkins or picking flowers?
- Going camping or going skiing?
- Visiting a haunted house or a Christmas market?
- Collecting seashells or autumn leaves?
- Warm soup or ice cream?
- Halloween or Christmas?
- Beach or mountains?
- Rain or snow?
- Hot chocolate or lemonade?
Real-Life Applications
Parents and educators can incorporate This or That questions into everyday life. For example:
- During grocery shopping: “Apples or oranges?”
- On a car ride: “Sing a song or play a game?”
- Before bedtime: “Storybook or lullaby?”
Interactive Experience
Try our online “This or That” quiz to make the experience even more engaging for children. Our interactive quizzes are designed to be both educational and fun, improving vocabulary and comprehension skills. The quiz features different difficulty levels and themed categories, allowing kids to explore topics they love while challenging their thinking skills. Click here to get started!
Tips for Making It More Fun
- Encourage Explanations: Ask kids why they made their choice.
- Mix It Up: Include a variety of topics to keep it exciting.
- Use Visual Aids: Show pictures to make choices easier for younger kids.
- Turn It Into a Game: Keep score or challenge friends to guess answers.
- Adapt to Ages: Choose simpler questions for younger kids and more challenging ones for older children.
This or That questions provide endless fun and opportunities for meaningful conversations with kids. Parents and educators have shared how these questions have helped children open up more during family dinners and classroom discussions.
For instance, one teacher reported that using This or That questions as icebreakers in her classroom helped shy students feel more comfortable participating in group activities. Whether used for fun or as a learning tool, they are an excellent way to engage children of all ages.