33 Fun Thought-Provoking Questions to Use with Students

Conversations are a fantastic way to get to know your students. Sure, the daily academic tasks are important, but students thrive on becoming part of a community! Having meaningful conversations with their peers and teachers makes them incredibly happy. How do you start those important conversations, though? Use fun thought-provoking questions to get their brains thinking.

I know when students feel heard and seen, they work harder in the classroom. Using thought-provoking questions will show them how much you care!

When to Use Thought-Provoking Questions

Daily questions are easily implemented throughout the entire day. Kids look forward to them and notice when you don’t get to them. Using them every day will give kids something to look forward to. Here are some of the best times to use fun thought-provoking questions in your classroom.

• Add questions to your morning meetings to get the day started. The kids will look forward to daily prompts that get their wheels turning.
• Ask students questions to start literacy block or math block before working on skills.
• Invite kids to answer questions to wrap up the day. Review the answers and hold a discussion.

A List of Fun Thought-Provoking Questions for Students

I know it is tricky to think of fun questions on your own, so I came up with a list you can use with your students. These are great questions to ask your students to start meaningful conversations. They will enjoy getting to know you and their peers! Check these out.

• Have you ever experienced something you could not explain? If so, what?
• How much money do you think is the perfect amount for kids to earn?
• Do you think lying is ok? If so, in what situations? Why?
• Do you think life or school is a better teacher?
• What three things do you think we could do as a society to avoid violence and wars in the world?
• Do you think animals feel as much as humans do, regardless of their size?
• Do you think that forgiveness is an important thing to practice in life? If so, why?
• What life experience do you think will make you the happiest when you are older?
• Is a boss someone who leads by example or tells others what to do?
• What makes you happiest at the moment?
• In what instance do you think it’s ok to break the law? If any, why?
• Do you think it’s ok for a woman to be physically stronger than a man, or vice versa? If so, why?
• Tell me about the best and worst parts of your day.
• If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
• What’s your favorite thing to do in the car?
• What’s your favorite cereal? Why?
• What three words best describe your personality? Why did you pick each of these words?
• If you were in charge of picking a new house for your family, describe what it would be like.
• When you feel angry or upset, what do you do to help yourself feel better? Does it always help?
• What do you wish your friends would say to you so that you would know for sure that they really like you?

Would You Rather Questions

Would you rather questions are more fun thought-provoking questions that get kids talking. They will all have different opinions, so the conversations will be great!

• Would you rather sleep late every day or get up early every morning? Why?
• Would you rather live at the North or South pole? Why?
• Would you rather eat pizza or scrambled eggs for breakfast? Why?
• Would you rather eat a beetle or get stung by a bee? Why?
• Would you rather be a unicorn or a dinosaur? Why?
• Would you rather be the smartest person in the world or the best athlete? Why?
• Would you rather meet a superhero or a cartoon character? Why?
• Would you rather take a nap or go play outside? Why?
• Would you rather get your teeth cleaned at the dentist or go to the doctor? Why?
• Would you rather play paintball or laser tag? Why?
• Would you rather have a constant itch or an unending cough? Why?
• Would you rather drive a double-decker bus or a convertible? Why?
• Would you rather have five brothers or five sisters? Why?

Why Use Fun Thought-Provoking Questions

Sometimes it can be hard to work in meaningful conversations with your students, but I promise it means the world to them. Build time into your schedule so students can get to know one another, themselves, and you! Students will appreciate the time you take to have fun conversations using these fun thought-provoking questions. You will be amazed at the additional conversations that arise and will have fun talking with your kids.

If you want fun ways for kids to write their responses and even more questions to use, check out these 165 writing prompts for upper elementary students! They work perfectly as fun thought-provoking questions as well!