36 Questions to Ask Toddlers to Get Them Talking

Learn about your little one and deepen your connection with fun conversations by asking these silly, insightful, and thoughtful questions.

By Christin Perry

Updated on August 5, 2022

It's pretty well known that when it comes to toddlers, conversations can be hilarious. But they can also be tricky because as toddlers develop their conversation skills, they can sometimes be challenging to understand—and they can have trouble understanding you, too. Experts suggest narrating your activities and thoughts to preverbal children to expose them to language. Doing so lays the groundwork for a full vocabulary and desire to talk back.

Once they're talking, how do you get your toddler engaged in actual conversations with you? One of the best ways is to ask them questions.

Why Questions Spark Conversations

Asking questions is a great conversation starter for people of any age. But it's particularly effective with toddlers because it gets those wheels turning like nothing else.

Questions help kids feel important

"Asking young children questions validates that what they have to say is important," says Jann Fujimoto, a speech-language pathologist, and owner of Speechworks, a site that provides speech therapy services to kids of all ages. "Asking young children questions and listening to their answers establishes trust and a relationship with their parent, now and for the future."

RELATED: When Do Toddlers Start Talking?

Questions help kids organize their thoughts

Back-and-forth communication with kids, even as young as toddler age, can teach your child how to think clearly and organize their thoughts properly. "Questions can be the jumping-off point for discussions about how the world works, what problems your child is facing and how to resolve them, and more generally how to figure things out," says Forrest Talley, Ph.D., a child psychologist with the University of California Davis Department of Pediatrics.

We gathered up some of the best questions to get you started. But before asking, make sure you're ready to make time to listen to what your little one has to say. "Find a time when you and your child are not rushed or stressed. Everyday moments, like enjoying a meal or snack together, during bath time, playing together, taking a walk or physically moving, or preparing for bedtime make great opportunities for conversation," says Fujimoto.

RELATED: 7 Best Toys for Babies and Toddlers Learning to Talk

Mother and daughter playing in bed — Mladen Zivkovic/Getty Images

Questions to Learn About Your Toddler

Nearly all questions will give you a glimpse into your child's inner world, but those focusing on aspirations, security, and fears push back the curtain even farther, explains Dr. Talley. So here are some questions to ask your toddler that will help you learn more about that developing personality and help them get in touch with their emotions:

Is there anything scary about this movie (or toy or story)?
Does doing that make you feel brave?
What superpower would you like to have?
What did you like most about your trip to [a place you went recently]?
What did you like least about your trip to [a place you went recently]?
What do you like about taking care of our dog?
What do you dislike the most about [something that frequently causes meltdowns]?
Who will you be when you grow up?
How do you feel when someone is sick?

Fun Questions to Ask Your Toddler

When your toddler is in the beginning stages of communication, it's especially helpful to keep things fun and light-hearted. They'll love your sense of humor—and develop one of their own—when your daily discussions include fun questions like these:

What are you really good at?
How old are you?
How tall is Daddy?
What is the best thing about this book?
Where do you think bubbles go?
What does food think when we eat it?
Would you rather eat a piece of cake or a cookie? Why?
Where would you go if you could fly?
Would you like to swim like a fish?
What do strawberries smell like?

Silly Questions to Ask Your Toddler

"The great thing about silly questions is that children of this age think you are hilarious for asking such a thing," says Dr. Talley. This kind of humor can make them feel more connected to you and more likely to turn to you when they need someone later in life; playfulness speaks straight to a toddler's heart.

What kind of monster would you be? Can you draw it?
What kind of animal would you be?
What would our pet say if they could talk?
How tall are you?
What color would you be if you could be any color?
What would happen if you ate polka dots?
Do lizards have ears?
What if cats had fins?
What would happen if this toy were real?

Thoughtful Questions to Ask Your Toddler

"Children at this age love to talk about 'favorites'—their favorite flavor of ice cream, favorite movie, the best time in the day, among others," says Dr. Talley. So go deeper by asking why something is your child's favorite. It's a great way to get them thinking about their likes and dislikes. "Sharing your own favorite item will deepen your connection with your little one," adds Dr. Talley.