#48 Dinnertime conversation starters for all ages
These dinnertime conversation starters will help you take mealtime from being a time where you are still nagging your kids (#guilty) to a fun time where you are bonding and getting to know each other better! Try them yourself or come up with your own and see what you think!
This week we are talking all about dinnertime conversation.
Let’s face it. Dinnertime with kids is tough.
Usually in the hours leading up to dinnertime you have slaved away in the hot kitchen, and you are probably being met with mommy this or mommy that, OR endless screams and fighting from another room, making dinner is anything but relaxing.
Hopefully as you have listened to the podcast you have learned a few tools and strategies that have helped you streamline the preparation portion of dinnertime and that’s not as stressful as it could be or has been in the past.
But what about after the meal prep is over. When you are finally all sitting down at the table to eat. Does it get better then?
For many of you, I’m guessing that it doesn’t. Because once you are sitting down at the table is when the food fights begin (won’t you please just at least taste your chicken?)
It’s also when you expect your kids to sit down and enjoy their dinner and chances are those little ones get up a hundred times, are hanging from the curtains, STILL poking each other, and it’s hard to find any peace in that scenario.
The thing is, I could wait around for my kids to get older and for dinnertime conversation to get better…but I decided that I’m not okay with waiting and I want to make dinnertimes better NOW!
When we started implementing dinnertime conversation starters I was honestly shocked at how much of an improvement there was in our fmaily meal times.
I hope that eventually our family meal time conversation is a little bit less contrived, but until then these questions are really fun and they are helping us bond at mealtime instead of fight about food or staying in our seats.
3 Dinnertime questions to ask every night.
These questions are so good for kids, adults, and people of all ages. I love asking these questions to really connect with my husband and kids and husband and feel engaged with each other after busy days apart from each other. I love these questions for kids because getting in the habit of opening up and sharing at dinnertime can help teach kids that you can be trusted with their feelings.
My 3 favorite questions to ask every night regardless of age are these!
- What was your favorite part of the day?
- What was something that was hard about today?
- What are you grateful for today?
After we’ve gotten through the first 3 questions, It’s fun to go for a fun and different conversation starter. My kids LOVE this and if we forget they always remind us or even come up with their own questions to ask. I was honestly surprised at just how well my kids responded when we started doing this, and I love that I am creating a habit that helps us connect.
10 dinnertime conversation starters for toddlers
If you had a superpower what would it be?
What’s your favorite animal and why?
If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life what would it be?
What’s your favorite thing to play with your brothers and sisters?
If you could meet anyone in a movie who would it be?
What’s one rule you would add to the family rules if you could?
Can you tell me a joke?
What are you most afraid of?
If you had all the money in the world what would you buy?
Who is your favorite person to play with right now?
10 dinnertime conversation starters for kids
What’s your favorite cereal and why?
What’s your favorite song?
If you could meet someone from history who would it be?
If you could go back in time, where would you want to visit?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
If you could make 3 wishes what would they be?
Who is your favorite superhero and why?
If you could choose would you rather be a princess or a mermaid (for girls) or a prince or a pirate (for boys)?
If you could make the menu for dinner, what would be on it every week?
Would you rather do the dishes or vacuum the floor?
What are you most proud of?
If you could only keep one of your toys, which one would you keep?
10 dinnertime converstaion starters for teens
What would be your dream vacation?
What kind of person do you want to marry?
What’s your favorite family memory?
What’s the hardest part about school right now?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
If you could change any of the family rules what would you change and why?
Who are your favorite friends to hang out with right now? Why?
What celebrity would you like to meet?
How do you think we could solve _________ problem? (think current events)
10 dinnertime conversation starters for your spouse
What is something you miss the most about the past?
What in your life are you most proud of?
What are you most afraid of?
What’s your idea of the perfect day?
How happy are you with how your life is going? How can you make it better?
How can I best help you be happy?
What happened on your worst date?
If you could be a disney prince or princess who would you be?
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Do you prefer a relaxed vacation or a sightseeing packed trip? Why?
I hope these questions get you started, but honestly the sky is the limit here. As you start askking these questions your kids and spouse might surprise you and get into it and you can be laughing your way through dinner in no time!
Next week my baby girl turns 2 🙁 I can’t believe it. In celebration I’ve got a fun episode for you on how I use meal prep to make making her birthday cake easier and do-able! It’ll be a fun one! I hope you tune in!
Happy planning!
