150+ Great Conversation Starters for Teens

This list of conversation starters for teens is perfect for a teenager looking to connect with friends or parents looking to connect with their teenager.

By Katee Fletcher

Updated 4 years ago, January 21, 2021

three men and laughing two women — Eliott Reyna

As children grow into teenagers, their social skills and habits may begin to change. Teens may grow more introverted and closed up, making it harder to connect with them. Whether you’re parenting teens and looking to bond more with your children or another teenager searching to connect with someone your own age, these conversation starters for teens have you covered! Be sure to browse the list below for a question or conversation starter for teens that works best for you and your situation.

Conversation Starters About School & Interests

These conversation starters are perfect for a parent or loved one looking to start a great conversation around the dinner table or a teen looking to make a friend. Look through the list below to find a good question or two that fit your needs!

What’s your favorite subject in school?
What’s your favorite class right now? Why?
Do you have a favorite teacher?
What subject do you dislike the most?
What kind of work have you been doing in school lately?
What is the most interesting assignment you’ve worked on this year?
Do you like school?
What’s the hardest part of being a student?
Are you a part of any clubs at school? If so, what are they?
Tell me more about the clubs you’re in at school and what you do at them.
Do you play any sports? If so, which one(s)?
What’s your favorite part of playing the sport you play?
How long have you been playing that sport?
Have you had any close games/matches/meets this year?
What’s the best you’ve played this year? Tell me about it.
Do you think you want to continue playing sports after school is over?
Is there any bullying going on at school?
How do you handle bullying at school?
What kinds of lunches do they serve you at school?
Who are your closest friends at school?
What’s your favorite book you’ve read so far?
Do you collect anything? If so, what do you collect?
Do you play any instruments? If so, which one(s)?
How long have you been playing that instrument?
Do you take any language classes at school?
Do you enjoy learning new languages?
What kind of music do you listen to?
Have you ever been to a concert?
What song has been on repeat for you lately?
Do you have any cool talents or skills?
How do you like to spend your weekends?
What inspires you?
Do you enjoy acting?
Do you enjoy singing?
Who is your favorite actor/actress? Why?
Where do you like to hangout? Tell me about it.
Do you like to play video games?
What’s your favorite video game to play?
What video game console do you like to use?
What are your grades like?
Do you volunteer anywhere?
Have you worked your first job yet? If so, where?
What are your favorite kinds of books to read?
Do you like to make art?
What kinds of art projects do you enjoy?
Do you enjoy writing?
What kinds of things do you like to write?
What is your school mascot?
Do you like going to school events like football games? Why or why not?
What’s your favorite part of the school day?
What do you eat for lunch at school?
What classes are you taking right now?
Have you had any hard tests lately?
How do you get to school?
Do you like to dance?
What’s your favorite way to spend time outdoors?

Conversation Starters About Future Plans

Talking about the future can be scary for some teens and can be the hardest thing to open up about. Not to mention, as a parent or loved one, it can be hard to recognize that your sweet little girls or boys are growing up into young adults. These conversation starters can help you get started and spark a deeper conversation about your child‘s goals. Browse the list below to gain a few ideas on what to ask!

What would you like to do once school is over?
What are you most passionate about?
Have you applied for any summer jobs?
Are you planning on going to college?
What colleges or trade schools are you interested in?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Who are your role models, and why?
When would you like to live on your own?
Tell me about some of the things on your bucket list.
Is there a cause you feel very drawn to? Why?
Do you have any talents you would want to pursue?
What’s your dream job?

Conversation Starters About Home Life

These great conversation starters are perfect for teens that are looking to get to know someone better. Pick a good conversation starter below to learn a little more about your friend‘s home life!

Who are you closest to in your family? Why?
Do you have any siblings? If so, how many?
What’s your birth order?
Are your parents strict?
Do you have chores at home?
Do you get along with your siblings well?
What do you call your grandparents?
Do you take more after your dad or your mom?
Do you live close to your extended family?
Do you and your family have any cool traditions?
Are there any TV shows you like to watch with your family?
Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
What are your pets’ names?
Have you ever moved?
Where does your family like to go on vacation?
Are you close with any of your neighbors?

Conversation Starters About Friends

Part of parenting is learning who your child‘s friends are as well. These are the right questions to ask to learn how your child spends their time and who they’re spending it with.

Who are your close friends?
What makes someone a good friend?
What qualities make a bad friend?
What are your friends like?
Are you worried about any friends currently? Why is that?
What do you and your friends like to do together?
Is there anyone in school that you would like to get to know better? Who?
How long have you been friends with the friend(s) you have?
Who is your best friend?
Have you ever grown out of a friendship that you now miss?

Conversation Starters About Romantic Interests

Respectful parenting is important when it comes to getting to know your teenager and their love life. Your oldest daughter or son might have just started dating, and you want to know all of the details to keep them safe. However, this is a vulnerable and intimate part of their teenage life, so opening up might not be easy. Use the list below to find a few questions to ask your child respectfully about their romantic interests!

Do you have anyone you’re crushing on right now? Who?
Tell me about the person you’re crushing on. What do you like about them?
What qualities do you think are good for a girlfriend/boyfriend/partner to have?
Do you think one day you’ll want to get married?
Would you like to have a kid one day?
Have you ever dated someone before? Tell me about that.
Are there a lot of people dating in school?
Who is your celebrity crush?
Have you had your first kiss yet?
Would you rather date someone older or younger than you?

Getting to Know You Conversation Starters

Social media has become extremely popular with younger generations, especially teenagers. Small talk is difficult when you’re first getting to know someone, but luckily these questions have your back! If you’re a teen looking to make a new friend, use these conversation starters to spark a good conversation in person, through text message, or over social media!

What’s your favorite kind of food?
Where do you like to shop?
What restaurant could you not live without?
If you had to pick, what would your death row meal be?
Do you like to watch sports? Which ones?
Who are your favorite sports teams?
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Are you more of a sweet or salty snack person?
Do you have your driver’s license?
What’s the strangest food you’ve ever eaten?
What’s your favorite holiday?
What’s your favorite season?
Do you favor the mountains or the beach?
Do you prefer the city or the country?
Are you more of a cat person or a dog person?
What’s the craziest dream you’ve ever had?
Have you lived here (the area where you live) your whole life?
What’s your favorite thing about where we live?
What’s your favorite movie?
What’s your favorite band?
Do you like to cook? If so, what do you like to cook?
What’s your favorite color?
What do your parents do for a living?
Do you like to exercise?
Where’s your favorite place to relax?
Have you ever been out of the country? If so, where?
What other states have you been to in the U.S.?
Where would you like to travel to if you could?
Coffee or tea?
What’s your favorite mealtime? Breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Meaningful Conversation Starters

Being a teenager is an interesting season in life as they gain more freedom and begin to develop their own opinions and stances. These deep conversation starters below are great whether you’re a parent looking to learn more about your teenager or just a teen looking to learn more about your friends. Browse the list to find a great conversation topic that elicits more meaning and emotion.

Tell me about one of the happiest days of your life and why it made you so happy.
What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far in life?
What makes you feel better when you’re upset?
What’s your favorite thing about being a teenager?
What’s the worst thing about being a teenager?
What are you most afraid of and why?
Do you care about what other people think about you?
What quote or lyric do you love? Why is it so special to you?
Do you believe in a certain religion? Why or why not?
What’s one thing you would change about the world if you could?
What’s your favorite memory from childhood?
What are three things you’re grateful for in life?
Do you ever feel left out at school?
Are you an organ donor? Why or why not?
Are you registered to vote? Why or why not?
Do you believe in an afterlife?
What’s been your favorite year of life so far, and why?
Would you ever consider being a vegetarian? Why or why not?
Would you ever enlist in the military? Why or why not?
If you could travel back to any decade, what would it be and why?

Other Resources

Teen Talk: Another great resource for teens to use to create conversation or learn more about certain topics is Teen Talk. This website is dedicated to informing younger generations on sexuality, mental health, body image, etc., in a completely unbiased and non-judgmental way! It can be difficult for a young person to find good, accurate information and resources on topics like these, so Teen Talk is a great way for teens to educate themselves or others.
Table Topics: This game is a fun way to spark a unique conversation with a teenager or other loved ones around you. Set it on the dinner table, pull a card, and get to know your teen on a deeper level!