50+ Conversation Starters to Connect with Kids, Teens, and Adults

Did you know that social connection is essential for your health? According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), healthy relationships can help us cope with stress, feel a sense of belonging, make better life choices, and even protect against serious illness and disease. As social beings, deep connections can be made at any age.

While those relationships can take time to develop, they all start with a conversation. Here are some simple, but thoughtful conversation starters for children, teens, and adults. Whether sharing laughs, big feelings, or just trying to connect, these questions help spark "big talk” (no small talk here), build trust, and make everyone feel heard and supported — no awkward silence required.

Conversations starters for kids

Young children: Ages 5–8

• What color is your heart today? Why?
• What does ‘being kind to yourself’ mean to you?
• Who is your favorite friend right now? Why?
• Can you think of a time when you felt worried or sad? What helped you feel better?
• Sometimes our thoughts get loud or quiet. Have you noticed that before?
• Can you draw a picture of what your feelings look like today?
• What was your favorite part of your day?
• If you were an animal, which one would you be? Why did you pick that one?

Older Children: Ages 9-12

• What’s something you wish grownups understood about kids?
•  What can you do if you feel hurt or misunderstood by someone else?
•  Have you ever felt like you didn’t know how to explain your feelings? What helped you?
• When was a time you felt really frustrated or upset?
• What do you wish someone had said or done to help?
• What was the best and hardest part of your day?
•  Have you ever had a day when you didn’t feel like yourself? What did that feel like?
• What was your favorite part of your day?
• If you had a magic backpack, what would you keep inside it?

Conversation starters for teens: Ages 12-18

• What’s something you're looking forward to?
• What’s something you are particularly good at?
• If you could design a perfect day for yourself, what would it look like?
• If you could learn any skill instantly, what would it be and why?
• Do you ever feel like people expect you to act a certain way because of who you are?
• What kinds of things stress you out? What helps?
• When do you feel most like yourself?
•  Tell me about your favorite activity.
• What world issue bothers you most?
• If you could choose one meal to eat every day for a week, what would it be?

Conversation starters for adults

Young Adults: Ages 18-25

•  What helps you stay grounded when life feels uncertain?
• What does ‘support’ look like to you? Do you feel like you have it?
• When have you overcome something you thought you couldn’t?
• Is there a coping mechanism or strategy you've always relied on?
• How have you been feeling lately?
• What do you think true love is?
• What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
• What is your fondest childhood memory?

Adults: Ages 26+

• What role does rest or stillness play in your life?
• Is there something new you’ve been thinking about trying or learning?
• Have you found it difficult to talk about mental health with others?
• What makes it easier or harder?
• When you’re feeling low, what’s something you wish people would understand about you?
• What’s one thing you stopped doing because it wasn’t good for your mental well-being?
• What was your favorite book growing up and why?
• What’s something you’ve recently learned that stuck with you?
• What’s something small that brings you joy right now?

Older Adults

• How has your heart been lately? What feelings come and go most often?
• What small routines bring you peace or comfort these days?
• What’s one thing younger generations could learn from your experiences?
• Have you ever found it hard to ask for help? What might make reaching out feel easier?
• Is there a particular moment or experience that taught you the most about resilience?
• How do you process grief or loss, whether it’s people, places, or phases of life?
• What is the greatest success you have achieved in life?
• If you could choose one phase of your life to live forever, when would it be and why?

All of us thrive on meaningful connections – no matter our age. In fact, they can make us happier and healthier! But remember, these conversation starters aren’t just prompts—they’re invitations for you to be present, to listen deeply, and to make others feel seen. So give them a try. Let’s keep talking and – most importantly - listening.

Sources:

HHS.gov