The teenage years are full of self-discovery and exploration, making conversation starters an important tool for communication with peers and adults. Here are 20 conversation starters for teens to get good conversations going:
1. What do you like most about your age group?
This is a great way to discover different aspects of being a teen that your conversation partner may value or appreciate.
2. What conversation topic do you wish you could talk about more?
This can open a dialogue about deeper interests, hobbies, and activities that the person may want to talk about but isn’t sure how to bring up.
3. What’s your favorite genre of music?
Music can often play a large role in shaping an individual’s identity, making it a perfect conversation topic.
4. What causes or issues are you most passionate about?
A great question to learn more about the values that drive a person and give them purpose.
5. What’s the best excuse you’ve ever used?
Though it’s often said that honesty is the best policy, there’s no harm in lightly discussing shenanigans.
6. What advice would you give to incoming high schoolers?
This is a great way to open discussion about areas of life teens are facing, and any wisdom they can share to make that transition easier.
7. What would your dream summer look like?
A good question to get into someone’s plans and summer aspirations, if they have them.
8. If you could play a character in a movie, who would you want to be?
A fun way to explore different fictional interests, or a way to lightheartedly explore the person’s character.
9. What do you do when you’re feeling down?
A good question to get an insight into how the person deals with mental and emotional issues.
10. If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
A lighthearted, entertaining question to get people thinking of the impossible.
11. What’s a fun hobby you’ve recently picked up?
This is a good conversation starter to learn more about the person and their interests.
12. What’s your favorite place in the world and why?
A great way to learn more about someone’s perspective on the world and their favorite experiences.
13. If you could travel back in time, what era would you choose?
This can open up a fun dialogue about history and the changes in society over time.
14. If you could change one thing about how you were raised, what would it be?
A great way to open up a dialogue about personal development and what its like to be brought up.
15. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
A good conversation starter to share experiences and wisdom.
16. What trends did you think were cool when you were younger that you wouldn’t be caught dead in now?
Another fun way to lightly nurture dialogue about nostalgia.
17. What do you think is the biggest challenge teens are facing today?
This’ll open up a dialogue about the pressures that teens face and how to handle them.
18. Which do you prefer—device time or time with family and friends?
A good question to bring out how a person prioritizes their time and experiences.
19. What part of your culture do you appreciate the most?
A great way to open up a discussion about the person’s identity and what makes it unique.
20. What do you think is the most important thing to be successful in life?
A great question to discover the values and beliefs that are most essential to the person.