Looking for a fun, easy way to spark conversation and laughter at your next family gathering, road trip, or dinner? Creating a family friendly “This or That” questions list is a simple activity that brings people together, encourages everyone to share their preferences, and helps family members learn more about each other. This guide will walk you through the process of making your own list, offer tips for making it engaging for all ages, and provide troubleshooting advice if things don’t go as planned. Whether you’re hosting a party, planning a game night, or just want to break the ice, these questions are a perfect fit for families with kids, teens, and adults alike.
What You’ll Need
- Paper and pen, or a digital note-taking app (phone, tablet, computer)
- Optional: Printer and paper for physical cards, or a whiteboard for group play
- Optional: A comfortable space for your family to sit and interact
Step-by-Step
- Decide the Purpose and Setting
Think about when and where you’ll use your “This or That” questions. Is it for a car ride, a family game night, a holiday dinner, or a classroom activity? Knowing the setting helps you tailor the questions for the right group size, mood, and age range. - Pick Your Format
You can present questions verbally, write them on slips of paper, display them on a screen, or print them as cards. For large groups, cards or a slideshow may be best. For car trips, verbal questions work well. - Gather Inspiration
Think about favorite foods, activities, seasons, and hobbies that are familiar to your family. Browse online for family-friendly “This or That” question lists to get ideas, but personalize them so they fit your group’s interests. - Write Your Questions
Start listing pairs of options. Each should be simple, age-appropriate, and not divisive. For example: “Ice cream or cake?” “Beach or mountains?” Avoid topics that could cause arguments or discomfort. - Mix Up the Topics
Include a variety of categories: food, travel, animals, seasons, activities, school subjects, holidays, and more. This keeps the activity interesting for everyone. - Check for Age Appropriateness
Review your questions to ensure they are suitable for the youngest and oldest participants. If you have a wide age range, keep the language simple and avoid questions about mature topics. - Test Your List
Try a few sample questions with family members and see how they respond. Adjust any questions that seem confusing, too difficult, or not engaging. - Finalize and Organize
Arrange your list in a logical order, or mix them up for randomness. You can number the questions, sort by category, or shuffle them for surprise. - Print or Prepare Your Questions
If you want physical cards, print your questions and cut them out. For digital play, keep your list on a device for easy access. If using a whiteboard, write a few questions at a time and erase as you go. - Introduce the Game to Your Family
Explain the rules: each person chooses one of the two options (no explanations needed, but they can share reasons if they want). Go around the group, asking each person in turn, or let everyone answer at once. - Play and Enjoy
Take turns reading questions and answering. Encourage everyone to participate, and keep the mood light and fun. Use the opportunity to ask follow-up questions or let people elaborate if they wish. - Adjust as Needed
If your family loses interest, switch up the question style, let someone else ask questions, or introduce a timer for rapid-fire rounds.
Common Mistakes
- Choosing Topics That Are Too Serious or Divisive: Avoid questions about politics, money, or anything that could cause an argument.
- Making Questions Too Hard or Abstract: Stick to concrete, familiar choices that everyone understands.
- Not Considering Age Range: Some questions may be confusing or boring for young kids, while others may be too simple for teens or adults. Try to balance the list.
- Using Too Few Questions: A short list can make the game feel repetitive or end too quickly. Prepare at least 20-30 questions for a typical session.
- Not Allowing Everyone to Participate: Make sure everyone gets a chance to answer, especially quieter family members.
- Ignoring Group Dynamics: If someone is uncomfortable with a question, skip it and move on.
Tips
- Let Kids Help Make the List: Involving children in creating questions makes them more excited to play and ensures the topics are age-appropriate.
- Use Themes for Holidays or Special Events: Tailor your questions to fit the occasion, like “Pumpkin pie or apple pie?” at Thanksgiving, or “Pool or snowball fight?” in summer or winter.
- Encourage Storytelling: If someone wants to explain their choice, let them! This often leads to fun stories and deeper conversation.
- Keep It Moving: If the energy drops, speed up the pace or switch to a lightning round where everyone answers quickly.
- Rotate the Question Master: Let different people take turns asking questions to keep everyone engaged and vary the voices.
- Save the List: Keep your list for future gatherings, and add new questions as you think of them.
- Make It Visual: For younger kids, use pictures to represent choices, or point to objects in the room.
- Use as an Icebreaker: Try a few questions at the start of a family meeting or new group activity to help people relax and get to know each other.
Troubleshooting
- No One Wants to Answer: Try starting with easy, universally relatable questions (“Pizza or pasta?”) to build comfort and momentum. Let people pass if they don’t want to answer.
- Game Feels Boring or Stale: Add a twist, like having to answer within three seconds, or let the group come up with their own questions on the spot.
- Arguments Break Out: Remind everyone it’s just for fun, and move on to a lighter topic. Skip questions that could be contentious.
- Kids Lose Interest: Shorten the session, add silly or imaginative questions (“Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?”), or offer small prizes for participation.
- Too Many Similar Questions: Mix up your categories or ask for suggestions from the group to keep things fresh.
- Not Enough Questions: Improvise by making up new pairs on the spot, or search online for additional ideas.
- One Person Dominates: Set a rule that everyone gets a turn, or go in a set order around the group.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many “This or That” questions should I prepare for a family night?
- For a typical session, 20-40 questions is a good range. Adjust based on your group’s attention span and available time.
- What are some examples of family friendly “This or That” questions?
- Examples include: “Dog or cat?”, “Summer or winter?”, “Pizza or burgers?”, “Super strength or ability to fly?”, and “Board games or video games?”
- How do I make sure the questions are appropriate for all ages?
- Review your list for complex language or mature topics, and test questions on the youngest participants to ensure everyone understands.
- Can I use “This or That” questions as an icebreaker for new groups?
- Yes! These questions are great for breaking the ice, helping people find common ground, and starting conversations in classrooms, camps, or clubs.
- What if someone doesn’t want to answer a question?
- Let them pass and move on. Participation should always be voluntary and comfortable for everyone.
- Can I turn “This or That” into a competitive game?
- Absolutely! Keep score of who picks the most popular answer, or see who matches with the most family members. Just keep the mood light.
Creating a family friendly “This or That” questions list is a versatile and enjoyable way to bring people together, spark laughter, and learn more about each other. With a bit of preparation and attention to your group’s needs, you can ensure everyone has a great time—no matter the occasion.
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Family Friendly This or That Questions: A Complete Guide