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90 Good Conversation Starters For Teens To Build Rapport

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These conversation starters for teens are perfect if you’re looking to improve your communication with your own teenagers or ones you know.

It can be hard to know what to say to your teenager, so that’s where these teen conversation starters come in. We’ve got a variety of questions you can use to get them to open up.

Our list of conversation topics for teens includes deep talking points, questions that will make them laugh and questions based on their personality and school life.

So, if you want to improve the rapport between you and your teenager/s, look no further than the topics to discuss with teens below!

Tips For Talking To Your Teenager

It can be hard to get teenagers to open up and talk, even when they’re in a good mood! So, before we get into our conversation starters for teens, we’ve got a few tips for you to ensure you get the most out of them and your teenager!

  • Talking in the car is a good way to get them to open up. It’s just the two of you (sometimes), and it’s a more neutral environment than at home for instance. It also helps that you’re not facing each other, which might make it easier for your teenager to open up.
  • Don’t be too quick to judge. This is a surefire way to tank the conversation. Instead, listen to what they have to say, try and interrupt as little as possible, and respond thoughtfully.
  • Have an open mind. The more open-minded you are, the more likely you are to get into a deeper and more meaningful conversation. A big criticism teenagers have of parents is that they aren’t as receptive to them and new ideas as they could be. As most of the conversation starters listed below are open-ended questions, this should help you be more open to what they have to say.
  • Be open to talking any time of the day. Teens’ body clocks are volatile, so they could be willing to chat at 11:00 pm, instead of 11:00 am. But if you’re willing to hear them out whenever, they’ll appreciate it!
  • Listen more than you speak. Otherwise, if you dominate the conversation, it can feel like you’re lecturing them instead of listening to them.
  • When texting, be aware of the style your teenager uses and the emojis they use. If you can respond in a similar way to them, and get to grips with the emojis they use, this can improve the rapport between you and them.
  • Most important of all, don’t be too pushy. If they don’t want to speak right now, respect that and give them space until they’re ready to come to you.

Best Conversation Starters For Teens

best conversation starters for teens on the biggest problem you're facing at the moment
  • What’s the biggest thing that’s causing you problems at the moment?
  • What methods do you use to deal with stress?
  • What was the best part of your day?
  • Is there anything about you that might surprise me?
  • What’s your dream job?
  • What do you think of our family values?
  • What’s something that makes you laugh no matter what?
  • How do you think social media affects your mental health?
  • Do you see yourself going to college after you finish school?
  • Are there any topics you would like to discuss with me?
  • How do you like to relax?
  • Is there anyone you have a crush on right now?
  • What’s the funniest thing that’s happened at school in the past year?
  • What recent accomplishment are you proudest of?
  • What’s a cause you’re passionate about?
  • What do you think makes a good friend? Do you feel your friends live up to this?
  • What subject do you enjoy the most in school?
  • If you could speak any foreign language fluently, which one would it be?
  • If you could make one change to the world, what would it be?
  • How would you like to see our family grow and change?

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Deep Teen Conversation Starters

deep conversation starters for teens on what excites you the most about the future
  • What excites you the most about the future?
  • What do you think about the way I parent?
  • Is there anything about the future that makes you apprehensive?
  • Are you jealous of any of your friends? If so, what do you think is the reason for that?
  • Is there anything you’d like to change about yourself?
  • What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself in the past year?
  • Do you ever feel overwhelmed? What do you think is the reason for that?
  • Do you ever feel like other people are judging you? How does that make you feel?
  • Is it possible to spend too much time on the internet? Do you think you spend too much time online?
  • What constitutes success in your eyes?
  • What do you think about current fashion trends?
  • Do you have trouble sleeping?
  • What does the word love mean to you?
  • What’s your view on politics?
  • What book has had the most profound impact on you?
  • Do you think it’s important to be popular?
  • What’s your biggest fear?
  • Do you think most people should go to college after school or not?
  • What’s the most annoying thing about being a teenager?
  • What are you most grateful to have in your life?

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Conversation Starters For Teens Over Text

conversation starters for teens over text on whether they have any plans for tonight
  • Do you have any plans tonight? Want to do something?
  • How did your ________ go?
  • If there’s anything troubling you at the moment, I’m here to talk about it with you.
  • What’s your favorite meme?
  • How has your day been so far?
  • Can we talk more about _________?
  • Do you have any recommendations on what to watch on Netflix?
  • Do you want to take a break and hang out for a bit?
  • How do you feel about ___________?
  • How are you getting on with your _____________?
  • I’m going out to the shops later, do you want me to get you anything?

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Funny Conversation Starters For Teens

funny conversation starters for teens on the funniest joke you know
  • What’s the funniest joke you know?
  • What’s the weirdest thing that you’re afraid of?
  • Have you ever sent a DM to the wrong person?
  • Would you rather eat ten chocolate bars in a row or drink a litre of gravy?
  • Who in the family would be the worst equipped to survive a zombie apocalypse?
  • What embarrasses you the most about me (your parents)?
  • Have you ever farted in class and blamed it on someone else?
  • What’s the funniest thing that’s happened at school?
  • How many chickens would it take to take down a gorilla?
  • If animals could talk, which one would be the funniest?
  • If you could combine two animals to make a new one, which two would you combine?
  • What’s the funniest YouTube video you’ve ever seen?
  • What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
  • What’s something me or your mum/dad did that was unintentionally funny?
  • Who’s the funniest in your friendship group?
  • Why do pizzas come in square boxes?
  • What would be the worst superpower to have?
  • If you woke up as an old person, what’s the first thing you’d do?
  • Would you rather wake up with a mohawk or a squeaky voice?
  • What’s your guilty pleasure?

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Good Conversation Starters For Teens

good conversation starters for teens on what music they're listening to at the moment
  • What music are you listening to at the moment?
  • What’s the most popular thing among your friendship group right now?
  • Is there a show you’re excited to watch? Do you want to watch it together?
  • Who’s your favorite teacher?
  • If you had to teach one subject, which one would it be?
  • Am I stricter than your friends’ parents or not?
  • What’s your favorite time of the year?
  • If your friends had drugs, how would you respond?
  • Do you think it’s harder to be a teen today than it was in the past?
  • If you could represent one company, which one would it be?
  • What’s the worst topping you can have on pizza?
  • What’s a fun activity we could do together?
  • If you visit anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
  • What’s your favorite genre to read?
  • What do you like to do when you’re alone?
  • Which YouTuber is your favorite?
  • If you had to choose the color for your room, what color would you paint it?
  • What would you like to do for your next birthday?
  • Do you consider yourself to be introverted or extroverted?
  • What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past year?

Looking For More Questions?

Halloween Conversation Starters – Some fun questions you can ask during spooky season.

Random Questions To Ask – A random smattering of talking points you can use with anyone.

Favorite Things Questions – Find out what your teenager likes the most with these questions.

Interesting Conversation Topics – Some more talking points you can use with your teenager.

A photo of Tom who is the Co-Founder of Questions About Everything

Tom Stevenson

Co-Founder of Questions About Everything

Tom is a travel writer and Co-Founder of Questions About Everything. He grew up in the UK and enjoys spending his time traveling to new places, supporting Liverpool FC, and blogging about his adventures. He spent two years teaching English in Barcelona and frequently utilized question games and conversation starters as part of his lesson plans. As an EFL teacher, he took full responsibility for planning and delivering lessons, frequently employing creative and diverse questions to engage the children in conversation. Learn more about Tom on our About page.

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