100+ Questions to Build Relationships (with a free list)

Relationship-building is profound. It is the foundation to social, emotional, and academic success for students. When learners have a more positive relationship with those around them, they are more able to learn new skills, open up, voice their needs, take risks, and reach their goals.

While there are many different techniques for building relationships in the classroom, one of the most simple strategies for building relationships with children and teens is just talking with them. This involves asking them about their interests, strengths, challenges, family life, favorite things, and hopes for the future. It can even also mean asking silly questions, like if they’re rather have a pet tarantula or a pet snake. Every question helps gives kids a chance to share a piece of them with the adults and other kids in the classroom.

That’s why I created a free list of over 100 relationship-building questions. It’s a critical social-emotional tool to help create a positive classroom community with your learners. Choose some of your favorite questions below to get started or grab this FREE printable list.

A few times to use relationship-building questions include:

• Write the question on the board and hold a class discussion for morning meeting.
• Have partners discuss as they come in for the day.
• Post the question and have students write in a journal before sharing.
• Print the questions and randomly ask questions during the last few minutes of class each day.
• Refer back to the questions whenever you have a few extra minutes of down-time.
• Let students choose a question to ask of their classmates.

Here are 100+ questions to use for relationship-building with kids and teens:

1. What three words best describe you?
2. What things would a good friend say about you?
3. Where did you grow up? Tell me about it.
4. What is your family like?
5. What is a special memory you have with your family?
6. What are five compliments you would give yourself?
7. What makes you unique?
8. What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
9. What talents or special abilities do you have? Tell me about them.
10. If you were a superhero, what would your name and special powers be?
11. If you were a color, what would you be and why?
12. What is something that people sometimes misunderstand about you?
13. What’s your favorite animal?
14. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? Why?
15. If you could eat lunch with anyone, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
16. Who is someone important in your life?
17. What’s your favorite sport to play?
18. What’s your favorite sport to watch?
19. Would you rather play sports or watch them?
20. If you could add an extra class, what would it be and why?
21. What do you want to do when you’re older?
22. What do you hope to be like in 10 years?
23. What do you think your best quality is?
24. What is something that always makes you laugh?
25. Who is someone who can always cheer you up?
26. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
27. Do you have an animal? Tell me about him/her.
28. If you could have any animal, what would it be and why?
29. When was a time you were really proud of yourself?
30. What’s something that’s really difficult for you?
31. If you had a magic wand, what would you make happen?
32. If you had only three wishes, what would they be?
33. What is something you’d love to learn more about?
34. What’s your favorite part of school?
35. What three places would you love to travel to?
36. Who is your best friend? Tell me about them.
37. What is a fun memory you have with your best friend?
38. Who is a family member that you love? Tell me about them.
39. What is something most people love but you hate?
40. What is your biggest pet peeve? Why?
41. If you were ruler for a day, what would you do?
42. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?
43. What would your perfect day look like? What would you do?
44. What is a big dream or goal you have for the future?
45. What activities do you love doing after school?
46. What clubs or after school activities are you involved in?
47. What are your three favorite hobbies?
48. If you could create an after school club, what would it be and why?
49. Would you rather be with a big group of friends or just a few? Why?
50. If you could change the world, what would you do?
51. What places have you traveled to before? Which was your favorite?
52. What did you do on your last vacation? Describe it.
53. What is your favorite food? What do you love about it?
54. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
55. Where are your favorite places to eat?
56. What kind of music do you like? Tell me about some artists or songs.
57. What is your favorite season? What do you like about it so much?
58. What was the last book you read? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?
59. If you could meet a character from a book, who would it be and why?
60. What is your favorite movie or show? Tell me about it.
61. Do you prefer books or movies? Why?
62. What is a big fear of yours?
63. What is something you used to be scared of but aren’t anymore?
64. What are you thankful for in your life?
65. What was the best gift you’ve ever received? Tell me about it.
66. What was the best gift you’ve ever given? Explain.
67. What musical instruments do you play or would like to play?
68. What was the best day of your life so far? Tell me about it.
69. What are three things you love about yourself?
70. When was a time you were disappointed? How did you deal with it?
71. When was a time you were really excited? What did you do?
72. What are five qualities you want your friends to have?
73. What are three things you couldn’t live without?
74. What item is your most cherished possession? Why?
75. If you made a soundtrack to your life, what songs would be on it?
76. If you could improve yourself, what things would you change?
77. Who is the most important person in your life? Describe them.
78. If you could meet anyone famous, who would it be and why?
79. What awards or contests have you won? Describe them.
80. When you are having a tough day, what things do you do to feel better?
81. If you could invent your own holiday, what would it be?
82. What is your favorite holiday? Why?
83. What family traditions do you have? Describe them.
84. If you had to pick a favorite chore, what would it be?
85. If you could have dessert for breakfast, what would you eat?
86. What was the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
87. What was your favorite birthday ever? What did you do?
88. What is something you could teach others about?
89. If you could learn any new skill or ability, what would it be and why?
90. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
91. If you had a time machine, would you rather go back in time or travel to the future?
92. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with the money? Why?
93. Which is most important: being kind or being honest?
94. Which is most important: being kind or being rich?
95. Which is most important: being funny or being dependable?
96. Would you rather go to school during the night or during the day?
97. Would you rather donate money to sick children or rescue animals?
98. Would you rather have a pet tarantula or a pet snake?
99. Would you rather give up your phone or the television?
100. Would you rather visit an amusement park or a zoo?
101. Would you rather live in the country or the city?

Remember to grab your free printable list with all of these questions and more!