10 questions to ask your child instead of “How was your day?”
A free guide for parents of children ages 3 to 13. One question at a time is plenty.
No sign-up needed.
“Fine” is an honest answer to a very big question
“How was school?” can feel too broad, especially at the end of a long day. A smaller, more specific question can give a child somewhere to start.
Instead of asking, “Did you have fun?” we might try, “What surprised you today?”
These are the ten we come back to most. Some evenings they lead to a long conversation. Some evenings we still hear, “I don’t know,” and that is fine too.
Inside the guide
10 questions grouped by age: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 and up
Research notes for each question
Tips for how and when to ask
4 bonus questions from ABCs for the Soul
A page on the research behind the questions
Three from the guide
“What made you curious today?”
Ages 3 to 5
“What was hard today?”
Ages 6 to 8
“What made you feel most like yourself today?”
Ages 9 and up
ABCs for the Soul
Our board book pairs every letter with a word worth knowing, a short rhyme, and a question to explore together.
Gold Medal winner, 2026 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
Questions parents ask
What can I ask my child instead of “How was your day?”
Try a smaller, more specific question that brings one moment to mind. For ages 3 to 5: “What made you curious today?” For ages 6 to 8: “What was hard today?” For ages 9 and up: “What made you feel most like yourself today?”
When is a good time to ask?
We find car rides, walks, meals, and bedtime work well. Side by side or at the end of the day, a question can feel less like a quiz.
What if my child just says “I don’t know”?
A short answer is okay. Sometimes “I don’t know” means a child needs more time. We might say, “That is okay. Let me know if something comes to mind,” and try again another day.
What age is the guide for?
Children ages 3 to 13. The 10 questions are grouped by age: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 and up.
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