Best Conversation Starters for Teens: Tips to Get the Conversation Flowing

By Ettore Fantin

September 26, 2023

Starting a conversation with a teenager can be a daunting task for parents. It’s a critical stage of development where they are discovering themselves and the world around them, which can make them appear unapproachable. However, engaging in meaningful conversations with teenagers can help foster healthy relationships and build strong communication skills.

To help break the ice, here are some conversation starters parents can use with teens to help initiate a dialogue. These topics range from school interests and activities, future goals, and even hypothetical and existential questions. By using these conversation starters, parents, teachers, and mentors can help teenagers open up and express themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

It’s important to note that every teenager is unique, and not all conversation starters will work for everyone. However, by being attentive to their interests and feelings, one can tailor the conversation to their specific needs. The goal is to create a comfortable atmosphere where teenagers feel heard and valued, which can ultimately help them build confidence and self-esteem.

Starting the Conversation

Starting a conversation with a teenager can be challenging, but it is an essential part of building a strong relationship. It can be tough to know where to begin, especially if you don’t know the teenager well. However, there are several techniques that can help you start a conversation with a teenager.

Small Talk Techniques

Small talk is an excellent way to start a conversation with anyone, especially teenagers. It can help to break the ice and make both parties feel more comfortable. Some small talk techniques include:

• Commenting on the weather
• Asking about their day
• Complimenting them on something they are wearing or doing

Small talk can lead to more substantial conversations, so it’s essential to be patient and keep the conversation flowing.

Conversation Starters

Conversation starters can be an effective way to engage a teenager in a conversation. They can help to spark their interest and get them talking. Some conversation starters that can work well with teenagers include:

• What are your favorite hobbies?
• Have you seen any good movies or TV shows lately?
• What music do you like to listen to?

It’s essential to ask open-ended questions that require more than a simple yes or no answer. These types of questions can lead to more in-depth conversations.

Using Social Media as a Conversation Starter

Social media can be an excellent tool for starting a conversation with a teenager. Many teenagers spend a lot of time on social media, so it’s an easy way to connect with them. Some ways to use social media as a conversation starter include:

• Commenting on something they posted
• Asking them about a funny TikTok they saw recently
• Sharing something you found on social media that you think they would be interested in

It’s important to remember that social media can be a sensitive topic for some teenagers, so it’s essential to approach it with care.

Talking About Interests

When it comes to talking with teens, discussing their interests is a great way to get to know them better and build a deeper relationship. Here are a few sub-sections to help guide conversations about different interests:

Discussing TV and Netflix Shows

TV and Netflix shows are a popular topic among teens. Asking them about their favorite shows or the latest series they’ve been watching can be a great conversation starter. Here are some questions to ask:

• What’s your favorite TV show or series on Netflix?
• What do you like about it?
• Have you seen anything good lately that you’d recommend?
• Do you prefer binge-watching or watching one episode at a time?

Talking About Books

Books are another great topic to discuss with teens. Whether they’re into fiction or non-fiction, asking about their favorite books or what they’re currently reading can lead to interesting conversations. Here are some questions to ask:

• What’s your favorite book?
• What do you like about it?
• Have you read anything good lately that you’d recommend?
• Do you prefer physical books or e-books?

Food and Snack Conversations

Food and snacks are universal topics that everyone can relate to. Asking about their favorite foods or snacks can be a fun way to bond with teens over a shared love of food. Here are some questions to ask:

• What’s your favorite food or snack?
• Have you tried anything new or interesting lately?
• Do you like cooking or baking?
• What’s your favorite restaurant or fast food chain?

Discussing Hobbies and Free Time

Hobbies and free time activities are a great way to learn more about teens and their interests. Asking about their hobbies or how they like to spend their free time can lead to interesting conversations and help you get to know them better. Here are some questions to ask:

• What do you like to do in your free time?
• Do you have any hobbies or interests?
• Have you tried anything new or interesting lately?
• What’s your favorite activity to do with friends?

Overall, talking about interests is a great way to build a deeper relationship with teens. By showing a genuine interest in their hobbies and passions, you can create a stronger connection that will help you communicate more effectively and build trust over time.

Discussing Personal Experiences

Teens often enjoy talking about their personal experiences, and it can be a great way to build rapport and establish trust. Here are some subtopics to consider when discussing personal experiences with teens.

Sharing Family Experiences

Talking about family experiences can be a great way to get to know a teen better. You can ask them about their family members, their relationships with them, and any memorable experiences they’ve had with them. Here are some conversation starters:

• Tell me about your siblings. What do you like and dislike about them?
• What’s the most fun thing you’ve ever done with your family?
• Have you ever had a big family argument? What happened, and how did you feel about it?

Vacation and Holiday Conversations

Vacations and holidays are often memorable experiences that teens enjoy talking about. You can ask them about their favorite vacation destinations, their favorite holiday traditions, and any funny or interesting stories they have from their travels. Here are some conversation starters:

• What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on? Why was it so great?
• What’s your favorite holiday, and why?
• Have you ever had a vacation or holiday that didn’t go as planned? What happened, and how did you deal with it?

Discussing School

You can ask teens about their experiences with school, their relationships with teachers and classmates, and any instances of bullying they may have experienced. Here are some conversation starters:

• What’s your favorite subject in school, and why?
• Have you ever had a teacher who you really liked or didn’t like? Why?
• Are there any school events coming up? Ask them about homecoming or spirit week!

Overall, discussing personal experiences can be a great way to get to know a teen better and build a stronger relationship with them. It’s important to listen actively, ask open-ended questions, and be supportive and non-judgmental.

Engaging in Meaningful Conversations

Teens are often misunderstood as being uninterested or disengaged in conversations. However, with the right approach, they can be great conversationalists and enjoy engaging in meaningful conversations. Here are some conversation starters that can help teens open up and have a deeper conversation.

Talking About Inspirations

Talking about inspirations is a great way to get teens to open up about their passions and goals. Here are some questions that can help inspire meaningful conversations:

• What motivates you to get up in the morning?
• Who inspires you the most and why?
• What is your biggest dream, and how do you plan to achieve it?
• What do you want to do for work?
• What are some things you’re passionate about, and why?

Discussing Environmental Issues

Younger generations are increasingly concerned about the environment. Discussing them can lead to some interesting conversations if it is a topic they’re passionate about. Here are some questions that can help start a conversation about the environment:

• What do you think are the biggest environmental issues facing our planet today?
• What are some small changes we can make in our daily lives to help the environment?
• What do you think our government should do to address environmental issues?
• How can we encourage others to be more environmentally conscious?

Conversations About Independence and Responsibility

Teens are at an age where they are starting to become more independent and responsible. Here are some questions that can help start a conversation about independence and responsibility:

• What does independence mean to you, and how do you plan to achieve it?
• How do you balance your responsibilities with your desire for independence?
• What are some things you’re responsible for, and how do you ensure you meet those responsibilities?
• What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with balancing independence and responsibility?

Fun Conversation Topics

Teens are always looking for interesting and fun things to talk about. Here are some conversation topics that are sure to get them talking and laughing.

Discussing Games and TikTok Trends

Teens love to talk about the latest games and TikTok trends. Whether it’s a new video game release or a viral dance challenge, these topics can spark lively conversations. Here are some conversation starters related to games and TikTok trends:

• What’s your favorite video game and why?
• Have you tried the latest TikTok dance challenge? Which one is your favorite?
• Do you prefer console or mobile games? Why?
• What’s the most challenging game you’ve ever played?
• What’s the funniest TikTok video you’ve seen recently?

Talking About Movies and Restaurants

Movies and restaurants are great conversation topics because everyone has their favorites. Whether it’s a new blockbuster movie or a local restaurant, these topics can lead to interesting discussions. Here are some conversation starters related to movies and restaurants:

• What’s your favorite movie and why?
• Have you seen any good movies recently? What did you like about them?
• What’s your favorite type of food? Which restaurant serves the best version of it?
• Have you ever had a bad experience at a restaurant? What happened?
• What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen in a theater?

Pranks and Funny Stories

Teens love to share funny stories and pranks they’ve pulled on their friends and family. These topics can lead to some hilarious conversations. Here are some conversation starters related to pranks and funny stories:

• What’s the funniest prank you’ve ever pulled on someone?
• Have you ever been pranked? What happened?
• What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?
• Have you ever told a joke that fell flat? What was it?
• What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on social media recently?

Conclusion

Whether it’s discussing the latest games and TikTok trends, talking about favorite movies and restaurants, or sharing funny stories and pranks, there’s always something to talk about. Something important to keep in mind is to actually listen when the teen is talking.  If the teenager knows they’re being heard, they’re much more likely to open up.