Talk With My Kids

Topic

Questions to Ask Kids About Friendship

Friendships shape so much of childhood — the joy, the drama, the loneliness, the loyalty. These questions help your child open up about their social world without feeling interrogated, so you can listen, support, and stay connected as friendships change.

Here are questions you can ask tonight

Ask about specific moments, not grades on friendships. Try "Who did you feel closest to today?" or "Did anything happen with friends that you're still thinking about?" and follow their lead.

Questions to try

Everyday Friendship Check-Ins

  • Question

    Who did you hang out or play with today?

  • Question

    Who did you feel most yourself around?

  • Question

    Did anyone make you laugh today?

  • Question

    Was there a moment with friends that felt really good?

  • Question

    Who did you sit with at lunch or recess?

  • Question

    What's something fun you did with a friend recently?

Belonging And Feeling Left Out

  • Question

    Did anyone make you feel included or left out today?

  • Question

    Was there a moment when you wished someone had noticed you?

  • Question

    Did you see anyone being left out? How did that feel?

  • Question

    What helps you feel like you belong?

  • Question

    Is there a group or friend situation that's been on your mind?

  • Question

    What would make you feel more included?

Conflict And Hard Moments

  • Question

    Did anything feel unfair between you and a friend?

  • Question

    Was there an argument or awkward moment with someone?

  • Question

    What happened, and how did it feel?

  • Question

    What do you wish had gone differently?

  • Question

    Is there a friendship thing you don't know how to handle?

  • Question

    What would help you feel better about what happened?

What Makes A Good Friend

  • Question

    What makes someone a good friend to you?

  • Question

    Who is someone you trust at school?

  • Question

    What's something a friend did that meant a lot to you?

  • Question

    What kind of friend do you try to be?

  • Question

    What do you look for in a friend?

  • Question

    Is there a friendship you feel really grateful for?

Growing And Changing Friendships

  • Question

    Has any friendship been changing lately?

  • Question

    Is there someone new you'd like to get to know better?

  • Question

    What's hard about friendships right now?

  • Question

    What do you wish I understood about your friend group?

  • Question

    Who do you want to spend more time with?

  • Question

    What would make your friendships feel easier this week?

Age-specific variations

Preschoolers (3–5)

  • Who did you play with today?
  • Did anyone share with you?
  • Who makes you feel happy at school?

Elementary (6–10)

  • Who was kind to you today?
  • Did anyone hurt your feelings?
  • Who would you invite to your birthday?

Tweens (11–13)

  • What's a friendship thing you've been thinking about?
  • Did anyone make you feel left out or included?
  • Who do you feel most yourself around?

Teens (14–18)

  • How are things with your friend group?
  • Is there a friendship situation you want to talk about?
  • What do you wish I understood about your social world?

Moment-specific variations

After school

  • Who did you spend time with today?
  • Did anything happen with friends?

Car rides

  • Tell me about your friends lately.
  • Did anything social surprise you this week?

Bedtime

  • Who made you feel good today?
  • Is there anything about friends on your mind?

Dinner

  • Who were you kind to today?
  • Did anyone do something kind for you?

What to avoid saying

  • "Just find other friends" when they're hurt
  • Calling someone a bully before you've heard the full story
  • Comparing their friendships to yours as a kid
  • Minimizing drama with "It's not a big deal"
  • Jumping in to fix friendship problems before they ask for help

How to use these questions

  1. 1Pick one or two questions — not a whole list.
  2. 2Read them before you sit down together.
  3. 3Put your phone away and ask with genuine curiosity.
  4. 4Follow what your child says instead of rushing to the next question.
  5. 5Save what worked so you can ask again later.

Get Tonight's Questions in the App

Open the free early-access app for a few thoughtful questions matched to your child's age, mood, and moment.

Read A Few, Put Your Phone Away

Use Talk With My Kids before the moment, not instead of the moment.

Open the app for a few prompts — then put your phone down and start with one.

Want questions personalized for your child?

Read a few, put your phone away, and start with one. Save what works to your child's profile and get prompts before the moments that matter.

Frequently asked questions

Keep questions open and specific: "Did anything happen with friends today?" works better than "Tell me everything about your friends." Follow their pace and celebrate small shares.

Browse the full prompt library