# This or That Questions for Kids, from Preschool to 5th Grade Source: https://thisorthatquestion.com/this-or-that-questions-for-kids Updated: 2026-11-11 Pairs sorted by age, from preschool to 5th grade, plus seasonal and birthday lists. Use them for morning meeting, classroom brain breaks, indoor recess, car rides, family dinners and birthday parties. ## Quick facts - This or that questions for children ages 3 to 5 work best with two concrete things they can picture, such as "Apple or Banana?". Abstract pairs like "Past or Future?" lose them. - Kindergarten and 1st grade kids answer faster when they can point, jump or move to one side, because many cannot yet read the pair. - Fourth and 5th graders enjoy pairs with a silly or gross side and will argue for their pick for a minute or more. - A this or that game for kids with 10 pairs takes about 5 minutes with a small group of 4 to 6 children. - The best this or that options for kids have no wrong answer. A pair like "Candy or Broccoli?" ends the debate before it starts. ## This or that preschool questions (ages 3 to 5) Keep preschool pairs to two things a child has seen and touched. Hold up a toy or point to a picture in a book if a child stalls. 1. Apple or Banana? 2. Blocks or Puzzles? 3. Bubbles or Pinwheel? 4. Teddy bear or Doll? 5. Bath or Bubble bath? 6. Purple or Orange? 7. Sandbox or Swings? 8. Ducks or Frogs? 9. Fire truck or School bus? 10. Play-Doh or Finger paint? 11. Moon or Stars? 12. Cow or Pig? 13. Rain boots or Sneakers? 14. Story time or Song time? 15. Tractor or Digger? 16. Crown or Cape? ## This or that kindergarten questions These this or that questions for kindergarten use short words a teacher can say aloud. This or that for kindergarten works best as a movement game: hop to the door side for the first option and the window side for the second. Read this or that kindergarten questions slowly and say both options twice. 1. Slide or Swings? 2. Crayons or Stickers? 3. Ladybugs or Snails? 4. Cupcake or Popsicle? 5. Dinosaur or Shark? 6. Trampoline or Bounce house? 7. Pirate ship or Castle? 8. Train or Airplane? 9. Ballet or Karate? 10. Sticker chart or Stamp on your hand? ### This or that first grade questions This or that 1st grade pairs can stretch a little further, because 6- and 7-year-olds start to give reasons. Ask "Why?" after every third pair. 1. Monkey bars or Seesaw? 2. Chalk or Jump rope? 3. Puppet show or Magic show? 4. Kite or Paper airplane? 5. Zoo or Farm? 6. Mac and cheese or Tacos? 7. Recess outside or Recess in the gym? 8. Class pet or Class garden? ## This or that elementary school questions (2nd and 3rd grade) These this or that elementary questions fit 2nd and 3rd grade, when kids can read the pair themselves. Teachers use this or that for elementary students as a warm-up before reading groups. Add a "Why?" after each pair and let two kids explain. 1. Treehouse or Igloo? 2. Robot friend or Alien friend? 3. Superhero or Knight? 4. Lego or Magna-Tiles? 5. Camping or Sleepover? 6. Hot dog or Hamburger? 7. Skateboard or Roller skates? 8. Comics or Picture books? 9. Outer space or Under the sea? 10. Penguin or Polar bear? 11. Draw or Build? 12. Water park or Amusement park? 13. Talking dog or Talking cat? 14. Spy or Detective? ## This or that questions for 4th graders and 5th graders Older elementary kids want pairs with a twist. This or that for 5th graders and 4th graders should make them weigh two odd choices, like these this or that 5th grade pairs. 1. Breathe underwater or Talk to animals? 2. Be a giant or Be tiny? 3. No homework ever or No chores ever? 4. Live in a castle or Live on a spaceship? 5. Read minds or Turn invisible? 6. Be the teacher or Be the principal? 7. Time machine or Shrink ray? 8. Win a spelling bee or Win a science fair? 9. Pet octopus or Pet parrot? 10. Build a robot or Train a dragon? 11. Be a YouTuber or Be an astronaut? 12. Live in the jungle or Live in the desert? 13. Invent a new sport or Invent a new candy? 14. Ride in a submarine or Ride in a hot air balloon? ## Funny this or that questions for kids Silly this or that questions for kids get the biggest laughs from ages 6 to 10. Read these this or that questions funny for kids in a serious voice for extra giggles. In a long list of this or that questions for kids, funny ones work best at the end, when attention drops. 1. Burp the alphabet or Sneeze confetti? 2. Bath in Jell-O or Bath in pudding? 3. Elephant nose or Giraffe neck? 4. Pickle ice cream or Ketchup cereal? 5. Hair made of spaghetti or Fingers made of crayons? 6. Walk like a crab or Hop like a frog? 7. Talk like a robot or Sing everything? 8. Clown shoes or Bunny ears? 9. Smell like popcorn or Smell like cookies? 10. Ride a dinosaur or Ride a unicorn? 11. Tickle monster or Pillow fight? 12. Chicken legs or Duck feet? ## Kids this or that questions: food and animals This or that kids edition pairs about food and animals work at every age from 4 to 11. These this or that kids questions start debates fast. The this or that questions kids argue about longest are often food pairs, so save one for the end. 1. Pizza or Chicken nuggets? 2. Strawberries or Blueberries? 3. Pancakes or Cereal? 4. Grilled cheese or PB and J? 5. Goldfish crackers or Pretzels? 6. Chocolate milk or Juice box? 7. Ice cream cone or Milkshake? 8. Puppy or Kitten? 9. Lion or Tiger? 10. Bunny or Hamster? 11. Dolphin or Whale? 12. Horse or Pony? 13. Bee or Butterfly? 14. Monkey or Elephant? ## Fall this or that for kids Use this this or that fall edition for kids from September to November. 1. Leaf pile or Hay ride? 2. Apple picking or Pumpkin patch? 3. Apple pie or Pumpkin pie? 4. Scarecrow or Owl? 5. Corn maze or Apple cider? 6. Rake leaves or Jump in leaves? ## Halloween this or that for kids These this or that halloween questions for kids stay friendly, with no gore, so preschoolers can play too. 1. Ghost or Witch? 2. Candy corn or Lollipops? 3. Carve a pumpkin or Paint a pumpkin? 4. Trick or treat or Halloween party? 5. Bat or Black cat? 6. Superhero costume or Animal costume? 7. Glow stick or Flashlight? 8. Mummy or Monster? ## Winter this or that for kids This this or that winter edition for kids fits December through February. Read winter this or that for kids pairs on indoor recess days, when everyone needs to move. These this or that winter questions for kids work as a movement game: kids shiver on one side or stomp like a snowman on the other. 1. Snowman or Snow angel? 2. Sledding or Ice skating? 3. Mittens or Gloves? 4. Hot cocoa or Warm cider? 5. Snowball fight or Snow fort? 6. Snow day or Pajama day? 7. Icicles or Snowflakes? 8. Fuzzy socks or Slippers? ## Christmas this or that for kids Christmas this or that questions for kids work at a class holiday party or a family dinner. Let the youngest child read the first pair. 1. Elf or Reindeer? 2. Gingerbread house or Sugar cookies? 3. Candy cane or Gingerbread man? 4. Open one gift early or Wait for morning? 5. Decorate the tree or Wrap presents? 6. Christmas lights or Christmas cookies? ## Spring this or that for kids Spring this or that for kids pairs suit March through May, when kids want to get outside. 1. Puddle jumping or Kite flying? 2. Flowers or Rainbows? 3. Easter eggs or Chocolate bunny? 4. Caterpillar or Tadpole? 5. Plant seeds or Pick flowers? 6. Baby chicks or Baby ducks? ## Summer this or that questions for kids Use these summer this or that questions for kids on the last week of school or on a road trip. 1. Sprinkler or Kiddie pool? 2. Beach or Lake? 3. Popsicle or Snow cone? 4. Fireflies or Fireworks? 5. Sandcastle or Seashells? 6. Camp or Staycation? 7. Lemonade stand or Ice cream truck? ## This or that birthday ideas for kids At a birthday party, ask the birthday child the pair first. Guests guess the answer, then cheer when it is revealed. 1. Balloons or Streamers? 2. Party hat or Crown? 3. Piñata or Treasure hunt? 4. Chocolate cake or Funfetti cake? 5. Party games or Bounce house time? 6. Goody bag or Party favor toy? ## How to play the this or that game for kids This or that games for kids need no supplies. The this or that game kids under 8 like best is the movement version below. 1. Pick 8 to 10 this or that game questions for kids from the section that matches their age. 2. Show where to go: one side of the room for the first option, the other side for the second. At a table, kids point left or right. 3. Read each this or that question for kids as "A or B?" and count "1, 2, 3, go" so everyone moves at once. 4. Ask one child on each side, "Why did you pick that?" Keep answers to one sentence. 5. Bring everyone back to the middle and read the next pair. 6. End with a quiet pair, such as "Nap or Book?", to calm the group down. ### This or that for kids with pictures, prompts and printables Kids who cannot read yet answer faster with this or that pictures for kids. This site has no image files, so make your own this or that images for kids. In Canva or Google Slides, use one slide per pair, a photo on each half, and the word under each photo. For a printed this or that list for kids, use this page's print layout (browser Print, or Save as PDF). For this or that writing prompts for kids, print 5 pairs. Add a sentence frame under each one: I pick ___ because ___. Any pair on this page works as one of these this or that prompts for kids. ## Tips for this or that with kids - Skip food pairs with kids under 6. They often pick whatever they ate last. - Avoid pairs about family, money or looks. A child without a pet or a big house should never feel left out. - Collect this or that ideas for kids from the kids themselves after round one. A 7-year-old's pair often gets the loudest reaction. - Use it as a car-ride this or that activity for kids: the driver reads the pair, and kids answer before the next mailbox. - Keep a running note of this or that for kids questions on your phone, so you always have 10 ready. - Use the random picker at /this-or-that-generator when you need a fresh pair without a list. ## Frequently asked questions ### What are this or that questions for kids? This or that questions for kids are simple two-choice prompts, such as "Cats or Dogs?" or "Slide or Swings?", that a child answers by picking one side. Parents, teachers and party hosts use them for car rides, morning meeting, brain breaks and birthday games. Kids ages 3 to 11 can play, as long as the pairs match their age. ### What are good this or that questions for kids? Good this or that examples for kids use two things a child already likes, such as Slide or Swings, Puppy or Kitten, and Pizza or Chicken nuggets. Both sides should be tempting so kids think before they pick. Match the pairs to age: concrete for preschool, silly for 4th and 5th grade. ### How do you play this or that with kids? Read a pair aloud, and kids move to one side of the room or point to show their pick. Ask one child per side why they chose it, then read the next pair. Ten pairs take about 5 minutes with a small group. ### What are fun this or that questions for kids on a car ride? Fun this or that questions for kids on a car ride need no pictures: Dinosaur or Shark, Treehouse or Igloo, and Talking dog or Talking cat. The driver reads the pair, and each kid answers before the next stop sign. Swap who reads every 10 minutes. ### Where can I find this or that questions funny kids will actually laugh at? Funny this or that questions for kids include Burp the alphabet or Sneeze confetti, Pickle ice cream or Ketchup cereal, and Elephant nose or Giraffe neck. Kids ages 6 to 10 laugh hardest at pairs where both sides are silly. ### What are this or that questions kindergarten teachers can use? Kindergarten teachers use short, concrete pairs like Slide or Swings, Crayons or Stickers, and Dinosaur or Shark. Say the pair aloud and have kids hop to one side of the rug. Five pairs make a 2-minute brain break between centers. ### Are there this or that questions for kids with pictures? No image files live on this site, but you can make picture cards in a few minutes. In Canva or Google Slides, split a slide in half, add a photo of each option, and write the word under it. Pictures help preschool and kindergarten kids who cannot read yet. ### Is there a this or that questions for kids printable version? Yes. Use your browser's Print or Save as PDF option on this page for a clean, print-friendly list. This site does not offer a separate printable download. Cut the printed pairs into strips and let kids draw one from a jar. ### What are this or that questions for 5th graders? This or that questions for 5th graders work best with a twist: Read minds or Turn invisible, No homework ever or No chores ever, and Be a giant or Be tiny. Fifth graders like to argue, so give each side 30 seconds to make its case. ### What are halloween this or that questions for kids? Halloween this or that questions for kids include Ghost or Witch, Carve a pumpkin or Paint a pumpkin, and Trick or treat or Halloween party. Keep them friendly with no scary or gory options, so younger kids enjoy the game too. ### Is this or that a good activity for a kids birthday party? Yes. Read pairs like Party hat or Crown and Piñata or Treasure hunt, and guests guess what the birthday child will pick. It fills 10 minutes while pizza arrives and needs no supplies. ### What are this or that questions elementary school teachers can use in any grade? Pairs about animals, food and recess work in any grade: Puppy or Kitten, Pizza or Chicken nuggets, and Slide or Swings. Younger kids answer by moving, and older kids add a reason. This or that questions for elementary students also make a quick morning announcement poll. ### What are christmas this or that questions for kids? Christmas this or that questions for kids include Elf or Reindeer, Candy cane or Gingerbread man, and Open one gift early or Wait for morning. Read them at a class party or while decorating the tree, and let each child explain one pick.