75 Questions to Encourage Your Grandkids’ Critical Thinking

I love asking my grandkids questions, as it is a great way to start interesting conversations, make us both think and convey their personality in fun new ways. (In case you’re new here, I have tons of unique questions for your grandkids here and here!) While I have shared many this or that and would you rather questions, I haven’t asked too many critical thinking ones that will get their brains moving. 

Defined as an “objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a judgment,” it is never too early to begin thinking critically, and I think these 75 questions will encourage just that! 

1. What do you think is the reason behind the changing seasons?
2. Can you think of a way we can help save water at home?
3. If you could invent anything, what would it be and why?
4. What do you think would happen if we didn’t have the Internet?
5. Why do you think some animals hibernate in winter?
6. If you were the president for a day, what is the first thing you would change?
7. How would you solve the problem of too much trash in our city?
8. What do you think would happen if there were no clocks?
9. Why do you think trees are important?
10. If you had to convince a friend to recycle, what would you say?
11. Can you think of a way to make our backyard more friendly for birds?
12. What do you think life was like for me when I was your age?
13. How would you help a friend who is feeling sad?
14. Why do you think it’s important to eat vegetables?
15. What would you do if you found a lost dog in the street?
16. If you could change one rule at your school, what would it be and why?
17. What do you think would happen if everyone stopped reading books?
18. How can you help someone who is being bullied?
19. Can you think of a new way to organize your toys that would make cleanup easier?
20. How would you feel if you were a character in your favorite book?
21. What do you think causes thunder and lightning?
22. How would you solve a dispute between two of your friends?
23. Why do you think we need to sleep?
24. Can you think of a way to make a difference in your community?
25. What do you think it would be like to live in space?
26. Why do you think bees are important for the environment?
27. If you could add a new subject to your school’s curriculum, what would it be and why?
28. Can you think of a way to make our home more energy efficient?
29. What do you think would happen if all cars were electric?
30. Why is it important to brush our teeth every day?
31. How would you handle a situation where a friend wanted to cheat on a test?
32. What do you think is the purpose of dreams?
33. Can you come up with a plan to save up for something you want to buy?
34. What do you think is the most significant invention in human history?
35. How would you feel if you could talk to animals?
36. Why do you think it’s important to learn about other cultures and countries?
37. If you could create a new holiday, what would it be and why?
38. Can you think of a way to reduce noise pollution in our neighborhood?
39. What do you think would happen if all the volcanoes in the world erupted at once?
40. Why do you think we dream at night?
41. How would you help a new student feel welcome at your school?
42. What do you think are the biggest challenges of living under the sea?
43. Can you devise a strategy to finish your homework more efficiently?
44. What do you think life might be like on other planets?
45. Why do you think it’s important to be kind to others?
46. If you could invent a new sport, what would it be and why?
47. Can you think of a way to make traffic less of a problem in our city?
48. What do you think would happen if we ran out of oil?
49. How would you react if a friend told a secret to you, but asked you not to tell anyone else?
50. Why do you think it’s important to vote when you’re old enough?
51. If you could create your own board game, what would it be and why?
52. Can you think of a solution to the issue of food waste in our house?
53. What do you think would happen if we didn’t have any laws?
54. How would you help someone who got lost?
55. Why do you think learning history is important?
56. If you could write a new law, what would it be and why?
57. Can you devise a plan to encourage more people to use the local library?
58. What do you think would happen if there were no schools?
59. How would you prepare for a long journey?
60. Why do you think we have different time zones?
61. If you could design your dream house, what would it be like and why?
62. Can you think of a way to help endangered animals?
63. What do you think would happen if humans could fly?
64. How would you plan a surprise party for your best friend?
65. Why do you think we feel different emotions?
66. If you could discover a new planet, what would it be like and why?
67. Can you devise a plan to plant more trees in our city?
68. What do you think would happen if we could communicate with animals?
69. How would you react if you saw someone stealing?
70. Why do you think we have different languages around the world?
71. If you could rewrite the ending of your favorite movie, how would you change it and why?
72. Can you think of a solution to help the homeless people in our city?
73. What do you think would happen if we could live forever?
74. How would you change our daily routine to make our lives healthier?
75. Why do you think respecting others’ opinions is important?

There you have it: 75 critical thinking questions that are sure to get your grandkids’ gears moving! As always, please let me know if you use these and how they go over. If you can think of any other questions, I would love to hear those, too. Let’s talk again soon!