400+ This or That Questions To Get Kids (and Teachers) Talking


A game of This or That is played by calling out two options (this or that), then having players make their choice by moving to the side of the room that represents their selection. This or That questions are great as an icebreaker or for movement breaks. 

Our list of This or That questions ranges from simple preferences to options that players will have to think about. Give players time to talk about their responses so they end the game knowing more about one another and having found new connections. 

Below are more than 400 This or That prompts to use with students and teachers to break the ice, engage students in conversation, and challenge students to think through scenarios. Plus fill out the form on this landing page to get a set of free Google Slides with all of the questions below.

This or That Questions for Elementary Students

Do you prefer dogs or cats?

Do you prefer dogs or cats?- this or that questions

Are you more serious or silly? 

Do you like rain or snow? 

Do you prefer fall or spring?

Do you prefer fall or spring?

Do you prefer summer or winter? 

Do you like morning or evening? 

When you get home, do you do homework or play? 

Do you spend your weekend busy or do you like to be lazy?

Do you spend your weekend busy or do you like to be lazy? 

Do you read or listen to music before bed? 

Do you prefer to play indoors or outdoors? 

Do you walk to school or take the bus? 

Would you rather have a family movie night or a family game night?

Would you rather have a family movie night or a family game night? - this or that questions

Would you rather have a pet or a plant? 

Do you prefer visiting the park or visiting a library? 

Would you rather explore a cave or climb a mountain?

Do you prefer to participate in sports or watch them? 

Play outside or watch TV?

Play outside or watch TV?

Do you prefer building with LEGO or building with clay? 

Share a cake or keep it for yourself?

Do you prefer to do chores or work in the garden? 

Would you rather fly like a bird or swim like a shark?

Do you sleep with or without a night-light on?

Do you sleep with or without a night-light on? 

Grasshopper or ladybug? 

Caterpillar or butterfly? 

Cake or frosting? 

Watch a magic show or go to a circus? 

Play fetch with a dog or cuddle with a kitten?

Play fetch with a dog or cuddle with a kitten? - this or that questions

Learn a magic trick or solve a Rubik’s Cube? 

Collect rocks or collect stickers? 

Fly a kite or row a boat? 

Make friendship bracelets or customized T-shirts? 

Trampoline park or indoor rock climbing?

Trampoline park or indoor rock climbing? 

Watch a sunrise or sunset? 

Snowball fight or water balloon fight?

This or That Questions for Middle and High School

Board games or video games? 

Take a friend on your family’s vacation or join your friend’s family vacation? 

Warm blanket or cup of hot chocolate?

Warm blanket or cup of hot chocolate? 

Rich and famous or rich and unknown? 

Passenger or driver? 

Wear only denim forever or only tie-dye?

Call or text?

Call or text? - this or that questions

Silence or background noise? 

Surfboard or skateboard? 

1950s or 1970s? 

Long hair or short hair?

Long hair or short hair?

Reading or writing? 

Bright colors or neutrals? 

Cook or order takeout? 

East Coast or West Coast? 

Sleep in or stay up late?

Sleep in or stay up late? 

Meet an influencer or meet a celebrity? 

Run on a track or hike in the mountains? 

Memes or GIFs? 

Pen or pencil?

Tattoo or piercing?

Tattoo or piercing? - this or that questions

Car or truck? 

Convertible or coupe? 

Math class or English class? 

Headphones or earbuds? 

Keyboard or touchscreen?

Keyboard or touchscreen? 

Robot or drone? 

Have someone clean your room every day or make all your food every day? 

Smartwatch or fitness tracker? 

Extrovert or introvert? 

Have many skills or become an expert at one skill?

Have many skills or become an expert at one skill?

Give up your phone or give up your TV for a week

Flying car or rocket ship? 

Animated GIF or sticker?

Snowball fight or laser tag?

Horseback riding or ATV riding?

Horseback riding or ATV riding?- this or that questions

Dance or gymnastics?

Play an instrument or sing?

Jump rope or Hula-Hoop?

Bike or scooter?

A great playlist or a great book?

A great playlist or a great book?

Be one year older or one year younger? 

Find something you lost or get something brand-new? 

Be famous or be happy? 

Be the best athlete or have the best grades? 

Remember everything you see or remember everything you hear? 

Read a book or watch a documentary? 

Playlist or podcast?

Farm or city?

Farm or city? 

New phone or new clothes? 

Have school start and end earlier or start and end later? 

Stay in town for college or move to another state? 

Live at home for college or live in the dorms?

Have a roommate who has different taste in music or different taste in TV than you?

This or That Questions for Teachers

Are you an only child or do you have siblings? 

Maximalist or minimalist?

Maximalist or minimalist? - this or that questions

Mac or PC? 

iPhone or Android? 

Do you prefer a funny story or a one-liner?

Loud neighbors or nosy neighbors? 

Shop online or in-store? 

ALL CAPS or lowercase?

ALL CAPS or lowercase?- this or that questions

Thanksgiving pies or holiday cookies in the break room? 

Three-day weekend or Wednesday off?

Big art or gallery wall?

Gift card or handwritten note? 

Tote bag or cross-body bag?

Teacher tote bag or rolling cart? 

Year-round school calendar or traditional school calendar?

Year-round school calendar or traditional school calendar? 

Spend the summer traveling or staying at home? 

Rainy weather or clear skies?

Checking your watch or checking the time on your phone?

Reality TV or scripted drama? 

Would you prefer it always be Halloween or always Valentine’s Day at school? 

Physical planner or digital planner? 

Wash dishes immediately or wait until the sink is full?

Wash dishes immediately or wait until the sink is full? 

Twelve-hour workdays and a four-day week or five eight-hour days? 

Saturday or Sunday? 

Be on “90 Day Fiancé” or “Love Is Blind”? 

Work at home or work in an office?

Teach online or teach in person? 

Work alone or with a team?

Work alone or with a team? - this or that questions

Eat in the staff room or at your desk? 

Tea or coffee? 

Always be 10 minutes late to work or 20 minutes early? 

See a student at the supermarket or meet their parents at a party? 

Switch grade levels every 2 years or stay in the same grade level for the rest of your career?

Switch grade levels every 2 years or stay in the same grade level for the rest of your career? 

Free lunch or paid time off? 

Handwritten thank-you note or thank-you email?

This or That Questions About Food

Orange slices or orange juice? 

Orange slices or orange juice? 

Coke or Pepsi?

McDonald’s or Taco Bell? 

Sweet or salty? 

Cook or bake? 

Bagel or doughnut?

Cheesecake or brownie?

Cheesecake or brownie?- this or that questions

Vanilla or chocolate?

Breakfast or dinner?

Bacon or sausage? 

Burger or hot dog?

Apples or oranges?

Apples or oranges?

Pancakes or waffles?

Watermelon or grapes?

Plain cheese or pepperoni pizza?

Popcorn or chips? 

Whipped cream or chocolate sauce? 

Strawberries or blueberries?

Chocolate bars or gummy bears? 

Chocolate bars or gummy bears? 

French fries or onion rings?

Peanut butter or jelly?

Lemonade or iced tea?

Eat only pizza or only ice cream for the rest of your life? 

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? 

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? - this or that questions

Fancy restaurant or fast-food truck?

Dine at a restaurant or eat at home? 

Early-bird breakfast or late brunch? 

Snickers or Mars bar? 

Skinny french fries or thick-cut wedges?

Skinny french fries or thick-cut wedges?

Sour cream or guacamole?

Chicken nuggets or chicken strips?

Tacos or burritos?

Milkshake or smoothie? 

Pasta or pizza?

Ramen or pho? 

Ramen or pho? - this or that questions

Pork or beef?

Fruits or vegetables? 

Salt or pepper? 

Make homemade pizza or sushi? 

Breakfast burrito or bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich?

This or That Questions About Sports and Games

Skiing or skateboarding? 

Skiing or skateboarding? 

Chess or checkers? 

Golf or bowling? 

Learn to do magic or juggle? 

Tennis or badminton?

Surfing or snowboarding?

Summer Olympics or Winter Olympics? 

Summer Olympics or Winter Olympics? 

Swim or run? 

Team sport or individual sport? 

Home game or away game?

Watch a game at the stadium by yourself or at home with friends? 

Ice-skating or ice hockey?

Ice-skating or ice hockey?

Be the star player on a poorly performing team or the worst player on a championship team? 

Have a long, average career or a short, amazing career? 

Win an MVP award or win a team championship? 

Attend one game in the front row or 10 games in bad seats? 

Attend one game in the front row or 10 games in bad seats? - this or that questions

Run or do jumping jacks?

Skip rope or do burpees? 

Leg day or arm day? 

Crunches or planks? 

Sprint for 20 minutes or jog for an hour? 

Sprint for 20 minutes or jog for an hour? 

Surfing or waterskiing? 

Rock climbing or sailing? 

Yoga or Pilates?

This or That Questions About Places and Travel

Travel all over the world or go to space once? 

East Coast or West Coast? 

East Coast or West Coast? 

Art museum or history museum? 

Egyptian pyramids or Aztec pyramids? 

Window seat or aisle seat? 

Travel with one friend or a group of friends? 

Travel with one friend or a group of friends? 

Climb a tree or dig in the sand?

Build a snowman or a sandcastle? 

Chase butterflies or hunt seashells? 

Volcano exploring or cave spelunking?

Ride a horse or swim with dolphins? 

Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef or float down the Amazon River? 

Summer camp or road trip? 

Summer camp or road trip? - this or that questions

Beach or mountains?

Zoo or aquarium?

Amusement park or water park?

Wave pool or lazy river? 

Roller coaster or water slide? 

Camping or hotel?

Roasting marshmallows or fireworks? 

Airbnb rental or hotel? 

Airbnb rental or hotel? 

Train ride or bus ride?

Hiking or biking?

Big city or small town? 

Driving through mountains or driving through the desert? 

Desert or jungle? 

Tree house or cave?

Tree house or cave?- this or that questions

Zip line or hanging bridges? 

Art museum or science center? 

Road trip or plane trip? 

Safari or polar expedition? 

Safari or polar expedition? 

Pool or ocean? 

Island or mainland?

Sand or snow? 

Horseback riding or camel riding? 

Hot-air balloon ride or submarine ride?

Snorkeling or scuba diving?

Snorkeling or scuba diving?

This or That Questions About Careers

Work with words or numbers? 

Do what you love or make a lot of money? 

Do something new every day or do the same tasks every day? 

Solve problems or oversee a team? 

Be a salesperson with a low salary and opportunity for a bonus or have a steady salary? 

Travel a lot or work from home? 

Travel a lot or work from home? - this or that questions

Work at a start-up company or an established company? 

Be well liked or well respected? 

Designer or tester?

TV anchor or newspaper reporter?

Teacher or principal?

Teacher or principal?

President of the United States or own a sports team? 

Athlete or coach?

Astronaut or zookeeper? 

Painter or musician?

Doctor or veterinarian? 

Writer or movie director? 

Writer or movie director? 

Bestselling author or movie star? 

Coder or game designer? 

Photographer or fashion designer? 

TV host or radio DJ?

Magician or circus performer?

Magician or circus performer?- this or that questions

Race-car driver or pilot?

Imaginative This or That Questions

Iced coffee on a snowy day or hot coffee in 100-degree heat?

Be sweaty in cold weather or sneeze all the time in hot weather? 

Have a pet that can talk or a baby that can talk? 

Zombies or vampires? 

Zombies or vampires? 

Be a bad singer or not be able to speak quietly? 

Time-travel to the past or the future?

Be invisible or be able to fly? 

Have a pet dinosaur or a pet dragon? 

Have a pet dinosaur or a pet dragon? - this or that questions

Live on the moon or live on Mars? 

Be able to speak every world language or speak to animals? 

Meet an alien or have a robot friend? 

Live underwater or live in the sky? 

Live underwater or live in the sky? 

Always have to tell the truth or always have to hear the truth? 

Have a magic carpet or a flying car? 

Live in a world made of LEGO or a world made of Play-Doh?

Be the fastest person or the smartest person? 

Breathe underwater or walk through walls?

Always be happy or be able to make others happy? 

Always be happy or be able to make others happy? 

Be famous for your beauty or your mind?

Talk with a dog or talk with a cat?

Be a pirate or a ninja?

Ride a unicorn or fly with a dragon?

Have it rain jellybeans or snow marshmallows? 

Be a giant for a day or an ant for a day?

Be a giant for a day or an ant for a day?- this or that questions

Always walk slowly or talk super fast?

Live in Wonderland or Never-Never Land? 

Always wear clothes backward or inside out? 

Travel on a pirate ship or a space ship? 

Travel on a pirate ship or a space ship? 

Visit with mermaids or fairies? 

Discover Atlantis or the moon? 

Become a superhero or a wizard? 

Spend a year on a deserted island or in the jungle? 

Find a magic lamp or a magic carpet? 

Find a magic lamp or a magic carpet? - this or that questions

Walk on the ceiling or breathe underwater? 

Only whisper or only shout? 

Not brush your teeth for a week or not shower for a month? 

Have a bad haircut or a bad hair color? 

Spend the day indoors or outdoors? 

Be able to fly or teleport? 

Have a permanent scowl or a permanent grin? 

Have to fend off a bear or fend off a swarm of ferrets? 

Come upon a swarm or bees or a pride of lions? 

Come upon a swarm or bees or a pride of lions? 

Find out you live in the Matrix or that you are a robot? 

Be a rodeo clown or a matador? 

Be the size of a mouse or the size of an elephant for the rest of your life? 

Have unlimited candy at a movie or unlimited popcorn? 

Be the strongest person in the world or the fastest? 

Have spaghetti for hair or meatballs for eyes? 

Have spaghetti for hair or meatballs for eyes? - this or that questions

Talk like a pirate or quack like a duck? 

Speak in rhyme all day or communicate only through charades? 

School-Related This or That Questions

Have a class pet or a class plant? 

Walk backward for a day or hop on one foot all through recess?

Have a robot to do your homework or a backpack that gives you any school supply you need?

A lunch box that magically refills with your favorite snacks or a backpack that organizes itself?

A lunch box that magically refills with your favorite snacks or a backpack that organizes itself?

Have a class garden or class aquarium? 

A classroom with talking animals or a classroom that changes themes each day? 

A classroom with paper airplanes that deliver messages or pens that draw 3D objects? 

Study with music playing or quiet? 

Go on a field trip to a museum or the zoo? 

Go on a field trip to a museum or the zoo? 

Have a longer lunch or a longer recess? 

Do you like math puzzles or word searches?

Would you rather participate in a science fair or a spelling bee? 

Would you rather learn about volcanoes or earthquakes? 

Give a 5-minute oral presentation or record a 3-minute video?

Work in a group or by yourself? 

Work in a group or by yourself? - this or that questions

This or That Questions About Clothing

T-shirts or sweaters?

Hats or sunglasses?

Sneakers or boots?

Stripes or polka dots? 

Stripes or polka dots? 

Leggings or jeans?

Raincoat or snowsuit?

Prints or neutrals? 

Always have your socks mismatched or always have your shoelaces untied? 

Glitter or glow-in-the-dark?

Glitter or glow-in-the-dark?

Flip-flops or water shoes?

Sports jerseys or character shirts?

Slippers or thick socks?

Wear socks on your hands or gloves on your feet? 

High heels or cowboy boots?

High heels or cowboy boots?- this or that questions

This or That Questions About Pop Culture

Zombies or Descendants? 

“Inside Out” or “Turning Red”? 

Watch a comedy or an adventure movie? 

Watch a subtitled movie or a movie in black and white? 

Watch a subtitled movie or a movie in black and white? 

Nature documentary or animated movie? 

Horror movie or science-fiction movie? 

Twizzlers or Red Vines? 

Mario or Sonic?

Converse or Vans? 

Converse or Vans? 

Target or Walmart? 

Madonna or Michael Jackson? 

“Scarface” or “The Godfather”? 

“Game of Thrones” or “The Walking Dead”? 

Superwoman or Catwoman? 

Kanye West or Jay-Z?

Kanye West or Jay-Z?- this or that questions

Beyoncé or Taylor Swift?

Vintage or modern? 

“American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent”? 

TikTok or Instagram? 

Pop or rock?

Book or movie adaptation? 

Book or movie adaptation? 

Twitch or YouTube?

HBO Max or Hulu?

Netflix or Disney? 

The “Harry Potter” trio or the “Stranger Things” kids?

The "Harry Potter" trio or the "Stranger Things" kids?- this or that questions

Xbox or PlayStation?

Marvel or DC Comics? 

“Harry Potter” or “Lord of the Rings”?

Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears? 

This or That Questions About Books and Reading

Fiction or nonfiction?

Picture book or chapter book? 

Picture book or chapter book? 

Wordless picture book or picture book with words?

Comic book or graphic novel? 

Mystery or fantasy?

“Harry Potter” or “Hunger Games”?

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” or “Captain Underpants”?

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" or "Captain Underpants"?- this or that questions

“Magic Tree House” or “Junie B. Jones”?

Dr. Seuss or Roald Dahl?

Princesses or superheroes? 

Audiobook or read-aloud? 

E-reader or physical book? 

E-reader or physical book? 

Only have your favorite book to read for the rest of your life or have a new book to read every day? 

Libraries or bookstores?

Bookmarks or dog ears?

Series or stand-alone books? 

Magazines or websites? 

Magazines or websites? - this or that questions

Biography of an inventor or an explorer? 

Seasonal and Holiday This or That Questions

Trick-or-treat or costume party? 

Pumpkin pie or apple pie? 

Pie à la mode or without ice cream? 

Watch the Thanksgiving Day parade or play football? 

Watch the Thanksgiving Day parade or play football? 

Eat Thanksgiving dinner at noon or at dinnertime? 

Decorate the Christmas tree or bake cookies? 

“Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” or “Elf”? 

Light the menorah or play dreidel? 

Do an Easter egg hunt or decorate eggs? 

Have a birthday party or go on an adventure? 

Have a birthday party or go on an adventure?  -- this or that questions

Receive a card for Valentine’s Day or get candy?

Watch fireworks or the ball drop on New Year’s Eve?

Have a 4th of July BBQ or go to the beach? 

Light a Diwali diya or watch fireworks? 

Wear green for St. Patrick’s Day or search for a leprechaun? 

Watch the dragon dance for Chinese New Year or receive red envelopes? 

Watch the dragon dance for Chinese New Year or receive red envelopes? 

Hope the groundhog sees his shadow or not on Groundhog Day? 

Social-Emotional Learning Questions

Glass half-empty or glass half-full? 

Feel embarrassed or feel afraid? 

Play with friends or by yourself? 

Make new friends or hang out with old friends? 

Make new friends or hang out with old friends? 

Be the leader or follower in a game? 

Join a club or play a sport? 

Have one best friend or a big group of friends? 

High fives or hugs? 

Introvert or extrovert?

Introvert or extrovert?  - this or then questions

Star in a talent show or watch a talent show? 

Host a party or go to a party? 

Take care of someone or have someone take care of you? 

Do most of the talking or most of the listening? 

Have an easy, boring life or a challenging, exciting life? 

One best friend or a lot of acquaintances? 

One best friend or a lot of acquaintances? - this or that questions

Know exactly what someone is thinking or be able to read body language? 

This or That Questions To Inspire Debate

See into your future or change your past?

Know who you are going to marry now or know how many kids you’ll have? 

Be invisible or be able to read minds? 

Live in a world without disease or a world without poverty?

Live in a world without disease or a world without poverty?

Go back in time and change one historical event or meet one famous historical person? 

Have inner peace or recognition for your work? 

Control fire or water with your mind? 

Make all decisions based on logic or all decisions based on emotion? 

Know how the world will end or when the world will end? 

Forget everything you know or forget everyone you know?

Forget everything you know or forget everyone you know?- this or that questions

Have $1 million to spend on others or $100,000 to spend on yourself? 

Go to prison or spend your life as a wanted person? 

Live alone or with family?

Have more money or more time?

Pineapple or anchovies on pizza? 

Pineapple or anchovies on pizza? 

Is a hot dog a sandwich or a taco?

Pickles or relish on hamburgers? 

Which is better, rectangular pizza or round pizza? 

Is it better to wear shoes in the house or take them off?

Which word is worse: moist or phlegm? 

Which word is worse: moist or phlegm? -this or that questions

Is golf a sport or a hobby? 

Should everyone have a pet?

Is soccer better than football? 

Are clowns scary or funny?

Want these questions to use in your classroom?

Enter your email on the form on this page to download a free set of Google Slides featuring all of the questions above!

Plus, check out our Fun Icebreaker Questions.

Have more ideas for icebreakers or movement breaks? Come share them in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE Group on Facebook.



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