200 Best This or That Questions for Fun Conversations
Spark lively debates and discover new perspectives with these engaging prompts!
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Every conversation can benefit from a spark—that moment when casual small talk transforms into laughter, thoughtful discussion, and mutual connection. Whether you’re at a party, spending time with close friends, bonding with family, or just trying to liven up a virtual meeting, ‘this or that’ questions offer a simple way to break the ice and ignite memorable exchanges. The following collection of 200 this or that questions delivers the perfect mix of classic, quirky, funny, and thought-provoking prompts to keep everyone engaged, no matter their personality or age.
This comprehensive guide mirrors the structure and spirit of Parade Magazine’s popular this or that list, grouping questions and organizing them for different settings and audiences while including tips, variations, and FAQs.
What Are “This or That” Questions?
This or that questions are a playful format for conversation starters where you choose between two options. They range from simple preferences (e.g., Ice cream or cake?) to challenging dilemmas (e.g., Would you rather lose your phone or your wallet?). They’re popular because they’re easy to answer, reveal interesting details about personality, and can quickly get everyone participating.
How to Use “This or That” Questions
- As icebreakers in new groups or meetings.
- For virtual hangouts and video calls.
- In classroom settings or camps to help students connect.
- At parties or family gatherings for group entertainment.
- In couples’ or friends’ games to discover quirks and preferences.
Feel free to mix questions, ask follow-ups, or challenge someone to elaborate on why they chose one over the other.
Classic This or That Questions
- Playlists or podcasts?
- Shoes or slippers?
- Pork or beef?
- Swimming pool or beach?
- Fruits or vegetables?
- Cats or dogs?
- Summer or winter?
- Salt or pepper?
- Cash or cards?
- Cookies or chips?
- Soda or juice?
- Farm or city?
- Text or call?
- New phone or new clothes?
- Black or white?
- Driver or passenger?
- Laptop or tablet?
- Comedy or horror?
- Beer or wine?
- Dine in or dine out?
Technology and Entertainment This or That
- Movies or TV shows?
- iOS or Android?
- Waffles or pancakes?
- Rain or snow?
- Love or money?
- Ice or fire?
- Curly or straight?
- Oranges or apples?
- Sweet or salty?
- Trucks or cars?
- Lunch or dinner?
- Weekends or weekdays?
- Pizza or pasta?
- Friends or family?
- Boys or girls?
- Fiction or non-fiction?
- Skiing or snowboarding?
- Red wine or white wine?
- Singing in the shower or singing in the car?
- Organized or messy?
Food and Drink Preferences
- Tea or coffee?
- Chocolate or vanilla?
- Hamburgers or hot dogs?
- French fries or onion rings?
- Chicken or fish?
- Pancakes or crepes?
- Fruit smoothie or milkshake?
- Breakfast or brunch?
- Ice cream cone or cup?
- Spicy or mild?
Travel & Outdoors This or That
- Mountains or ocean?
- Camping or hotel stay?
- Road trip or flying?
- Sunrise or sunset?
- City adventure or nature escape?
- Travel by plane or train?
- Amusement park or national park?
- Picnic or restaurant?
- Jogging or cycling?
- Star gazing or cloud watching?
Style, Fashion & Beauty
- Casual or formal?
- Dresses or pants?
- High heels or sneakers?
- Makeup or natural?
- Long hair or short hair?
- Silver or gold jewelry?
- Hair up or down?
- Bold colors or neutrals?
- Denim or leather?
- Vintage or modern?
Home, Living and Lifestyle
- Minimalist or maximalist?
- Open floor plan or cozy rooms?
- Gardening or interior decorating?
- Home-cooked meal or takeout?
- Reading or watching TV?
- Bath or shower?
- Early riser or night owl?
- Planner or spontaneous?
- Indoor plants or fresh flowers?
- Working from home or office?
Relationship & Family “This or That” Questions
- Call or text parents?
- Quality time or gifts?
- Family vacation or solo trip?
- Cooking together or dining out?
- Celebrating holidays at home or abroad?
- Movie night or game night?
- Heart-to-heart talks or playful banter?
- Hosting or attending parties?
- Parenting strict or lenient?
- Siblings or only child?
Funny, Quirky & Challenge Questions
- Socks with sandals or bare feet?
- Dancing in public or singing out loud?
- Pirate or ninja?
- Aliens or ghosts?
- Lose your keys or lose your phone?
- Always too hot or always too cold?
- Live with 10 dogs or 10 cats?
- No internet for a week or no phone for a week?
- Invisible for a day or fly for a day?
- Stuck in a room filled with spiders or snakes?
Table: Popular “This or That” Themes
| Theme | Sample Questions |
|---|---|
| Technology | Playlists or podcasts? Laptop or tablet? iOS or Android? |
| Food & Drink | Pork or beef? Tea or coffee? Cookies or chips? |
| Lifestyle | Organized or messy? Early riser or night owl? |
| Travel | Camping or hotel? Road trip or flying? |
| Funny/Quirky | Pirate or ninja? Aliens or ghosts? |
Kids & Family Friendly This or That Questions
- Pencil or pen?
- Cartoons or comics?
- Ice cream sandwich or popsicle?
- Soccer or basketball?
- Fairy tales or science fiction?
- Paint or draw?
- Jump rope or hula hoop?
- Sandbox or swings?
- Birthday cake or cupcakes?
- Puppies or kittens?
Deep & Thought-Provoking This or That Questions
- Love or respect?
- Wisdom or wealth?
- To forgive or forget?
- Change the past or know the future?
- Truth or happiness?
- Be remembered or be missed?
- Routine or adventure?
- Be yourself or fit in?
- Hope or certainty?
- Save or spend?
Variations: How to Make “This or That” Game More Interesting
- Speed rounds: Set a timer and answer as many as possible in 60 seconds.
- Group voting: Everyone votes; see which option wins.
- Explain your choice: After each question, ask “why” to deepen the conversation.
- Reverse round: Say which option you wouldn’t pick and why.
- Wild cards: Let someone add a third surprise option for extra challenge.
FAQs About “This or That” Questions
Q: What makes a great “this or that” question?
A great question has two distinct options, is relatable, and leaves room for funny or surprising answers. Tailor questions to your audience for best results.
Q: Are “this or that” questions good for kids and teens?
Yes. They’re simple, safe, and encourage kids and teens to express preferences, start conversations, and learn about each other respectfully.
Q: How do “this or that” questions help in team building?
The format is quick and low-pressure, which means everyone can participate without anxiety. They’re also a fun way for teams to discover common ground or unique traits.
Q: What’s the difference between “this or that” and “would you rather” questions?
“This or that” questions focus on straight preferences between two similar things, while “would you rather” questions often introduce dilemmas or hypotheticals, sometimes with more extreme or imaginative choices.
Q: Can you use “this or that” questions online?
Absolutely. They translate perfectly to video calls, chat apps, discussion forums, or any digital gathering.
Tips for Using “This or That” Questions Effectively
- Keep the pace lively—don’t linger too long on one question.
- Let shy participants write or signal their answers if they prefer not to speak.
- Use questions to jump into deeper topics or stories.
- Pick questions that match your group—choose silly for parties, thoughtful for family time.
- Remember, there are no right or wrong answers; it’s all about having fun and learning more about one another.
Bonus: 20 Quick Fire This or That Questions
- Rainy day or sunny day?
- Chocolate chip or oatmeal cookie?
- Soccer or basketball?
- Netflix or YouTube?
- Tattoos or piercings?
- Music festival or food festival?
- Science fiction or romantic comedy?
- Lose your keys or your wallet?
- Camping in a tent or sleeping in a cabin?
- Binge-watch or watch weekly?
- Blue or green?
- Coffee in the morning or tea at night?
- Travel abroad or explore locally?
- Puppies or kittens?
- Breakfast in bed or dinner out?
- Writing or drawing?
- Swimming or hiking?
- Board games or card games?
- Cheesecake or apple pie?
- Red or yellow?
Conclusion: Finding Connection Through Choices
‘This or that’ questions remind us how diverse and delightful people’s preferences can be, providing a springboard not just for answers, but for real conversations—about memories, habits, dreams, and relationships. Use the questions above to lighten up any gathering, build new friendships, or reconnect with loved ones in ways both meaningful and hilarious. Enjoy discovering the quirks and commonalities that make every person unique!
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