50 Impromptu Speech Prompts for Kids

Warm-Up (ages 5–8): fun, low-pressure

1. What is the best animal to have as a pet, and why?
2. If you could eat only one food for a week, what would it be?
3. What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
4. Describe your dream treehouse.
5. If you had a magic power for one day, what would you pick?
6. What makes a good friend?
7. Would you rather fly or be invisible? Why?
8. What is the best game to play at recess?
9. If you could talk to any animal, which one and what would you ask?
10. What is the best ice cream flavor and why is everyone else wrong?
11. Describe your perfect birthday.
12. If you could build a robot, what would it do for you?
13. What is your favorite season and why?
14. Would you rather live in a castle or a spaceship?
15. What is something that always makes you laugh?

Level Up (ages 9–12): a little more thinking

1. Should kids have homework? Give your reasons.
2. What is the most useful invention ever made?
3. If you were principal for a day, what is the first thing you’d change?
4. Is it better to be really smart or really kind?
5. Describe a time you were brave.
6. Should schools have longer recess? Convince me.
7. What is the best way to spend a Saturday?
8. If you could add one new subject at school, what would it be?
9. Who is a person you look up to, and why?
10. Should everyone have to learn a musical instrument?
11. What is the hardest part about being your age?
12. If you could give every kid in the world one thing, what would it be?
13. Is it better to be a leader or a team player?
14. Describe your favorite place in the whole world.
15. What is one rule you think should be changed?
16. Should kids get paid for good grades?
17. What is the best book or movie you’ve experienced, and why should someone try it?
18. If you started a business, what would you sell?
19. What does it mean to be a good sport?
20. Would you rather explore space or the deep ocean?

Challenge (ages 13–17): persuasion & abstract thinking

1. Is social media good or bad for people your age?
2. Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
3. Is it more important to be honest or to be nice?
4. Should school start later in the morning?
5. What is one thing your generation does better than adults expect?
6. Is failure a good thing? Argue your side.
7. Should phones be banned during school hours?
8. What is a cause you would stand up for, and why?
9. Is it better to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big one?
10. Should everyone be required to volunteer in their community?
11. What is the most overrated thing people your age care about?
12. If you could solve one problem in the world, which would it be and how?
13. Does money buy happiness? Defend your answer.
14. What advice would you give your 8-year-old self?
15. Convince me that your favorite hobby is the best hobby.

Coach’s tip for parents

Don’t correct while they speak, because it kills confidence. Let them finish, then offer one piece of praise and one thing to try next time. Reps first, polish later.