These 41 Conversation Starters Are Exactly What Your Next Dinner Party Needs

Entertaining is more than setting the table and cooking a meal. It's also about making guests feel comfortable—and that can mean helping the convo flow. In fact, a few reliable conversation starters may be just as necessary an entertaining essential as your favorite dinnerware.

Listening, of course, is also just as important as offering important questions and anecdotes when kicking off a good convo. The well-known improv mantra "Yes, and..." is a way to keep conversation flowing rather than shutting it down. "By intentionally listening to what someone is saying, you can find a specific thought that you can take and add in a relatable response," explains Jonald Reyes, Artistic Director of the Training Center at The Second City New York. "In improv, we also talk about committing to the scene.  Although we're not acting in this real-life scenario, we're still investing into the scene of having a good time and getting a fun conversation going. That energy and feeling can be contagious enough to continue the conversation."

Below, see a lengthy list of conversation starters, topics, and questions to help spark interesting discussion during dinner parties and social situations where you very much do not want to be stuck discussing the weather.

Easy Conversation Starters

Simple conversation starters can be as easy as asking an open-ended question (that is, not a yes or no question). Heavier topics, like current events, politics, health, religion, or even work, may not be the best to surface for easy conversation—but you can read the room. Reyes recommends using an observation or a compliment to kick off a conversation at any gathering. For example, "I really like the plants here. Do you grow any plants yourself?" 

• Do you have any travel plans? Any recent travel? 
• Have you read anything good lately? 
• Have you watched anything good lately? 
• What type of music do you like listening to?
• Have you been to any good restaurants lately?
• Have you cooked anything good lately?
• What’s your go-to drink? 
• Do you have any pets? (Always follow with asking for a picture!)
• Which neighborhood do you live in? How do you like it?
• Where did you grow up? 
• What’s your astrological sign? 

Deep Conversation Starters

If you’re looking to connect on a deeper level, an open-ended question that requires a bit more thought to answer can be the key to getting to know someone better. Try asking questions that tap into positive emotions. Sometimes, opening up yourself can help someone feel comfortable reciprocating into a deep conversation.

• What are you most looking forward to tonight?
• What’s been the highlight of your year so far? 
• Who do you like spending time with? Are you close?
• How did you end up living in this city/town/area?
• What’s something you’ve accomplished recently that you’re proud of? 
• What’s something new that you’ve recently tried?
• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? 
• Do you have siblings? Are you close? 
• What would your life look like if you had unlimited money? 
• What would yourself 10 years ago think of you now? 
• Do you identify as an extrovert or introvert?
• Are you indoorsy or outdoorsy? 
• Are you religious or spiritual? 
• How do you celebrate holidays? 
• What were you like in high school? 

Funny Conversation Starters

Laughter can bond pretty much anyone instantaneously, and starting a conversation with humor can be as easy as sharing a fun fact or silly story that recently happened to you. “Don't try too hard and just have fun,” Reyes says. (And don’t underestimate the power of a decent-ish dad joke.)

• Would you rather … (be a vampire or a zombie, live in space or underwater, etc.) 
• If you could invite anyone to this party, living or dead, who would it be and why?
• What’s your go-to karaoke song?
• What’s your guilty pleasure? 
• What’s the most regrettable purchase you’ve made lately? 
• What’s something random that lives in your brain rent-free? 
• Would you produce your life story as a memoir or a musical?
• Are you good at an accent? Can you demonstrate? 
  

Conversation Starters Good for Kids 

"I see a lot of grown-ups regard kids as less-than adults," says Carly Ciarrocchi, an Emmy-nominated host, producer, and writer focusing on media for kids and families. "Listen and stay curious in almost the same way you would when talking to an adult."

With preschoolers, Ciarrocchi recommends “game-ifying” interactions. Try: Can we find three red things in this room? Who can find a circle the fastest? Would you rather be a potato or a carrot stick? With kindergarten and elementary-aged kids, get curious with them. "By this age, they have things they're obsessed with," Ciarrocchi says.

• What are you into and why?
• What are you excited about?
• What are you proud of?
• What's the hardest thing you had to do this week? 
• What's the easiest?  
• What do you like about school?
• What’s something you wish you could change at school?
  

Drawing can also help adults interact with kids—there’s a reason so many restaurants offer free crayons and paper placements. "Draw a picture, but take turns adding one element at a time,” Ciarrocchi says. "You can make up a story this way, too, one sentence at a time."