Last updated: September 7, 2026
You are five minutes into a gathering and the conversation has already stalled. This or that questions fix that instantly, giving everyone an easy, low-pressure way to jump in and start talking.
You do not need props, apps, or prep time. You just need two options and a willingness to pick a side, and the laughter tends to follow on its own.
Classic This or That Questions to Break the Ice
You can start almost any group with a round of classic pairings, since they touch on everyday preferences that everyone has an opinion about. Coffee or tea, morning person or night owl, sweet or salty, these prompts feel familiar without being boring.
The beauty of a classic round is that you can ask it of strangers or old friends and still learn something new. Keep the pace quick so nobody overthinks their answer, since the best reactions come from gut instinct rather than careful deliberation.
You will notice people naturally start explaining their choices, and that is where the real conversation begins. A simple “cats or dogs” question can turn into a five-minute story about someone’s childhood pet.
Classic rounds also work well as a warm-up before moving into trickier or more personal categories. They lower everyone’s guard and get the group comfortable with the format before you raise the stakes.
Food and Drink This or That Questions
Food-based prompts are some of the most reliable this or that questions because everyone has strong, immediate opinions about what they like to eat. Pizza or tacos, pancakes or waffles, chocolate or vanilla, these pairings almost always spark a quick and confident answer.
You can lean into regional or cultural favorites too, asking about specific dishes rather than broad categories. This works especially well when your group has varied backgrounds, since it gives people a chance to share a little about where they grew up.
Try pairing an indulgent option against a healthier one to see how people justify their choice. The reasoning behind a pick is often more entertaining than the pick itself.
Drink-focused questions work the same way, whether you are asking about coffee orders, cocktails, or favorite sodas. These prompts are especially fun at dinner parties or potlucks, where food is already the centerpiece of the evening.
This or That Questions for Couples and Dates
On a date, this or that questions give you a fast, playful way to learn about someone’s personality without the pressure of a formal interview. Beach vacation or mountain getaway, staying in or going out, cooking at home or trying a new restaurant, these prompts reveal compatibility in a relaxed setting.
You can use lighter questions early in a relationship and save more personal ones, like spender or saver, for when you know each other better. The format keeps things fun even when the topics get a little more serious.
Couples who have been together for years still enjoy this game, since it can surprise you even after knowing someone for a long time. Ask follow-up questions after each answer to keep the momentum going and turn a quick game into a real conversation.
This format also works well over text or during a long car ride, since it does not require eye contact or a formal setting to feel engaging.
This or That Questions for Family Game Night
Family game night calls for prompts that work across generations, so you want questions simple enough for kids and interesting enough for adults. Movie night or game night, summer or winter, camping or hotel, these choices give everyone in the room an easy way to participate.
You can rotate who asks the questions, letting younger family members take a turn leading the round. This keeps kids engaged and gives them ownership over the game rather than just answering questions handed to them.
Consider building a themed round around an upcoming trip or holiday to make the game feel timely. Asking beach or mountains right before a family vacation, for example, adds a little extra excitement to the planning process.
Family rounds tend to run longer than other versions, since relatives love to debate and tease each other over their answers. Leave extra time if you are playing after a big meal, since nobody will want to rush through it.
This or That Questions for Virtual Hangouts and Work Calls
Video calls and virtual hangouts benefit enormously from this or that questions, since they give remote groups a quick way to feel connected. Work from home or office, texting or calling, morning meetings or afternoon meetings, these prompts are easy to type into a chat or ask out loud.
You can use a poll feature if your platform has one, letting people vote before revealing the group results. This adds a little friendly competition and gives quieter participants an easy way to weigh in without speaking up first.
Keep virtual rounds short, since screen fatigue sets in faster than it does in person. Five or six questions is usually enough to loosen up a call before moving into the main agenda or activity.
Teams that play a quick round before meetings often report feeling more comfortable speaking up during the rest of the call. It is a small investment of time that pays off in a more relaxed, collaborative group.
Why This or That Questions Work So Well
This or that questions work because they lower the barrier to entry for conversation. Instead of asking someone to share a story or opinion from scratch, you are simply asking them to choose between two options, which feels far less intimidating.
The format also naturally invites follow-up, since most people cannot resist explaining why they picked one option over the other. That explanation is usually where the real personality and connection show up.
Because the questions can be tailored to almost any audience or setting, this or that questions remain one of the most flexible icebreaker games around. You can make them silly, thoughtful, or downright personal depending on the mood you want to set.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many this or that questions should I prepare for a group?
You will usually want ten to fifteen questions on hand for a typical gathering, though you may not use them all. Having extras ready means you can skip ahead if a particular topic falls flat with your group.
Can this or that questions work for large groups?
Yes, these questions work well for large groups since everyone can answer at once by raising a hand or calling out their choice. You can also split a big group into smaller circles to keep the conversation more personal.
What makes a good this or that question?
A good question offers two options that are genuinely hard to choose between, since a lopsided pairing tends to fall flat. You also want the options to feel relevant to your specific group and setting.
Are this or that questions good for kids?
Yes, kids tend to love this format because it is quick, easy to understand, and does not require reading long prompts. You can adjust the topics to match their interests, from favorite cartoons to dream vacations.
How do I keep the game from getting repetitive?
You can rotate through different categories, like food, travel, or hypotheticals, so the questions never feel stale. Letting different people take turns asking also keeps the energy fresh throughout the game.
Can this or that questions be used as a party game with prizes?
Yes, you can turn the format into a competitive game by having people guess how the majority of the group will answer before revealing results. Small prizes for the closest guesses add a fun, competitive layer to the activity.
Ready to Break the Ice?
You now have plenty of this or that questions to pull from, whatever the occasion calls for. Grab a few categories that fit your group, keep the pace light, and let the conversation take it from there.
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