250+ This or That Questions for Middle Schoolers (Fun, Clean, and Classroom-Ready)

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Looking for this or that questions for middle schoolers? You’re in the right place. This guide delivers 250+ ready-to-use questions sorted by category, plus practical tips for teachers, parents, and youth leaders on how to run the game so every kid gets a chance to talk. Every question is school-safe, easy to understand for grades 6–8, and built to spark real conversation without awkward silences.

Middle school sits in a strange in-between age. Kids are old enough to have real opinions but young enough to still love silly debates about pizza toppings. That’s exactly why “this or that” works so well with this group. The questions are quick, the answers are personal, and nobody feels put on the spot. Sections below cover the classroom, sleepovers, road trips, holidays, sports, food, tech, and more.

If you’re a teacher, there’s a full section further down on how to use these as bell-ringers, brain breaks, and first-week-of-school get-to-know-you activities. If you’re a parent, the road-trip and family sets are the fastest way to get past one-word answers at dinner.

This or that questions for middle schoolers are quick two-option prompts (like “pizza or tacos?”) that help students ages 11–14 share opinions, break the ice, and build classroom community. They work well as icebreakers, brain breaks, journal prompts, and party games because they’re fast, low-pressure, and give every student a chance to speak without needing a “right” answer.

Table of Contents

What Are This or That Questions?

This or that questions are simple prompts that force a choice between two options. There’s no long answer, no essay, and no need to explain unless the player wants to. A kid just picks one side and moves on.

For middle schoolers, the format solves a real problem. Kids this age often freeze up during open-ended discussions. Give them two clear choices and they’ll answer in seconds. That’s why the game shows up so often in classrooms, youth groups, and family car rides.

The questions can be silly (“ketchup or mustard?”), practical (“morning shower or night shower?”), or thought-provoking (“popular or respected?”). Strong sets mix all three so the game doesn’t get stale.

Why They Work So Well for Middle Schoolers

Middle schoolers sit in an awkward development stage. They want independence but still need structure. This or that questions give them both. They get to voice a real opinion without being judged, and the format keeps the group moving.

Teachers often notice that even the quietest students will jump in on a “pizza or burgers” debate. That participation carries over. Once a student answers one question out loud, the next one feels easier.

A few reasons the format keeps working year after year:

Answers are short, so shy students feel safe.
There’s no wrong answer, which lowers anxiety.
The questions reveal personality without prying.
The pace is fast enough to hold short attention spans.
Kids can play with 2 people or 30 people.

How to Play (Classroom, Party, and One-on-One Versions)

The rules are almost too simple to write down, but each setting has a slightly different rhythm. Pick the version that fits your group size and time.

Classroom Version

The teacher reads a question. Students walk to one side of the room based on their choice. Left side = option A, right side = option B. Then two or three students share why. This gets kids moving, which matters after 40 minutes of sitting.

Party Version

Everyone sits in a circle. One person reads a question, and each kid answers in turn. If a player hesitates for more than 5 seconds, they’re “out” for that round. The last one still answering wins.

One-on-One Version

Take turns asking each other. No time limit. This works well for a parent and child on a car ride, siblings before bed, or a mentor and mentee getting to know each other. Follow-up questions are welcome here.

Quick Comparison

❮ Swipe table left/right ❯

Setting	Group Size	Best For	Time Needed
Classroom	15–35	Icebreakers, brain breaks	5–15 min
Party/Sleepover	4–12	Fun and laughter	20–45 min
Car/Road Trip	2–6	Killing boredom	Any
One-on-One	2	Building connection	10–30 min

Funny This or That Questions for Middle Schoolers

Humor is the fastest way to warm up a middle school crowd. Start here if your group is stiff or shy. These questions get laughs without embarrassing anyone.

Fart in an elevator or burp during a school picture?
Slip on a banana peel or trip over your own shoelaces?
Have hiccups for a day or sneeze every 5 minutes for a day?
Wear socks with sandals or a shirt inside out to school?
Get chased by a goose or by 100 angry chickens?
Talk like a pirate for a week or like a robot for a week?
Have a permanent unibrow or a mustache made of glitter?
Laugh at every serious moment or cry at every happy moment?
Trip in front of your crush or wave at someone who wasn’t waving at you?
Have spaghetti for hair or meatballs for eyes?
Sneeze glitter or hiccup bubbles?
Ride a giant chicken or a tiny elephant?
Have a snorting laugh or a super loud laugh?
Wear clown shoes for a week or a clown wig for a week?
Have a pet dragon that farts fire or a pet unicorn that sneezes rainbows?
Eat a spoonful of mustard or a spoonful of mayo?
Be tickled for an hour or listen to a baby cry for an hour?
Have your voice sound like a cartoon character or an old man?
Grow bunny ears or a monkey tail?
Do a TikTok dance in front of your grandma or your teacher?

Food This or That Questions

Food debates are easy wins. Every middle schooler has strong opinions about lunch. Pull these out during a class party, a sleepover, or a Friday brain break. If you want a deeper set on this theme, there’s a full this or that food questions list worth bookmarking.

Pizza or tacos?
Ice cream or milkshake?
Chocolate or vanilla?
Chicken nuggets or french fries?
Cheeseburger or hot dog?
Ranch or ketchup?
Pancakes or waffles?
Cereal or oatmeal?
Sushi or ramen?
Popcorn or nachos?
Peanut butter or Nutella?
Sweet or salty?
Skittles or Starbursts?
Oreos or Chips Ahoy?
Hot Cheetos or Takis?
Bubble tea or slushie?
Chick-fil-A or Raising Cane’s?
In-N-Out or Five Guys?
Domino’s or Little Caesars?
Pineapple on pizza or no pineapple on pizza?
Chicken wings or chicken tenders?
Sourdough or white bread?
Fried rice or lo mein?
Mac and cheese or grilled cheese?
Strawberry or watermelon?
Cake or pie?
Chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies?
Root beer or Dr Pepper?
Sparkling water or regular water?
Cold pizza or reheated pizza?

School and Classroom Questions

These land differently because kids live this world every day. Perfect for the first week back, right before a break, or when a substitute needs a filler activity. For more themed sets, check out this this or that questions for back to school collection.

Homework right after school or right before bed?
Math or English?
Pen or pencil?
Sit in the front or the back?
Group project or solo project?
Substitute teacher or your usual teacher?
Recess or lunch?
Field trip or free day?
Reading a book or watching the movie?
Notebook or laptop?
Textbook or online notes?
Locker or backpack for everything?
Cafeteria food or packed lunch?
School bus or getting a ride?
PE or art?
Spelling test or math test?
Presenting first or presenting last?
Written essay or oral report?
Science lab or history lecture?
Study alone or study with friends?
Highlighter or sticky notes?
Cursive or print handwriting?
Music class or drama class?
Field day or picture day?
Early bell or late bell?

Bored in class? There’s a related read on fun things to do in school when you’re bored that pairs well with these prompts.

Would-You-Rather Style Questions

These are close cousins of this or that but with slightly bigger stakes. Use them when the group is warmed up and ready for a longer debate.

Never use the internet again or never watch TV again?
Be invisible or be able to fly?
Read minds or see the future?
Live in space or live underwater?
Have super speed or super strength?
Never do homework again or never take a test again?
Be famous for singing or famous for sports?
Time travel to the past or the future?
Have a giant house or a giant backyard?
Own a private jet or a private island?
Never have to sleep or never have to eat?
Be the smartest kid or the funniest kid?
Have $1 million now or $10 million in ten years?
Live without music or live without movies?
Talk to animals or speak every language?

Pop Culture, Music, and Movies

Middle schoolers care about what’s trending. Keep this set updated each year, because references get old fast. If a question feels dated, swap it for whatever’s blowing up right now.

Marvel or DC?
Star Wars or Harry Potter?
Netflix or Disney+?
Spider-Man or Batman?
Taylor Swift or Billie Eilish?
Drake or Kendrick Lamar?
Rap or pop?
TikTok trends or YouTube shorts?
Movie theater or watch at home?
Animated movie or live action?
Horror or comedy?
Superhero movie or fantasy movie?
Music with lyrics or instrumental?
Album or single tracks?
Concert or music festival?
Podcast or audiobook?
Series finale or open ending?
Reading the book first or watching the movie first?
Old Disney movies or new Disney movies?
Anime or cartoons?

Sports and Outdoor Questions for Middle Schoolers

Not every middle schooler is into sports, so mix these with non-athletic outdoor options. Kids who don’t play still have opinions on who to watch. For sports-specific sets, try these this or that football players questions and the this or that questions world cup edition.

Basketball or football?
Soccer or baseball?
Swimming or running?
Team sport or individual sport?
Watching sports or playing sports?
Skateboard or scooter?
Bike or roller skates?
Hiking or biking?
Snowboarding or skiing?
Beach day or pool day?
Camping in a tent or in a cabin?
Fishing or kayaking?
Trampoline park or laser tag?
Bowling or mini golf?
Playground or arcade?
Rock climbing or ziplining?
Track or gymnastics?
Volleyball or tennis?
Cheer or dance?
Winning as a team or scoring the winning point yourself?

This category gets the loudest reactions. Middle schoolers debate consoles the way adults debate cars. Keep these open-ended so kids who don’t game still have something to say.

iPhone or Android?
Xbox or PlayStation?
Nintendo Switch or PC gaming?
Fortnite or Minecraft?
Roblox or Among Us?
Snapchat or Instagram?
TikTok or YouTube?
Texting or calling?
Emoji or plain text?
FaceTime or Zoom?
Wireless earbuds or wired headphones?
Smartwatch or regular watch?
Tablet or laptop?
Solo gaming or online multiplayer?
Streaming or downloading?
Console gaming or mobile gaming?
Voice message or typed message?
Group chat or one-on-one chat?
Discord or Snapchat?
Public account or private account?

If your students throw around slang you don’t recognize, this guide on what does 67 mean in slang can help you keep up.

Travel and Adventure

Travel questions work great before school breaks or during a geography unit. They also pull out family stories, which builds classroom trust.

Beach vacation or mountain vacation?
Road trip or plane trip?
Big city or small town?
Disneyland or Universal Studios?
Camping or hotel?
Cruise or resort?
Theme park or water park?
New York or Los Angeles?
Paris or Tokyo?
Cold destination or hot destination?
Explore a new country or visit a favorite place again?
Take pictures or just enjoy the moment?
Souvenirs or photos?
Guided tour or explore on your own?
Trains or buses?
Backpack or suitcase?
Long trip once a year or short trips often?
Visit family or travel with friends?
Museum or amusement park?
Beach house or lake house?

Animals and Nature

Animal questions are pure gold with this age group. Even the “too cool” kids get soft when the topic turns to pets.

Dogs or cats?
Bunny or hamster?
Golden retriever or husky?
Turtles or fish?
Lion or tiger?
Shark or dolphin?
Butterflies or ladybugs?
Farm animals or wild animals?
Zoo or aquarium?
Cheetah or eagle?
Panda or koala?
Snake or lizard?
Owl or hawk?
Elephant or giraffe?
Horse or unicorn?
Bees or butterflies?
Rain or snow?
Sunrise or sunset?
Ocean or lake?
Forest or desert?

Holiday and Seasonal Questions

Rotate these through the year. They give a class party easy structure and connect to whatever season you’re in. There’s a fun this or that questions for Halloween set if you want more October-specific prompts.

Halloween or Christmas?
Thanksgiving or Fourth of July?
Valentine’s Day or Easter?
Trick-or-treating or a Halloween party?
Costume with a group or solo costume?
Snow day or beach day?
Summer break or winter break?
Fireworks or sparklers?
Opening presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Real Christmas tree or fake tree?
Handmade gifts or store-bought gifts?
Pumpkin pie or apple pie?
Hot chocolate or apple cider?
Building a snowman or having a snowball fight?
Spring or fall?
Family holiday or friend holiday?
Decorating the tree or wrapping the presents?
Scary Halloween or funny Halloween?
Egg hunt or pumpkin patch?
Fourth of July parade or fireworks show?

Deep(er) This or That for Reflection

Use these later in the year once trust is built. They’re still simple, but they reveal how kids think. Great for advisory periods and journal warm-ups.

Popular or respected?
Rich or famous?
Best friend or big group of friends?
Success or happiness?
Being right or being kind?
Freedom or safety?
Adventure or comfort?
Talent or hard work?
Winning or having fun?
Following the rules or breaking the rules for a good reason?
Being alone or being around people?
Knowing the truth or feeling happy?
Being feared or being loved?
Living in the moment or planning ahead?
Speaking up or listening?

Some of these questions pair naturally with lessons on building self-confidence or personal growth tips if you want to extend the conversation.

Friendship and Personality

These questions help students learn about each other without pressure. Teachers often use them in advisory or SEL blocks.

Loyal friend or funny friend?
Introvert or extrovert?
Leader or follower?
Planner or spontaneous?
Morning person or night owl?
Optimist or realist?
Small hangout or big party?
Text your friend or call them?
Best friend since kindergarten or new best friend?
Talk it out or write it out?
Say sorry first or wait for the other person?
Give advice or listen?
Trust easily or take your time?
Loud friend or chill friend?
Cry when sad or laugh it off?

For students who struggle socially, this piece on how to make new friends is a helpful companion resource.

Fashion, Style, and Trends

Middle schoolers are just starting to shape their personal style. These questions are lighthearted and let them show a little identity.

Sneakers or sandals?
Hoodie or jacket?
Jeans or joggers?
Bright colors or neutral colors?
Necklace or bracelet?
Hat or headband?
Backpack or tote bag?
Fancy or casual?
Vintage clothes or brand new?
Nike or Adidas?

Weird and Random

Save these for when the energy dips. They’re the fastest way to get a giggle out of a quiet room.

Talk to plants or talk to rocks?
Live in a treehouse or an underground bunker?
Have square feet or triangle hands?
Eat only pizza forever or only ice cream forever?
Meet a ghost or meet an alien?
Skip breakfast or skip dinner?
Have a house made of candy or a car made of jello?
Speak in rhymes or sing every sentence?
Wear a cape everywhere or wear a crown everywhere?
Sleep in a hammock or in a bathtub?

Tips for Teachers and Youth Leaders

Running this game well isn’t complicated, but a few small choices decide whether it lands or flops. Here’s what works in real classrooms.

Read the room first. A sixth-grade class on the first day of school needs safer questions than an eighth-grade group in April. Start silly, get slightly deeper as trust builds.
Skip the “why” at first. New groups clam up when asked to explain. For the first few rounds, just take the answer and move on. Once kids relax, they’ll start explaining on their own.
Give a pass option. Every student should be allowed to skip one question per round. This protects kids who feel put on the spot and keeps the game safe.
Watch the pace. Fast is better than slow. If a question takes more than 15 seconds to answer, cut it and move on.
Avoid loaded topics. Politics, religion, family income, and physical appearance don’t belong in a classroom version of this game. Stick to preferences, hobbies, and fun scenarios.
Use it as a warm-up, not a whole lesson. Ten minutes at the start of class beats a full 45-minute session. Kids stay hungry for more.
Pair it with movement. The “walk to one side of the room” version wakes kids up after lunch. It also gets non-verbal students participating with their feet instead of their voices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few things trip up new teachers and parents trying this format for the first time.

Making questions too broad. “Good or bad?” isn’t a real choice. Always give two specific options.
Letting one kid dominate. Set a rule: one answer per person, then move on.
Reading questions in the same order every time. Kids catch on and lose interest. Shuffle the list.
Ignoring cultural context. A question about a specific food or holiday might exclude some students. Mix in universal options.
Turning it into a debate. This or that is not a courtroom. Nobody needs to defend their choice unless they want to.
Using questions that shame. Anything that draws attention to body, family, or income has no place here.
Running it too long. Twenty minutes max in a classroom. Longer and the magic fades.

Sample Question Card by Category

Here’s a quick reference if you want a balanced starter pack pulled from the sets above.

❮ Swipe table left/right ❯

Category	Example Question	Best Setting
Funny	Sneeze glitter or hiccup bubbles?	Icebreaker
Food	Pineapple on pizza or not?	Class party
School	Sit in the front or the back?	First day
Deep	Popular or respected?	Advisory
Tech	iPhone or Android?	Brain break
Animals	Dogs or cats?	Any age
Holiday	Halloween or Christmas?	Seasonal
Random	Live in a treehouse or a bunker?	Slow moments

If this list is your entry point, a few other collections extend the theme naturally:

This or that questions — the master list for all ages
This or that questions for high school students — level up as students grow
This or that questions for elementary students — for younger siblings
This or that questions for family — for road trips and dinners
This or that questions for boys and this or that questions for girls — themed sets
Truth or dare questions — for older middle schoolers at sleepovers
What if questions to ask — for longer, more imaginative conversations

FAQ

Are this or that questions appropriate for middle schoolers?

Yes. When the topics stay away from politics, religion, appearance, and family income, this or that questions are a great fit for grades 6–8. They give students a low-pressure way to share opinions and build classroom community. Stick to food, hobbies, pop culture, and fun scenarios and the format works with any group.

How many questions should I use in one session?

Ten to fifteen questions is the sweet spot for a classroom warm-up. That’s about 5–10 minutes total. For a party or sleepover, 30–50 questions can carry an hour of play. Any more and kids start to zone out. Better to stop while they still want more.

Can this or that questions be used for learning, not just fun?

Yes. Teachers use them as bell-ringers, journal prompts, and discussion starters for reading and writing lessons. A question like “would you rather live in the past or the future?” can lead into a history assignment. “Book or movie?” opens a lesson on adaptation and point of view. The format is flexible.

What age range works best for these questions?

The full list is written for ages 11–14, which covers most middle schoolers in the United States. Younger kids (grades 3–5) can handle the food, animal, and funny sections. Older students (grades 9–12) can enjoy the deeper reflection questions but usually want more mature themes overall.

How do I get shy students to participate?

Start with the silliest questions first. Let students answer with a thumbs up or thumbs down instead of speaking. Use the “walk to one side of the room” version so answering doesn’t require words. Always offer a pass. Most shy students join in by round three once they see nobody’s being judged.

Are there topics I should avoid?

Yes. Skip questions about body type, family wealth, dating, alcohol, drugs, politics, religion, and anything comparing students to each other. Also avoid questions that force a kid to reveal something private, like “parents divorced or married?” The goal is fun and connection, not exposure.

Can I use these for online or virtual classes?

Absolutely. This or that works well over Zoom or Google Meet. Use the chat for quick A/B voting or polls in the video platform. It’s one of the few icebreakers that doesn’t lose energy on a screen because the answers are so short.

How often should I use this game with the same group?

Once or twice a week is plenty. If you play every day, the novelty fades. Pull it out on Mondays to restart the week, on Fridays to close it, or before a break to burn off excitement. Rotating categories also keeps it fresh.

What’s the difference between “this or that” and “would you rather”?

“This or that” is usually about preferences between two real things (pizza or tacos). “Would you rather” often adds a hypothetical twist (would you rather have super speed or super strength). Middle schoolers enjoy both, and the two formats blend well in the same session.

Do I need to prepare answers ahead of time?

No. The whole point is that there’s no right answer. Just have your question list ready. If a student asks “what would you pick?”, answer honestly. Kids appreciate a teacher or parent who’s willing to play along, and it models that opinions are welcome.

Conclusion

This or that questions are one of the simplest tools a teacher, parent, or youth leader can keep in their back pocket. They cost nothing, require no prep, and reliably get middle schoolers talking. The 250+ questions above cover every category you’ll realistically need across a full school year, from first-day icebreakers to holiday parties to reflective advisory sessions.

The real value shows up over time. Kids who answer silly questions in September start sharing real thoughts by December. Classrooms that play together build trust that shows up in group projects and class discussions. Families that keep a list of these in the car stop having one-word dinner conversations.

Pick 10 questions from the list, try them tomorrow, and pay attention to which ones get the biggest reactions. Those are the ones to keep. The rest you can rotate as your group grows and changes.