Top 30 Most Common Interview Questions For Kids You Should Prepare For
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
Introduction
Preparing for interviews, even for kids, can build confidence and communication skills. Whether it's for school admissions, extracurricular activities, or even just getting to know someone new, being ready to answer common interview questions for kids helps them express themselves clearly and comfortably. These aren't high-pressure corporate interviews, but rather opportunities for children to share their personality, interests, and experiences in a structured setting. Practicing answering these simple, age-appropriate interview questions for kids can make the process less daunting and more enjoyable. This guide covers 30 typical interview questions for kids, providing insights into why they are asked and how young people can answer effectively. Mastering interview questions for kids is a valuable life skill.
What Are Interview Questions for Kids?
Interview questions for kids are simple, open-ended questions designed to help adults understand a child's personality, interests, and background. They are typically used in low-stakes environments such as school enrollment interviews, auditions for plays or sports teams, or casual conversations where an adult is getting to know a child better. Unlike adult job interviews, the focus is less on skills and experience and more on communication abilities, social comfort, and allowing the child's unique voice to shine through. These interview questions for kids are crafted to be easy to understand and answer, encouraging honest and natural responses. Practicing these common interview questions for kids can boost a child's confidence in speaking with adults.
Why Do Interviewers Ask Interview Questions for Kids?
Interviewers ask interview questions for kids primarily to get a sense of who the child is beyond academic records or application forms. They want to assess communication skills, social maturity, and how the child thinks and expresses themselves. For school admissions, these questions help determine if a child is a good fit for the school's environment and how they might interact with peers and teachers. For activities, they might gauge enthusiasm and ability to follow instructions. Fundamentally, these interview questions for kids are about building rapport and creating a comfortable space for the child to share. Preparing for these kinds of interview questions for kids helps children feel more at ease and articulate.
Preview List
What is your name?
How old are you?
Where are you from?
What grade are you in?
Who are your best friends?
What do you like most about your friends?
What is your favorite subject in school?
What is your least favorite subject?
Why do you like being a kid?
What is your happiest memory?
What is one word to describe you?
What advice would you give your parents?
What do you like to do most when you go outside?
What is your favorite animal?
What would your best day be like?
What are you looking forward to?
What goals do you have for the next year?
Where do you want to live when you grow up?
What does your dream house look like?
What do you want to do for a job when you grow up?
What job would you want to do the least?
What kind of car would you like to drive?
What skill or hobby would you most like to learn?
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
If you could try one adventure, what would it be?
Do you think you will go to college?
What do you want your future campus to look like?
Do you want to have kids? How many?
What are you most excited about getting older?
How do you think your generation will change the world?
1. What is your name?
Why you might get asked this:
This is a standard opening to verify identity and help the child feel comfortable with a simple question. It's a basic icebreaker in any interaction.
How to answer:
State your first name clearly. If you have a preferred nickname, you can mention that too. Speak loudly enough for the interviewer to hear.
Example answer:
"My name is Alex." or "My name is Samantha, but everyone calls me Sammy." This is a straightforward and easy question designed to start the conversation on a positive and simple note, making the child feel at ease right away before moving on to more complex interview questions for kids.
2. How old are you?
Why you might get asked this:
This helps the interviewer understand the child's developmental stage and tailor questions or expectations accordingly. It's a very common demographic question.
How to answer:
Simply state your age in years. You can mention your birthday month if you like, but it's not necessary.
Example answer:
"I am 7 years old." or "I am 9 years old, and my birthday is next month." This answer provides the interviewer with essential context about the child's age, which helps gauge their responses to other interview questions for kids based on typical age-related abilities and interests.
3. Where are you from?
Why you might get asked this:
This question helps place the child geographically and can lead to discussions about their community or home environment. It's a common way to build rapport.
How to answer:
State the city or neighborhood where you live. You can add something you like about your area if you want.
Example answer:
"I live in Springfield." or "I'm from Elmwood, which is a neighborhood with lots of trees." This question allows the child to share a bit about their background and locality, providing a broader picture of their environment when answering interview questions for kids.
4. What grade are you in?
Why you might get asked this:
This question helps the interviewer understand the child's current educational level and peer group. It provides academic context.
How to answer:
State the number of your current grade level in school.
Example answer:
"I am in 3rd grade." or "I'm in 5th grade at North Elementary School." Knowing the child's grade helps the interviewer relate to their school experiences and tailor the difficulty or subject matter of subsequent interview questions for kids.
5. Who are your best friends?
Why you might get asked this:
This question explores the child's social life and ability to form relationships. It gives insight into their peer interactions and what they value in others.
How to answer:
Name one or two best friends and briefly say why you like them. Focus on positive qualities like kindness or fun.
Example answer:
"My best friends are Sarah and Tom. I like them because they are kind and fun to play with at recess." This answer provides insight into the child's social skills and ability to describe positive relationships, which is a common area explored in interview questions for kids.
6. What do you like most about your friends?
Why you might get asked this:
This question delves deeper into what the child values in relationships, highlighting their understanding of positive social interactions.
How to answer:
Focus on positive traits like kindness, honesty, sense of humor, or shared interests.
Example answer:
"I like that my friends are always nice and helpful when I need something." or "I like that we always have fun together, whether we're playing games or just talking." This question encourages the child to think about the qualities that make friendships work, a valuable perspective when considering interview questions for kids about social life.
7. What is your favorite subject in school?
Why you might get asked this:
This question reveals the child's academic interests and strengths. It can also show their enthusiasm for learning.
How to answer:
Name the subject and explain briefly why you like it. Connect it to something you find interesting or enjoyable.
Example answer:
"My favorite subject is science, because I like learning about animals and experiments." This helps the interviewer understand the child's academic passions and provides an opportunity to discuss their learning style and interests, which are often explored in interview questions for kids.
8. What is your least favorite subject?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses self-awareness and how the child handles challenges or things they don't enjoy. It's okay to have preferences.
How to answer:
Name the subject and give a simple, non-negative reason like finding it difficult or less interesting. Avoid complaining.
Example answer:
"My least favorite subject is math, because sometimes I find the problems a bit difficult." This response shows self-awareness about areas of challenge without being overly negative, giving the interviewer a balanced view of the child's academic experience through interview questions for kids.
9. Why do you like being a kid?
Why you might get asked this:
This lighthearted question allows the child to express joy and appreciate their current stage of life. It reveals their perspective on childhood.
How to answer:
Mention fun aspects of being a kid, like playing, learning, or spending time with family.
Example answer:
"I like being a kid because I can play games with my friends and learn new things every day at school." This answer highlights the child's enjoyment of typical childhood activities and opportunities, providing a positive perspective on their current life stage when responding to interview questions for kids.
10. What is your happiest memory?
Why you might get asked this:
This question is personal and helps the interviewer see what brings the child joy and what experiences are meaningful to them.
How to answer:
Describe a specific happy moment simply and positively. It could be about family, friends, a trip, or an achievement.
Example answer:
"My happiest memory is when I went to the beach last summer with my family and we built a giant sandcastle together." This question allows the child to share a personal, positive experience, giving the interviewer a glimpse into what makes them happy, which is a common element in interview questions for kids focused on personal connection.
11. What is one word to describe you?
Why you might get asked this:
This challenges the child to think about their own personality and choose a trait they feel represents them well. It assesses self-perception.
How to answer:
Choose a positive word like 'friendly', 'kind', 'curious', 'creative', or 'brave' and briefly explain why you chose it.
Example answer:
"Friendly, because I like making new friends and playing with everyone at the park." This answer demonstrates self-reflection and the ability to articulate a core personal characteristic, providing the interviewer with a concise summary based on interview questions for kids about personality.
12. What advice would you give your parents?
Why you might get asked this:
This question is fun and gives insight into the child's relationship with their parents and what they might wish for more of (like time or activities).
How to answer:
Offer a simple, lighthearted suggestion, perhaps related to spending time together or trying something new as a family.
Example answer:
"I would tell them to spend more time playing games with me on the weekends." This playful question provides insight into the child's desires regarding family time and interaction, offering a personal touch when answering creative interview questions for kids.
13. What do you like to do most when you go outside?
Why you might get asked this:
This explores the child's physical activity preferences and hobbies outside of school. It shows how they spend their free time actively.
How to answer:
Mention your favorite outdoor activity or game.
Example answer:
"I like to play soccer with my friends in the backyard and ride my bike around the neighborhood." This reveals the child's interests in outdoor activities and physical play, which is helpful information for understanding their overall lifestyle and preferences through interview questions for kids.
14. What is your favorite animal?
Why you might get asked this:
A common and easy question that allows the child to share something they are passionate about. It's a simple way to build rapport and see what captures their interest.
How to answer:
Name the animal and perhaps a simple reason why you like it (e.g., they are cute, strong, fast).
Example answer:
"My favorite animal is a dog because they are loyal and fun to play with." This simple question about interests provides a relaxed moment in the interview and allows the child to share something they enjoy, which is a common strategy in interview questions for kids to keep the mood light.
15. What would your best day be like?
Why you might get asked this:
This question encourages imaginative thinking and reveals what the child finds truly enjoyable and fulfilling. It highlights their desires and priorities.
How to answer:
Describe a day filled with your favorite activities, perhaps involving friends, family, or special treats.
Example answer:
"My best day would be having a day off school, playing with my best friends all morning, and then eating pizza and ice cream for dinner." This answer gives insight into the child's ideal day and highlights their priorities for fun, friends, and food, offering a glimpse into their simple joys through interview questions for kids.
16. What are you looking forward to?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses optimism and the child's ability to anticipate future positive events. It shows what motivates them.
How to answer:
Think about an upcoming event, holiday, trip, or even just the weekend or a specific activity you enjoy.
Example answer:
"I am looking forward to my next birthday party because I get to see all my cousins and play games." This reveals what events or experiences the child is excited about in the near future, demonstrating anticipation and providing a positive outlook when answering interview questions for kids about the future.
17. What goals do you have for the next year?
Why you might get asked this:
This encourages the child to think about self-improvement and aspirations. It shows a sense of purpose and forward-thinking.
How to answer:
Mention one or two simple, achievable goals, maybe related to school, a hobby, or a personal skill.
Example answer:
"For the next year, I want to get better at reading challenging books and make new friends at school." This answer demonstrates the child's ability to set simple, positive goals for themselves, reflecting a forward-thinking mindset often explored in interview questions for kids about personal development.
18. Where do you want to live when you grow up?
Why you might get asked this:
This question taps into imagination and future aspirations related to environment and lifestyle. It's a fun, hypothetical question.
How to answer:
Describe a type of place that appeals to you, like a city, the countryside, near the beach, or somewhere with specific features you like.
Example answer:
"When I grow up, I want to live in a big city with lots of tall buildings and parks." This imaginative question allows the child to share their future aspirations regarding where they might live, providing insight into their dreams about their adult life through interview questions for kids focused on the future.
19. What does your dream house look like?
Why you might get asked this:
Another imaginative question that reveals creativity and what aspects of a home environment are important or exciting to the child.
How to answer:
Describe some fun or ideal features of a house you would love to live in, no matter how unrealistic!
Example answer:
"My dream house has a big backyard with a swimming pool and a treehouse, plus a room just for playing video games." This creative question encourages imagination and reveals what elements make a living space exciting for the child, providing fun insights when considering interview questions for kids about dreams and desires.
20. What do you want to do for a job when you grow up?
Why you might get asked this:
This is a classic question about future aspirations and interests. It helps understand what kind of roles or activities the child finds appealing and why.
How to answer:
Name a job that sounds interesting and explain a simple reason for wanting to do it.
Example answer:
"I want to be a teacher because I like helping other kids learn new things." This is a common question about future aspirations, allowing the child to share a profession they find appealing and the reason why, offering insight into their values through interview questions for kids about career dreams.
21. What job would you want to do the least?
Why you might get asked this:
This is the flip side of the previous question, exploring dislikes or fears in a light way. It can reveal sensitivities or things the child finds challenging.
How to answer:
Name a job you wouldn't enjoy and give a simple, honest reason.
Example answer:
"I would not want to be a firefighter because it seems really scary with all the fires." This question explores the child's dislikes or fears regarding future work, providing a contrast to their preferred jobs and offering a more complete picture when discussing interview questions for kids about careers.
22. What kind of car would you like to drive?
Why you might get asked this:
A fun, imaginative question about preferences and desires, possibly influenced by popular culture. It's a low-pressure way to explore interests.
How to answer:
Name a type or color of car you think is cool.
Example answer:
"When I can drive, I would like to drive a fast, red sports car, or maybe a big truck." This imaginative question about preferences allows the child to share something fun and aspirational related to adulthood, keeping the interview light and engaging with interview questions for kids that spark imagination.
23. What skill or hobby would you most like to learn?
Why you might get asked this:
This question explores curiosity and interests outside of required activities. It shows a desire for personal growth and learning new things.
How to answer:
Name a skill or hobby you find interesting and would enjoy learning.
Example answer:
"I want to learn how to play the piano because the music sounds really pretty when my teacher plays it." This reveals the child's curiosity and desire to learn new things or develop specific talents, providing insight into their personal interests and goals through interview questions for kids.
24. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Why you might get asked this:
An imaginative question about travel and exploring new places. It reveals what kind of experiences the child finds exciting or appealing.
How to answer:
Name a place you've heard about or seen pictures of that looks exciting or interesting.
Example answer:
"If I could go anywhere, I would go to Disney World because it looks like the most fun place on Earth with all the rides and characters." This imaginative question allows the child to share their dreams of travel and adventure, providing a glimpse into what exciting experiences they aspire to have when considering interview questions for kids about the world.
25. If you could try one adventure, what would it be?
Why you might get asked this:
This question encourages thinking about bravery, excitement, and trying new things. It shows a willingness to step outside their comfort zone.
How to answer:
Describe an exciting activity or experience you would love to try, even if it seems a bit daring.
Example answer:
"I would like to go horseback riding because horses are beautiful and it would be exciting to ride one." This question sparks imagination about exciting experiences and reveals the child's sense of adventure, adding a dynamic element to the range of interview questions for kids.
26. Do you think you will go to college?
Why you might get asked this:
This explores the child's understanding of higher education and their aspirations for continued learning.
How to answer:
Give a simple 'yes' or 'no' and perhaps a very brief reason, like wanting to learn more or study a specific topic.
Example answer:
"Yes, I want to go to college because I like learning new things and I want to study science." This question introduces the concept of higher education and gauges the child's early thoughts on continued learning, providing insight into their future academic outlook when asking interview questions for kids about education.
27. What do you want your future campus to look like?
Why you might get asked this:
This is an imaginative follow-up, allowing the child to visualize a positive future educational environment. It shows what aspects of a learning environment are important to them.
How to answer:
Describe a few features that sound appealing, such as green spaces, interesting buildings, or specific facilities.
Example answer:
"I want my future college campus to have lots of trees and grassy areas, and maybe a really big library with lots of books." This imaginative follow-up allows the child to visualize a positive future learning environment and share what aspects of a campus appeal to them, extending the discussion on interview questions for kids about education.
28. Do you want to have kids? How many?
Why you might get asked this:
This question, usually asked lightheartedly, touches on future family aspirations. It's a way to think about their future life structure.
How to answer:
Simply state whether you want kids and approximately how many you think you might like.
Example answer:
"Yes, I think I want to have kids when I grow up, maybe two kids because I want a big family." This question explores the child's early thoughts on future family life, providing a personal glimpse into their long-term aspirations when considering the full range of interview questions for kids.
29. What are you most excited about getting older?
Why you might get asked this:
This focuses on the positive aspects of growing up and the independence and opportunities that come with age. It reveals what the child anticipates about the future.
How to answer:
Mention specific privileges or activities you look forward to being able to do when you are older.
Example answer:
"I look forward to being able to drive a car and traveling to different places by myself." This question focuses on the positive aspects of growing up and allows the child to share what future freedoms or activities they are most excited about, providing insight into their anticipation for adulthood through interview questions for kids.
30. How do you think your generation will change the world?
Why you might get asked this:
This forward-looking question encourages thinking about broader societal impact and the child's hopes for the future. It can reveal awareness of global issues.
How to answer:
Think about a positive change you hope your generation can make, maybe related to technology, the environment, or helping people.
Example answer:
"I think my generation will help the environment by finding new ways to recycle and keep the world cleaner." This thought-provoking question encourages the child to consider their future impact and broader societal issues, demonstrating an early awareness of the world around them when answering interview questions for kids about the future.
Other Tips to Prepare for a Kids Interview
Helping your child prepare for interview questions for kids is about building confidence, not scripting answers word-for-word. Encourage them to be themselves and speak clearly. Practice in a relaxed setting, perhaps using flashcards or role-playing. Keep it fun! As career coach Sarah Jones says, "For kids, it's less about the 'right' answer and more about how they communicate and their enthusiasm." Encourage eye contact and speaking loud enough to be heard. Remind them it's okay not to know every answer perfectly. For more structured practice and tailored feedback on communication, consider using tools like the Verve AI Interview Copilot at https://vervecopilot.com, which can simulate interview experiences. Practicing common interview questions for kids, including those about personal interests, school, and the future, makes the actual interaction much smoother. The Verve AI Interview Copilot can provide a low-pressure way to practice answering diverse interview questions for kids. Preparing helps reduce anxiety and allows your child's personality to shine. Utilizing resources like the Verve AI Interview Copilot is a modern way to get comfortable with interview questions for kids. Remember, the goal is to help them feel confident and capable when facing interview questions for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How should a child dress for a kids interview? A1: Neatly and comfortably. Clean, well-fitting clothes are more important than formal attire.
Q2: How long do kids interviews usually last? A2: Typically short, often 15-30 minutes, depending on the context and the child's engagement.
Q3: Should parents help answer? A3: No, encourage the child to answer themselves. Parents can be present but should let the child speak.
Q4: What if a child is shy? A4: Practice helps! Encourage taking their time and speaking softly is okay. Keep it low pressure.
Q5: Is it okay for a child to say "I don't know"? A5: Yes, it's better than making something up. Encourage them to think for a moment first.
