117 Good Debate Topics for Kids of All Ages: Expand Your Child’s Knowledge Base

Debating is a wonderful way for kids to develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills. It encourages them to think outside the box and open their minds to other people’s perspectives. Choosing the right debate topics for kids is crucial as it can spark their interest and expand their knowledge base. Whether it’s a school debate or a fun debate with friends, it’s important to pick age-appropriate, thought-provoking, and controversial topics that challenge kids to think critically and persuade others. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 100 debate topics for kids of all ages that will help them hone their skills, learn new ideas, and express themselves confidently.

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How to Choose Debate Topics For Kids

When choosing debate topics for kids, it’s important to consider their age, level of maturity, and interests. It’s also crucial to select topics that are thought-provoking, controversial, and relevant to their lives. You can involve your child by asking them to suggest topics they’re passionate about or by having them research and present a topic to the class. Additionally, it’s essential to ensure that the topics are appropriate for the classroom and align with the curriculum. When introducing controversial topics, it’s important to frame them in a way that encourages respectful discussion and encourages students to listen to each other’s perspectives. Finally, choosing topics that challenge kids to think critically, analyze situations, and develop persuasive communication skills is crucial.

Debate Topics For Older Kids

1. Should standardized tests be abolished?
2. Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling?
3. Should social media platforms be held responsible for content posted by users?
4. Is animal testing necessary for medical research?
5. Should the government regulate the use of plastic?
6. Should students be required to wear school uniforms?
7. Is the death penalty justified in modern society?
8. Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
9. Should college be free for all students?
10. Should athletes be allowed to kneel during the national anthem?
11. Should the United States switch to a single-payer healthcare system?
12. Should the drinking age be lowered to 18?
13. Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be banned?
14. Is the use of drones ethical in warfare?
15. Should parents be held legally responsible for their children’s actions?

Interesting Debate Topics For Kids

1. Are video games harmful to children?
2. Should homework be abolished?
3. Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos?
4. Should junk food be banned in schools?
5. Does social media have a positive impact on society?
6. Is it better to be an only child or have siblings?
7. Should kids be allowed to have cell phones in school?
8. Is climate change a serious threat to the planet?
9. Should kids have a say in what they learn in school?
10. Is it fair for parents to monitor their children’s internet activity?
11. Should kids be allowed to have pets in their bedrooms?
12. Is it important to learn a second language?
13. Should kids be allowed to choose their clothes?
14. Is it fair to grade students on their handwriting?
15. Should kids be allowed to have a say in family decisions?

Controversial Debate Topics For Kids

1. Is homeschooling harmful to children’s socialization?
2. Should vaccines be mandatory for all children?
3. Is it ethical to genetically modify babies?
4. Should children be allowed to choose their own gender identity?
5. Is it fair to allow transgender athletes to compete in sports with their chosen gender?
6. Should schools have the right to search students’ lockers and backpacks?
7. Is it ethical to use animals for scientific experimentation?
8. Should children be allowed to undergo gender reassignment surgery?
9. Is it fair to give homework over school breaks?
10. Should parents be allowed to choose the gender of their unborn child through genetic testing?
11. Is it ethical to have the death penalty?
12. Should schools be allowed to track students’ internet activity?
13. Should children be allowed to vote in elections?
14. Is it fair for parents to monitor their children’s social media activity?
15. Should schools be allowed to expel students for off-campus behavior?

Debate Topics About Food For Kids

1. Are organic foods healthier than conventionally-grown foods?
2. Should sugary drinks be taxed to reduce consumption?
3. Is it ethical to eat meat?
4. Should fast food restaurants be banned in schools?
5. Is it better to eat three or several small meals throughout the day?
6. Should schools serve vegetarian or vegan options for lunch?
7. Should schools be allowed to dictate what kids can bring for lunch?
8. Should there be a limit on the amount of sugar in cereals marketed to children?
9. Should school vending machines be required to sell only healthy snacks?
10. Is it ethical to use genetically modified crops to increase food production?
11. Should companies be required to include calorie counts on restaurant menus?
12. Is it fair to blame fast-food restaurants for the obesity epidemic?
13. Should school lunch periods be longer to allow for more time to eat?
14. Is it better to buy locally-grown foods or foods that have traveled long distances to reach the grocery store?
15. Should kids be required to take a nutrition class in school?

Funny Debate Topics For Kids

1. Is a hot dog a sandwich?
2. Should pizza toppings include fruit?
3. Should we switch to using spoons instead of forks?
4. Is it better to sleep with or without a pillow?
5. Should we eat dessert before or after dinner?
6. Is it okay to eat snacks for every meal?
7. Should we eat ice cream for breakfast?
8. Should we eat food that has fallen on the floor?
9. Should we put ketchup on everything?
10. Is a taco a sandwich?
11. Should we eat vegetables with every meal?
12. Is it better to eat cake or pie?
13. Should we eat popcorn with or without butter?
14. Is cereal a soup or a salad?
15. Should we eat pizza with a fork and knife or with our hands?

Fun Debate Topics  For Kids

1. Is homework necessary for students?
2. Should schools have dress codes?
3. Should students be allowed to have cell phones in school?
4. Should animals be kept in zoos?
5. Should schools have year-round schedules?
6. Should junk food be banned from schools?
7. Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
8. Should there be a limit on how much screen time kids can have?
9. Should schools have mandatory recess?
10. Should students have to wear uniforms?
11. Should parents be allowed to monitor their kids’ social media accounts?
12. Should students be required to learn a second language in school?
13. Should students have the option to choose their classes?
14. Should schools have longer or shorter school days?

Debate Speech Topics For Kids

1. Is technology more helpful or harmful to society?
2. Should school uniforms be mandatory for all students?
3. Should standardized testing be abolished in schools?
4. Is social media more harmful or helpful for teenagers?
5. Should schools offer vocational training alongside traditional academic courses?
6. Should schools ban junk food from their campuses?
7. Should students be required to complete community service to graduate high school?
8. Should zoos be abolished, and animals be allowed to roam freely in the wild?
9. Is online learning more effective than traditional classroom learning?
10. Should parents be allowed to monitor their child’s internet usage?
11. Should there be a limit to how much time students can spend playing video games?
12. Should schools teach financial literacy as a required course?
13. Should students be allowed to choose their classes in school?
14. Should the legal age for voting be lowered to 16?

Debate Questions For Kids

1. What is the most important invention in history, and why?
2. Should schools have a dress code policy?
3. Should students be allowed to have cell phones in the classroom?
4. Is it ethical to test on animals for medical research?
5. Should children be allowed to make their own decisions regarding their healthcare?
6. Is it important for kids to learn a second language, and if so, which one?
7. Should school start times be pushed back to allow for more sleep for students?
8. Is homeschooling more effective than traditional schooling?
9. Should students be allowed to participate in political protests during school hours?
10. Should the legal age for driving be raised to 18?
11. Should professional athletes be held to a higher moral standard?
12. Is climate change a real threat, and what should be done to combat it?
13. Should the use of plastic bags be banned?
14. Is it more important to be book-smart or street-smart?

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Sarah Bentley

With a passion for helping students navigate their educational journey, I strive to create informative and relatable blog content. Whether it’s tackling exam stress, offering career guidance, or sharing effective study techniques