What's Your Favourite and Why?

Child development / Drama games / Whats your favourite and why

This interactive decision-making game encourages children to express their opinions with confidence while listening to and respecting the views of others.

By choosing sides and explaining their reasoning, children develop persuasive speaking skills, critical thinking and adaptability.

It creates a supportive environment where different preferences are valued and changing your mind is seen as a positive part of learning.

How to play

1. Explain the game

Tell the children you will ask them to choose between two options.

2. Make a choice

Give a simple example, such as red or yellow. Ask the children to run to one side of the room for yellow and the opposite side for red.

3. Share a reason

Once everyone has chosen, ask for a volunteer from one side to explain why they made that choice. Encourage the child to give a reason that might persuade someone on the other side to change their mind.

4. Repeat with new topics

Play again using different choices, such as food, drinks, sports, books or TV programmes.

5. Keep it going

Continue alternating choices so children have multiple chances to decide, explain their thinking and listen to others.

What it teaches

Decision-making
Confidence in expressing opinions
Persuasive speaking
Listening to others

Variations to try

Use four options instead of two by assigning each corner of the room a different choice.
Ask children to move sides if they are persuaded by someone else's argument.
Try quieter movement (walking instead of running) to focus more on thinking and discussion.

Principal's notes

This game is excellent for encouraging children to form and articulate opinions. By asking them to justify their choices, it develops persuasive language and active listening, while also reinforcing that it's okay for people to have different preferences and to change their minds.

Lucy Quick, Principal of Perform.