Debates are structured discussions where participants express varying opinions on a given topic. The importance of debate lies in its ability to foster critical thinking, enhance communication skills, and build confidence among participants. In today’s post, I compiled a wide variety of funny debate topics to spark lively discussions and laughter in the classroom. But before we dive into the topics, let’s explore some of the skills that children develop through debating.
I compiled all the debate questions in this post into a single PDF available for free download. It’s a handy resource for sparking engaging and fun discussions in your classroom.
Key Skills Developed Through Debating
Debate is a key practice for kids, incorporating it into their activities helps them develop various skills. The following are the key skills that children gain through debating:
- Improve Critical Thinking: Help kids reason, analyze arguments, and question evidence effectively.
- Enhance Self-Expression: Teach kids to articulate thoughts clearly and confidently in public.
- Build Confidence: Overcome public speaking fears and improve communication skills.
- Expand Knowledge: Encourage deep exploration of various topics and perspectives.
- Boost Communication Skills: Emphasize the importance of delivery, emotions, and body language.
Funny Debate Topics
Now, let’s dive into the fun part! Below, you’ll find a carefully selected list of funny debate topics that are perfect for lightening the mood while still providing a fertile ground for critical thinking and public speaking practice. Whether you’re looking to spice up your classroom discussions or just want to bring a smile to your students’ faces, these topics are sure to do the trick. Let the debates begin!
1. Is a hot dog a sandwich?
- This classic debate is sure to bring out passionate arguments from both sides, and it’s light-hearted enough to keep the mood fun.
2. Should pineapple be allowed on pizza?
- Another food-related debate that people have surprisingly strong opinions about.
3. Are cats or dogs better pets?
- A timeless topic that gets everyone involved, especially pet lovers.
4. Should cereal be considered a soup?
- This one can get quite creative as students try to define what constitutes a soup.
5. Is it better to be a superhero or a wizard?
- Great for engaging students’ imaginations and bringing out their inner nerds.
6. Should we replace all teachers with robots?
- This can lead to some interesting (and funny) thoughts about the future of education.
7. Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button in your life?
- A fun way to get students thinking about the concept of time and life choices.
8. Are video games a sport?
- Perfect for gamers and athletes to hash out their points of view.
9. Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?
- A ridiculous but hilarious debate that tests students’ creativity and logic.
10. Is it better to be really smart or really funny?
Encourages students to reflect on different qualities and what they value more.
11. Is it acceptable to wear pajamas in public?
A light-hearted topic that can spark discussions about fashion and social norms.
12. Should homework be banned?
A perennial favorite among students that’s sure to get them talking.
Related: Examples of Critical Thinking Questions for Students
13. Would you rather always have to sing instead of speaking or dance everywhere you go?
This topic adds a fun, performative element to the debate.
14. Is it better to have an extra arm or an extra leg?
This one is great for getting students to think about practical and imaginative scenarios.
15. Should you eat dessert before dinner?
A sweet debate that challenges traditional meal structures.
16. Would you rather be able to talk to animals or speak every language in the world?
Engages students’ interest in animals and languages, making for a fun discussion.
17. Is it better to be a night owl or an early bird?
A relatable topic that can lead to humorous anecdotes and strong opinions.
18. Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
Flips the usual dynamic and lets students think critically about education.
19. Would you rather have a constant itch or always feel like you have to sneeze?
Gross and funny, this topic is sure to elicit some strong reactions.
20. Is it better to always be 10 minutes late or 20 minutes early?
A topic that can lead to humorous examples and personal stories.
21. Should you put ketchup on a hot dog?
Another food-related debate that can get surprisingly heated.
22. Would you rather have unlimited pizza or unlimited ice cream for the rest of your life?
A deliciously tough choice that can lead to a fun discussion.
23. Should all cars be self-driving?
This can lead to funny scenarios about the future of transportation.
24. Is it better to have the power of flight or the power of invisibility?
A classic superpower debate with endless humorous possibilities.
25. Should people have to take a test to become parents?
A light-hearted take on a serious topic, sure to provoke interesting arguments.
26. Would you rather live in a world where everyone can only whisper or where everyone can only shout?
Imagining these scenarios can lead to some hilarious debates.
27. Is it better to be a dragon or have a dragon as a pet?
A whimsical topic that sparks creativity and fantasy.
28. Should we ban all reality TV shows?
This one can lead to funny critiques and defenses of popular shows.
29. Is it better to be always cold or always hot?
A relatable topic that can bring out personal preferences and funny stories.
30. Would you rather have a tail or wings?
A silly yet imaginative debate that encourages creative thinking.
31. Should toilet paper hang over or under the roll?
A surprisingly divisive topic that’s also light and fun.
32. Would you rather have the ability to teleport or the ability to time travel?
This topic allows for creative scenarios and funny “what-if” discussions.
33. Is it better to be super strong or super fast?
Another superpower debate that can lead to interesting arguments and humor.
34. Should you eat spaghetti with a spoon or a fork?
A simple yet surprisingly contentious topic.
35. Would you rather never have to sleep or never have to eat?
This can lead to amusing considerations of daily life without these necessities.
36. Should unicorns be the national animal?
A fantastical and funny topic that can lead to creative national pride.
37. Is it better to have a robot maid or a robot chef?
Encourages students to think about their daily lives and preferences.
38. Should everyone have a clone of themselves?
This can lead to hilarious discussions about the pros and cons of having a clone.
39. Would you rather always have to wear clown shoes or a clown wig?
A funny and silly debate topic that can lead to lots of laughs.
40. Is it better to always be hungry or always be tired?
A relatable debate that can lead to humorous anecdotes and preferences.
41. Should we replace all human jobs with robots?
A funny yet thought-provoking topic about the future of work.
42. Would you rather have to sing every word you speak or dance every time you move?
A playful debate that can lead to amusing scenarios.
Related: 50 Icebreaker Questions for Kids
43. Is it better to have a constant itch or a constant hiccup?
A gross and funny debate that’s sure to get strong reactions.
44. Should students be required to wear uniforms in school?
A classic topic that can lead to funny and creative arguments.
45. Would you rather live in space or underwater?
A fantastical debate that encourages imaginative thinking.
46. Is it better to be famous or rich?
A thought-provoking yet light-hearted topic that can lead to interesting discussions.
47. Should we have a national day dedicated to napping?
A funny and relatable topic that most students will enjoy debating.
48. Would you rather have a pet dinosaur or a pet alien?
A whimsical debate that sparks creativity and fun.
49. Is it better to live without music or without movies?
A challenging choice that can lead to passionate arguments.
50. Should we eliminate all sports and replace them with eSports?
A modern and funny debate topic that can lead to interesting points of view.
51. Should we have a law that requires everyone to take a daily nap?
A funny and relaxing idea that could spark interesting discussions.
52. Would you rather live in a world made of LEGO or a world made of gingerbread?
A whimsical debate that can lead to imaginative and humorous scenarios.
53. Should weekends be extended to three days?
A topic that most students will likely have strong (and humorous) opinions about.
54. Is it better to have a rewind button or a fast-forward button in life?
Encourages creative thinking about time and life experiences.
55. Should all movies be musicals?
A light-hearted debate that can lead to funny considerations of popular movies as musicals.
56. Would you rather have an endless supply of your favorite food or never gain weight from eating it?
A delicious debate that can lead to amusing arguments and personal preferences.
57. Is it better to always have perfect hair or perfect teeth?
A fun topic that can lead to humorous discussions about appearance and priorities.
58. Should superheroes have to register with the government?
A playful take on a serious topic, sure to provoke interesting (and funny) arguments.
59. Would you rather be able to talk to plants or understand animal languages?
Encourages creativity and fun discussions about communication with nature.
60. Is it better to be the best player on a losing team or the worst player on a winning team?
A thought-provoking topic that can lead to interesting personal stories and preferences.
61. Should everyone be required to learn how to juggle?
A humorous and skill-based debate that can lead to funny scenarios.
62. Would you rather have a magical remote control that can pause or mute people?
A fun debate that encourages imaginative thinking about everyday life.
63. Is it better to have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?
A fantastical debate that sparks creativity and humor.
64. Should all buildings be made of glass?
A whimsical and slightly absurd debate that can lead to funny considerations.
65. Would you rather always have to wear a superhero costume or a fairy tale character costume?
A playful topic that can lead to amusing discussions about daily life in costumes.
66.Is it better to be able to breathe underwater or fly in the sky?
A classic superpower debate with endless humorous possibilities.
67. Should we replace all currency with chocolate coins?
A deliciously funny topic that can lead to interesting and creative arguments.
68. Would you rather always have to skip everywhere or dance everywhere?
A light-hearted debate that encourages funny mental images and scenarios.
69. Is it better to have an elephant-sized cat or a cat-sized elephant?
A whimsical and funny topic that can lead to creative and humorous arguments.
70. Should school start later in the day and end later in the evening?
A topic that many students will likely have strong (and humorous) opinions about.
71. Would you rather have a personal robot or a personal chef?
A fun debate that encourages thinking about daily life and convenience.
72. Is it better to always know the time or always know the weather?
A thought-provoking yet light-hearted topic that can lead to interesting arguments.
73. Should we have a holiday dedicated to playing video games?
A modern and funny debate topic that many students will enjoy.
74. Would you rather always speak in rhymes or sing everything you say?
A playful topic that can lead to amusing scenarios and discussions.
75. Is it better to have a superpower that only works on your birthday or one that works every day but only for an hour?
Encourages creative thinking and humorous considerations of superpowers.
76. Should we eliminate all homework and replace it with fun projects?
A perennial favorite among students that’s sure to get them talking.
77. Would you rather live in a treehouse or a houseboat?
A whimsical debate that sparks imagination and fun discussions.
78. Is it better to have a head the size of a watermelon or the size of a tennis ball?
A silly and humorous debate that encourages creative thinking.
79. Should everyone be required to learn a musical instrument?
A fun topic that can lead to interesting arguments about music and education.
80. Would you rather have the ability to make plants grow faster or heal animals?
A thoughtful and imaginative debate that encourages consideration of nature and kindness.
Related: Spring Would You Rather Questions
Final thoughts
I hope you have found these funny debate topics both entertaining and valuable for fostering engaging discussions in your classroom. As I mentioned in the introduction, debates are not only an opportunity for students to express their opinions but also a chance for them to sharpen their critical thinking and communication skills. Embrace the practice and watch as your students grow both intellectually and personally.
