Fun debate topics

Fun debate topics are a great way to engage students in class discussions while developing valuable skills. By providing a low-stakes opportunity for students to express and articulate their opinions on Kialo Edu, these fun debate topics can encourage participation, build confidence, or serve as an engaging activity to kick off or break up a class!

Whether students are discussing the merits of cats vs. dogs or disagreeing over loot boxes in video games, they’re also working on their critical thinking skills. This helps students practice respectful and constructive discourse while building on others’ ideas. Best of all, Kialo Edu is completely free, so why not try out one of these fun debate topics in a Kialo discussion to get students sharing their experiences and unique perspectives?

Casual fun debate topics

These casual fun debate topics are a light-hearted way to get all students involved in the debate. And since they won’t need to do extensive research, students can dive straight in and start sharing their opinions!

• Should kids have to earn their pocket money?
• Does stubbing your toe hurt more than banging your elbow?
• Is a hot dog a sandwich?
• Should mobile phones and tablets be allowed at family mealtimes?
• Is it okay for parents to confiscate teenagers’ mobile phones?
• Is it acceptable to look at your phone in the cinema?
• Are fairy tales good for children?
• Is the lion the true king of the jungle?
• Should you make your bed every morning?
• Is breakfast important?
• Is it ever okay to lie?

Fun debate topics on comparison: Which is better?

These fun debate topics have students compare and contrast two (or more) clear options. These topics stand out for their simplicity and inclusivity, meaning most students will be able to engage with them and form their own opinions — a great activity to practice decision making!

• Which are better: cats or dogs?
• Which are better: the Winter Olympics or the Summer Olympics?
• Which is better: LEGO® or Minecraft?
• Are podcasts better than radio?
• Which superpower would be better: invisibility or teleportation?
• Which pizza topping is better: pineapple or pepperoni?
• Which is better: ice cream or cake?
• Is it better to binge watch a series or watch it weekly?
• Which is better: traveling solo or traveling with a friend?
• Which is better: pop music or rock music?
• Which is better: eBooks or print books?
• Which is better: social media or traditional media?
• Which is better: eating in or eating out?
• Is a beach vacation better than a vacation in the mountains?
• Are artificial Christmas trees better than real ones?
• Which is better: minimalism or maximalism?
• Which is better: board games or video games?
• Which is better: driving or public transport?
• Is it better to live in a big city or a small town?
• Which season is the best?
• Is it better to be an early bird or a night owl?
• Is it better to plan everything or be spontaneous?
• Is it better to live in the city or the countryside?
• Is shopping online better than shopping offline?
• Which is more important: doing the right thing or doing things right?
• Is it better to have a few hobbies or excel at one?

Fun debate topics on pop culture: TV shows, movies, books, and video games

These fun debate topics on pop culture offer a great way to engage with students’ interests as well as explore the cultural phenomena and media that surround them! Students will always find something new to discuss here, enriching the debate with their own examples and perspectives. 

• Should video games be considered art?
• Which video game console is the best?
• Should video games have loot boxes?
• Should the Olympics include more extreme sports?
• Are professional athletes overpaid?
• Is the book always better than the film?
• Can food be art?
• Are reality shows beneficial to contestants?
• Is the amount of entertainment content available today a good thing?
• Are the Marvel Cinematic Universe films overrated?
• Do movie studios make too many reboots and sequels?
• Is social media harmful to celebrities?
• Do spoilers really “spoil” a film or series?
• Is fan fiction a legitimate form of literature?
• Is “Barbie” a feminist film?
• Which fantasy/science-fiction book series is the best?
• Who would be more successful in modern society: Goldilocks or Little Red Riding Hood?
• Is listening to books better than reading them?
• In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was Willy Wonka good at heart?

Fun debate topics on holidays and celebrating special occasions

From the thorny question of regifting to working conditions for Santa’s elves, these fun debate topics on holidays are a fun way to mark special occasions with thought-provoking discussions. Students can share their own experiences celebrating holidays, while also learning about and reflecting on how others might approach important moments. 

• Is regifting acceptable?
• Should everyone get a day off work for their birthday?
• Are New Year’s resolutions worthwhile?
• Should Halloween costumes be allowed in schools?
• Is money better than treats for Halloween?
• Should all businesses close on Christmas?
• Which is the best Christmas movie?
• Should Christmas decorations be put up before December?
• Should Santa bring naughty children presents?
• Should Santa’s elves demand better working conditions?
• Who has a more difficult job: Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny?
• Should kids be allowed to eat all their Easter chocolate at once?
• Which is the best Easter candy?
• Should we celebrate Valentine’s Day in school?
• Should we celebrate Valentine’s Day?
• What is the best Thanksgiving side dish?
• Is Black Friday worth it?

Fun debate topics on fashion and trends

Whether your students are committed fashionistas or simply enjoy a good debate, these fun debate topics on fashion and trends will have them exploring current societal norms and personal preferences, alongside classic questions of style — socks with sandals anyone?

• Is it wrong to wear socks with sandals?
• Is fashion art?
• Should socks always match?
• Are influencer endorsements for products trustworthy?
• Is it better to follow fashion trends or keep your own style?
• Are Christmas sweaters ever a good idea?
• Are influencers more influential than traditional celebrities?
• Is it ok for feminists to wear makeup?
• Should society reject fast fashion?
• Are designer labels worth it?
• Is fashion more about comfort or style?
• Is fashion primarily about creativity or consumerism?
• Does fashion play a positive role in shaping youth culture?
• Will physical stores disappear?
• Do influencers have a positive or negative influence on society?
• Should fashion be gender neutral?

Fun debate topics on hypothetical scenarios

Hypothetical situations are a great way to encourage creativity and imaginative thinking. These fun debate questions on hypothetical questions will not only capture students’ attention but also prompt them to think outside the box and explore alternative possibilities or solutions!

• Would the world be better with a real-life Superman?
• Would it be better to have summer year round?
• If you were stranded on a desert island, what one item would you bring?
• Would you choose to read minds or have super strength?
• Would you rather live on Mars or in an underwater city?
• Would it be good to be an astronaut?
• If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be?
• If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would you choose?
• Would you rather live in a world without music or without movies?
• Would it be good to be famous?
• Who would be the best historical figures to invite to a dinner party?
• Which would be a better pet: a dragon or a unicorn?
• Would it be better to travel to the past or the future?
• Would time travel be beneficial to humanity?
• Which superpower would be best to have?

Fun debate topics on “big” questions

These fun debate topics on “big” questions are great questions to explore with students to encourage them to question their own assumptions and embrace their curiosity! Students learn to articulate and defend their viewpoint while thinking critically about the world around them.

• Are we living in a simulation?
• Do aliens exist?
• Are ghosts real?
• Are penalty shootouts a good way to decide the winner?
• Is it important to explore outer space?
• Can we really know everything?
• Do we have free will?
• Is it ever ok to tell a secret?
• Can ethical principles be universal?
• Can our senses be trusted?
• Is anything ever eternal?
• Is it more important to win or have fun?
• Does turning 18 really mean that you’re an adult?

Fun debate topics on education and student life

These fun debate topics on education and student life offer a light-hearted way for students to share their personal views and daily experiences while enhancing their understanding of the world.

• Are there too many school holidays?
• Do smartphones make us less smart?
• Does playing video games benefit learning?
• What is the best activity to do after school?
• Should schools take students on trips abroad?
• Should students be allowed to bring their pets to school?
• Should students grade their teachers?
• Should students have exams right after winter holidays?
• Should teachers be allowed days off during the school term?
• Should students have to wear school uniforms?
• Should teachers have to wear a uniform?
• Should homework be banned?
• Should exams be banned?

We’d love to hear how your students have benefited from having fun classroom debates and discussions! Please do get in touch at feedback@kialo-edu.com or on any of our social media channels.