Debate Topics for Kids: 50 Age-Appropriate Topics and How to Prepare

Debating is one of the best skills a child can learn. It teaches them to think clearly, to listen carefully, to see both sides of a question, to speak confidently and to disagree respectfully. Schools, clubs and competitions increasingly hold debates for younger children, and children who learn early tend to love it.

Here are fifty debate topics for kids, grouped by age, followed by a step-by-step guide to preparing.

What makes a good debate topic

A good topic for children is one they understand from their own experience, that has reasonable arguments on both sides, and that is not upsetting or too personal. It should usually be worded as a statement that one side supports and the other opposes, called the motion.

Ages 6 to 8: fun and familiar

1. Cats are better pets than dogs. 2. Summer is better than winter. 3. Children should be allowed to choose their own bedtime. 4. Homework should be banned. 5. It is better to live in a city than a village. 6. Every child should have a pet. 7. Reading books is better than watching films. 8. Children should help with chores at home. 9. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 10. Superheroes should not keep their identity secret. 11. School should start later in the morning. 12. It is better to be a child than an adult.

Ages 9 to 11: school and everyday life

13. School uniforms should be compulsory. 14. Children should be allowed to bring phones to school. 15. Junk food should be banned in school canteens. 16. Exams are the best way to test learning. 17. Children should be paid pocket money for doing chores. 18. Online learning is as good as classroom learning. 19. Zoos should be closed. 20. Sport should be compulsory in school every day. 21. Children should learn at least two languages. 22. Video games are good for children. 23. Group projects are better than individual projects. 24. Every school should have a library period every day. 25. It is better to have a few close friends than many friends.

Ages 12 to 14: bigger questions

26. Social media does more harm than good for teenagers. 27. Children under sixteen should not have smartphones. 28. Plastic bags should be completely banned. 29. Artificial intelligence will create more jobs than it destroys. 30. Space exploration is worth the cost. 31. Cities should ban cars from their centres. 32. School should teach more life skills and less theory. 33. Every citizen should do some form of community service. 34. Competitive exams put too much pressure on students. 35. Learning history is as important as learning science. 36. It is better to be honest than polite. 37. Tradition is more important than innovation.

Ages 14 and up: complex debates

38. Voting age should be lowered to sixteen. 39. Wealthy nations have a duty to help poorer nations. 40. Technology is making us less social. 41. Censorship is sometimes necessary. 42. Fast fashion should be taxed. 43. Climate change is the biggest challenge of our generation. 44. Ancient wisdom has a place in modern education. 45. Students should be allowed to grade their teachers. 46. Success depends more on hard work than on talent. 47. Remote working is better than office working. 48. Public transport should be free. 49. Animals should not be used for entertainment. 50. The internet should be a basic human right.

How to prepare: a step-by-step guide

Step 1: understand the motion. Read it carefully. What exactly does it say? What would someone supporting it have to prove? Define any key words. In a debate on homework should be banned, for example, does banned mean all homework, or only for younger children?

Step 2: think about both sides. Even if you know which side you are on, list arguments for both. This helps you predict what the other side will say and prepare answers.

Step 3: choose your best three points. Do not try to say everything. Pick the two or three strongest arguments for your side.

Step 4: support each point. For every argument, add an example, a reason or a fact. Use the PEEL structure: Point, make your argument; Evidence, give an example or fact; Explain, say why it matters; Link, connect it back to the motion.

Step 5: prepare for rebuttal. Look at your list of the other side’s likely arguments and think of a short, polite answer to each.

Step 6: plan your opening and closing. Start with something that catches attention: a question, a short story or a surprising example. End by summarising your points and stating your position clearly.

A good debater does not just speak well. They listen well, think fast, and disagree with an argument without disrespecting the person who made it.

A simple debate speech structure

Greeting: good morning to the judges, my worthy opponents and the audience. Introduction: today I will be speaking for, or against, the motion that… Definition, if needed. Point one, with evidence and explanation. Point two. Point three. Rebuttal, if allowed: my opponents may say that… but… Conclusion: summarise the main points and restate your position. Thank you.

Tips for the day

Use cue cards with key words, not a full script. Speak slowly and clearly, and pause between points. Make eye contact with the judges and audience. Listen carefully to the other side and note their points as they speak. Stay calm and polite, even if you disagree strongly. Respect the time limit.

Practising at home

Choose a fun topic at dinner and let each family member argue one side for one minute. Then swap sides. Arguing a position you do not agree with is one of the best ways to learn to think clearly, and often makes for a very funny evening.

Building a young debater

Debating builds thinking, listening and speaking skills that help children in every subject and, later, in every career. In the Indian tradition, too, structured debate, śāstrārtha, has been valued for thousands of years as a way of reaching truth through reasoned argument. Our live public speaking and debate classes help children learn to prepare, structure and deliver arguments confidently, in a small, supportive group. If you would like your child to learn with a mentor, enquire about our classes through the Book a Class page; fees are listed on our Pricing page.