The silly game that secretly builds critical thinking

If you want a fun way to build your child’s critical thinking and reasoning skills, one of the best games you can play is probably one you already know.

Would You Rather?

Just two options and one simple question:

“Which would you choose?”

The magic is not really in the answer.

It’s in the explanation.

Why that one? Why not the other one? What are you thinking about? What matters most?

Children are very used to being asked for answers.

At school, in tests, in homework, in reasoning papers, they are often trying to work out what the correct answer is supposed to be.

But in Would You Rather? there isn’t a neat, correct answer.

Both options might be terrible. Both might be brilliant. Both might be completely ridiculous.

Children have to think beyond the first thing that pops into their head. They have to explain their choice, compare the options and justify their thinking.

That‘s real reasoning.

Try a serious one

You can make the questions thoughtful.

For example:

“Would you rather be convicted of a crime you never committed and never be able to prove your innocence, or get away with committing a terrible crime while someone innocent takes the blame?”

Not exactly a light topic to discuss, but it opens up an amazing conversation.

At first, a child might say they would rather get away with the crime.

After all, they would not be punished.

But then you can ask:

“Could you live with the guilt? Would it matter that somebody innocent was suffering because of you?”

“Is it worse to be punished unfairly or to let someone else be punished unfairly?”

Suddenly, you are discussing justice, guilt, responsibility and consequences.

That is critical thinking.

Silly questions work too

The questions don’t have to be serious.

“Would you rather have fingers made of cheese or an armpit that dispenses unlimited sun cream?”

Ridiculous, wonderful and surprisingly useful.

A child might start by laughing, which is exactly what you want. Once they are relaxed, they are much more likely to think freely, argue playfully and take risks with their ideas.

Then you can start asking questions.

“Would cheese fingers be useful?”

“Would they melt?”

“Could you still do the things you like to do everyday if your fingers are made of cheese?”

“Would unlimited sun cream be helpful on holiday?”

“Would it be annoying in winter?”

Before long, they are weighing up advantages, disadvantages, practical problems and consequences.

Without realising it, they are reasoning.

The ridiculous ice cream question

One of my favourite Would You Rather? questions is:

“Would you rather eat ice cream-flavoured poo or poo-flavoured ice cream?”

Deeply immature?

Yes.

Educationally useful?

Also yes.

Most children immediately choose the ice cream-flavoured poo.

Understandably, they focus on the flavour.

“It tastes like ice cream!”

Fine.

But then the discussion begins.

“Can you safely eat poo?”

“Does the taste matter if the thing itself is dangerous?”

“Would it be better to eat something safe that tastes disgusting?”

“So what matters more: the experience in the moment or the consequences afterwards?”

And there it is.

A silly, slightly revolting question has turned into a proper philosophical conversation.

Why this helps with reasoning

Reasoning is not just about spotting patterns so you can pass a test.

It is about thinking clearly, considering consequences, explaining choices and changing your mind when a better-reasoned argument appears.

Would You Rather? helps children practise all of this in a low-pressure way.

They learn to:

• compare options

• justify opinions

• think beyond first impressions

• consider consequences

• listen to another point of view

• explain ideas clearly

These are useful skills for verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, comprehension, writing and everyday life.

Give it a try

Next time you’re in the car, at the dinner table or waiting for an activity to start, try a quick Would You Rather? question.

Start silly if you like.

Then ask why.

Then ask what could go wrong.

Then ask whether they would still choose the same answer.

Before you know it, your child is building reasoning skills, communication skills and philosophical thinking.

All from a game about cheese fingers, sun cream armpits and deeply questionable ice cream.