How to Reconnect: 110 Conversation Starters for Cousins

Reconnecting with cousins—whether you live miles apart or just haven’t caught up in a while—can feel awkward without a little spark.

From quick icebreakers to deeper conversation-starters for video calls, you’ll find something here to reignite old bonds, create new memories, and keep every cousin convo flowing effortlessly.

Icebreaker Questions for Cousins

Get the ball rolling at reunions, dinners, or group chats.

1. What’s your current “go-to” emoji when texting family?
2. If our cousin crew had an official theme song, what would it be?
3. Which TV show or movie best represents our family?
4. What’s one word that sums up our last family gathering?
5. Which childhood snack do you still crave today?
6. If you could rename our family reunion, what would you call it?
7. What superpower would help you survive our next family game night?
8. Which cousin is most likely to start a dance-off?
9. What’s the funniest typo you’ve ever sent in a family group chat?
10. If you could teleport to any cousin’s house right now, whose would it be?
11. Which meme or GIF best describes our family group chat?
12. What’s the weirdest gift you’ve ever received from a cousin?
13. Who in the family would you trust to hide a secret for you?
14. If you could swap lives with one cousin for a day, who would it be?
15. What’s your favorite color that reminds you of a cousin?
16. Which family nickname still makes you smile (or cringe)?

💡Pro-Tip: Name Tag Twist: Attach a number to each cousin’s name tag and call out numbers instead of names when asking questions to build intrigue.

Life Updates & Future Plans

Catch up on where everyone stands today—and where they’re headed.

1. What’s one new hobby or habit you’ve picked up lately?
2. If you could plan our next cousin trip anywhere, where would we go?
3. What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had this year?
4. Which skill do you want to learn together as cousins?
5. What’s one goal you’d love us to hold each other accountable for?
6. If you could teleport to any city to meet me, where would it be and why?
7. What’s the most memorable thing you’ve done since we last met?
8. Which app or podcast are you obsessed with right now?
9. What’s your dream job in five years—and how can I help?
10. What’s one family recipe you want to master this month?
11. Which milestone coming up are you most excited about?
12. If you could invite me to any virtual event, what would it be?
13. What’s the best advice you’ve received recently—and from whom?
14. What’s your plan for unwinding after a long day?

Childhood Memory Prompts for Cousins

Rediscover the moments that made you laugh, cry, and bond.

1. What’s your all-time favorite memory of us as kids?
2. Which family pet holds the most nostalgic spot in your heart?
3. What’s the first big secret we ever shared?
4. Which game did we always fight over—and who won?
5. What’s your funniest misheard family story?
6. Which cousin’s bedroom was your “clubhouse”?
7. What’s the silliest dare we ever accepted together?
8. Which holiday tradition did you look forward to most?
9. What song did we embarrass ourselves dancing to?
10. Which family road trip moment still makes you laugh?
11. What’s a family recipe you remember helping to make?
12. Who was the best storyteller at sleepovers?
13. Which childhood inside joke still cracks you up?
14. What’s your earliest memory of me?

💡Pro-Tip: Have a few old family photos on hand—pass around or screen-share one and ask cousins to tell the story behind it.

Family Traditions & Connections

Celebrate what makes your family unique and plan new rituals.

1. Which tradition should we revive at our next reunion?
2. What’s one new ritual you’d love to start as cousins?
3. What family heirloom tells the best story?
4. How do we make sure every cousin feels included?
5. Which holiday tradition would you add to our family calendar?
6. What dish always brings back childhood memories?
7. What’s the best way to capture our next get-together on social media?
8. Which family recipe needs a modern twist?
9. How can we involve the kids and future generations?
10. What’s an activity that never fails to bring us together?
11. Which cousin has the most “hidden talent”?
12. What’s our signature family photo pose?
13. Which cause would you like us to volunteer for as a group?
14. How can we keep in touch more regularly between reunions?

Dreams & Aspirations

Encourage each other to dream big and chase goals.

1. If money and time were no object, what would you pursue next?
2. What’s one risk you want us to support you in taking?
3. Which bucket-list item should we tick off together?
4. What’s a passion project you’d love my help on?
5. Where do you see yourself in ten years—and what role will I play?
6. If you wrote a memoir, what would its title be?
7. What fear have you overcome that you’re most proud of?
8. Which mentor or figure inspires your next move?
9. What’s a course or workshop you want us to take together?
10. What’s one habit you want to develop for personal growth?
11. Which accomplishment—big or small—do you wish I’d celebrate more?
12. If you could host a podcast with me, what would we talk about?
13. What’s your vision for our cousin network in the future?
14. What’s a creative skill you’re itching to explore?

💡Pro-Tip: Encourage each person to write down one small step they’ll take this week toward a stated dream and share it aloud.

Hobbies & Interests

Dive into what lights you up—and discover new shared passions.

1. What’s the last book or article that really stuck with you?
2. Which podcast or YouTube channel can’t you stop recommending?
3. What’s a new show or movie you think I should watch—and why?
4. Which mobile game or app has your attention right now?
5. What’s your favorite way to get moving or stay active?
6. What creative hobby—painting, writing, crafting—do you want to try?
7. Which online community or forum do you find inspiring?
8. What’s one recipe you’ve mastered recently?
9. What’s the best concert or event you’ve attended this year?
10. Which musical artist has been on repeat for you?
11. What’s your go-to way to unplug and recharge?
12. What’s a weekend project you’re excited about?
13. What’s your favorite local spot (café, park, shop) to recommend?
14. Which seasonal activity do you look forward to most?

Shared Experiences & Inside Jokes

Celebrate the laughter that only your cousin crew can deliver.

1. What’s our most legendary family group-chat moment?
2. Which cousin has the best “epic fail” story?
3. What’s the inside joke that makes no sense to anyone else?
4. Which family photo never fails to crack you up?
5. What’s our cousin “motto” if we had to pick one?
6. Which dare or challenge moment would you relive?
7. What’s the worst/most hilarious gift exchange we’ve had?
8. Which childhood prank still makes you giggle?
9. What’s your funniest nickname for another cousin?
10. Which emoji best represents our cousin squad?
11. What’s the silliest “walk-out” song you’d assign to someone?
12. What’s the funniest mix-up in a family plan or schedule?
13. Which cousin do you most want to see in a viral TikTok?
14. What’s our funniest unanswered voicemail or text?

Virtual & Long-Distance Cousin Prompts

Perfect for Zoom calls, group chats, and social media hangouts.

1. What background filter or virtual background are you using today?
2. Which time zone fact surprised you most when planning this call?
3. What’s one snack or drink you’re enjoying right now?
4. Which online game or quiz should we play together?
5. What’s your favorite digital sticker or GIF to react with?
6. How do you keep track of our family events across time zones?
7. What’s your ideal virtual reunion plan?
8. Which holiday tradition would you adapt for a Zoom gathering?
9. What’s one way we could send care packages virtually?
10. What’s your top tip for avoiding “Zoom fatigue” during family calls?

Meaningful Connection Prompts

Go a level deeper—share hopes, gratitude, and authenticity.

1. What’s one thing you admire about me (and vice versa)?
2. When was a time I really supported you—and how did it help?
3. What family value means the most to you—and why?
4. What’s one life lesson you’re grateful to have learned?
5. What’s a challenge you’re facing right now—and how can I help?
6. When have I made you feel seen or understood?
7. What’s one dream you haven’t shared with anyone yet?
8. How do you define “family”—and what role do I play?
9. What’s one promise you’d like us to make to each other?
10. What are you most thankful for about our family bond?

Disclaimer: Skip any question that feels too personal or could trigger discomfort. Always share only what you’re comfortable with.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re all together in one living room or scattered across time zones, these 110 conversation starters will help you break the ice, spark laughter, and deepen your bond. Happy chatting—and here’s to many more shared moments!