What Kids Really Love About School (and What That Reveals About Their Learning)

What Do Children Actually Enjoy at School?

When was the last time you asked your child, "What do you enjoy most about school?" Not just a quick, "How was your day?" but a genuine question with space for a thoughtful answer. When parents slow down enough to really listen, the answers they receive are often surprising—and deeply revealing.

It's tempting to assume our children will mention recess or lunch, and yes, those do come up often. But when we dig a little deeper, their answers tell us something important: kids are not indifferent to learning. They crave connection, purpose, confidence and variety in how they engage with school material. Understanding what lights them up at school is often the first step toward helping them thrive both academically and emotionally.

A Peek Behind the Curtain: Common Responses from Real Kids

Over the past year, I’ve sat with dozens of parents and teachers, asking kids aged 6 to 12 this simple question: "What do you like best at school?" Their answers fall into five surprisingly consistent themes:

• “When I get to build or make stuff”— Project-based learning gives kids a tangible sense of achievement.
• “When the teacher reads us a story”— Whether it’s fiction or part of a lesson, narratives hold immense power for capturing attention.
• “Math, when I actually get it right”— It’s not the content—it’s the feeling of competence that changes everything.
• “When I work with a partner”— Collaboration brings energy and a sense of belonging to even the toughest tasks.
• “When there’s a game”— Learning can and should be fun sometimes; play boosts motivation.

So what do these responses tell us? First, that children are drawn to moments when learning feels alive and personal. Second, that confidence plays a massive role in how a child perceives school. And third, that learning isn’t just academic—it’s social, emotional, and creative.

Embracing Engagement: Why It Matters at Home

When a child is struggling with school—whether it’s homework battles, waning motivation, or anxiety—we often focus on what’s not working. But sometimes, the better question is: what is working? What moments during the day actually make them feel seen or capable?

If your child lights up during group projects or storytelling time, maybe they need more of that at home too. They might respond better to reviewing material in a narrative format (imagine a story about a brave explorer navigating multiplication jungles). Tools like educational audio adventures—with your child’s name as the protagonist, like those available in the Skuli app—can turn a dry concept into something your child actively wants to revisit.

It also helps to understand how your child truly feels about homework, or how they might prefer reviewing material through sound rather than reading. Maybe your car ride to soccer practice becomes their mini podcast time, where they re-hear today’s science lesson in audio form.

Start Small: Questions That Spark Real Conversation

One of the best ways to foster connection with your child about school is to ask better questions—the kind that require more than “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t remember.” Here are a few that have opened the floodgates in many families:

• “What’s something that made you smile at school today?”
• “Was there a time today you felt really smart or proud?”
• “If you could change one thing about school, what would it be?” (this one connects beautifully with this article about kids’ school wishes)

These aren’t just feel-good prompts. They’re diagnostic tools. They help you see what fuels your child—and where the friction hides.

Connection First, Academics Second

If your evenings are dominated by stress from homework or school struggles, start by shifting the tone. Create a safe, open space where talking about school doesn’t feel like a trap. Learn more about creating that environment in this guide on how to create a positive dialogue about schoolwork at home.

It’s easy for school to become the battlefield and home to feel like a second front line. But what children often crave is a parent who can meet them with curiosity, not correction; with connection, not control. Practicing active listening around school challenges may seem like a small change—but it often leads to surprising breakthroughs.

What If the Answer Is “Nothing”?

If you ask your child what they like about school and they say “nothing,” don’t panic. It’s not a reason to despair—it’s a reason to dig deeper. Often, this answer masks deeper issues: friendship struggles, academic frustration, or emotional overwhelm. If you’re facing sustained school refusal or dread, you may want to explore what silence is really hiding.

Your child may not have the words yet, but they always have the feelings. With enough safety, patience, and the right tools, those feelings become stories. And from those stories, together, you can build empathy, confidence, and even joy—in and out of the classroom.