Debates don’t always have to be serious, sometimes, the funniest topics lead to the most entertaining arguments! No matter if you’re looking for a way to spice up a classroom discussion, liven up a party, or just have a fun conversation with friends, funny debate topics are the perfect way to get people talking (and laughing).
From absurd “would you rather” questions to playful takes on everyday life, these topics will keep the energy high and the mood light. Ready to dive into some hilarious debates? Let’s get started!
Funny debate topics by grade
Below, you’ll find 50+ of the best silly and funny debate topics, organized by grade level. Let’s get the debate (and the giggles) started!
Debate topics for primary students
- Should every meal come with dessert?
- Is ice cream better in a cone or a cup?
- If you could only eat one food forever, what should it be?
- Are pancakes better than waffles?
- Should chocolate milk be served in every school?
- Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?
- Should dogs be allowed to go to school?
- Is it better to live in a treehouse or underground?
- Should all animals be able to talk?
- Are cats smarter than dogs?
- Should students be allowed to choose their teachers?
- Is it better to have school indoors or outdoors?
- Should recess be longer than math class?
- Should students get a day off for their birthdays?
- Is it better to do homework or play outside?
Debate topics for middle students
- Should schools have “nap time” for students?
- Is pizza a breakfast food?
- Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
- Is it better to have one best friend or a big friend group?
- Should emojis be considered a real language?
- Would life be better without homework?
- Should video games be considered a sport?
- Are cats or dogs the better pet?
- Should schools have vending machines with only candy?
- Should school lunches be free for everyone?
- Would time travel cause more problems than it solves?
- Should students have Fridays off?
- Is texting better than talking in person?
- Should school start later in the day?
- Would living in a video game world be awesome or terrifying?
Debate topics for high school students
- Should senioritis be recognized as a real condition?
- Is texting an actual sport?
- Should teachers have to take pop quizzes too?
- Would life be better if all exams were open-book?
- Should memes be considered an art form?
- Is it better to be famous online or in real life?
- Should students be allowed to sleep in class if they stay up studying?
- Is cereal a soup?
- Would it be better if high school lasted only two years?
- Should group projects be banned forever?
- Is social media doing more harm than good?
- Should everyone have a personal theme song that plays when they enter a room?
- Are reality TV shows actually scripted?
- Should school dances have a “bad dancing only” rule?
- Would robots make better politicians?
Funny debate topics by category
Explore 70+ hilarious debate topics organized into categories below, so you can find the perfect one for your next lively discussion. Let the fun begin!
Food debates
- Is a hotdog a sandwich?
- Does pineapple belong on pizza?
- Is cereal technically a soup?
- Should ketchup be considered a smoothie?
- Is water wet?
- Is a Pop-Tart a type of ravioli?
- Should french fries be considered a vegetable?
- Is mac and cheese a main dish or a side dish?
- Does milk go first or cereal?
- Is a burger just a sandwich with extra confidence?
Animals debates
- Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?
- Do cats secretly control the world?
- If animals could talk, which species would be the rudest?
- Are dogs really better than cats, or is it just good PR?
- Should birds be required to get pilot licenses?
- Would you rather be a talking dog or a flying cat?
- Are fish just wet birds?
- Should penguins wear tiny tuxedos?
- Do dogs think in barks?
- Would a pet dinosaur be cooler than a pet robot?
Everyday life debates
- Should school start at noon instead of in the morning?
- Is it better to be a superhero or a villain?
- Should napping be an Olympic sport?
- Is it okay to eat pizza with a fork and knife?
- Are video games a better workout than actual sports?
- Should socks and sandals be considered a crime against fashion?
- Is hitting the snooze button just time travel in disguise?
- If we eat dessert first, does that mean we’re living life in reverse?
- Should clapping when a plane lands be a punishable offense?
- If you drop soap on the floor, is the soap dirty or is the floor clean?
Absurd “What if” debates
- What if animals could vote? Which species would win the election?
- What if humans had tails? Should we accessorize them?
- What if we had to sing everything instead of talking?
- What if gravity suddenly stopped working for 10 seconds every day?
- What if we lived in a world where clowns were in charge?
- What if aliens landed and only wanted to talk to our pets?
- What if socks were outlawed?
- What if time travel was real, but you could only visit embarrassing moments?
- What if we could only communicate using emojis?
- What if your reflection in the mirror had its own opinions?
School & learning debates
- Should homework be illegal?
- Would robots make better teachers than humans?
- Should students get paid to go to school?
- Is math secretly a made-up language?
- Should school lunch be replaced with unlimited snacks?
- Would students learn more if teachers rapped their lessons?
- Should recess be extended to match the length of the math class?
- If history repeats itself, do we really need to study it?
- Should spelling tests be replaced with autocorrect competitions?
- Should students be allowed to grade their teachers too?
- If someone drops their lunch tray, should it legally be required to clap?
- Would pop quizzes be less scary if they were called “surprise celebrations”?
Pop culture & technology debates
- Should emojis be considered a new language?
- Are memes the greatest form of communication?
- Is binge-watching a TV series an Olympic-level skill?
- Would you rather live inside a video game or a cartoon?
- Are superheroes just really well-dressed stuntmen?
- If robots take over jobs, should they have to pay taxes too?
- Is binge-watching an entire show in one night a talent or a problem?
- If emojis are a language, should we be able to major in them?
- Should memes be added to history books as cultural artifacts?
- If your phone battery dies, should it count as a personal emergency?
- Are reality TV shows actually just modern soap operas?
- Should movie spoilers come with legal consequences?
- If your Wi-Fi goes out, should you get the day off?
Random debates
- Is it possible to eat ice cream too fast?
- Should people have to sing instead of talk for a day?
- If you had to smell like one food forever, what should it be?
- Would you rather have noodles for fingers or marshmallows for toes?
- Should clowns be required to have a license?
- Would a vampire or a zombie make a better best friend?
- If animals had jobs, which one would be the best boss?
- Should pizza delivery drivers be considered heroes?
- If ghosts exist, should they have to pay rent?
- Would life be better if we all had sound effects for our actions?
- Should people be allowed to wear Halloween costumes all year?
- If forks had feelings, would they be jealous of spoons?
- If you had to replace your hands with two objects, what would they be?
- Should mirrors be banned for being too judgmental?
How to choose funny debate topics
Picking the right funny debate topics can make all the difference in keeping the conversation lively and entertaining. Here are some key tips to ensure your debate stays fun and engaging:
1. Keep it lighthearted
Funny debates should be about silly, exaggerated, or playful topics. Avoid anything too serious or controversial, after all, the goal is to have fun, not start a real argument!
2. Consider your audience
Make sure the topic suits the group. A classroom setting might need school-friendly humor, while a debate among friends can get a little wilder. Choose topics that everyone can enjoy and relate to.
3. Go for the absurd
The best funny debate topics often sound ridiculous at first. Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck? Is cereal a soup? These kinds of debates spark laughter and creativity.
4. Encourage playful arguments
The topic should allow for silly reasoning and over-the-top arguments. The more bizarre the logic, the funnier the debate!
5. Test for engagement
If a topic gets instant reactions and giggles, it’s a winner! The best topics get people excited to share their opinions, no matter how ridiculous they may be.
By following these tips, you’ll ensure that your funny debate is full of laughter, wild arguments, and unforgettable moments!
FAQs
1. What are the 5 tips for debating?
If you want to win a debate (or at least make it entertaining), follow these five key tips:
- Know your topic: Even if it’s a silly debate, understanding both sides makes your arguments stronger.
- Stay confident: Deliver your points with energy and conviction. Confidence can make even the weirdest arguments sound convincing!
- Use humor: A funny analogy or sarcastic comeback can make your case more memorable and entertaining.
- Think fast: Be ready to counter your opponent’s points with clever responses (or just confuse them with an even crazier argument).
- Engage your audience: If people are laughing or reacting, you’re doing it right! The best debates keep everyone entertained.
2. How can I make my debate more fun?
Here is how to turn your debate into a hilarious, unforgettable showdown:
- Choose wacky topics: The more absurd, the better! (Example: Should socks have rights?).
- Exaggerate your arguments – Take your side to the extreme! Defending naps? Argue that a well-rested person is 200% smarter.
- Use props & visuals: A funny drawing or meme can make your point unbeatable.
- Adopt a dramatic persona: Debate like you’re in a courtroom drama, a royal court, or a reality show finale.
- Let the audience decide: Have the crowd vote for the funniest or most convincing debater!
Final thoughts
A great debate isn’t just about proving a point; it’s about having fun, thinking outside the box, and keeping your audience entertained. So, the next time you’re with friends, in class, or just looking for a good laugh, pick one of these funny debate topics and let the debate begin! No matter the outcome, the real winner is the person who gets the most laughs.
Want to take your classroom debates to the next level? Explore our middle school argumentative activities for structured, engaging lessons that help students strengthen their reasoning, evidence, and persuasive speaking skills.
