THE TRADITIONS LIBRARY

Pancake Questions

Every pancake comes with a question. Turn an ordinary breakfast into a chance to laugh, listen, and discover something new about the people around your table.

Shared by:

The December Family

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The Story Behind It

There wasn’t a big plan behind Pancake Questions. We just started asking questions over breakfast and taking turns answering them.

Eventually, we began writing down our favourites so we could remember them and ask them again one day. The silly ones were usually the keepers - the questions that made us laugh and that someone would want to hear everyone answer again.

That’s really how it became a tradition: a few questions over breakfast, followed by, “We should write that one down.”

What You'll Need

Breakfast, a few slips of paper, a pen, and a jar or bowl to hold your questions.

Pancakes are welcome, but any breakfast will do. You can also read a question aloud without preparing anything beforehand.

Make It Your Own

Let everyone add questions to the jar, choose a theme, or take turns being the question picker. Mix imaginative questions with ones about memories, kindness, and things you would love to do together.

Younger children can draw an answer or have someone help read their question. Older children and teens can write questions of their own.

Try it over waffles, toast, a weekend brunch, or breakfast for dinner. Keep it light, follow everyone’s comfort level, and let the conversation matter more than the format.

How It’s Done

Before breakfast, write a handful of questions on small slips of paper, fold them, and place them in a jar or bowl.

As we eat, we take turns drawing a question. Everyone can answer the same question, or each person can choose their own. Some questions invite silly answers; others lead to memories, dreams, or something we have never thought to ask each other.

There are no right or wrong answers, and passing is always welcome. We let the conversation wander rather than trying to finish every question. One good question can be enough for the whole meal.

Questions for Your Jar:

• If you opened a restaurant, what would you call it, and what would you serve?
• What would your dream treehouse have inside?
• If our family had a mascot, what would it be?
• Which animal would make the funniest teacher?
• If you invented a holiday, how would we celebrate?
• What is something you would love to learn how to do?
• If you could spend today anywhere, where would you go?
• What is something about you that people might be surprised to learn?
• Which family adventure would you love to do again?
• If we had a whole day together with no plans, what should we do?
• What is one small thing that makes you feel loved?
• What question would you like to ask everyone at this table?

THE DECEMBER FAMILY