I often think of curiosity as a muscle: it softens and strengthens depending on how much attention we give it. Over the years I’ve tried to keep that muscle active not only for myself but with the people around me — my nephews, my partner, and even brief conversations with strangers on trains or in markets. Curiosity changes the ordinary into something small and delightful, and the good news is that it’s incredibly simple to practice at any age. Here are everyday ways I’ve found that make curiosity feel easy, generous, and genuinely fun.
Set micro-routines that invite wonder
Big rituals can be lovely, but small, repeatable habits are what actually reshape a day. I like to create tiny prompts that nudge me — and others — toward noticing.
Question-of-the-day: A single, open question at breakfast or before bed. For kids it might be “What’s one new sound you heard today?” For partners, try “What’s something you saw today that made you smile?” The answers are short, but they open a window.Curiosity jar: Write tiny prompts on scraps of paper (e.g., “Find a leaf with a funny shape” or “Ask someone their proudest moment”). Pull one when you need a low-effort adventure. This works brilliantly for rainy weekends with children or when the two of you want a different kind of date night.Two-minute pause: When walking somewhere, take two minutes to look only at windows, or rooftops, or people’s shoes. It’s surprising how much the world shifts after a focused, tiny observation session.Turn chores into discovery labs
Domestic life is full of opportunities to practice curiosity together. I’ve found that reframing a chore as an experiment changes the mood.
Cooking together as a mini-experiment: Ask “What happens if we swap this spice?” or “Can we make this in 20 minutes?” Kids love being small scientists in the kitchen, and partners can enjoy a collaborative, low-stakes test kitchen. I often keep a jar of unusual spices or a few recipe index cards to spark ideas.Grocery scavenger hunts: Give children (or your partner) a list of sensory tasks instead of items: “Find a fruit you’ve never tried,” “Pick something soft to touch,” or “Choose something that smells interesting.” You’ll end up with new ingredients and better conversations at checkout.Home improvement curiosity: When something needs fixing, approach it as a puzzle. Look up a quick tutorial together, take apart a broken object to see how it works, or test three different ways to hang a picture. The process beats perfection.Ask better questions — and listen like you mean it
Curiosity is less about having the right facts and more about how you ask and receive them. I try to swap interrogations for invitations.
Avoid yes/no traps: “Did you have a good day?” rarely leads anywhere. Instead try, “What surprised you today?” or “Tell me one small win from today.” These invite stories, not summaries.Play the follow-up game: When someone answers, respond with “tell me more” or “what made you think that?” Kids quickly learn that their answers are valued when adults show genuine interest. With partners, follow-ups deepen connection; with strangers, they turn quick chats into memorable exchanges.Echo and expand: Repeat a detail and add a gentle prompt: “You said you liked that painting — what about it did you notice?” This signals attention and encourages elaboration without pressure.Make new-ness normal
Curiosity thrives when novelty becomes routine. I try to sprinkle small new experiences into normal days so they become expected rather than exceptional.
Micro-adventures: No need for a full weekend away. Try a walk in a different direction, a new café, or a different bus route. These small changes are low-risk and often reveal hidden delights.Rotate media: Swap your regular podcast or playlist for something outside your usual interests. I’ve discovered great authors and unexpected recipes just by listening to a culture podcast on a commute.Library roulette: A simple rule when visiting a library or bookstore: pick the third book you touch in a section you wouldn’t usually visit. You might end up with a surprising read to discuss over tea with a friend or partner.Use objects as curiosity prompts
Objects are natural conversation starters because they’re tangible and immediate. I carry a small "curiosity kit" sometimes: a pocket notebook, a fountain pen, and a couple of found objects (a smooth stone, a ticket stub).
Show-and-tell for grown-ups: Ask your partner or a friend to bring one object that means something to them. Spend five minutes asking about it. The stories are often intimate and revealing.Carry an oddball object: I once carried a small brass key in my bag for a week. It sparked questions everywhere — on trains, in cafes — and each conversation was unexpectedly rich.Invite strangers into small experiments
Meeting new people can feel risky, but curiosity framed as a harmless game makes it easier.
Street interviews (friendly version): Ask a simple, non-intrusive question like “What’s the best thing you’ve eaten this month?” or “What made you laugh recently?” Most people light up at the chance to share a short story.Share a compliment plus a question: Compliment someone and follow with a light question: “I love your jacket — where did you find it?” This warms up the interaction and often leads to a mini-conversation.Public transit prompts: Keep two or three conversation starters in your pocket and use them only when the moment feels right. A quick exchange about favorite childhood snacks can turn a commute into a humanizing break.Experiment with curiosity-building tools
There are plenty of small tools and ideas to keep curiosity fun and measurable.
| Tool | How I use it |
| Notion or a small notebook | Track one new thing learned each day — a recipe, a fact, or a story from someone else. |
| Curiosity deck or card games | Use cards as prompts during dinner or travel. I like games that ask “What would you invent?” or “Describe your perfect day in three words.” |
| Library card | Challenge yourself and others to borrow one book outside your usual genre each month. |
Curiosity isn’t a performance — it’s a practice you offer both to yourself and to others. It’s as much about making space for surprise as it is about asking questions. When I practice curiosity with kids, partners, or strangers, the biggest payoff is a quieter, kinder attention: the kind that makes ordinary moments feel like invitations. Try one small thing today and see what opens up.
