Best Practices for Qualitative Research with Kids & Teens | Current Forward Insights [Skip to main content](#main-content) [What we do](/what-we-do) [Contact](/contact) [About](/about) [Insights](/insights) [Start your project](/contact) [←Back to Insights](/insights) # Best Practices for Qualitative Research with Kids & Teens 3 min readDoing research with kids is fun. There's unique energy present and an unpredictable nature to it. But, it can go south fast. Here are our top takeaways from remote qualitative interviews with kids and teens for a Fortune 100 athletic apparel company and a legacy skincare brand. ## 1. Age matters Kids 6 and under don't have the attention spans to be interview participants — talk to their parents instead. Kids 7-8 are experiencing a stage of introversion; have a three-way conversation. Kids 9+ can mostly hold a conversation on their own. ## 2. Engage them early Ask ridiculous, imagination-based warm up questions to set the tone and take the pressure off. ## 3. Ask easy questions first Keep it light; save tough questions for the end. ## 4. Make them comfortable Bring sensory elements into the discussion — photos, drawing, games. Consider dyads instead of one-on-one interviews. Frame questions with "if kids were in charge and grown ups couldn't say no..." ## 5. Speak simply Keep questions really simple and direct. Test your questions on a kid before launching research. ## 6. Make parents your ally Ask parents to translate questions and answers. Sometimes dismiss the parent if the child feels pressure to answer "correctly." ## 7. Build in extra time Expect short answers. If interview is 45 minutes, prepare 30 minutes of material and use extra 15 for thinking time or going deeper. ## 8. Embrace silence Kids need time to process. Be okay with stretches of silence. ## 9. Recruit more participants As a rule, 1/3 of interviews might not produce the insight you're looking for.Want to partner on research with kids or teens? Say hi at hello@currentfwd.com. ### Recent Posts [When quantitative research should lead](/insights/when-quantitative-research-should-lead)[Mixed-method research sprint framework](/insights/mixed-method-research-sprint-framework)[The Two Investments Every Loyalty Strategy Needs](/insights/the-two-investments-every-loyalty-strategy-needs) ## Need help turning insights into action? Explore our qualitative and quantitative research services, or talk with our team about your next project.[Explore research services](/what-we-do)[Request a proposal](/contact) ### Sign up to get our digest of trends and insights. Email address Submit Need help with an upcoming research decision?[Request a proposal](/contact) Resources[Contact us](/contact)[Insights](/insights)[Choosing a research partner](/how-to-choose-a-consumer-research-partner)[US consumer insights](/consumer-insights-and-qualitative-research)[From data to decisions](/from-data-to-decisions-insights-strategy)HQ in ATX[hello@currentfwd.com](mailto:hello@currentfwd.com) © 2026 Current Forward LLC. All rights reserved.[Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)[Terms & Conditions](/terms-and-conditions)