As regular readers of my blog will know, March is my gorgeous daughter’s birthday month. And every year I share the latest answers to the 20 birthday quiz questions that I’ve been asking Flora since she was three. Our beautiful, kind, intelligent, loving, magical fruitloop is going to be 12 years old this year. 12 YEARS OLD. Where on earth has time gone? But with everything that’s going on in the world just now, it makes me very happy indeed to post this a little piece of joy today.
Why ask birthday quiz questions every year?
I first came across this birthday quiz idea on Pinterest and it’s now a staple family tradition we look forward to every year. The idea is you keep your child’s annual answers, along with an annual birthday photograph, in a folder to pass over to them when they turn 18. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy looking back on their birthday questions and answers, as a fun way of tracking their tastes, loves, and ambitions on the journey from child to young adult.
What did the birthday girl say last year?
Last year horses were definitely the main focus, which was brilliant as I’m a keen rider too. It was lovely to be able to do this together last summer. There’s nothing like a gallop in the surf on an early morning beach ride in Cornwall.
What does the birthday girl say this year?
Fast forward 12 months and the answers to her 20 birthday quiz questions couldn’t be more different, with one real shocker at the end as well.
| 1. What is your favourite colour? | Mint green / beige. |
| 2. What is your favourite toy? | Breyer horses. |
| 3. What is your favourite fruit? | Banana. |
| 4. What is your favourite tv show/film? | Marvel films and series. |
| 5. What is your favourite thing to eat for lunch? | Brie, bacon, and cranberry panini. |
| 6. What is your favourite outfit? | Sweatshirts and jeggings. |
| 7. What is your favourite game? | Wings of Fire (early access). |
| 8. What is your favourite snack? | Mozzarella sticks. |
| 9. What is your favourite animal? | Dragon or tiger. |
| 10. What is your favourite song/music? | Sia – Chandelier and Unstoppable. |
| 11. What is your favourite book? | Wings of Fire series. |
| 12. Who is your best friend? | Florence. |
| 13. What is your favourite cereal? | Cornflakes. |
| 14. What is your favourite thing to do outside? | Play rugby. |
| 15. What is your favourite drink? | Lime and soda. |
| 16. Where is your favourite holiday destination? | Cornwall and Dundee. Would also like to go to Russia and Canada. |
| 17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? | Tufty (toy lynx). |
| 18. What is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast? | Bacon toasties |
| 19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? | Brie, bacon, and cranberry panini, and cheesy chips. |
| 20. What do you want to be when you grow up? | Russian language analyst at MI6 or GCHQ. |
20 birthday quiz questions and answers – our family tradition
We seem to have come full circle back to dragons again, both in terms of books (graphic novels) and online games. And her drawings of dragons are stunning, she’s become really skilled at using Procreate on the iPad. But although she’s an avid watcher of different news channels (BBC, Sky, Al-Jazeera) with an incisive grasp of current affairs, I wasn’t expecting her new career choice. Nor do I know any other 12 year olds who are teaching themselves Russian via Duolingo in their spare time either. I couldn’t be prouder of how she’s growing up, and quite honestly, she blows me away.
When I look at her and listen to her, I can’t believe she’s only a few days away from being 12 years old. Very much a wise head on young shoulders. And while I’d love time to stand still, I also can’t wait to see who she becomes in due course. So for now, and appropriately on International Women’s Day too, С днем варенья, Flora on 8th March, you are the brightest and the best!
Are birthday quizzes things you do with your family? What do you think of Flora’s answers to these questions? Do you think they’re good birthday questions to ask? Which are some good quiz questions that you’ve come across?
This is such a good idea, and I love her last answer :p Guess you need to start her up on language lessons and self defence 😀
Thank you – she’s already got the language lessons under control and, as a rugby player, a pretty good idea of self-defence as well!
Love this idea! Loving the dragon answer for favourite animal too! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Graham, glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
I think this is such a lovely tradition to do with your daughter! I may do the same with my little one once she’s of age. It’s amazing how much a child grows, and their personality and preferences changes throughout the years. Thank you for sharing!
It is a wonderful tradition – she enjoys doing it every year, and it’s so lovely to be able to look back on previous years, even now!
This is a good way to keep beautiful memories. 12 Birthday is very meaningful. It’s the last birthday before a kid turns into a teenager.
Absolutely, Fadima, although it feels like Flora’s been a teenager for a few years already…!
I have to say that cheesy chips are the best! Thank you for sharing these questions, it’s a sweet way to get to know your daughter and keep track of how her favourites change every year x
Thank you, Eleanor, so pleased you enjoyed the post x
I absolutely love this! Your 12-year-old sounds like she has one fantastic mind if she wants to be a language analyst for MI6!! That’s phenomenal. And she has great taste in foods as well. Now I’m craving a panini like that haha!
Thank you so much, Stephanie – obviously I’m biased but yes, we think she’s pretty special to be harbouring this kind of ambition at such a young age!
Oh this is such a lovely idea – it must be so interesting looking back on her different answers over the years and seeing how far she’s grown! She sounds super smart and ambitious too, I wish I could’ve taught myself a language at that age! Thank you so much for sharing x
Thank you, Ceri! Yes, it’s already very illuminating to see how her answers have changed and we have a few more years to go too! x
This is a fun quiz and I loved your daughter’s answers! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you, Lucy x
It is so fun keeping a tradition like this and celebrating the ways people change over the course of only a year! Flora’s taste in lunch and birthday food has me hungry. 😉
Thank you, Jaya, and yes, haha, she’s made me hungry too!
I really enjoyed reading through all of her answers from the birthday quiz. The brie, bacon, and cranberry panini sounds amazing!
Thank you, Heidi, and yes, it’s one of our favourite paninis 🙂
This sounds like such a fun idea to do with your child for their birthday. I enjoyed reading your daughter’s answers. Thank you for sharing.
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
It’s a lovely tradition, so interesting to read her different answers each year 🙂
This is a beautiful idea and I loved reading her answers!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you so much!
I so wish I knew of this when mine was younger—saying that, I’ll try it on her.
Great tradition, Lisa and a smart young one you’ve got there too. And Happy Birthday to your future Russian Language Analyst
Thank you, Beverly, I’m very happy I found the tradition early on 🙂 And yes, I’m biased, but she is a smart one for sure!
A fun quiz to know more about your kid. And keep it for future reference. I will try it with my little brother. Thank you for sharing!
Oh yes, do try it with your brother, I’m sure he’d enjoy it too 🙂
Brie, bacon and cranberry paninis seem to be a popular feature of this year! I love those – they’re SO good. My boyfriend’s Dad makes some really good ones. I did NOT see that final answer coming – I would have literally guessed anything else haha! I remember when she wanted to be a marine biologist! Isn’t it wonderful being that age and having all the dreams in the world. Whatever she decides to settle on, she’s going to be incredible at it xxx
I think it’s the salt/sweet/cream combo, it’s got flavour and texture, what’s not to love? And yes, I did not see that answer coming either – whaaaaaat?!!! RIP the fishes then, haha! Thank you, Jenny, we think she’s going to make a difference, whatever she ends up doing xx
I’d never heard of this before, so when I saw the title I was curious to find out more. This seems like such a great idea, I’m surprised I’d not come across it before or that it’s not more commonly done. I hope I remember this when I have kids
If I hadn’t been browsing Pinterest I wouldn’t have found it either – I hope you remember it for when you have children, it’s such a fun thing to do 🙂
She sounds wonderful! I love the very specific job she want’s to do when she grows up; sounds amazing (also, I like the dedication she has to bacon — good choice)!
Thank you so much, we are very proud!
Oh I remember reading last year’s answers from Flora and loved the idea! I really want to do it in the future with my own children. She’s growing up so much and honestly wow! At twelve learning Russian and working as a language analyst, I am sure she will manage to achieve them x
It’s such a fun thing to do with children – although I must confess I never saw working for MI6 coming!
Happy Birthday Flora! It was fun reading her answers for this year & how they’ve changed. That’s really interesting she’s learning Russian & she wants to be a Russian language analyst!
Thank you, Karalee – and yes, she’s had a thing about Russia for a while, although her focus has certainly narrowed due to recent events.
Well, I love this idea and I am going to steal it. I am amazed at how much my little girl changes each year and to capture it in this format would be amazing. I am already writing a letter to her on each birthday, but that’s from my perspective. I would love for her to learn more about who she was growing up from her own words. Thank you for sharing and for adding to our own traditions.
~ Cassie
You’re writing a letter to your daughter each year? Oh I love that idea, I wish I’d seen that as well – I think it’s a bit late now, sadly. Your daughter is lucky, she’ll have a lot to look back on when she’s older!
It’s definitely not too late… Always worth starting something that you know will bring joy ❤️
That’s very true, thank you.
This is such a great idea! Something I’d like to start with my daughter, she just turned 5. Happy birthday to her!
Thank you, Soffy, and happy birthday to your daughter too!
Ahh this is such a lovely idea, and something I think I’d like to do when I have children of my own! It must be great seeing how her answers develop each year x
It’s so much fun seeing how she’s changed her mind so much already – can’t wait to see how she develops further! x
Great questions and also i liked your photos from sea.
Eda
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Her career prospects are really interesting. I hope she will do what she likes. It also shows that she is engaged in what is happening and she cares about. You should be so proud.
Thank you, Anca, and yes, we are incredibly proud of her 🙂
I like your idea and pictures!
Thank you very much 🙂
This is a really fun idea! I might copy it for my own kids 🙂
Oh definitely do it, it’s so much fun!
I had it in mind to read this post but kept procrastinating, but still on me to do list. I love reading Flora’s answers to her questions and I see so many favorites match with my kids. My kids are also Marvel fans, my younger son loves learning new languages and he is fluent in Spanish, understands Japanese (watching anime) currently learning French on Duolingo. I remember Flora used to enjoy playing Minecraft too 🙂
Oh my goodness, your son sounds like a prodigious talent, Via, that’s amazing he knows so many languages already! And yes, Minecraft was such a favourite, not so much any more though, sadly 🙁
I also recommend free Russian language lessons from the Leader School for Russian language learners. For a beginner, the first trial lesson is free.
Thank you, I’ll have a look at that 🙂