FAQ
About the deck
What's in the box?
107 conversation cards across 7 categories (Daily Life, Feelings & Emotions, Family & Relationships, Social Skills & Friendship, Dreams & Future, Values & Character, and Creativity & Imagination), plus 7 blank cards for questions of your own.
What kind of questions are in the deck?
They range from playful to meaningful. The deck is built so you can pull any card at random: the playful ones build comfort, the deeper ones build trust, and your child usually doesn't notice the difference. They're just answering. A few examples:
- Are you more like the sun or the moon? Why?
- When did you feel brave?
- What do you think about at night?
- What do you think grown-ups are scared of?
- If you could talk to an animal, what would you ask it?
Who designed the questions?
I did. Every question was written from a research foundation, drawing on the most heavily cited books in child psychology. Nothing in the deck is guesswork. You can read more on Our Story page.
Why ages 5 to 9 specifically?
Because that's the developmental window where it matters most. Before 5, memory is fragmentary. After 5, children start forming the continuous autobiographical memories that shape their sense of self, along with a working model of which adults are safe to talk to. By around age 10, that model is largely set. The years between 5 and 9 are when the foundation for open parent-child communication gets built, or doesn't.
Will the deck work for kids outside that age range?
Younger children (around 4) can enjoy the playful questions with a parent's help. Older kids (10 to 12) can engage with the deeper prompts, though engagement generally drops with teenagers, which is part of the reason ages 5 to 9 is the target window in the first place.
Using it with your family
How do I use the deck?
Have your child pick a card, read the question, and follow your child's lead. That's it. No rules, no scripts, no pressure. Use it at dinner, bedtime, in the car, or whenever you want a real conversation.
Do we need to sit down for a long time?
No. Most families use one or two cards in 5 to 10 minutes. It's designed to fit into moments you're already in, not to become another task on the schedule.
What if my family feels awkward at first?
That's normal. The cards are intentionally light to start, so even shy or quiet kids ease into them quickly. Most families find it feels natural after the first card or two. The trick is that your child picks the card, which means they choose the topic. It stops feeling like an interrogation and starts feeling like their game.
Will my kid actually engage?
In our experience, yes, for two reasons. First, your child picks the card, so they're driving the conversation instead of being questioned. Second, the prompts are built for ages 5 to 9, which means they land where your child actually is in terms of their development window. One card asks, "What do you think your toys would say if they could talk?" Try stopping a six-year-old from answering that.
Won't it feel forced?
The card asks the question, not you. That's what separates it from sitting your child down for a "talk." There's no setup, no prep, no explaining what you're doing. You pull a card, they answer, and the conversation goes wherever it goes.
Is it reusable?
Yes, and it's designed to be. Kids give different answers to the same questions as they grow, so the deck stays fresh over years, not weeks.
Ordering, shipping, and returns
When will my order ship?
Orders ship from our fulfillment partner in Michigan within 1 to 2 business days. Shipping is generally via USPS Ground and typically arrives within 3-5 business days of shipment. Total time from order to delivery is usually 5 to 7 business days. You'll receive a tracking number by email as soon as your order ships.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship within the United States only. If you're outside the US and want to order, email contact@tellmecards.com and we will see if we can assist.
What's your return policy?
30-day Best Conversation Ever guarantee. If the deck isn't right for your family, return it within 30 days for a full refund. No questions asked.
Is Tell Me Cards a good gift?
Yes! It's a very common reason people buy it. Grandparents gift it to grandchildren, friends gift it to parents. The deck is well-made, substantial, and actually gets used after it's opened, which isn't true of most gifts in this category.
Price and value
Why $39.99 for a deck of cards?
Because of what's in it. 107 proprietary questions, each one built on child psychology research for the specific developmental window where your child's emotional vocabulary and inner voice are forming. These aren't random icebreakers. They're designed to move a child from surface answers to real ones, deep enough to matter and simple enough that a 5-year-old can answer without hesitation. The deck is a physical, reusable tool your family will use for years.
What if it doesn't work for us?
30-day Best Conversation Ever guarantee. If the deck doesn't produce the kind of conversation you were hoping for within the first month, email us for a full refund. No questions asked.
Still have a question?
Email us at contact@tellmecards.com and we'll reply within 1 business day.