Answering the Big “Why” Questions Kids Ask About God

Next Generation IMPACT
Sep 12
4 min read

A girl in a striped shirt looks thoughtful, surrounded by large black question marks on a white wall, conveying curiosity and pondering.

Kids love to ask "why".

Why is the sky blue?

Why do dogs wag their tails?

Why did God make mosquitoes?

Sometimes their questions make you laugh out loud, and sometimes they stop you in your tracks. Why do people get sick? Why can’t you see God? Those kinds of questions can leave you scrambling for words. But here is the hopeful part. Curiosity is a gift. Your kids are not trying to test you. They are searching for answers. And you do not need a perfect speech to help them. What matters most is keeping the conversation open and gently pointing them back to God.

Bible quote on torn paper: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God." Brown text on white and brown background. James 1:5.

When your child asks why, it is actually a sign of something good. It shows they are thinking deeply, connecting what they see with what they believe. God welcomes that kind of honesty. The Psalms are full of people crying out “why” when life was hard, and God listened. And James 1:5 reminds us that when we need wisdom, we can ask God and He will give it generously. That means your child’s questions are safe with Him and so are yours. Questions are not the enemy of faith. They can be the very thing that leads to stronger trust.

So what can you do in the moment when a tough “why” question comes your way? Start by listening. Really listen. Sometimes, “Why did God make mosquitoes?” is not about bugs at all. It may be your child’s way of asking, “Does God care about the things that bother me?” Listening helps you hear the heart behind the words.

Be honest, and keep it simple. It is powerful to admit, “I do not know, but let’s find out together.” That kind of honesty builds trust, because your child sees that faith is not about having every fact memorized but about walking with God. Invite them to open the Bible with you, or look up a trusted resource together. Even if you do not land on a full answer right away, you have shown your child that questions are welcome, and that God is big enough to handle them.

And do not forget to point back to God’s character. Even when you cannot explain every detail, you can remind your child who God is. If they ask, “Why can’t I see God” you could answer, “Because God is Spirit, but He shows Himself to us in His Word, in Jesus, and in the world He made. One day, everyone who belongs to Him will see Him face to face.” You may not solve every mystery, but you can plant the deeper truth that God is good, wise, and always trustworthy.

You do not need to be a Bible scholar to guide your child through big questions. What matters is that you listen with care, answer with honesty, and point them back to the God who never changes. Every “why” is an open door. Walk through it with them. Show them that faith is not about having every detail solved but about trusting the One who holds the answers. The next time your child asks you a tough “why,” take a deep breath, lean in, and remember: the goal is not to win the conversation. The goal is to let curiosity become a pathway to God’s truth.

Sample questions and simple responses to get you started

Why did God make the world?

You could say: God made the world to show His glory and so we could know Him (Genesis 1:31). You might point out the beauty of a sunset, a flower, or even your child’s favorite food and say, “God made this so we could see how good and creative He is. Every good thing we enjoy today is a little reminder of how amazing He is, and one day we will get to enjoy His goodness forever.”

Why do bad things happen?

You could say: Because sin broke God’s perfect world. But God promises He will make everything right again through Jesus (Revelation 21:4). You could explain, “This is why we get sad or sick, and why people sometimes make hurtful choices. But God did not leave us on our own. He is with everyone who belongs to Him, giving strength and hope for each day. And one day He will fix everything so there will be no more pain or sadness.”

Why can’t I see God?

You could say: God is Spirit, but He makes Himself known through Jesus and through His Word. One day everyone who belongs to Him will see Him face to face (John 1:18). You might add, “Even though we cannot see God with our eyes right now, we can know Him by reading the Bible, praying, and seeing His work in the world around us. When you feel His love and see His care today, it is like getting a small taste of what it will be like to see Him forever.”

Every “why” your child asks is more than a puzzle to solve. It is an invitation to walk with them toward God. You do not need perfect answers, just a listening heart and a steady reminder of who God is. When you lean in with honesty and trust, their questions can become stepping stones that strengthen faith for both of you.