Which works the best? Talking Point Cards vs. BestSelf Co. vs. TableTopics
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a happy, well-connected family. It means fewer misunderstandings, stronger relationships, and a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and feelings.
As a mom of two with a busy schedule, I know firsthand how crucial it is to find tools that make fostering these connections easier. Good communication isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for family harmony.
Every conversation starter claims to facilitate great discussions, so my love for finding the best products led me to test several popular options. I wanted to see which one truly helps families communicate better and build stronger bonds.
The test: use each product for a week and watch my families’ reaction. Simple, I know, but there’s no better way to see if something will work with your kids 🙂
TL DR: Talking Point Cards comes out the clear winner!
With no spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, duplicate questions or flat out embarrassing topics (!), Talking Point Cards is superior in almost all categories. Try them for yourself today and get 15% off your pack with code XXX
Ease of Use
Talking Point Cards: These cards are incredibly user-friendly. Each card has a clear and engaging question or prompt, making it easy to get conversations started with kids of all ages. The pack comes with simple instructions, so you can start using them right out of the box. Good print size too – great for low-light or poor vision situations. 5/5
BestSelfCo Little Talk Deck: While this deck offers some good questions, it requires a bit more effort to navigate. The prompts can be a bit complex for younger children, making it less accessible for families with mixed-age kids. 4/5
Tabletopics Family Deck: This deck is straightforward but feels a bit dated and less engaging. The questions are hit or miss, with some being too simplistic and others too complex for a broad age range. 2/5
EASE OF USE WINNER: Talking Point Cards
The ease of use and accessibility make it a clear winner for families looking for a hassle-free way to start meaningful conversations.
Engagement and Variety
Talking Point Cards: The questions are varied and interesting, and topics range from fun and lighthearted to deep and thought-provoking. My kids have LOVED these every time we pull them out. 5/5
BestSelfCo Little Talk Deck: My kids liked a lot of the questions but many of the questions feel repetitive, and the deck doesn’t cover as wide a range of topics as I’d like. After one playthrough, no one really wanted to do it again. 3/5
Tabletopics Family Deck: The engagement level is moderate. Some questions are great, but others can feel pretty vanilla. “What’s your favorite color?” isn’t a great conversation starter… 3/5
ENGAGEMENT AND VARIETY WINNER: Talking Point Cards.
The variety and engagement level are unmatched, making every conversation a unique and enjoyable experience. We’ve been through the deck more than once, and each time it is a new conversation.
Inclusivity for All Ages
Talking Point Cards: This pack shines in inclusivity. The prompts are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for both young children and teenagers. It’s a perfect blend that ensures no one feels left out, regardless of their age. 5/5
BestSelfCo Little Talk Deck: This deck skews a bit older (which is fine), with questions that can be too complex for younger kids. It’s better suited for families with older children or teens. However, my kids did enjoy them, just beware if you have a younger, or less capable audience. 5/5
Tabletopics Family Deck: The inclusivity is decent, but not perfect. Some questions are too simple for older kids and too complex for younger ones, making it challenging to find a balance. 3/5
INCLUSIVITY WINNER: TIE between Talking Point Cards and BestSelfCo.
The thoughtful design of Talking Point Cards is very clear, but BestSelfCo have some strong questions as well that prompted some good discussion.
Quality and Durability
Talking Point Cards: The cards feel thick, smooth, and the edges are sharp and clean. The box is a really sturdy 2-piece unit that can survive being dropped and thrown about in the car (we tested this, by accident!). The cards even survived a stick-fingered ice cream dessert 🙂 5/5
BestSelfCo Little Talk Deck: The quality is good, but the cards feel a bit flimsy compared to the Talking Point Cards. They might not hold up as well with frequent use. The box was also thinner. 3/5
Tabletopics Family Deck: The box was the most durable (plastic), but it arrived cracked. The cards are smaller and definitely thinner than the other two options. Overall, I was not a fan. While the box was strong, we’re really here for the cards and they were not good enough for regular use. 4/5
QUALITY AND DURABILITY WINNER: Talking Point Cards.
We could literally feel the higher quality of the Talking Point Cards cards and box. This thing could take a beating and be useable, and the box was so lovely that it looks great on our table, win – win!
Promoting Emotional Connection
Talking Point Cards: Personal story time: while using these cards one night, we ended up in tears (in the best way). One of our kids was having a hard time and didn’t want to share about it, but a question on an adjacent topic prompted them to open up, and in the end it was simply the best night of family togetherness we have had in ages. 6/5
BestSelfCo: While it has some good questions, it doesn’t consistently promote the same level of emotional connection. The prompts often feel more surface-level, question-and-answer style. 4/5
Tabletopics: My family liked these and it did spark some good conversation, just not as frequently as you would hope from a product designed to do exactly that! 4/5
EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WINNER: Talking Point Cards
This should come as no surprise – this pack has an ability to consistently foster deep emotional connections which makes it the best choice for families.
Overall Value
Talking Point Cards: 200 questions in 4 categories that are created, reviewed, approved and recommended by experts. Super high quality product, free shipping, incredibly effective. What more do I have to say – I would literally pay any price for the connection this has brought us! 5/5
BestSelfCo: 150 questions in 6 categories for the same price as Talking Point Cards, plus you have to pay almost $9 in shipping. Also, there is no expert backing – it reads like a collection of questions scraped from a blog. While it’s a good product, it’s nowhere near the value of others. 3/5
Tabletopics Family Deck: 135 questions, no categories, no expert backing at the same price as Talking Point Cards plus shipping. It’s a decent option, but I think you are paying for the plastic box more than the cards, which is really not what we are here for. 2/5
OVERALL VALUE WINNER: Talking Point Cards.
The overall value it offers is unmatched, making it the best investment for fostering meaningful family conversations.
And The Winner Is…
After comparing the Talking Point Cards Family Pack, the BestSelfCo Little Talk Deck, and the Tabletopics Family Deck, it’s clear that the Talking Point Cards Family Pack is the best choice all round. Its ease of use, engagement, inclusivity, quality, ability to foster emotional connections and overall value make it the top tool for enhancing family communication and connection. If you’re looking to bring your family closer together, I highly recommend giving the Talking Point Cards Family Pack a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Get 15% off your next purchase with code: XXX
Author
Julia Hamblin
I live in Austin, Texas with my husband, Ryan, our energetic five-year-old son, Liam, our sweet three-year-old daughter, Harper, and our lovable Golden Retriever, Daisy. Before diving into the world of family wellness, I worked as a Senior Editor at a major lifestyle magazine. I also have a background in child psychology, which has been incredibly helpful in understanding and supporting my own children. I created this space to share the best products and heartfelt advice on parenting, family dynamics, self-care, and more, with the goal of making life a little easier and more connected for families like ours.
