diff --git a/contao/dca/tl_survey_content.php b/contao/dca/tl_survey_content.php
index 74155c5..bb38876 100644
--- a/contao/dca/tl_survey_content.php
+++ b/contao/dca/tl_survey_content.php
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ $GLOBALS['TL_DCA']['tl_survey_content'] = [
     ],
     'palettes' => [
         'default' => '{question_legend},type,question,description;{settings_legend},mandatory,published',
-        'yes_no_maybe' => '{question_legend},type,question,description;{settings_legend},mandatory,published,allowMaybe,jumpOnYes,jumpOnNo',
+        'yes_no_maybe' => '{question_legend},type,question,description;{settings_legend},mandatory,published,allowMaybe,showThumbs,jumpOnYes,jumpOnNo',
         'text' => '{question_legend},type,question,description;{settings_legend},mandatory,published',
         'range' => '{question_legend},type,question,description;{settings_legend},mandatory,published,rangeMin,rangeMax,rangeStep',
         'choice' => '{question_legend},type,question,description;{settings_legend},mandatory,published,allowMultiple,answerOption1,answerOption2,answerOption3,answerOption4,answerOption5,answerOption6,answerOption7,answerOption8,answerOption9,answerOption10',
@@ -111,7 +111,8 @@ $GLOBALS['TL_DCA']['tl_survey_content'] = [
         'mandatory' => [
             'label' => &$GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['mandatory'],
             'inputType' => 'checkbox',
-            'default' => '1',
+            // Neue Fragen sind bewusst freiwillig; Pflicht wird aktiv angehakt
+            // (Kundenentscheidung 09/2026, Pretest-Punkt 3).
             'eval' => ['tl_class' => 'w50 m12'],
             'sql' => "char(1) NOT NULL default ''",
         ],
@@ -128,6 +129,12 @@ $GLOBALS['TL_DCA']['tl_survey_content'] = [
             'eval' => ['tl_class' => 'w50 m12 clr'],
             'sql' => "char(1) NOT NULL default ''",
         ],
+        'showThumbs' => [
+            'label' => &$GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['showThumbs'],
+            'inputType' => 'checkbox',
+            'eval' => ['tl_class' => 'w50 m12'],
+            'sql' => "char(1) NOT NULL default ''",
+        ],
         'jumpOnYes' => [
             'label' => &$GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['jumpOnYes'],
             'inputType' => 'select',
diff --git a/contao/languages/de/tl_survey_content.php b/contao/languages/de/tl_survey_content.php
index 817461b..15e8b31 100644
--- a/contao/languages/de/tl_survey_content.php
+++ b/contao/languages/de/tl_survey_content.php
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['settings_legend'] = 'Einstellungen';
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['mandatory'] = ['Pflichtfrage', 'Diese Frage muss beantwortet werden.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['published'] = ['Aktiv', 'Die Frage wird in der Umfrage angezeigt.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['allowMaybe'] = ['Vielleicht anbieten', 'Ergänzt die Ja-Nein-Frage um die Antwortmöglichkeit Vielleicht.'];
+$GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['showThumbs'] = ['Antworten als Daumen darstellen', 'Zeigt bei Ja/Nein/Vielleicht zusätzlich Daumen-Symbole an (z. B. für Befragungen mit Kindern). Gespeichert und ausgewertet werden weiterhin die Antworten Ja, Nein und Vielleicht.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['jumpOnYes'] = ['Zur Frage springen bei Auswahl ja', 'Springt bei der Antwort Ja direkt zu dieser Frage.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['jumpOnNo'] = ['Zur Frage springen bei Auswahl nein', 'Springt bei der Antwort Nein direkt zu dieser Frage.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['allowMultiple'] = ['Multiple-Choice aktivieren', 'Erlaubt mehrere Antworten statt einer einzelnen Auswahl.'];
diff --git a/contao/languages/en/tl_survey_content.php b/contao/languages/en/tl_survey_content.php
index 968c3cd..837f95a 100644
--- a/contao/languages/en/tl_survey_content.php
+++ b/contao/languages/en/tl_survey_content.php
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['settings_legend'] = 'Settings';
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['mandatory'] = ['Required question', 'This question must be answered.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['published'] = ['Active', 'The question is shown in the survey.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['allowMaybe'] = ['Offer maybe', 'Adds the Maybe answer option to the yes-no question.'];
+$GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['showThumbs'] = ['Show thumb icons', 'Displays thumb icons for yes/no/maybe answers (e.g. for surveys with children). Answers are still stored and evaluated as yes, no and maybe.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['jumpOnYes'] = ['Jump to question on yes', 'Jumps directly to this question when the answer is Yes.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['jumpOnNo'] = ['Jump to question on no', 'Jumps directly to this question when the answer is No.'];
 $GLOBALS['TL_LANG']['tl_survey_content']['allowMultiple'] = ['Enable multiple choice', 'Allows multiple answers instead of a single selection.'];
diff --git a/contao/templates/frontend/_survey_question_form.html.twig b/contao/templates/frontend/_survey_question_form.html.twig
index 1160991..f5580dc 100644
--- a/contao/templates/frontend/_survey_question_form.html.twig
+++ b/contao/templates/frontend/_survey_question_form.html.twig
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
             <label class="survey-inline-check">{{ form_widget(form.mandatory) }}<span>{{ 'survey.edit.mandatory'|trans }}</span></label>
             <label class="survey-inline-check">{{ form_widget(form.published) }}<span>{{ 'survey.edit.active'|trans }}</span></label>
             <label class="survey-inline-check yes-no-config-field"{% if questionType != 'yes_no_maybe' %} style="display:none"{% endif %}>{{ form_widget(form.allowMaybe) }}<span>{{ 'survey.edit.allow_maybe'|trans }}</span></label>
+            <label class="survey-inline-check yes-no-config-field"{% if questionType != 'yes_no_maybe' %} style="display:none"{% endif %}>{{ form_widget(form.showThumbs) }}<span>{{ 'survey.edit.show_thumbs'|trans }}</span></label>
             <label class="survey-inline-check choice-config-field"{% if questionType != 'choice' %} style="display:none"{% endif %}>{{ form_widget(form.allowMultiple) }}<span>{{ 'survey.edit.allow_multiple'|trans }}</span></label>
         </div>
         <div class="yes-no-config-field survey-grid-columns" style="grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));{% if questionType != 'yes_no_maybe' %}display:none;{% endif %}">
diff --git a/contao/templates/frontend/show_survey.html.twig b/contao/templates/frontend/show_survey.html.twig
index 09484b6..8133bb0 100644
--- a/contao/templates/frontend/show_survey.html.twig
+++ b/contao/templates/frontend/show_survey.html.twig
@@ -79,9 +79,16 @@
                     {% set answerChildren = surveyForm.answer is defined ? surveyForm.answer|filter(child => child.vars.value is not defined or child.vars.value != '__no_answer__') : [] %}
                     {% set noAnswerChildren = surveyForm.answer is defined ? surveyForm.answer|filter(child => child.vars.value is defined and child.vars.value == '__no_answer__') : [] %}
                     {% if question.type == 'yes_no_maybe' %}
+                        {# Reine Darstellungsoption: gespeichert wird weiterhin yes/no/maybe. #}
+                        {% set showThumbIcons = '1' == question.showThumbs %}
                         <div class="survey-grid" style="grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(180px, 1fr));" data-survey-answer-zone>
                             {% for child in answerChildren %}
                                 <label class="survey-card" style="cursor: pointer;">
+                                    {% if showThumbIcons and child.vars.value in ['yes', 'no', 'maybe'] %}
+                                        <span class="survey-thumb survey-thumb--{{ child.vars.value }}" aria-hidden="true">
+                                            <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" focusable="false"><path fill="currentColor" d="M2 20h2c.55 0 1-.45 1-1v-9c0-.55-.45-1-1-1H2v11zm19.83-7.12c.11-.25.17-.52.17-.8V11c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2h-5.5l.92-4.65c.05-.22.02-.46-.08-.66-.23-.45-.52-.86-.88-1.22L14 2 7.59 8.41C7.21 8.79 7 9.3 7 9.83v7.84C7 18.95 8.05 20 9.34 20h8.11c.7 0 1.36-.37 1.72-.97l2.66-6.15z"/></svg>
+                                        </span>
+                                    {% endif %}
                                     <div class="survey-meta"><strong>{{ child.vars.label|striptags|trim }}</strong>{{ form_widget(child) }}</div>
                                     {% set jumpHint = jumpHints|default({})[child.vars.value]|default(null) %}
                                     {% if jumpHint %}
diff --git a/public/css/survey-frontend.css b/public/css/survey-frontend.css
index 59167ef..fe81412 100644
--- a/public/css/survey-frontend.css
+++ b/public/css/survey-frontend.css
@@ -735,6 +735,21 @@
     flex-wrap: wrap;
 }
 
+/* Optionale Daumen-Darstellung bei Ja/Nein/Vielleicht (z. B. Kinderbefragungen).
+   Reine Anzeige – gespeichert wird weiterhin yes/no/maybe. */
+.survey-thumb {
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: center;
+    margin: 0.2rem auto 0.55rem;
+}
+
+.survey-thumb svg { width: 46px; height: 46px; }
+.survey-thumb--yes { color: var(--survey-green); }
+.survey-thumb--no { color: var(--survey-orange); }
+.survey-thumb--maybe { color: var(--survey-gray-dark); }
+.survey-thumb--no svg { transform: rotate(180deg); }
+.survey-thumb--maybe svg { transform: rotate(90deg); }
+
 .survey-preview-bar .survey-preview-restart {
     flex-shrink: 0;
     padding: 0.45rem 0.95rem;
diff --git a/src/Form/Model/SurveyQuestionData.php b/src/Form/Model/SurveyQuestionData.php
index 4f8b264..1129103 100644
--- a/src/Form/Model/SurveyQuestionData.php
+++ b/src/Form/Model/SurveyQuestionData.php
@@ -11,9 +11,12 @@ final class SurveyQuestionData
     public string $type = 'yes_no_maybe';
     public string $question = '';
     public ?string $description = '';
-    public bool $mandatory = true;
+    // Neue Fragen sind bewusst freiwillig; Pflicht wird aktiv angehakt
+    // (Kundenentscheidung 09/2026, Pretest-Punkt 3).
+    public bool $mandatory = false;
     public bool $published = true;
     public bool $allowMaybe = false;
+    public bool $showThumbs = false;
     public bool $allowMultiple = false;
     public ?int $jumpOnYes = 0;
     public ?int $jumpOnNo = 0;
@@ -46,6 +49,7 @@ final class SurveyQuestionData
         $data->mandatory = '1' === (string) $question->mandatory;
         $data->published = '1' === (string) $question->published;
         $data->allowMaybe = '1' === (string) $question->allowMaybe;
+        $data->showThumbs = '1' === (string) $question->showThumbs;
         $data->allowMultiple = '1' === (string) $question->allowMultiple;
         $data->jumpOnYes = (int) $question->jumpOnYes;
         $data->jumpOnNo = (int) $question->jumpOnNo;
@@ -74,6 +78,7 @@ final class SurveyQuestionData
             'mandatory' => $this->mandatory,
             'published' => $this->published,
             'allowMaybe' => $this->allowMaybe,
+            'showThumbs' => $this->showThumbs,
             'allowMultiple' => $this->allowMultiple,
             'jumpOnYes' => max(0, (int) ($this->jumpOnYes ?? 0)),
             'jumpOnNo' => max(0, (int) ($this->jumpOnNo ?? 0)),
diff --git a/src/Form/SurveyQuestionEditorType.php b/src/Form/SurveyQuestionEditorType.php
index 76f9e89..58ad518 100644
--- a/src/Form/SurveyQuestionEditorType.php
+++ b/src/Form/SurveyQuestionEditorType.php
@@ -71,6 +71,11 @@ final class SurveyQuestionEditorType extends AbstractType
                 'required' => false,
                 'attr' => ['data-question-editor-target' => 'yesNoMaybeField'],
             ])
+            ->add('showThumbs', CheckboxType::class, [
+                'label' => 'Antworten als Daumen darstellen',
+                'required' => false,
+                'attr' => ['data-question-editor-target' => 'yesNoMaybeField'],
+            ])
             ->add('jumpOnYes', ChoiceType::class, [
                 'label' => 'Zur Frage springen bei Auswahl ja',
                 'required' => false,
diff --git a/src/Repository/SurveyQuestionRepository.php b/src/Repository/SurveyQuestionRepository.php
index 0e77b91..fa7667f 100644
--- a/src/Repository/SurveyQuestionRepository.php
+++ b/src/Repository/SurveyQuestionRepository.php
@@ -298,6 +298,7 @@ final class SurveyQuestionRepository
             'mandatory' => !$isSection && !empty($data['mandatory']) ? '1' : '',
             'published' => $isSection || !empty($data['published']) ? '1' : '',
             'allowMaybe' => $isYesNo && !empty($data['allowMaybe']) ? '1' : '',
+            'showThumbs' => $isYesNo && !empty($data['showThumbs']) ? '1' : '',
             'jumpOnYes' => $isYesNo ? max(0, (int) ($data['jumpOnYes'] ?? $existing?->jumpOnYes ?? 0)) : 0,
             'jumpOnNo' => $isYesNo ? max(0, (int) ($data['jumpOnNo'] ?? $existing?->jumpOnNo ?? 0)) : 0,
             'allowMultiple' => $isChoice && !empty($data['allowMultiple']) ? '1' : '',
diff --git a/src/Service/SurveyEditorService.php b/src/Service/SurveyEditorService.php
index a9cd5c6..dfb27b1 100644
--- a/src/Service/SurveyEditorService.php
+++ b/src/Service/SurveyEditorService.php
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ final class SurveyEditorService
                     'mandatory' => '1' === (string) $sourceQuestion->mandatory,
                     'published' => '1' === (string) $sourceQuestion->published,
                     'allowMaybe' => '1' === (string) ($sourceQuestion->allowMaybe ?? ''),
+                    'showThumbs' => '1' === (string) ($sourceQuestion->showThumbs ?? ''),
                     'allowMultiple' => '1' === (string) ($sourceQuestion->allowMultiple ?? ''),
                     'answerOption1' => (string) ($sourceQuestion->answerOption1 ?? ''),
                     'answerOption2' => (string) ($sourceQuestion->answerOption2 ?? ''),
@@ -191,6 +192,7 @@ final class SurveyEditorService
                     'mandatory' => '1' === (string) $sourceQuestion->mandatory,
                     'published' => '1' === (string) $sourceQuestion->published,
                     'allowMaybe' => '1' === (string) ($sourceQuestion->allowMaybe ?? ''),
+                    'showThumbs' => '1' === (string) ($sourceQuestion->showThumbs ?? ''),
                     'allowMultiple' => '1' === (string) ($sourceQuestion->allowMultiple ?? ''),
                     'answerOption1' => (string) ($sourceQuestion->answerOption1 ?? ''),
                     'answerOption2' => (string) ($sourceQuestion->answerOption2 ?? ''),
diff --git a/translations/messages.de.yaml b/translations/messages.de.yaml
index 916be8e..0d98bc9 100644
--- a/translations/messages.de.yaml
+++ b/translations/messages.de.yaml
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ survey:
     mandatory: "Pflichtfrage"
     active: "Aktiv"
     allow_maybe: "Vielleicht anbieten"
+    show_thumbs: "Antworten als Daumen darstellen"
     jump_yes: "Zur Frage springen bei Auswahl ja"
     jump_no: "Zur Frage springen bei Auswahl nein"
     allow_multiple: "Multiple-Choice aktivieren"
diff --git a/translations/messages.en.yaml b/translations/messages.en.yaml
index d66ad0d..29d39dd 100644
--- a/translations/messages.en.yaml
+++ b/translations/messages.en.yaml
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ survey:
     mandatory: "Required question"
     active: "Active"
     allow_maybe: "Offer maybe"
+    show_thumbs: "Show thumb icons"
     jump_yes: "Jump to question on yes"
     jump_no: "Jump to question on no"
     allow_multiple: "Enable multiple choice"