Dig Dig Digging: questions to ask and activities to try
Diggers dig, tractors squelch and dumper trucks go crash! Dig Dig Digging is a bright, rhyming book for machine-mad little ones, full of sounds to join in with.
What age is it for? Dig Dig Digging is best for ages 1–5. Good for: Machine-mad little ones, and joining in with sounds.
Dig Dig Digging (Margaret Mayo and Alex Ayliffe)
- Age
- 1-5
- Best for
- Machine-mad little ones, and joining in with sounds
Make every sound as loudly as you dare and let your child copy. On a walk, spot real machines and remember what they do in the book.
What it helps with
- Joining in with sounds and rhymes
- New words for machines and what they do
- Spotting details in busy pictures
- Keeping a busy child engaged with a book
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What does a digger do?”
- “Which machine carries heavy things?”
- “What sound does the tractor make?”
- “Which machine was your favourite?”
- “Where have you seen these machines?”
- “What machine would you like to drive?”
5-minute activities to try together
Machine spotting
On your next walk, count the machines you see and name what each one is doing.
Sandpit dig
Use spoons and boxes as diggers and dumper trucks in a sandpit or a tray of rice. Make all the sounds.
Free printables: Dig Dig Digging worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Dinosaur Dig! (Penny Dale)
- Best for
- Dinosaurs, diggers and counting
- Age
- 2-5
Driving My Tractor (Jan Dobbins and David Sim)
- Best for
- Counting, farm animals and a song to join in with
- Age
- 1-5
Down by the Station (Jess Stockham)
- Best for
- Singing a favourite rhyme and spotting vehicles
- Age
- 0-4
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.