Fantastic Mr Fox: questions to ask and activities to try
Three nasty farmers, Boggis, Bunce and Bean, are determined to catch Mr Fox. But Mr Fox has a fantastic plan. Roald Dahl's short, funny classic, perfect as a first read-aloud chapter book.
What age is Fantastic Mr Fox for?
Fantastic Mr Fox is best for ages 6–9.
Fantastic Mr Fox (Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake)
- Age
- 6-9
- Best for
- A first chapter book to read aloud together
Only 50pFantastic Mr Fox activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Read a chapter a night. Talk about whether Mr Fox was right to take food from the farmers, and how he looked after his family and friends.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 6–9 (Year 2 to Year 4)
- What they'll enjoy
- Three nasty farmers, Boggis, Bunce and Bean, are determined to catch Mr Fox. But Mr Fox has a fantastic plan. Roald Dahl's short, funny classic, perfect as a first read-aloud chapter book.
- Helps with
- A first chapter book to read aloud together
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Listening to longer stories
- Problem solving
- Right and wrong
- Family and sharing
Comprehension and discussion questions for Fantastic Mr Fox
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.
- “Who were Boggis, Bunce and Bean?”
- “Why did they want to catch Mr Fox?”
- “How did Mr Fox escape?”
- “Who did Mr Fox share his food with?”
- “Was it fair for Mr Fox to take food from the farmers? Why?”
- “What would you have done if you were Mr Fox?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Fantastic Mr Fox
All 6 questions for Fantastic Mr Fox on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Tunnel map
Draw a map of Mr Fox’s tunnels under the farms, with arrows to each storehouse.
Feast plan
Plan a feast for all the underground animals. What would each animal want to eat?
Fantastic Mr Fox activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Fantastic Mr Fox, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about listening to longer stories.
A 20-minute session for ages 6–9 (Year 2 to Year 4), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Read a chapter a night. Talk about whether Mr Fox was right to take food from the farmers, and how he looked after his family and friends.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Who were Boggis, Bunce and Bean?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Tunnel map. Draw a map of Mr Fox’s tunnels under the farms, with arrows to each storehouse. Children who finish early can try Feast plan.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Fantastic Mr Fox activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
A Bear Called Paddington (Michael Bond and Peggy Fortnum)
- Best for
- Kindness to newcomers, and the first Paddington stories
- Age
- 5-8
The 13-Storey Treehouse (Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton)
- Best for
- A ridiculous treehouse and laugh-out-loud adventures
- Age
- 6-9
The Worst Witch (Jill Murphy)
- Best for
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- Age
- 6-9
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 29 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.