Harold and the Purple Crayon: questions to ask and activities to try
Harold draws himself a moonlit walk with his purple crayon, and whenever something goes wrong, he draws his way out of it. A timeless book about imagination and problem solving.
What age is Harold and the Purple Crayon for?
Harold and the Purple Crayon is best for ages 3–6.
Harold and the Purple Crayon (Crockett Johnson)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Imagination, and solving problems by thinking creatively
Only 50pHarold and the Purple Crayon 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 ↓
Each time Harold gets into trouble, pause and ask your child what they would draw to fix it.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- Harold draws himself a moonlit walk with his purple crayon, and whenever something goes wrong, he draws his way out of it. A timeless book about imagination and problem solving.
- Helps with
- Imagination, and solving problems by thinking creatively
- 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
- Imagination
- Creative problem solving
- Drawing and storytelling
- Finding your way home
Comprehension and discussion questions for Harold and the Purple Crayon
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 did Harold draw first?”
- “What did he draw when he fell into the water?”
- “How did he get home at the end?”
- “What would you draw if you had a magic crayon?”
- “What problem did Harold solve in the cleverest way?”
- “Have you ever felt a bit lost? What helped?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Harold and the Purple Crayon
All 6 questions for Harold and the Purple Crayon 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
Magic crayon walk
Give your child one crayon and a long strip of paper. Take turns drawing the next part of Harold’s walk.
Draw a fix
Describe a small problem, like ’there’s a river in the way’. Your child draws the fix.
Harold and the Purple Crayon 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.
Communication bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:I Talk Like a RiverAll Join InThe Animal BoogieBilly's BucketBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?Counting with Tiny CatDear ZooDig Dig DiggingDinosaur Dig!Dinosaur Roar!DogsDown by the StationDown the Back of the ChairDriving My TractorEach Peach Pear Plum£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Harold and the Purple Crayon + I Talk Like a River + All Join InThe 3 books:Harold and the Purple CrayonI Talk Like a RiverAll Join In£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Harold and the Purple Crayon, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about imagination.
A 20-minute session for ages 3–6 (nursery to Year 1), 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: Each time Harold gets into trouble, pause and ask your child what they would draw to fix it.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did Harold draw first?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Magic crayon walk. Give your child one crayon and a long strip of paper. Take turns drawing the next part of Harold’s walk. Children who finish early can try Draw a fix.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Harold and the Purple Crayon 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
Bears Don't Eat Egg Sandwiches (Julie Fulton and Rachel Suzanne)
- Best for
- A funny surprise visitor, and what bears really eat
- Age
- 3-6
Billy's Bucket (Kes Gray and Garry Parsons)
- Best for
- Imagination, and wanting grown-ups to believe you
- Age
- 3-6
Dinosaurs in the Supermarket! (Timothy Knapman and Sarah Warburton)
- Best for
- Making a boring trip fun with imagination
- Age
- 3-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 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.