Matilda: questions to ask and activities to try
Matilda is a brilliant girl with a love of books, horrible parents and a terrifying headteacher, Miss Trunchbull. With the help of kind Miss Honey and a surprising power, she fights back. Roald Dahl's classic, best read aloud.
What age is Matilda for?
Matilda is best for ages 7–10.
Matilda (Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake)
- Age
- 7-10
- Best for
- A classic to read aloud with older children
Only 50pMatilda 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 or two a night. Talk about how Matilda stood up to unfairness, and about the kind adults like Miss Honey who helped her.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 7–10 (Year 3 to Year 5)
- What they'll enjoy
- Matilda is a brilliant girl with a love of books, horrible parents and a terrifying headteacher, Miss Trunchbull. With the help of kind Miss Honey and a surprising power, she fights back. Roald Dahl's classic, best read aloud.
- Helps with
- A classic to read aloud with older children
- 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
- Standing up to unfairness
- A love of reading
- Kind adults to trust
- Listening to longer stories
Comprehension and discussion questions for Matilda
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 was special about Matilda?”
- “How did her parents treat her?”
- “What was Miss Trunchbull like?”
- “How did Miss Honey help Matilda?”
- “What would you do if something felt unfair?”
- “Which grown-ups can you trust if something is wrong?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Matilda
All 6 questions for Matilda 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
Library list
Make a list of books your child wants to read next, like Matilda’s library visits.
Kind teacher card
Make a thank-you card for a kind teacher or grown-up who helps your child.
Matilda 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 Matilda, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about standing up to unfairness.
A 20-minute session for ages 7–10 (Year 3 to Year 5), 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 or two a night. Talk about how Matilda stood up to unfairness, and about the kind adults like Miss Honey who helped her.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What was special about Matilda?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Library list. Make a list of books your child wants to read next, like Matilda’s library visits. Children who finish early can try Kind teacher card.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Matilda 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
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- Best for
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- Age
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- Best for
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- Age
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- Best for
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- Age
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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.