Naughty Bus: questions to ask and activities to try
A little red toy bus gets into all sorts of trouble around the house. Naughty Bus is a funny photo story that shows children how much adventure a single toy can have.
What age is it for? Naughty Bus is best for ages 2–5. Good for: Imaginative play with toys.
Read it with your own toy vehicle in hand and copy the bus's journey. Afterwards, ask where in your house a naughty bus might go next.
What it helps with
- Imaginative play with toys
- Telling stories with photographs
- Naughty and kind choices, in a playful way
- Words for places around the home
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.
- “Where did the bus go first?”
- “What was the naughtiest thing it did?”
- “Where would you drive a toy bus?”
- “Was the bus having fun?”
- “How do you think the family felt?”
- “What would your toy get up to?”
5-minute activities to try together
Photo story
Take photos of a toy on an adventure around the house, then tell the story together.
Bus journey
Make a road with tape on the floor and drive a toy bus to different “stops”.
Free printables: Naughty Bus 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
Down by the Station (Jess Stockham)
- Best for
- Singing a favourite rhyme and spotting vehicles
- Age
- 0-4
Dig Dig Digging (Margaret Mayo and Alex Ayliffe)
- Best for
- Machine-mad little ones, and joining in with sounds
- Age
- 1-5
Billy's Bucket (Kes Gray and Garry Parsons)
- Best for
- Imagination, and wanting grown-ups to believe you
- Age
- 3-6
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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.