One Snowy Night: questions to ask and activities to try
On a freezing snowy night, the animals of the park knock on Percy the Park Keeper's door one by one. Percy lets everyone in, until his little hut is very full indeed.
What age is One Snowy Night for?
One Snowy Night is best for ages 3–6.
One Snowy Night (Nick Butterworth)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Kindness and making room for others
Only 50pOne Snowy Night 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 ↓
Count the animals as they arrive. Talk about how Percy made room for everyone, even when it got squashed.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- On a freezing snowy night, the animals of the park knock on Percy the Park Keeper's door one by one. Percy lets everyone in, until his little hut is very full indeed.
- Helps with
- Kindness and making room for others
- 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
- Kindness
- Sharing space
- Winter and cold weather
- Counting
Comprehension and discussion questions for One Snowy Night
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.
- “Why did the animals knock on Percy’s door?”
- “Who came first, and who came next?”
- “How did Percy feel when his hut got so full?”
- “Where did everyone sleep in the end?”
- “Have you ever shared your space with someone?”
- “How do animals keep warm in winter?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for One Snowy Night
All 6 questions for One Snowy Night on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
5-minute activities to try together
Squash in
Build a den with a blanket and see how many soft toys you can fit inside, one at a time, like Percy’s hut.
Winter animals
Find out how one real animal keeps warm in winter, and draw it snuggled up.
One Snowy Night 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.
Friendship & Kindness bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Smartest Giant in TownSuperwormThe Day the Crayons QuitOi Frog!A Splendid Friend, IndeedAaaarrgghh, Spider!Big Box Little BoxBiscuit BearBlue ChameleonBlue PenguinColin and Lee, Carrot and PeaHanda's SurpriseHappy Birthday, MaisyHello, Friend!Iris and Isaac£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25One Snowy Night + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:One Snowy NightThe Smartest Giant in TownSuperworm£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
Priced low on purpose. Every purchase helps keep the book guides, questions and the game free for everyone.
No PayPal account needed. Your download starts straight away. By buying, you agree to this and give up the 14-day right to cancel. Faulty or missing files are always replaced or refunded. Refunds
Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to One Snowy Night, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about kindness.
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: Count the animals as they arrive. Talk about how Percy made room for everyone, even when it got squashed.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why did the animals knock on Percy’s door?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Squash in. Build a den with a blanket and see how many soft toys you can fit inside, one at a time, like Percy’s hut. Children who finish early can try Winter animals.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The One Snowy Night 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
Peace at Last (Jill Murphy)
- Best for
- Bedtime, and staying patient when things keep going wrong
- Age
- 2-5
Owl Babies (Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson)
- Best for
- Missing a parent, and trusting they'll come back
- Age
- 2-5
The Snowy Day (Ezra Jack Keats)
- Best for
- The wonder of snow, and exploring the world on your own terms
- Age
- 2-5
Search all our books by what's happening →
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.
🎄 More for December: Christmas and winter picture books with activities