The Day the Crayons Came Home: questions to ask and activities to try
Duncan’s lost, broken and forgotten crayons send him postcards asking to come home. The Day the Crayons Came Home is a funny book about looking after your things, and seeing things from someone else’s point of view.
What age is it for? The Day the Crayons Came Home is best for ages 4–7. Good for: Looking after your things, and seeing things from another point of view.
The Day the Crayons Came Home (Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers)
- Age
- 4-7
- Best for
- Looking after your things, and seeing things from another point of view
Read each postcard in a different voice. Talk about how each crayon feels, and what Duncan could do to make it right.
What it helps with
- Looking after your things
- Seeing another point of view
- Feelings of being left out
- Writing letters and postcards
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.
- “Why were the crayons sending postcards?”
- “Which crayon had the worst time?”
- “How do you think they felt about Duncan?”
- “How did Duncan make things right?”
- “Have you ever lost something you loved?”
- “How can we look after our things better?”
5-minute activities to try together
Postcard from a toy
Write or draw a postcard from one of your toys telling you how it feels.
Crayon home
Decorate a box or jar as a special home for your crayons and pens.
Free printables: The Day the Crayons Came Home 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
The Day the Crayons Quit (Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers)
- Best for
- Seeing things from someone else's point of view
- Age
- 3-7
Lost and Found (Oliver Jeffers)
- Best for
- Loneliness, and the friendships we don't expect
- Age
- 3-7
The Hueys in None the Number (Oliver Jeffers)
- Best for
- Counting, and the puzzle of zero
- Age
- 3-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 16 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.