The Going to Bed Book: questions to ask and activities to try
The sun has set, and the animals on the boat get ready for bed: a bath, pyjamas, brushing teeth and a little exercise, before they rock to sleep. A gentle bedtime classic.
What age is The Going to Bed Book for?
The Going to Bed Book is best for ages 0–3.
The Going to Bed Book (Sandra Boynton)
- Age
- 0-3
- Best for
- Bedtime routines for babies and toddlers
Only 50pThe Going to Bed Book 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 it as part of the bedtime routine and do each step as the animals do. Keep your voice getting softer towards the end.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 0–3 (nursery)
- What they'll enjoy
- The sun has set, and the animals on the boat get ready for bed: a bath, pyjamas, brushing teeth and a little exercise, before they rock to sleep. A gentle bedtime classic.
- Helps with
- Bedtime routines for babies and toddlers
- 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
- Bedtime routines
- Winding down
- Order of steps
- Calm before sleep
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Going to Bed Book
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 the animals do first?”
- “What came after the bath?”
- “Why did they exercise before bed?”
- “What do you do before bed?”
- “Which step is your favourite?”
- “What helps you feel sleepy?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Going to Bed Book
All 6 questions for The Going to Bed Book 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
Bedtime chart
Draw your child’s bedtime steps as pictures and tick each one off tonight.
Teddy’s bedtime
Take a teddy through the animals’ bedtime routine: bath, pyjamas, teeth, sleep.
The Going to Bed Book 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 The Going to Bed Book, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about bedtime routines.
A 20-minute session for ages 0–3 (nursery), 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 it as part of the bedtime routine and do each step as the animals do. Keep your voice getting softer towards the end.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did the animals do first?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Bedtime chart. Draw your child’s bedtime steps as pictures and tick each one off tonight. Children who finish early can try Teddy’s bedtime.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Going to Bed Book 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
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd)
- Best for
- Winding down at bedtime, and settling to sleep
- Age
- 0-4
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
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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.