The Gruffalo's Child: questions to ask and activities to try
The Gruffalo's Child sets off through the snowy wood to find the terrible Big Bad Mouse. The rhyming sequel to The Gruffalo is a cosy way to talk about being scared, and being brave anyway.
What age is The Gruffalo's Child for?
The Gruffalo's Child is best for ages 3–6.
The Gruffalo's Child (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Being brave when you're scared, and things that seem bigger than they are
Only 50pThe Gruffalo’s Child 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 ↓
Enjoy the rhymes first. On a second read, stop at the shadow and ask whether the mouse is really big, and why the child believed it.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 3–6 (nursery to Year 1)
- What they'll enjoy
- The Gruffalo's Child sets off through the snowy wood to find the terrible Big Bad Mouse. The rhyming sequel to The Gruffalo is a cosy way to talk about being scared, and being brave anyway.
- Helps with
- Being brave when you're scared, and things that seem bigger than they are
- 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
- Being brave when you feel scared
- Fears that grow in the dark
- Telling what's real from what seems scary
- Small but clever thinking
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Gruffalo's Child
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 Gruffalo tell his child to stay out of the wood?”
- “Who did she meet in the snow?”
- “How did the little mouse look so big?”
- “How do you think she felt when she saw the shadow?”
- “What helps you feel brave when you’re scared?”
- “Has something ever seemed scarier than it really was?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Gruffalo's Child
All 6 questions for The Gruffalo's Child 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
Shadow monsters
With a torch and a wall, make small hands or toys cast giant shadows. Talk about how the mouse looked big without being big.
Footprint trail
Cut out paper footprints and make a trail around the house to a hidden toy, like the tracks in the snow.
The Gruffalo's Child 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.
Worries bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Huge Bag of WorriesRuby’s WorryThe Invisible StringStick ManMonkey PuzzleThe GruffaloWe're Going on a Bear HuntGoodnight MoonAfter the FallSilly BillyOwl BabiesThe Kissing HandTadA Bit LostLullabyhullaballoo!£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25The Gruffalo’s Child + The Huge Bag of Worries + Ruby’s WorryThe 3 books:The Gruffalo’s ChildThe Huge Bag of WorriesRuby’s Worry£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to The Gruffalo's Child, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about being brave when you feel scared.
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: Enjoy the rhymes first. On a second read, stop at the shadow and ask whether the mouse is really big, and why the child believed it.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why did the Gruffalo tell his child to stay out of the wood?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Shadow monsters. With a torch and a wall, make small hands or toys cast giant shadows. Talk about how the mouse looked big without being big. Children who finish early can try Footprint trail.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Gruffalo's Child 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
Zog (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Keeping going after mistakes, and finding what you are good at
- Age
- 3-6
Bedtime for Monsters (Ed Vere)
- Best for
- Bedtime fears, with a funny twist
- Age
- 3-6
A Dark, Dark Tale (Ruth Brown)
- Best for
- A spooky story with a gentle surprise
- Age
- 3-6
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 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.