The Huge Bag of Worries: questions to ask and activities to try
Jenny's worries follow her everywhere in a bag that keeps getting bigger. The Huge Bag of Worries gives worries a shape a young child can picture, which makes them easier to talk about.
What age is it for? The Huge Bag of Worries is best for ages 5–8. Good for: Talking about worries.
The bag is the key idea: worries feel heavier when you carry them alone. After reading, ask what might be in your child's bag, and remind them that sharing a worry is what helps Jenny.
What it helps with
- Talking about worries
- Seeing that sharing a worry makes it lighter
- Giving a child a picture for an anxious feeling
- Noticing which worries are big and which are small
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.
- “If you had a worry bag, what might be inside it?”
- “Why do you think Jenny's bag kept getting bigger?”
- “Who helped Jenny, and how?”
- “Who could you tell if you had a worry?”
- “Are some worries bigger than others?”
- “How did Jenny feel when the bag was opened?”
5-minute activities to try together
Draw a worry bag
Draw a worry bag together and choose one small worry to talk about, then set the bag aside.
Worry time
Pick five minutes at a calm time of day for worries. Your child can tell you any worry then, and you decide together what to do with it.
Free printables: The Huge Bag of Worries 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.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
The Gruffalo (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Feeling scared, and using your wits
- Age
- 3-6
Stick Man (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Missing home or family, and being away from people you love
- Age
- 3-6
Ruby’s Worry (Tom Percival)
- Best for
- A child whose worry grows while they keep it to themselves
- Age
- 4-7
Search all our books by what's happening →
By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 1 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.