The Spooky Wheels on the Bus: questions to ask and activities to try
It's Halloween night! One spooky bus goes rattle and shake, full of spooky creatures. A sing-along Halloween twist on The Wheels on the Bus.
What age is The Spooky Wheels on the Bus for?
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus is best for ages 2–5.
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus (J. Elizabeth Mills and Ben Mantle)
- Age
- 2-5
- Best for
- Singing along at Halloween
Only 50pThe Spooky Wheels on the Bus 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 ↓
Sing it to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus, with an action for every verse. Let your child choose the next spooky creature.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 2–5 (nursery to Reception)
- What they'll enjoy
- It's Halloween night! One spooky bus goes rattle and shake, full of spooky creatures. A sing-along Halloween twist on The Wheels on the Bus.
- Helps with
- Singing along at Halloween
- 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
- Singing and rhythm
- Counting
- Actions and movement
- Halloween
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Spooky Wheels on the Bus
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 sound did the spooky bus make?”
- “Which creatures rode on the bus?”
- “Which verse was your favourite?”
- “Can you do the actions for each one?”
- “Where do you think the bus was going?”
- “What spooky creature would you add?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Spooky Wheels on the Bus
All 6 questions for The Spooky Wheels on the Bus 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
Spooky bus song
Make up a new verse together with a new creature and an action, and sing it loud.
Cardboard bus
Turn a shoebox into a bus and fill it with paper ghosts, bats and pumpkins.
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus 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 Spooky Wheels on the Bus, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about singing and rhythm.
A 20-minute session for ages 2–5 (nursery to Reception), 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: Sing it to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus, with an action for every verse. Let your child choose the next spooky creature.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What sound did the spooky bus make?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Spooky bus song. Make up a new verse together with a new creature and an action, and sing it loud. Children who finish early can try Cardboard bus.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Spooky Wheels on the Bus 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
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- Best for
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- Age
- 2-6
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle)
- Best for
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- Age
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- Best for
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- Age
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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.