The Very Busy Spider: questions to ask and activities to try
The farm animals keep asking the spider to play, but she's busy spinning her web. The Very Busy Spider is a beautiful touch-and-feel book about focus and finishing what you start.
What age is it for? The Very Busy Spider is best from birth to age 4. Good for: Sticking at a job, even when others want you to play.
The Very Busy Spider (Eric Carle)
- Age
- 0-4
- Best for
- Sticking at a job, even when others want you to play
Let your child run a finger over the raised web on each page. Join in with the animal noises, and talk about finishing a job before you play.
What it helps with
- Sticking at a task
- Finishing what you start
- Farm animal sounds
- Touch and feel for little ones
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.
- “What was the spider making?”
- “Which animals asked her to play?”
- “What did she say each time?”
- “What did she catch at the end?”
- “What job do you like to finish?”
- “What sound does each animal make?”
5-minute activities to try together
Web weaving
Make a web with wool around a paper plate or between chair legs.
Finish it first
Choose a small job, like a puzzle, and finish it before playing something else.
Free printables: The Very Busy Spider 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 Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Growing and changing, and waiting for something good
- Age
- 2-5
The Tiny Seed (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Patience, feeling small, and keeping going
- Age
- 3-7
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Colours, animals and joining in with repeated words
- Age
- 0-4
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 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.