The Snowman Who Wanted to Be Warm: Christmas Fill in the Blank Story

Read-aloud example

Once upon a time there was a snowman called Snowy Sam, and he was very GRUMPY. His nose was an old CARROT and his eyes were two shiny TEASPOONS. Every morning Sam would WIGGLE and grumble: I am far too cold! So the children dressed him in Grandpa's PYJAMAS and fed him a bowl of hot TOMATO SOUP. Sam felt warm for exactly 12 minutes. Then his friend the PENGUIN waddled past and told him that snowmen are meant to be CHILLY. Sam thought about it for a long time. Then he took off Grandpa's PYJAMAS, said SPLOSH! and decided that being cold was actually rather nice.

Our example words are in capitals. Yours will make a different story every time.

The word types in this story

• Adjective: a describing word: fluffy, enormous.
• Noun: a person, place or thing: sock, kitchen.
• Plural noun: more than one thing: socks, puddings.
• Verb: an action word: jump, sing.
• Clothing: something to wear: hat, socks.
• Food: any food: spaghetti, sprouts.
• Number: any number: 7, 365, a million.
• Animal: any animal: hippo, goldfish.
• Silly sound: a funny noise: boing, splat.

How to play

1. Print the PDF at 100% on A4 or US Letter paper. Keep page 2, the story, face down.
2. Ask for each word on page 1 in order, reading the hint aloud for younger children. Write it in the box with its number.
3. Copy each word into the blank on page 2 with the same number (some numbers appear twice: use the same word both times).
4. Read the finished story aloud. Then swap readers and play again with new words.

Fill-in-the-blank stories are a fun way to practise adjectives, nouns, plural nouns and verbs: children have to think what kind of word each one is before they choose it, and hear straight away when a word doesn't fit. For one skill at a time on paper, try the grammar worksheets (nouns, verbs, adjectives, plurals and past tense). More Christmas games for kids: the Christmas word scramble, Christmas I spy and the Christmas colouring pages.