The Napping House: A 3D Storytelling Craft
"The Napping House" by Audrey Wood is a cumulative story. Each new character piles onto the bed on top of the last one until the flea wakes everybody up. In this craft, kids build their own 3D paper house with the characters stacked inside, then use it to retell the story.
What You'll Need
"The Napping House" by Audrey Wood, a printable napping house template with characters, scissors, glue, and crayons or colored pencils.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Color the house and all the characters the way they look in the book.
Cut out the house and each character separately.
Flip the house over. Glue the bed onto the back (the inside) of the house.
Fold along the black lines (the two door flaps and the roof) so the house stands up and opens.
Open the house back up. Glue the characters onto the bed one at a time, in the order they show up in the book: grandmother, child, dog, cat, mouse, flea.
Have kids write their name on their house.
Classroom Tips
Read the book first. Each time a new character climbs into bed, stop and ask the kids what they think will happen next. This helps with comprehension and gets the stacking order in their heads before they build it.
Set this up at a table during choice time instead of doing it as a whole group. Kids come over when they're ready, and you can work with a few at a time. The steps go in order, so keep a photo of a finished house on the table to help kids work on their own.
When the houses are done, have kids open them up and retell the story to a partner or a small group. Retelling is one of the best ways to build comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the printable template?
Search for "Napping House printable template" and you'll find several free ones. Look for one with the house outline, fold lines, and separate character cutouts.
What age is this activity for?
Ages 4–6. Younger children (3–4) may need help folding and gluing. Kids 5 and up can usually do it with very little help after you show them how.
Is there an easier version for younger kids?
Yes. Skip the house. Have kids color and cut out the characters, then put them in order from memory. That still works on retelling and comprehension.
