The Ant and the Grasshopper Story
These the ant and the grasshopper story printables suit children aged 4 to 12 and include story reading, colouring, sequencing and simple activities. They are free to print at home or in your own classroom.
Free account needed to download · 20 free downloads every day
Coming soon
The Ant and the Grasshopper Story are coming soon
Our team is drawing and testing these printables right now. Save this page or join free, and we'll let you know when they are ready to download.
At a glance
- Ages: 4 to 12
- Skills: Reading, sequencing, discussion
- You need: Printer, paper, pencils or crayons
- Time: 15 to 30 minutes
The ant and the grasshopper story
On a warm summer day, an ant carried grains of wheat to her store. She worked from morning until evening, while a grasshopper sang, danced and enjoyed the sunshine. The grasshopper laughed at the ant and asked why she worked so hard. The ant replied that she was preparing food for winter. Soon the cold weather came. The grasshopper found no seeds or plants to eat and felt weak and hungry. He went to the ant and asked for help. The ant reminded him of the summer days, then shared some food and advised him to prepare for the future. Lesson: Work and plan today so you are ready for tomorrow.
Read it together and talk about it
Read the story aloud slowly, showing the pictures and pausing when the ant gathers food or the grasshopper sings. Ask your child to name the season, describe each character and say what changed when winter arrived. Talk about the difference between useful work and taking time to rest. Younger children can answer with one word or point to a picture. Older children can explain if the ant was kind, whether the grasshopper deserved help and what both characters could have done differently. You can also read Moral Stories for Kids for another short discussion.
Activities after the story
Ask your child to put the story pictures in summer-to-winter order and retell it using first, next and finally. They can draw a basket of food for the ant or add speech bubbles to a scene. A simple sorting activity can group actions into prepare now and enjoy later. Older children can write a short diary entry from the grasshopper's point of view, or make a two-column plan for getting ready for a rainy day, a school test or a family trip. Finish with a small role-play in which one child is the ant and another is the grasshopper.
Lumi's tips
- For younger children, read one short scene at a time and let them match the ant, grasshopper, summer and winter pictures.
- For older children, ask them to write a different ending in which the grasshopper makes a plan and helps the ant in return.
- Link the lesson to real life by making a small preparation list for tomorrow, such as packing a school bag or keeping an umbrella ready.
How to download and print
- Sign in or join free, it takes a few seconds.
- Choose a page and tap Download. Pick A4 or US Letter to match your paper.
- Open the PDF and print at "Actual size" (100%) so nothing is cut off.
- Your downloads stay in My Library, so you can print them again any time.
Questions parents ask
What is the moral of the ant and the grasshopper story?
The story teaches children to work responsibly and prepare for the future, while still making time for suitable rest and fun.
What did the ant do in summer?
The ant gathered and stored food during summer so she would have enough to eat when winter came.
Why was the grasshopper hungry in winter?
He spent the summer singing and playing instead of preparing food, so he had nothing stored for the cold season.
Is the ant and the grasshopper story suitable for preschool children?
Yes. Young children can enjoy the pictures, repeated actions and simple lesson. Older children can discuss choices, kindness and planning.
How do I download and print these story activities?
Create a free EarlyActivity account to download the PDF. Free accounts can download up to 20 printables a day, and you can print them at home or in your own classroom.
More moral stories
Moral Stories for Kids
These moral story printables help children aged 4 to 12 read short tales, follow story events, and think about the lessons behind each one. They are free to print for use at home or in your own classroom.
Short Moral Stories in Hindi
These short moral stories in Hindi are simple printable reads for children aged 4 to 12. They are free to download and print for reading time, Hindi practice, or a gentle discussion about good choices at home or school.
The Boy Who Cried Wolf Story
These boy who cried wolf story printables help children aged 4 to 12 read, understand and discuss the classic moral story. They are free to print for home or classroom use, with activities suited to different reading levels.
The Fox and the Grapes Story
These fox and grapes story printables help children aged 4 to 12 read, understand, and retell a classic moral story. They are free to print for use at home or in your own classroom.
The Golden Goose Story
These golden goose story printables help children aged 4 to 12 read, retell and discuss a simple moral story about greed and patience. They are free to print for home or classroom use, with activities suited to younger and older learners.
The Greedy Dog Story
These Greedy Dog Story printables include reading, colouring, sequencing and simple writing activities for children aged 4 to 12. They are free to download and print for use at home or in your own classroom.