Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

Complete lesson plans, including stories, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

Sam’s Snowy Day

A cheeky little boy named Sam has a day full of funny mishaps and unexpected surprises in the snowy landscape.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a little town, there was a boy named Sam who loved to play tricks. One morning in the winter, he woke up to see everything covered in snow. Feeling excited, he quickly got dressed in his warm clothes, ready for a day of fun.

Sam took his sled and ran outside. He couldn’t wait to slide down the hill near his house. He pushed himself off the top of the hill and started to slide super fast. But suddenly, he hit a bump, flew off his sled, and landed in the snow!

Sam was okay and started laughing. He then decided to make a snowman. His snowman looked really funny with a big head and a tiny body. Sam called it “Snowy.” After making the snowman, Sam climbed a tree to see the snow better. But he slipped and got stuck hanging upside down! His friend Lily saw him and helped him get down, and they both couldn’t stop laughing.

Later, as the sun was going down, Sam saw a little squirrel stuck in a tree, shaking from the cold. He wanted to help, so he used a stick to gently push the squirrel until it jumped onto his shoulder. Sam helped the squirrel get down to the ground.

When Sam got home that night, he felt tired but happy. He learned a lot from building the snowman, hanging from the tree, and saving the squirrel. He went to bed smiling, knowing that even an ordinary day could be so fun. Sam couldn’t wait for his next adventure in the snow.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1tricksFunny or clever things you do to surprise or amuse people
2sledA flat object that you sit or lie on and slide down a snowy hill
3hillA raised area of land that is higher than the surrounding area
4bumpA small raised area on a surface that makes you jump or shake
5snowmanA figure made of snow that looks like a person
6treeA tall plant with branches and leaves that grows outside
7stuckUnable to move or escape from a particular place or situation
8hangingHanging with your head or body pointing downwards
9squirrelA small animal with a bushy tail that lives in trees
10coldHaving a low temperature or feeling very cold
11tiredFeeling exhausted or needing rest
12happyFeeling or showing pleasure or contentment
13ordinaryNot special or different from what is usual
14adventureAn exciting or unusual experience or activity
15snowSoft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky in cold weather

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Sam do when he woke up and saw the snow outside?
2. What happened to Sam when he was sliding down the hill?
3. How did Sam’s snowman look?
4. What happened to Sam when he climbed the tree?
5. Who helped Sam when he was stuck in the tree?
6. Why did Sam use a stick to help the squirrel?
7. How did Sam feel when he got home that night?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a little town, there was a boy named Sam who loved to play tricks. One (1)______ in the winter, he woke up to see everything covered in snow. Feeling (2)______, he quickly got dressed in his warm clothes, ready for a day of fun.

Sam took his sled and ran outside. He couldn’t wait to (3)______ down the hill near his (4)______. He pushed himself off the top of the hill and started to slide super fast. But suddenly, he hit a bump, flew off his sled, and landed in the snow!

Sam was okay and started (5)______. He then decided to make a (6)______. His snowman looked really (7)______ with a big head and a tiny body. Sam called it “Snowy.” After (8)______ the snowman, Sam climbed a tree to see the snow better. But he (9)______ and got stuck hanging upside down! His friend Lily saw him and (10)______ him get down, and they both couldn’t stop laughing.

Later, as the sun was going down, Sam saw a (11)______ (12)______ stuck in a tree, shaking from the cold. He wanted to help, so he used a stick to gently push the squirrel until it jumped onto his (13)______. Sam helped the squirrel get down to the (14)______.

When Sam got home that (15)______, he felt (16)______ but happy. He learned a lot from building the snowman, hanging from the tree, and saving the squirrel. He went to bed smiling, knowing that even an ordinary day could be so fun. Sam couldn’t wait for his next adventure in the snow.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. Do you like playing in the snow? Why or why not?
2. What is a trick that you like to play on your friends or family?
3. How would you feel if you were stuck hanging upside down from a tree? Why?
4. Have you ever built a snowman before? What did it look like?
5. Do you think it’s important to help animals in need? Why or why not?
6. How do you think Sam felt when he saw the squirrel stuck in the tree?
7. What is the most fun adventure you’ve had in the snow? Can you describe it?
8. Do you think it’s important to find joy in everyday activities? Why or why not?
9. How would you feel if you were stuck in the snow like Sam? Why?
10. Have you ever had a day where everything went wrong, but you still ended up having fun? Can you tell us about it?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. tricks
2. sled
3. hill
4. bump
5. snowman
6. tree
7. stuck
8. hanging
9. squirrel
10. cold
11. tired
12. happy
13. ordinary
14. adventure
15. snow

Meanings:
(A) A flat object that you sit or lie on and slide down a snowy hill
(B) Funny or clever things you do to surprise or amuse people
(C) Hanging with your head or body pointing downwards
(D) A tall plant with branches and leaves that grows outside
(E) A small raised area on a surface that makes you jump or shake
(F) A figure made of snow that looks like a person
(G) Soft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky in cold weather
(H) A small animal with a bushy tail that lives in trees
(I) Feeling exhausted or needing rest
(J) Not special or different from what is usual
(K) Having a low temperature or feeling very cold
(L) Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment
(M) An exciting or unusual experience or activity
(N) A raised area of land that is higher than the surrounding area
(O) Unable to move or escape from a particular place or situation
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Sam do when he saw the snow outside?
(a) He stayed inside all day.
(b) He got dressed in warm clothes.
(c) He went to school.
(d) He went to the beach.

2. What happened when Sam was sliding down the hill?
(a) He slid all the way to the bottom without any problems.
(b) He got stuck halfway down the hill.
(c) He hit a bump and fell off his sled.
(d) He crashed into a tree.

3. What did Sam do after he fell off his sled?
(a) He cried.
(b) He called for help.
(c) He laughed.
(d) He went back inside.

4. What did Sam name his snowman?
(a) Snowy
(b) Frosty
(c) Icy
(d) Chilly

5. What happened when Sam climbed a tree?
(a) He slipped and got stuck hanging upside down.
(b) He reached the top and enjoyed the view.
(c) He found a bird’s nest.
(d) He saw a squirrel.

6. Who helped Sam get down from the tree?
(a) His mom
(b) His teacher
(c) A firefighter
(d) Lily

7. What did Sam do to help the squirrel?
(a) He called animal control.
(b) He left it in the tree.
(c) He scared it away.
(d) He used a stick to gently push it down from the tree.

8. How did Sam feel at the end of the day?
(a) Sad and lonely.
(b) Tired but happy.
(c) Excited for the next day.
(d) Bored and restless.

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Sam finds it funny and decides to build a snowman named “Snowy.”
2. Sam feels tired but happy after his eventful day and goes to bed with a smile on his face.
3. Sam notices a squirrel stuck in a tree and uses a stick to help it down.
4. Sam hates playing tricks and wakes up disappointed to see the snow-covered town.
5. Sam’s friend Lily refuses to help him get down from the tree and they both cry together.
6. Sam dreads his next adventure in the snow.
7. Sam slides down a hill on his sled but stays on after hitting a bump.
8. Sam climbs a tree to get a better view of the snow but ends up getting stuck hanging upside down.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this story in two sentences. Here are some hints:
Who are the main characters?
What happens in the story?

Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What did Sam do when he woke up and saw the snow outside?
Sam quickly got dressed in his warm clothes and went outside to play.

2. What happened to Sam when he was sliding down the hill?
Sam hit a bump, flew off his sled, and landed in the snow.

3. How did Sam’s snowman look?
Sam’s snowman looked funny with a big head and a tiny body.

4. What happened to Sam when he climbed the tree?
Sam slipped and got stuck hanging upside down in the tree.

5. Who helped Sam when he was stuck in the tree?
Sam’s friend Lily saw him and helped him get down from the tree.

6. Why did Sam use a stick to help the squirrel?
Sam used a stick to gently push the squirrel so it could jump onto his shoulder and get down from the tree.

7. How did Sam feel when he got home that night?
Sam felt tired but happy when he got home that night.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) morning
(2) excited
(3) slide
(4) house
(5) laughing
(6) snowman
(7) funny
(8) making
(9) slipped
(10) helped
(11) little
(12) squirrel
(13) shoulder
(14) ground
(15) night
(16) tired
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. tricks
Answer: (B) Funny or clever things you do to surprise or amuse people

2. sled
Answer: (A) A flat object that you sit or lie on and slide down a snowy hill

3. hill
Answer: (N) A raised area of land that is higher than the surrounding area

4. bump
Answer: (E) A small raised area on a surface that makes you jump or shake

5. snowman
Answer: (F) A figure made of snow that looks like a person

6. tree
Answer: (D) A tall plant with branches and leaves that grows outside

7. stuck
Answer: (O) Unable to move or escape from a particular place or situation

8. hanging
Answer: (C) Hanging with your head or body pointing downwards

9. squirrel
Answer: (H) A small animal with a bushy tail that lives in trees

10. cold
Answer: (K) Having a low temperature or feeling very cold

11. tired
Answer: (I) Feeling exhausted or needing rest

12. happy
Answer: (L) Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment

13. ordinary
Answer: (J) Not special or different from what is usual

14. adventure
Answer: (M) An exciting or unusual experience or activity

15. snow
Answer: (G) Soft, white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky in cold weather
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Sam do when he saw the snow outside?
Answer: (b) He got dressed in warm clothes.

2. What happened when Sam was sliding down the hill?
Answer: (c) He hit a bump and fell off his sled.

3. What did Sam do after he fell off his sled?
Answer: (c) He laughed.

4. What did Sam name his snowman?
Answer: (a) Snowy

5. What happened when Sam climbed a tree?
Answer: (a) He slipped and got stuck hanging upside down.

6. Who helped Sam get down from the tree?
Answer: (d) Lily

7. What did Sam do to help the squirrel?
Answer: (d) He used a stick to gently push it down from the tree.

8. How did Sam feel at the end of the day?
Answer: (b) Tired but happy.
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Sam finds it funny and decides to build a snowman named “Snowy.” (Answer: True)
2. Sam feels tired but happy after his eventful day and goes to bed with a smile on his face. (Answer: True)
3. Sam notices a squirrel stuck in a tree and uses a stick to help it down. (Answer: True)
4. Sam hates playing tricks and wakes up disappointed to see the snow-covered town. (Answer: False)
5. Sam’s friend Lily refuses to help him get down from the tree and they both cry together. (Answer: False)
6. Sam dreads his next adventure in the snow. (Answer: False)
7. Sam slides down a hill on his sled but stays on after hitting a bump. (Answer: False)
8. Sam climbs a tree to get a better view of the snow but ends up getting stuck hanging upside down. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

Freddie the squirrel learns a valuable lesson about the true meaning of happiness and unity.

The Peacock Parade

Freddie the squirrel learns that the best things in life are experiences shared with friends.

A young girl named Emily discovers a tree that produces rainbow-colored raspberries, bringing joy to her village.

The Remarkable Raspberry Rain

Emily discovers a tree that rains colorful raspberries, but when they lose their color, she learns that children’s laughter can bring the magic back.

A young girl named Lily embarks on a daring adventure to find a hidden harbor and discovers that true treasure lies in the simple pleasures of life.

The Hidden Harbor

Lily discovers a secret harbor and learns that the real treasure is happiness and adventure.

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