11 Activity Books To Keep Your Kids Occupied This Winter
by Jennifer Garry
The dead of winter is most definitely my least favorite time of year. Here in the northeast, it’s gray and cold and sometimes icy. While I’m all for trying to get the kids outside as much as possible, sometimes 20 minutes is all their rosy cheeks and frozen extremities can handle. That leaves a whole lot of hours in the day to fill. Come February, we can really use a little help in the indoor fun department.
These 11 activity books are a fun way to keep kids busy and entertained in wintry weather.
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Time to Play!: A Sticker & Activity Book
Available from:Fans of the Australian hit TV series Bluey will love joining Bluey and Bingo as they play their favorite games. With a wide variety of activities like coloring, mazes, and stickers, there's no shortage of fun to be had.
(Ages 3 – 5)Also available from: -
150 Things to Make and Do with Peppa
Available from:If you’re looking for an activity book that will delight young readers, look no further than Peppa Pig’s big book of crafts, games, recipes, and more. Keep up all the little piggy fun with the companion paper doll book, too!
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
Paper Adventures
Available from:Let’s go on a paper adventure! Follow along as two explorers meet a cast of friendly animals and even dive to the bottom of the sea. But in each spread, there is something missing and it is up to little ones to help make the sun brighter, add a trunk to the elephant, or give the crocodile more teeth. Luckily, with pages of colorful paper in the back of the book, small hands can rip and glue shapes to the spreads to complete each scene.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Wreck This Picture Book
Available from:This book will blow kids’ minds. Unlike a typical book, readers are encouraged to explore this picture book through imaginative play. From bending pages to smelling them, the book encourages a reading experience that engages all five senses.
(Ages 5 – 8)Also available from: -
Color with Stickers: Dinosaurs
Available from:Creative kids will love coloring with stickers to complete these pictures of dinosaurs! Each picture is created by matching the numbered stickers in the back of the book to the numbers on each picture. Along the way, kids will also learn dozens of fun facts about each dinosaur. Each exciting scene can then be torn out along the perforated edges so kids can showcase their work in their room, on your fridge, or in a gallery!
(Ages 5 – 9)Also available from: -
Joke Puzzles Big Fun Activity Pad
Available from:Get ready for some major laughs with this Big Fun Activity Pad! Each laugh-out-loud puzzle and giggle-inducing activity ends in a punchline and will keep kids entertained all winter long.
(Ages 6 – 9)Also available from: -
Destroy This Book In the Name of Science! Brainiac Edition
Available from:Consider this THE activity book for young science lovers. Filled with fascinating facts and hands-on projects, it’s the perfect book for kids who love learning new things.
(Ages 7 – 9)Also available from: -
The LEGO Ideas Book
Unlock your imagination, brick by brick. This incredible book from expert Lego builder Daniel Lipkowitz has over 500 models and ideas to inspire builders of all ages. Whether you want to create a fantastic fortress, make a jet plane, or build an entire jungle, this book has everything you need to get started.
(Ages 7 – 10)Preorder from: -
Sticky Sticker Situation
Available from:Fans of the hit YouTube series, Pencilmation, will love this sticker and activity book. This book puts YOU in the driver’s seat: determine Pencilmate’s fate, draw new characters, create new storylines, and more! Kids will love stretching their imagination one doodle at a time and making this book their own.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from: -
Learn to Letter with Luna the Llama
Available from:In this creative book, Luna the Llama and friends teach kids the basics of lettering and calligraphy with traceable worksheets and fun projects. Eight- to 12-year-olds will improve their handwriting and learn a fun way to make homemade cards, signs, and school supplies a little bit fancier.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from: -
Active Learning Stars and Planets
Available from:The Active Learning series is a fantastic way for kids to explore the world around them as they learn through doing. Each page of this book covers detailed information about our solar system and beyond and is paired with a space activity including puzzles, code-breakers, matching games, word searches, and more. Don’t miss the other books in this series that cover topics like Dinosaurs, Volcanoes and Earthquakes, and the Human Body!
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2020 and updated in 2023.