10 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 10 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: -
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: -
My Book with No Pictures
Available from:If your family is anything like ours, The Book with No Pictures was an instant favorite. This fill-in-the-blanks version puts power into little readers’ hands as they make up ridiculous words that grown-ups will have to say when they read it. Complete with nonsense stickers for inspiration, kids will adore creating their very own book with no pictures.
(Ages 5 – 8)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: -
Disney Ideas Book
Available from:This book is a great gift for families who love Disney. Packed with a number of games and activities around old and new Disney movies and characters, kids can grow crazy grass hair on their own “Frozen” Trolls, make pins out of the seven dwarves from “Snow White” for a fun game of bowling, create their own Lumière with some cardboard, paint, and glue, and so much more.
(Ages 7+)Also available from: -
Escape This Book! Race to the Moon
Available from:The Escape This Book! series offers kids a chance to be a part of history. In Race to the Moon, readers can join the space program as Flight Director, Flight Commander, or Moon Buggy Driver. Whichever adventure they choose, they'll have to doodle their way through challenges to safely reach the moon.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from: -
Maker Lab
Available from:Are your kids budding scientists? This book is full of kid-safe STEM projects and crafts that are perfect for eight- to 12-year-olds. Using household items, they can make things like invisible ink, DNA models, soap-powered boats, and more — all while learning the science behind what they’re doing.
(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: -
Coding Games in Scratch
Available from:With this step-by-step guide, game enthusiasts can learn how to build their very own computer games using Scratch 3.0. Beginner coders learn the basics of computer programming through practical tasks that teach them how and why computer code works.
(Ages 8 – 12)Also available from: