13 Boredom-Busting Activity Books for Kids
It’s always a good idea to have a few boredom-busting activity books on hand. I use them to keep my kids quiet in church and waiting rooms, or occupied on rainy days and vacations with lots of downtime. They’re the perfect screen-free alternative to video games, and they make fantastic gifts for birthdays and holidays. You really can’t go wrong with a good activity book.
From picture puzzles to science experiments, these activity books will keep your kids busy for hours on end.
This list originally appeared on ReadBrightly.com.
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1
Add to BookshelfHow to Draw for Kids: Summer Things
by Alli Koch
Kids who are trying to develop their artistic skills will love the step-by-step instructions in this easy-to-use book. From beach balls and seashells to ice cream cones and sunflowers, kids can spend countless hours learning to draw over 40 different summer-themed pictures.
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$14.95Buy from Other Retailers:
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2
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Would You Rather? Junior: Super Silly Edition!
by Zeitgeist
This super-silly edition of the Would You Rather series for kids is so fun, even for adults! Divided into categories like “Amazing Animals,” “Silly Every Day,” and “My World,” the book gives over 200 questions with two options for the readers to choose from. Sure to produce plenty of laughs, it’s the perfect way to entertain bored kids on a road trip.
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$7.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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3
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Escape This Book! Titanic
by Bill Doyle
Can you survive the sinking of the Titanic? This highly interactive book offers young readers the opportunity to choose their own path and doodle their way through the historic event to see if they can escape the sinking ship.
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$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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4
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Scratch-Off Hidden Pictures Unicorn Puzzles
created by Highlights
Scratch-offs bring a burst of excitement to kids as they eagerly uncover colorful hidden surprises. With every scratch of this activity book, complete with Hidden Pictures puzzles, mazes, doodle pages, jokes, and more, their imagination takes flight, turning a simple piece of paper into a gateway of endless possibilities and smiles.
Add to BookshelfSpiral Bound
$14.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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5
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Color with Stickers: Jungle
by Jonny Marx
Like paint-by-numbers, but with stickers! Create a series of jungle pictures by matching the numbered stickers provided to the numbers on each picture. Bonus: each page includes fun facts about the jungle so young nature lovers can learn all about the animals and plants that live there.
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$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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6
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Odd One Out
by Buster Books
The ultimate puzzle book for big kids, Odd One Out will keep readers entertained for hours. Search through pages of brightly colored emojis for matching pairs, odd-ones-out, and other brain-tickling games.
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$9.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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7
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Fun with National Parks
by Nicole Claesen
Go on an adventure to our nation’s 63 majestic national parks without ever leaving home! Filled with over 125 activities, fascinating facts about each park, an exploration of the natural wonders, history, and animals of each park, there is so much to educate and inspire kids.
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$12.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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8
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Destroy This Book in the Name of Science! Brainiac Edition
by Mike Barfield
Jam-packed with amazing facts and projects for kids to cut, color, and punch out, this activity book will keep curious minds occupied. It’s perfect for kids who love hands-on activities and learning new things.
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$14.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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9
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brainPLAY Trickiest Puzzles Ever
created by Highlights
Highlights is my go-to for fun activity books for kids. From hidden pictures to mazes and other fun challenges, this bulky book contains 200 brightly colored puzzles to keep your child busy.
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$12.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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10
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Mad Libs Super Summer Activity Book
by Gabriella DeGennaro and Mad Libs
Ready for some fill-in-the-blank fun? Make up silly facts about your friends, create a packing list using only words that start with the letter B, tell ghost stories around the campfire, and so much more. Plus, this edition comes with over 100 stickers for even more fun!
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$7.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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11
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Cardboard Activity Lab
by Jemma Westing
This activity book will have young creators thinking outside the box … literally! This hands-on book teaches kids how to build a castle, a sci-fi robot costume, or a new mode of transportation using cardboard and other everyday materials all while developing skills in engineering, art, and design.
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$19.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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12
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Let’s Get Quizzical
by Rachel McMahon
No need to stress, you’re bound to get an A+ on each quiz in this book because they are all about YOU! From the queen of BuzzFeed quizzes, Rachel McMahon has created a series of quizzes perfect for young readers that helps kids learn all about themselves. Share this book with friends and family to learn how each person is unique.
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$6.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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13
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The Bored Book
by Ink & Willow
Turn dull, everyday moments into creativity and fun with The Bored Book, suitable for tween readers. It has cool activities and prompts that spark imagination and help kids find joy in everyday life, all while sharing Christian values and themes. From word searches to scavenger hunts, this interactive book will help banish boredom at any time.
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$15.00Buy from Other Retailers:
