Keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays is always a little bit of a head-scratcher but, with the children currently on an extended break, it's more important than ever.
The best activity books for young kids make the perfect boredom-busters that don't involve a tablet. Ideal for reducing that screen time, they're a wonderful alternative that can boost creativity and learning at the same time as being fun to do.
Whether it's puzzles, mazes, sticker books, colouring-in, crafting or a think-and-make combination, there's something for everyone.
Jump into the colourful world of Harry Potter, head back in time to find a boy lost in ancient Egypt, or pop sparkly stickers on magical mermaids with our round up of the best activity books to keep the kids happy at home. Bored? What’s bored?
The best activity books for young kids
1. The Snail and the Whale Make and Do Book
Based on the bestselling picture book, The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donald, one little snail longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of an enormous whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and through sun, snow and stormy seas.
Your little ones can join in their adventures with this fun craft book – they can make a penguin pencil pot, create a tropical erupting volcano and find out how to turn an empty shoebox into their very own underwater world. Perfect for kids up to around five years old.
Price: £4.61, Amazon - buy here now
2. The Treehouse Fun Book 3
Kids love their own hideouts and treehouses so this fun book will appeal to boys and girls alike who want to create their own secret world of fun and games.
Join Andy, Terry and Jill for an activity adventure like no other, as they combine animals, create magical kingdoms, time travel, solve crosswords, colour, scribble, and more. Grab your treehouse passport and head on up. Great for ages of around five to nine years old.
Price: £6.99, Waterstones - buy here now
3. Where's the Unicorn?
We'd bet good money that there's at least one unicorn-loving member of the family in your house - and this was made for them.
From a fantastic film premiere in downtown Los Angeles, to a flamboyant carnival in Rio de Janeiro, there are 17 intricately illustrated scenes to search, and seven sensational unicorns to spot in every location. Let the magical fun begin...
Price: £6.29, Amazon - buy here now
4. My Magical Mermaid Sparkly Sticker Activity Book
Make a splash with the glittering world of the My Magical Mermaid Sparkly Sticker Activity Book. Young mermaid fans will have hours of fun with matching games, mazes and colouring in, as well as covering the pages with over 400 stickers, including some extra-special shiny foil stickers for all the little magpies out there.
Yujin Shin's beautiful illustrations are paired with rhyming text and lots of things to spot in four bright and busy magical scenes. Part of the My Magical series, there's also a unicorn version if that's your child's preference. Super-sweet and hours of fun for three to six year olds.
Price: £4.33, Amazon - buy here now
5. The Puzzle Activity Book
Bursting with cool things to colour, brilliant puzzles and brain-boggling things to do, this bestselling activity book for kids will mean hours away from screen time.
Including dot to dots, mazes, doodles, spot the difference, picture puzzles, and more, there'll be no end to those creative juices flowing.
Price: £5.29, Amazon - buy here now
6. British Museum: Find Tom in Time, Ancient Egypt
Track down Tom and his naughty cat, Digby, on every page in this fun activity book that's a little bit like Where's Wally with heaps of fun historical facts thrown in for good measure.
Packed with detailed artwork, fascinating ancient Egyptian facts and over 100 other things to find - from a sphinx missing a paw to a child dressed up as a mummy - kids from five to nine will love this interactive book that offers endless hours of fun.
Price: £8.31, Amazon - buy here now
7. Harry Potter Colouring Book
Young witches and wizards will be spellbound with this clever colouring book, full of magical illustrations from the Harry Potter books to bring to life.
From the heraldry of the four Hogwarts houses to the extravagant wares of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, this book invites children to offer their own take om the wizarding world with explorations of Hogwarts castle, the Forbidden Forest, magical creatures and iconic scenes from the films, from the Sorting Ceremony in Harry's first year, to the unforgettable final battle between Harry and Lord Voldemort.
The activity book also features some of the marvellous props used in the movies, such as The Quibbler, Quidditch World Cup posters, and the Triwizard Cup. Kids, and the big kid in you, will love this one.
Price:£8.99, Amazon - buy here now
8. Little Children's Nature Activity Book
Budding nature-lovers will adore this informative and interactive activity book.
Packed with nature-themed puzzles, things to spot, colouring, drawing and doodling activities, it's fun for everyone.
Your kids can match baby animals to their mothers, colour in flowers and insects, spot-the-difference between countryside scenes and much more. There's four pages of stickers and all the answers are at the back of the book (in case mum and dad need a little extra help).
Price: £5.99, Amazon - buy here now
9. Little Children's Space Activity Book
Have you got a little astronaut in the family? This book was made for them.
Full of out-of-this-world fun, the activity book is bursting with puzzles, things to spot, colouring, drawing and doodle challenges.
Little children can add sticker planets to the Solar System, draw a rocket blasting into space, colour an alien birthday party and lots more. Want to beat the at-home boredom? We have lift off...
Price: £6.99, Amazon - buy here now
10. The Usborne Little Children's Activity Book
Puzzles? Check. Drawing? Check. Dot-to-dots? Check. Spot the different? Check, check and check. This activity book for young kids is packed with time-filling fun that will make long days at home feel shorter.
With planes, snakes, robots, dogs, and ladybirds, it's full of things all kids will love. A real page-turner.
