The Best Activity Books to Keep Kids Busy on Hot Days

Summer is here and we’re betting there are plenty of sweaty afternoons ahead for you and your crew. When the weather keeps you indoors, there’s nothing like one of the best kids activity books out there. From simple sticker books to literary coloring books for tweens, these fun-filled pages will make open afternoons go by in a flash.

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How to Survive Middle School: Math: A Do-It-Yourself Study Guide

$15 BUY NOW

Beware, these books make you smarter! While the jump to middle school can sound intimidating, these DIY study guides make the leap into higher math, science and world history actually fun. Filled with colorful illustrations and fun facts, they make the perfect companion for a long road trip or inevitable “I’m bored” this summer. Ages: 10-14

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Jumbo Activity Book for Kids

$14 BUY NOW

This one has a little bit of everything, and it’s ideal for your preschool kiddo. Pick between tracing, coloring, word searches, mazes, dot-to-dot and much more.

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ColorWonder Activity Pad Set

$20 BUY NOW

There are three activity pads in this bundle! Your tiniest busy bee will be able to color to their heart’s content, with no mess!

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Highlights Learn On the Go Practice Pads

$5 BUY NOW

These large activity books from Highlights are full of colorful images, fun games and learning opportunities. Perfect for when you are on the go, choose from numbers, letters, tracing or puzzles books.

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Express My Feelings Journal

$13 BUY NOW

There’s a growing need for social and emotional toys and gear for kids, and this journal from Hand2Mind fits the bill. With over 68 pages of activities that revolve around feelings, mindfulness and emotions, once the book has been completed, kids can look at it again when they need to identify their feelings.

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This Book Is Anti-Racist Journal

$10 BUY NOW

This journal gives older kids and teens a place to learn and grow through drawing, activities, creating scenarios, and more. With over 50 different activities, this activity book is essential for extending the anti-racist journey.

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Rebel Girls Stick Together

$12 BUY NOW

As part of the “Goodnight Stories from Rebel Girls” series, this sticker-by-number book has 12 pages of heavy stock paper depicting female heroes from the original book. 

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Longest Hidden Pictures® Puzzle Ever

$12 BUY NOW

Possibly the coolest hidden pictures book ever, Highlight’s 16-foot long fold-out puzzle is fun for the entire fam. Made on sturdy paper and featuring 280 hidden objects, this unique activity can be used on the go, completed in sections, or spread out all at once!

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Playing with Paints – Watercolor: 100 Prompts, Projects and Playful Activities

$18 BUY NOW

From kids to grownups, Sara Funduk’s book is for anyone who wants to explore painting with watercolors. There are more than 100 lessons included.

 

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100 Easy STEAM Activities: Awesome Hands-On Projects for Aspiring Artists and Engineers

$12 BUY NOW

The perfect cure for rainy day boredom, this book is packed with projects that teach the principles of science, technology, engineering, art and math with on-hand ingredients like shaving cream and cookies. Have fun learning early ideas in chemistry, physics, computing, color-mixing and so much more.

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Eyelike Stickers: Pirates

$6 BUY NOW

No sticky residue after peeling these stickers off your windows! These reusable and collectible stickers can go just about anywhere, including the scenes that come in this fun book of 400 pirate-themed images. Great for car rides, doctors’ offices and shopping carts—there’s nowhere these stickers can’t go.

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The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm, and Connect

$12 BUY NOW

From the author of the picture book phenomenon The Invisible String, this companion workbook includes over 50 creative art therapy and writing activities to help kids recover from trauma and build healthy relationships with themselves and others.

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So. Many. Stickers.: 2,500 Little Stickers for Your Big Life

$12 BUY NOW

There’s no shortage of stickers in this 50-page book! Whether your kiddos love decorating their notes, binders or snail mail, this 2,500 collection of whimsical stickies will keep them busy and creative for at least a few hours. Parents, there’s no harm in sneaking a few for yourself to dress up that planner!

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Jumbo Pad of Word Puzzles

$7 BUY NOW

Highlights’ Jumbo Pad of Word Puzzles is the perfect travel companion. The 256-page book contains over 125-word searches, crosswords, riddles, codes, and logic puzzles, with tear-out sheets and comes with a sturdy cardboard backing that’s great for using on your kiddo’s lap.

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Girl Power Brain Boosters

$13 BUY NOW

This colorful activity book is all about combatting brain drain with over 100 original activities including codes to crack, word puzzles, rhyming games, picture puzzles, memory challenges, mazes and more. The ultimate rainy day or airplane book, we think boys will love it too. 

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Strong Is The New Pretty: A Guided Journal for Girls

$8 BUY NOW

This journal from the author of Strong Is the New Pretty is filled with meaningful quotes, over 20 of the most stunning images from the book (plus 20 new images!) and inspiring prompts that’ll allow your daughter to tap into her own “girl power.” Plus, it’ll encourage your kiddo to spend more time with her thoughts and dreams than those she sees on social media.

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Outdoor Sports Sticker Adventure

$11 BUY NOW

Designed to help girls discover their confidence and spirit of adventure, this outdoor sports sticker book features strong and confident female role models that do everything from climbing mountains to white water rafting. The adorable stickers will capture your little trailblazer’s imagination, while the empowering messages will help them believe she can do anything.

— Gabby Cullen & Karly Wood

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