These are my favourite creative activity books for kids. Although I get a lot of my inspiration for kids’ activities from the internet, I love to have a few books around too. I guess it’s because I love books so much. My kids enjoy flicking through them too. A book is more accessible for young children and I love that we can look through them together and pick out things to do.
These books are also good for encouraging older children to read. They could read the activity instructions, alone or with help. Anything that encourages a love of books and reading is a winner in my eyes. Here are our current favourite creative activity books for kids. Find all the best children’s books here.
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We were sent some of these books to review. These are marked with a #.
Creative books for kids
Some of these creative activity books for kids are aimed at parents and are suitable for inspiring you to set up creative activities for your kids. Others are creative activity books for kids that include stickers, drawing prompts, puzzles and more.
Wonder art workshop, Sally Haughey #
I love this book! It’s so creative and perfect for my style of parenting. It’s all about encouraging imagination, curiosity and learning through play through creative child-led experiences.
I’ve always loved process art for young children. If you’re not familiar with process art, the idea is that the process is as important as the end result. It’s the opposite of trying to get a child to do a craft like a pom pom and stick mobile or a paper plate animal model.
I love setting up invitations to create for my girls and I have found some lovely ideas in this book. I love the use of colour and nature in these creative activities.
As well as 25 activities, the book is filled with information on how to set up creative child-led activities and the supplies that you can use.
This book is a great addition to any bookshelf for creative parents. Available to * buy now.
Tinkerslab – A hands-on guide for little inventors, Rachel Doorley
I’m a long-time reader of the blog Tinkerlab. Tinkering is all about children exploring and learning to problem solve which is what they naturally do if given the chance.
This book guides you through creating a space for children to create and tinker in (a ‘Tinkerlab’), selecting supplies and tools and how to create habits that encourage creativity.
After that, the rest of the book is over 50 ideas for you to try at home. They are clearly and simply explained, with lots of full-colour photos throughout. The activities (experiments) are grouped into four areas. Design, Build, Concoct and Discover.
Each section not only includes activities but also interviews and essays in relevant areas such as the value of loose parts, 10 lessons the arts teach and building tomorrow’s innovators through hands-on making.
Example experiments include paint experiments, ice and salt exploration, lemon invisible ink, scavenger hunts and a DIY lightbox (we love ours).
Available to * buy now.
The artful parent: Simple ways to fill your family’s life with art and creativity. Jean Van’t Hul
This is another book by an American blogger. I’m sure you will have come across the artful parent blog. If not I urge you to go and check it out (after finishing reading this blog post obviously).
This book starts by explaining why art is so important for children followed by chapters on preparing for art. This covers things like what is process art, making space for art, suggestions for art supplies as well as talking about art with children and other ways to be artful such as cooking together, music and having outdoor adventures.
The rest of the book is suggestions for 61 activities which are split into 7 chapters. The first foray into art, quick and easy art, getting fancy, action art, quiet activities for downtime and transitions, art for playdates, parties and groups and homemade art material to make and enjoy.
Finally, there is a resources section with suggested art materials, books about art, other parenting books, books for children and creative blogs. This was the first activity book I purchased when my eldest was a toddler. We have enjoyed various activities from this book such as contact paper suncatchers, homemade play dough, body tracing and painting, spin art and marble rolling paint.
Each activity is clearly explained and where possible variations are suggested. For each activity, Jean gives a recommendation of the suitable minimum age. There are lots of photos throughout the book to inspire you too.
Available to * buy now.
Easy paper projects, Maggy Woodley
This book is great for older children. My 7 year old loves it but some of the crafts are better suited to older children. We love the bright and colourful photos which take you step by step through 60 paper crafts.
There are lots of origami projects as well as cards to make and other paper projects. Many of these projects are suitable for all year round but there are also seasonal and holiday projects.
Available to * buy now.
The big book of 100 little activities, Laura Minter & Tia Williams
Do you know the blog Little Button Diaries? well, this is their book. It’s a lovely bright and colourful book, packed full of 100 activities for you to try with your little ones. It starts with a brief introduction including some suggested supplies and a few tips on crafting with children.
The activities are grouped into nature lovers, messy makes, rainy day, sunny day, little laboratory, paint and print, playing and performing and dressing up.
Many of the activities were not new to me but they are a great reminder of activities we might have seen or even remember from our own childhood such as flower press cards, bug hunting, goop, paper weaving, cardboard rockets and pipe-cleaner crowns. This book is very inviting for young children to look through and pick the activities they want to do.
Available to * buy now.
You might also remember I reviewed their latest book The Pirate craft book a few months back.
Michael Rosen’s Book of play #
This book is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about play and why it matters. It also includes 101 ways to get more play in your life. I learnt a lot from this book about why play is so important for children and how it helps them in so many ways. I love the ideas for play scattered throughout the book. From wordplay to outdoor play, group games to solo play ideas. This book has something for everyone. Find my full review here.
Available to * buy now.
Draw here, Herve Tullet
This is a beautiful activity book full of creative drawing prompts. I almost want to keep it for myself. It would make a great mindfulness activity. Each page contains a simple drawing prompt along with simple red, blue and yellow dots and sometimes black line drawings. This book is perfect for children aged 5 years, right through to adults. It allows them to use their imaginations and explore colour and shape.
Available to * buy now.
Wild things, Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks #
This book is full of the most magical and creative outdoor activities for kids I’ve come across. My girls love fairies, unicorns and anything magical so as you can imagine they love this book. It’s also full of dragons, witches, elves, monsters and trolls.
The activities throughout are so creative. Think things like tracking dragons, making flower fairies, goblin soup and monster footprints. There are ideas for all weathers and locations. Perfect for inspiring magical and creative play outdoors.
Available to * buy now.
The secret woodland activity book, Mia Underwood #
This is one of the most beautiful and creative activity books for kids I’ve come across. Every page is filled with beautiful illustrations and creative activities. There are learning activities like maths games, word searches and writing prompts. As well as stickers, crafts, recipes and drawing prompts.
If you have a creative child who believes in magic then this is perfect for fun home learning.
Available to * buy now.
The magical underwater activity book, Mia Underwood #
This is another beautiful and creative activity book from Mia Underwood. This time the magic happens underwater. My 7 year old has loved designing her own underwater house as well the maths games. As well as learning about real and mythical sea creatures, there is the opportunity to learn about plastic waste in our oceans.
Available to * buy now.
Sticker shape create, Thereza Rowe #
My kids love stickers. This book contains 1500 stickers which children use to create 29 colourful scenes. The stickers are all plain colours and come in a variety of shapes. They are used throughout the book to inspire creative drawing. Each double-page spread includes pictures showing you how to combine the right shapes of stickers to create everything from elephants to a village of little houses. The drawing prompts then encourage them to draw on more details.
Available to * buy now.
Where to next?
What about you, do you have a favourite book or blog for creative children’s activity inspiration?
For more outdoor activity books for kids click through.
Pin for later:
All great choices. The 101 things for kids to do
Outside is on my list too. #KLTR
It’s a great book.
Some new to me titles here – we have 101 Things for Kids to do Outside and love it. I think it is so important to encourage creativity in children.
It’s a great book. I agree about encouraging creativity. From the teachers I know, I hear time and time again that they don’t have time for art at school. Such a shame.
A great selection of books. Will have to look out for them to try with the grandkids #KLTR
I hope you enjoy them with your grandchildren
These look fantastic! My ultimate favourite activity book is the Red Ted Art Book so it would be great to try out some newer ones 🙂 #KLTR
I think the last time I looked at that one I felt my eldest was too young. I hope you enjoy some of these just as much
Great list of books. I’ve put two in my Amazon wish list for my daughter’s birthday next month. the Curious Jane and 10 things to do outdoors books are both going to be naturally big hits!
#UKParentBloggers
I’m glad you found this useful. Good choices!
We still love books desipte the internet. We love a library trip.
We have the Little Button one but will definitely have to look out for the others #KLTR
They all look fab but I love the outdoors one. I will definitely be getting that
Good choice. It’s great for inspiring outdoor fun.
These are fantastic books. I’ve got one of these but now want to get the others too. #KLTR
I don’t have kids myself, but my niece would definitely love some of these. Some great ideas for gifts I could get. Thanks
These books look great and I know what you mean about how good it is to flick through a book!
#KLTR
Glad I’m not the only one.
These are awesome. I really loved these type of books as a child. My favourite was a cake decorating book followed by an arts and crafts book. Thanks for sharing these with KLTR.
What lovely memories. I hope my girls remember things like this.
What a fabulous collection. I can’t wait to buy some of these and start getting inspired! I may have to wait until my little one is a bit bigger but it may give me some ideas now which I can adapt.
The artful parent was the first one I bought when I had a toddler