Books (and Toys) That Keep Kids Busy and Thinking
Today, I am sharing some activity books and toys that can keep kids busy and engaged without screens. What makes this different than any other list of stuff you should by on Amazon Prime day? Simply, this list was curated specifically through the lens of a certified child life specialist and mom who understands what works and what doesn’t.
In December, I posted a list of items that I suggest for people looking for a thoughtful gift for a NICU family or items to donate back to the NICU years after your own stay. This list can be used in the same way, but for the children’s hospital. I prioritized things created by small businesses (although there were some other items included). I also focused on finding you some deals. This list could be used for people wanting to send a gift to a hospitalized kiddo or a kiddo stuck at home due to illness or injury. This list can also be used for people wanting to donate some meaningful items to the children’s hospital or wanting to keep kids busy in a quiet adult environment or on a road trip.
As always, I do make a small commission if you buy something through one of these links, but no additional cost to you. These funds just allow me to spend more time finding great books for you all.
All items are pictured above, but listed and linked below with my comments and thoughts on each. If you find it easier, you can also view the entire list on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Sdjq8B
Entertaining Books - Fun, Distraction, and Activities for All Ages:
Bluey Look & Find! If you need to keep a child busy in a waiting room, here’s a great option. Great for CCLS distraction bags as well. https://amzn.to/4oJrXMr
The Calm Book This book was shared in a prior blog entry, but I had to include it because it SO great for young children. Would be great for a child life distraction bag or for a mom to keep in a diaper bag/purse. Currently on sale. https://amzn.to/3QTRjuF
Maze book: Another good tool to keep kids busy in the hospital or on a road trip. https://amzn.to/4w6RWjy
Fun to Find! This is an introductory ISpy book. Great for young children. https://amzn.to/4vV0f1M
Richard Scarry’s Super Silly Seek and Find! Another good busy book and have I mentioned how much kids love Richard Scarry books! https://amzn.to/44ncqZn
How to Draw 101 Things - This could be a fun thing to do together. What to bond with a child? Work on one of these drawings together, compare, giggle, and admire each other’s work! https://amzn.to/4ah6DrH
Richard Scarry’s Busy Busy Boxed Set. Does your school, hospital, day care or home library need more board books about trucks? These aren’t just one picture per page. They have engaging stories and fun things to look at. Read them when I was a kid. Still highly recommend! Great price. https://amzn.to/4vnwab3
Jokes for 8 year olds - Nurses, doctors, dentists, rad techs - I’m thinking of you here. Keep this on hand to have a few jokes handy. Break the ice and help connect - as well as helping them understand your role and what will happen next. 🙂https://amzn.to/44ncqZn
Brain Quest Workbook My kids use these every summer. They find them fun, and I like that they are engaging their brains. Kids can also use them to play school or have “some school” each day when they can’t be present.https://amzn.to/4ewBdyQ
New Mad Lib Book! Kids of all ages love how silly these are. They are also require the child to read and learn or understand some literary terms. So they are good for the brain without feeling like work. Highly recommended for summer at home, the hospital, road trips, etc. https://amzn.to/44o0nLm
Cat’s Cradle. I think had this exact set when I was kid. Another great tactile boredom buster. Need to get kids off screens, try one of the original fidgets! 🙂 https://amzn.to/3Slu3Gs
Paper Airplane Kit - Another fun screen free activity. This one can be great for the hospital as you can use it to encourage kids to get out of bed. Once they get their airplane made, have them try to set a record. Use tape to mark how far it went down the hall. Have other kids and staff try to beat it. (Of course, this also works at home. https://amzn.to/4aedBxK
Harry Potter Origami - Another great keeping hands buys book! https://amzn.to/3QRcA8h
Difficult Riddles for Smart Kids Another great one to keep kids busy or for a CCLS distraction bag. This one is for older kids and can be a great way to engage and problem solve together. There is also a Match Riddle book. I’m going to try them for an upcoming car trip. https://amzn.to/4p0xI8V
The Fascinating Animals :500 Wild Facts! A great book for animal lovers. I can see school age and middle school kids liking it. My 8 year old would be obsessed. https://amzn.to/4uUsVXR
Student World Atlas- I feel like every house should have a globe and an atlas. Ways for kids to understand how big and vast our world is and to build an understanding of other people. This is another one that I will probably get for my family. Excellent add to any classroom. In regard to the hospital or ill kids, it can be huge to find dreams and things to talk about outside the hospital. Depending on the child, this might be the right resource to start those dreams and then build interest in the world beyond. https://amzn.to/4p0xI8V
The illustrated Harry Potter books. So beautiful, and I’ve never seen at such a great price. This would be a great gift for kids age 6-16! (all 3 of my kids would love it!) Currently availabe at an unreal price.https://amzn.to/4eCS4js
Hogwart’s Library Know a kid who has read a bunch of the Harry Potter books? This could be the perfect way to engage them. These books are not the original 7, but rather books that could have been on the shelves of Hogwards (About magical beasts, quidditch and more) https://amzn.to/4b5mutJ
Warriors:The New Prophecy - Looking for something for preteens and teens in the hospital. Try these books. Magical and engaging. My daughter and son have enjoyed these series at different times. At a super discount right now. Graphic novels are also available. First 6 chapter books: https://amzn.to/3QflNXS Graphic Novels: https://amzn.to/4eWEYiq
Choose Your Own Adventure - 4 Book Set Have a kiddo that has to rest this summer? Or may just a kiddo who hasn’t found their love of reading yet? Whether at home or at the hospital, these books could be a great way to hook a elementary school kid. https://amzn.to/44jMEoS
I typically don’t add toys to my list, but I found a lot of great things. No one can geek out about a great toy like a child life specialist can!
Toy Finds:
TeeTurtle Reversible Plushie - These are stuffies… so they need to be given as a gift in the hospital (not a reusable item), but I am sharing them anyway because I love that they encourage kids to share how they are feeling and that they can express it in a way other than words. Hospitals can not store stuffed animals so please contact your hospital to see if they can use the item before donating. https://amzn.to/4eBkEBX
Capybara Weighted and Microwavable Stuffie - Other animals available. This is an amazing gift for kids that don’t feel good or are injured. Love that this one is 1) Created by a small business and 2) Not scented. Many similar animals have a lavender scent that is SO overpowering. Hospitals can not store stuffed animals so please contact your hospital to see if they can use the item before donating. https://amzn.to/3SpkGW3
Magnetic Tiles Dinosaur Toys - Everyone already knows how amazing magna tiles. I love these because it develops another way to play with them. Have kids build habitats for the dinosaurs. The dinosaurs have movable parts and you can mix and match to create new dinosaurs. https://amzn.to/4w8iXmO
Wikki Stix - These waxy strings can sometimes be found at restaurants to keep kids buys. This set includes 24 for 5 dollars. They could be handed out as a full set, or maybe a few strings at at time with different challenges to engage them - Can you spell your name one letter at a time? What animal can you make with these? What food? Etc.https://amzn.to/448XqOV
Squishy ball Sparkly, cleanable, and durable. When kids are uncomforable or bored, these can be a good way to work out stress or fidget. This cute design will make kids excited too. Matches a trendy squishy, but not the name brand. https://amzn.to/4uPZKFa
Butter Squishy Another trendy squishy. The name brand is impossible to find these day, but regardless, this silly toy will make kids smile and work out their pain or boredom. https://amzn.to/3Sdjq8B
LCD Writing Tablet White boards and markers are out. Their markers run out of ink. These work better over a long period and are more fun to write on. Great as communication board if a child is unable to speak or for when speech is painful. Also just fun and not messy for church, car rides, waiting rooms, etc. https://amzn.to/4eouPLd
Kanoodle Head to Head Many kids are familiar with the mind singular game Kanoodle. This version promotes interaction. https://amzn.to/4adUQdK
Magnetic Builiding Blocks (this one has a lot of pink and cute animals -for kids who are into that!) We have these magnetic blocks and the magnets can not detach and the blocks are so fun to build with. Highly recommend. (kinda of look like a minecraft thing, but they technically are not) https://amzn.to/4vp1Blx
Pull-Back Cars So affordable, but so fun. They are perfect for the prize box.https://amzn.to/4oEgPR0
Green Toys Helicopter A lot of kids have a lot to talk about and understand after they or a loved one is life flighted. Therefore, helicopter toys can be super important in a hospital, home, or therapy environment. Love that this one is environmentally friendly and durable with no little parts to get lost. https://amzn.to/4g4rAKl
Bathtub Basketball Hoop You wouldn’t believe how many times we would get bath toys requested in the hospital. Love that the balls are mold free - a significant issue when trying to keep things clean. https://amzn.to/4w8XjyJ
Alphabet Transforming Robots We have these at our house and they are so engaging. Kids love figuring out how to turn them into robots and then having the robots interact. Will keep your kids busy for a long time and help with letter recognition for young kids. https://amzn.to/43TI4xs
Lego Heart Ornament For my child life and therapist friends- this Lego set could accompany some important conversations about a loved one or the loss of a loved one. Then you could make it into a frame. Could also be a thoughtful activity to keep kids busy during a visitation/memorial. https://amzn.to/4xDv5hb
Transformable Fidget Spinner Toys - Part spinner, part robot. These are great for keeping hands busy or keep kids occupied for long waits. https://amzn.to/4ek4TjW
Sesame Street Neighborhood Friends When I worked at the hospital, I would talk to parents of young children to try to find the toys or activities that could help them find some joy and SO may baby through 2 year olds love Elmo. I loved having sets like these because they included Elmo but could also be a part of different kinds of play. https://amzn.to/4uNLOeI
Playmobil School Bus Playmobil is amazing at providing toys with the details that matter. This school bus could be great for kids going to school for the first time or who just love buses! https://amzn.to/4a9s6D2
Melissa and Doug Stack and Count Wooden Parking Garage Love that they can be carried all together and can be used for typical car play, but also stacking, counting, etc. https://amzn.to/4vp8Tpd
Coogam Wooden Magnetic Fishing Game Kids will love the fishing activity, the matching and putting things in and out. Great for young children. Works on eye hand coordination for my OT friends too. Comes with two rods - the trick is not losing them in the hospital! https://amzn.to/4az5GLJ
12 Pack Ocean Animals I love the details in these. Great for kids that are into animals, also good for water table play or bath play. My 8 year old would LOVE.https://amzn.to/4w4CKmV
Barbie Dreamtopia Merman Boys like mer-people too! Completely plastic and easy to clean for the hospital. https://amzn.to/4ezxuAC
Flex Tracks 15 ft. This will take matchbox cars to the next level. I love that this track uses suction cups because so many parts of the hospital world are hard and flat, making them great for attaching these tracks. Plus you can move them again and again. https://amzn.to/4vVzcDw
River, Road, and Rails Board Game Easy to understand game. Good for up to 8 people. Great price, created by a great game maker. I will be buying this one. https://amzn.to/4xDzFvT
Playmobil Hospital Sets Love the details and how it encourages kids to play through their experiences or things they witness. Some are significantly discounted right now.
Maternity Ward: https://amzn.to/3QHTXDw (could also be good for NICU siblings)
Orthopedic Clinic: https://amzn.to/4w6z3x3 ( would be good for kids who go to PT and includes a wheelchair)
Ambulance including stretcher, and EMTs https://amzn.to/3QvZqgT
Happy donating! Happy summer road trip! Sending healing vibes to those of you with kids taking it easy this summer.
Back to a more traditional blog entry next week. (Get excited I’m going to share SO many cool poop books!)
