Kids love books they can explore. Books that don’t necessarily have to be read in order. Books they can carry around, pick up, put down, return to a favorite page. All of this is really great literacy work for young readers and non-readers. Just getting kids to pick up a book is “win” number one! Sticking with a book for an extended length of time – “win” number two! Andw kids self-selecting chapters or pages to read, becoming independent in their reading choices? “Win” number three! Here’s my gift guide to a few of our favorite exciting hands on books for kids!
Exciting Hands On Books for Kids
The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide
“Mom, am I the World’s Most Adventurous Kid?” my youngest son asked me, wide-eyed, holding his new Atlas Obscura book. “You bet, you are!” I told him. “You’re always looking for new adventures and following your curiosity!” With The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid, children can peek into marvelous and strange lands once out of reach! Flip through the pages to discover 100 of the world’s most mysterious, strange-but-true places all around the globe! Like a cave of crystals, mysterious mummies, or waterfalls that are multi-colored! There’s so much to explore in our world!
Find The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide on Amazon, or at Workman Publishing.
50 Cities of the U.S.A.
Perfect for your curious little travelers. This book fills your lap with tons of details about big cities in the United States. Explore skyscraper streets, museum miles, local food trucks and city parks from Anchorage to Washington D.C. in 50 Cities of the U.S.A. We found our own capital city of Hartford, Connecticut and loved all the familiar spots to see included. Most cities also have a suggested timeline for visiting that location – although some of the suggestions are for seasonal or single-day events, it’s a fun way to get a peek at a day trip to each city.
Illumanatomy
I’m loving this for our Classical Conversations Cycle 3 study of the human body! Kids can look inside the human body with the included magic three-color lens. It’s like taking an x-ray of the human body from head to toe. Use the red lens to reveal the skeleton, the green to see muscles working, and the blue to see your organs and learn how they keep you alive. There is a section on the reproductive system, so parents should just be aware if they have kids who may be too young for that portion.
Happy Mail
I’ve already raved about this title in my post about Kid-Friendly Letter Writing Ideas! But worth repeating – this is a hands-on book for kids who love to craft and communicate! Kids to learn basic and beautiful hand-lettered designs, plus ideas for types of letters kids can write.
Pirates Magnified
Do you have a pirate lover? They’ll be hooked by Pirates Magnified! Such a fun book, it comes with a magnifying glass for kids to search out over 200 things to spot! Featuring 10 of history’s most notorious pirates and details about life on the high seas. The intricate illustrations will keep kids engrossed, as will the hands-on nature of the magnifying glass!
- For more pirate fun, check out our Pirate Themed Birthday Party Ideas!
- Or, how about reading my original Legend of the Tooth Pirate story?
Christmas Paper Play
A papercraft book filled with festive activities to make and do will keep kids busy and engaged during the holiday season. Christmas decor, finger-puppets, and games – all kids need are scissors, colored pencils, and glue to have fun. They can even decorate their rooms or your house, or give some of the items as gifts to friends and family. Illustrated with artist and paper engineer Lydia Crook’s delightful artwork, Christmas Paper Play is a perfect gift that will keep kids entertained over winter vacation.
Shop These Hands On Books for Kids!
The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous KidIllumanatomy: See inside the human body with your magic viewing lens
Pirates Magnified: With a 3x Magnifying Glass
50 Cities of the U.S.A.: Explore America’s cities with 50 fact-filled maps (The 50 States)
Happy Mail: Keep in touch with cool & stylish handmade snail mail!
The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker: Press the Note to Hear Tchaikovsky’s Music
Books make great last-minute gift ideas, and Amazon can deliver quickly! Click the images above to shop!
Which of these titles would your kids love to get their hands on!?
Thanks to Innovation Press for sending titles for review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links; purchases made after clicking these links may generate a small commission.
