10+ Best Christmas Activity Books for 8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect way to keep your 8-year-old entertained this holiday season? You're in luck! Our roundup of Christmas Activity Books for 8-Year-Olds is packed with engaging options that promise to keep the festive spirit alive. From puzzles to creative crafts, these books offer a variety of fun activities tailored specifically for their age group. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks and find the perfect holiday treat for your little one!

Fun Christmas Activity Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Interactive Book
  • Synopsis: This delightful book follows the Jolly Postman as he delivers letters to various fairy-tale characters on Christmas Eve. Each page features envelopes with actual letters that children can take out and read.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines reading with interactive play, which helps keep young readers engaged and encourages a love for books.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love fairy tales and interactive reading experiences.

• Christmas Activity Book for Kids by Jenny Jacoby
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: Packed with puzzles, quizzes, and crafts, this book provides a variety of fun Christmas-themed activities.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's not only entertaining but also educational, helping children develop problem-solving skills and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy hands-on learning and holiday-themed projects.

• Where’s the Elf? by Chuck Whelon
  • Genre(s): Puzzle Book, Seek and Find
  • Synopsis: Readers are invited to search for the mischievous elf who is hiding in different festive scenes packed with humorous details.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sharpens observation skills and provides hours of fun as children hunt for the elusive elf and other hidden items.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love 'I Spy' games and festive challenges.

• The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Poetry
  • Synopsis: This book presents the classic Christmas song with beautiful, colorful illustrations and peek-through pages that reveal surprises with each turn.
  • Why we recommend this book: The peek-through feature adds a magical element to the reading experience, making it visually engaging and fun.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate visually stimulating books and classic Christmas songs.

• Festive Fun: Christmas Activity Book by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Puzzle Book
  • Synopsis: This book is filled with a wide range of Christmas-themed activities, including mazes, dot-to-dots, and word searches.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps keep young minds active during the holiday season with stimulating puzzles and activities.
  • Perfect for: Energetic kids who enjoy a variety of challenges and holiday spirit.

Educational Christmas Activity Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Santa's Workshop: Christmas Puzzles and Games by Rebecca Gilpin
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Puzzle Book
  • Synopsis: This interactive book brings kids into Santa's workshop with a variety of puzzles, games, and activities themed around the busy elves and their Christmas preparations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, fine motor skills, logical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with fun and educational activities that keep children engaged while they learn.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles and games with a festive twist.

• Christmas Around the World Coloring Book by Joan O'Brien
  • Genre(s): Coloring Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: Children can color scenes depicting Christmas celebrations in different cultures, providing a fun and relaxing way to learn about holiday traditions worldwide.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, geography, creativity, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a peaceful and artistic way to explore global Christmas traditions.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and explorers who enjoy learning about other cultures.

• The Science of Christmas by Joanne Mattern
  • Genre(s): Educational, Science
  • Synopsis: This book explores the science behind Christmas, from how snowflakes form to the physics of Santa’s sleigh.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific understanding, critical thinking, curiosity about natural phenomena
  • Why we recommend this book: It turns the magic of Christmas into educational lessons that spark curiosity about the natural world.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds that enjoy understanding how things work, with a festive twist.

• My Book of Christmas Activities by Clare Beaton
  • Genre(s): Craft Book, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Packed with crafts, recipes, and games, this book provides a hands-on approach to celebrating the Christmas season.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, following instructions, hand-eye coordination
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and offers a variety of activities that can be enjoyed alone or with family.
  • Perfect for: Crafty kids who love creating things and festive family time.

Challenging Christmas Activity Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Brainy Christmas Challenge by Sarah Carter
  • Genre(s): Puzzle Book, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book offers a collection of brain teasers, complex puzzles, and logic games themed around Christmas.
  • Why this book is challenging: The puzzles are designed to be more complex and require advanced problem-solving skills, suitable for kids who need an extra challenge.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop critical thinking and logical reasoning skills in a fun, festive context.
  • Perfect for: Kids who thrive on solving challenging puzzles and brain teasers.

• Christmas Math Riddles: Advanced Challenge for Kids by Linda James
  • Genre(s): Educational, Math, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book combines Christmas fun with challenging math riddles and puzzles aimed at developing advanced arithmetic skills.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces higher-level math concepts and problem-solving techniques that are challenging for most 8-year-olds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning math exciting and relevant to the holiday season, encouraging enjoyment in learning complex math.
  • Perfect for: Math enthusiasts who enjoy a good challenge and holiday-themed activities.

• The Great Christmas Escape by Laura Tapper, illustrated by Mark Chambers
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: In this book, children navigate through mazes, solve puzzles, and crack codes to help Santa escape from a tricky situation before Christmas Eve.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book includes a variety of puzzles that require advanced cognitive skills and strategic thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging story that combines adventure with intellectual challenges, keeping young readers captivated and mentally stimulated.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who love stories and puzzles that test their thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Cryptic Christmas Crosswords by Emily Jacobs
  • Genre(s): Puzzle Book, Crossword Puzzles
  • Synopsis: This collection features a series of challenging crossword puzzles with clues that require lateral thinking, all themed around Christmas.
  • Why this book is challenging: The crosswords use cryptic clues that are more complex and nuanced than standard crossword puzzles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances vocabulary and problem-solving skills while engaging with festive themes.
  • Perfect for: Young linguists and puzzle solvers who enjoy deciphering clues and expanding their vocabulary.

• Holiday Code Cracker by Thomas Moore
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Code Breaking
  • Synopsis: Kids decode messages and uncover secrets to learn about Christmas traditions and history.
  • Why this book is challenging: It involves understanding codes and abstract reasoning, providing a substantial cognitive challenge for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines learning with fun, offering a unique way to discover more about Christmas while developing critical thinking skills.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who have an interest in codes, mysteries, and history.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking for ways to keep your 8-year-old engaged with their Christmas activity books while also fostering good reading habits, you've come to the right place. Here are some fun exercises that are not only enjoyable but also beneficial for developing strong reading skills. Let's dive in!

• Create a Reading Calendar
  • What it is: Set up a calendar to plan specific times for reading throughout the holiday season.
  • How it helps: Encourages regular reading and helps manage time effectively.
  • Tips: Let your child decorate the calendar with stickers or drawings to make it more exciting.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw a map that outlines the plot and characters of the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps in visualizing the story structure.
  • Tips: Use different colors for different parts of the story to make it visually appealing.

• Character Dress-Up
  • What it is: Dress up as a favorite character from the Christmas activity book.
  • How it helps: Encourages deeper connection with the characters and enhances imaginative play.
  • Tips: Organize a small play where your child can act out scenes from the book.

• Reading Buddy System
  • What it is: Pair your child with a friend or a family member for joint reading sessions.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a social activity and can improve communication skills.
  • Tips: Choose books that both reading buddies are interested in to keep their engagement high.

• Book Review Blog
  • What it is: Encourage your child to write a short review of each book they read.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and helps with expressing opinions clearly.
  • Tips: Help them start a simple blog or a journal where they can post their reviews.

• Reading Challenge with Rewards
  • What it is: Create a challenge where a certain number of books must be read before Christmas.
  • How it helps: Motivates children to read more and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
  • Tips: Offer small rewards like an extra bedtime story or a favorite treat for each milestone reached.

Incorporating these exercises into your child’s reading routine can make their experience with Christmas activity books even more magical and educational. Not only will these activities keep them entertained during the holiday season, but they will also equip them with valuable reading skills that last a lifetime. So, grab some books, and let's make this Christmas a reading adventure! Happy reading!