Christmas Activity Books for Kids

The weeks before Christmas are long when you are eight. A good activity book gives kids something to do with all that waiting, away from a screen, and it slips easily into a stocking or a carry-on bag.

These are our holiday books for children. The Great North Pole Heist is a detective case for ages 8 to 12: kids crack secret codes, follow clues and eliminate elf suspects until only the thief is left, so reading, logic and a little patience all get a workout. Christmas Jokes for Kids is a stack of clean, groan-worthy holiday jokes and knock-knock jokes built for reading aloud at the dinner table. The Christmas edition of Would You Rather is a conversation starter for car rides and family gatherings, with silly choices that get everyone talking.

All of them are written for kids to enjoy on their own or with a grown-up, with nothing scary or crude. They make easy stocking stuffers, Advent treats or a quiet-time pick for the afternoon of Christmas Eve.