What Are Busy Books for Toddlers?
To start, what is a busy book? Also known as a quiet book, activity book, or quiet time book, it’s not just a pop-up or sensory book. There is purpose to a busy book. According to the FirstCry parenting article “Everything You Need to Know About Busy Books for Toddlers”: Busy books for toddlers can have multiple uses: they can help a child practice fine motor skills; identify shapes, colors, or letters; and encourage problem solving. There is a sensory factor, too, as many busy books are made of more than just paper. Many are made with cloth, felt, velcro, and other crafty textures. From “Everything You Need to Know About Busy Books for Toddlers” by Aarohi Achwal
DIY Busy Books for Toddlers
The great thing about busy books is you don’t always have to purchase them either. There are many DIY options you can find online to make your own busy book for your child. As I mentioned above, many supplies that make up a busy book can be found at your local craft stores. Granted, there are pros and cons to making your own busy books. A lot of planning, cutting, sewing, and glueing can be required to create a busy book from scratch. It can take time to find, organize, and put together the materials. You’ll want to plan ahead to choose the theme and purpose of your busy book and create it to your child’s specific interests and development. This process might not work for you as a parent or caregiver, and that’s totally fine! I’m not the best craft person by any means; I tend to be a bit chaotic with my scissor-cutting skills. For those who want to buy busy books, I’ll include some options that you can purchase ready-to-go below. For you crafty-minded individuals — I salute you — here are a couple DIY resources:
Resources For DIY Busy Books for Toddlers
Busy Books for Toddlers You Can Buy
Finally, here are some options that you can purchase. These busy books are ready to go for your child. Since these are pre-made, I recommend checking what each book entails and the what age they are catered for. Some busy books are more like activity board books while others are more complex.
More Reading Resources
In addition to offering busy books for toddlers and babies, it’s important to create an inviting reading space. I’ve written in the past about creating a great toddler reading nook, and some nifty bookshelves for nurseries. Whatever your budget and interests, hopefully this is a good starting point to find or create a busy book for your children. May the the love for reading and discovering begin!
