6 Puzzling Activity Books for Young Readers

Awesome Crosswords for Kids, by Trip Payne
This book is written by Trip Payne, a puzzle expert who has created numerous fun and challenging puzzle books including Fantastically Fun Crosswords for Kids and Amazing Crosswords for Kids. This “awesome” edition is packed with crosswords perfect for clever 8-12 year old kids. Clues about the Simpsons are mixed in with political and science topics. Some of the clues even stumped me, but considering it’s an official Mensa Puzzle book, I didn’t feel all that embarrassed. (Just a little!)

Whizz Kidz Wordsearches, by Arcturus Publishing
If your child’s brain needs a little break from all of the Mensa crossword puzzles, this wordsearch book is pure fun. With puzzle topics ranging from Myths and Legends (charm, genie, leprechaun) to Funky Fashions (scarf, stripes, belt) to Famous Places (China, Moscow, Pyramids) bet they won’t be able to stop at just one. And why would you want them to? This is a great way to learn new vocabulary words.

Go Fun! Big Book of Word Search, by Andrews McMeel Publishing
This book has over 140 word searches all designed to appeal to the minds and tastes of middle grade kids! I particularly enjoyed the Harry Potter Puzzle, where you first search for the words, and then try and match them to their definitions on the next page. Now can anyone help me out and tell me the name of Malfoy’s house elf? A Paris-shaped puzzle in the shape of the Eiffel Tower is also tres chic!

All You Need is a Pencil: The Weird, Wacky, and Unusual Activity Book, by Joe Rhatigan
This book is sure to have something to engage and entertain a wide range of kids, with a fun and unusual activity for everyone. With everything from challenging Spiral Crosswords to a gross section of “Would You Rathers” (for example: would you rather drink spoiled milk or eat a piece of rotting bread) to weird trivia (let’s just say I never knew what the ingredients of snot were before opening this book), this activity book is one of a kind.

Go Fun!: Big Book of Brain Games, by Andrews McMeel Publishing
Go Fun!: Big Book of Brain Games is a grab bag of over 200 puzzles and games. Introduce your kids to the addictive Sudoko or Magic Boxes or Rhyming games. They’ll be having so much fun they won’t even realize that they’re sharpening their math, language, visual, and creative skills in the process.

USA TODAY Sudoko for Kids, by USA TODAY
If your kid has been bitten by the Sudoko bug, this is the perfect book for them! (It’s also great for novices, as it begins with an informative instruction section explaining strategies on how to play.) With over 50 puzzles, all varying in skill level, there’s a page for everyone!