Creating printable activity books for kids can be a fun and rewarding way to combine creativity with education. Whether you’re a teacher looking for custom classroom materials, a parent with a flair for designing activities, or someone eager to publish unique content, this guide will walk you through the essentials. At Emma Walter, we create all our printable activity books using Adobe Illustrator, but there are plenty of programs available for every skill level and budget.

Let’s get started!

 

Why Create Printable Activity Books?

Printable activity books are a fantastic tool for learning through play. They engage children with fun, hands-on activities that develop skills in problem-solving, fine motor abilities, creativity, and more. Plus, they’re highly customizable, allowing you to create a book that’s perfectly suited for your audience and easy to download and print at home or in the classroom.

 

Step 1 – Choose Your Theme

Choosing a theme is the first and one of the most important steps. A strong theme makes your printable activity book appealing and cohesive. Here are a few popular themes to consider:

Consider your audience when choosing a theme. At Emma Walter, for example, our dinosaur-themed and Halloween-themed printable activity books are a big hit with kids!

 

Step 2 – Plan the Content and Activities

Once you have your theme, think about the types of activities you want to include. Some popular options for printable activity books are:

Write down a list of activities and ensure they align with your theme.

Tips for Structuring Your Printable Activity Books

  1. Balance Activity Types: Too many of the same activities can become monotonous. Mix it up!
  2. Progressive Difficulty: Arrange activities from easier to harder to keep children engaged and challenged.
  3. Test for Age Appropriateness: Tailor activities to the age group you’re targeting. For example, a book for 6- to 8-year-olds should have a different focus than one for younger kids.

 

Step 3 – Design Your Pages

Tools for Designing a Printable Activity Book

At Emma Walter, we use Adobe Illustrator to create our printable activity books because it’s versatile and professional-grade. But there are plenty of beginner-friendly options:

  • Canva: Great for beginners, offering templates and easy-to-use features.
  • Procreate (iPad): Excellent for drawing.
  • Inkscape: A free alternative similar to Illustrator.
  • PowerPoint or Google Slides: Surprisingly effective for simple designs.

Designing Tips for Engaging Pages

  • Keep It Simple: Kids love colorful, simple layouts.
  • Use Large, Clear Fonts: Make sure text is easy to read.
  • Add Fun Illustrations: Pictures of characters or animals can add personality and make the book more engaging.

 

Step 4 – Create a Cover

Your cover is your book’s first impression. Make it eye-catching and thematic, as it will be a major factor in grabbing your audience’s attention. Remember:

  • Use Bold, Clear Text: The title should be readable from a distance.
  • Incorporate Your Theme: Include visuals or colors that represent your book’s theme.
  • Keep It Simple but Fun: Kids and parents both need to feel drawn to the cover.

 

Step 5 – Format Your Printable Activity Books

Whether you’re planning to print physical copies or distribute digital downloads, formatting is essential. Here’s how to prepare your book for each option:

Formatting for Print

  • Choose Your Page Size: 8.5” x 11” is a common choice for children’s activity books.
  • Set Margins and Bleed: Ensure you have enough space around edges.
  • High-Resolution Images: Use 300 dpi or higher for clear printing.

Formatting for Digital Use

  • PDF Format: PDFs are the most user-friendly for digital downloads.
  • Optimize File Size: Ensure your file isn’t too large to download.
  • Test Your Layout: Make sure everything looks good on different devices.

 

Looking for Printable Activity Books Inspiration?

Check out Emma Walter printable activity books.

 

Parting Thoughts

Creating printable activity books can be incredibly satisfying. Not only can you tailor your books to a specific audience, but you can also provide kids with hours of fun and learning. Once you’re finished, you’ll be ready for the next step: publishing your book!

 

What’s Next?

In Part 2, we’ll dive into how to publish your printable activity book on Amazon and Etsy to share your creations with the world. Whether you’re looking to sell physical copies or digital downloads, we’ll cover all you need to know to get your book online.

Stay tuned, and don’t forget to visit us often for more creative tips and resources for printable activity books!

Happy creating!