Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.
support today
Books

Top 5 books for keeping kids active

The authors of Commando Dad: Forest School Adventures round up their book picks for keeping youngsters active this summer

Schools will soon close for the holidays in England and Wales, while summer has already begun for children in Scotland.

Covid-19 restrictions are lifting but it’s likely there could still be some differences in the lives of youngsters this year.

That’s why Neil and Tara Sinclair, authors of Commando Dad: Forest School Adventures, put together the best books to help your kids keep active for the next month and a half.

Support The Big Issue and our vendors by signing up for a subscription.

The Stick Book by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield

From building a den to making a magic wand, the possibilities of what kids can do with sticks are endless. This wonderful book has 70 activities for your troopers’ “sticky fingers”.

Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford

So much more than a spotting book, it is packed with games, creative activities and perplexing puzzles. You may even forget to find Wally.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Ada Twist’s Big Project Book for Stellar Scientists by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts

The perfect book for kids who ask why? how? what? when? and then why? again. Ada will inspire your kids to get curious about science and – who knows – maybe help unleash their inner Einstein.

101 Things For Kids to do Outside by Dawn Isaac

Full of ideas to entertain the kids in the great outdoors – whatever the weather or time of year. You don’t need a massive garden – just a green space (and lots of energy).

Books 1470
Commando Dad: Forest School Adventures by Neil and Tara Sinclair is out now (Summersdale, £10.99) Image: Waterstone

Miniature Enchanted Forest by Johanna Basford

Colouring in is not only fun, but is an amazing tool to help reduce anxiety, aid concentration, improve fine motor skills and more – in kids and adults alike. Your kids will love making these beautiful pictures their own.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

READER-SUPPORTED SINCE 1991

Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.

Recommended for you

View all
Top 5 historical novels, chosen by best-selling author Lana Kortchik
Books

Top 5 historical novels, chosen by best-selling author Lana Kortchik

Breaking by Mic Wright review – insider insights into the grubby world of right-wing media
Books

Breaking by Mic Wright review – insider insights into the grubby world of right-wing media

Robert Shaw, An Actor's Life on the Set of Jaws… by Christopher Shaw Myers review – a vivid family saga
Books

Robert Shaw, An Actor's Life on the Set of Jaws… by Christopher Shaw Myers review – a vivid family saga

Top 5 books on Scandinavia, chosen by polar geopolitics expert Elizabeth Buchanan
Books

Top 5 books on Scandinavia, chosen by polar geopolitics expert Elizabeth Buchanan

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payments: Where to get help in 2025 now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payments: Where to get help in 2025 now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know