Recently most of us have had a bit more time on our hands than usual. Everyone has been dealing with quarantine in different ways, whether it’s exercising more, reading a new book or starting an online course. In my family, my mum has been coaxing my brother into trying different activity books. There are a million different ways to be creative and occupy yourself, but activity books often supply a great, structured way to do this in one place.
Although I would usually leave the activity books to my younger brother, recently I’ve found different mediums that have been a great way to entertain myself. So, whether you’re a child, a “moody teenager” (according to my parents), or an adult, hopefully at Little English Bookworm we can help you find something to not only pass the time, but also have fun and challenge your brain whilst doing it!
1. Write Your Own Poems
As April is poetry month in the USA, I thought it would be fitting to start with a great book to introduce your child to poetry, or to help an already budding poet polish their skills.
Whether you want to dash off a limerick, ponder a sonnet or plot an epic poem, this book is here to help. It is full of tips and inspiration for writing all kinds of poems - and for inventing brand new styles too.
A great creative outlet for creative youngsters, with this book by the end of lockdown your child could be the next Bard!
2. One Line A Day
The idea of journaling has always appealed to me. Having your thoughts written down to look back on years in the future is a lovely way to keep hold of memories. However, writing a page or more day can be time-consuming and it’s too easy to forget to write in your diary for weeks on end. This is where “One Line a Day” comes in.
For those daunted by the idea of keeping a journal or diary, the simple commitment of just One Line a Day is manageable for everyone. Each page of the journal includes an entry for five successive years, allowing users to revisit previous thoughts on a specific day of the year over the span of five years, and reflect on change and progress.
Use the One Line a Day 5-year journal format to provide an insightful snapshot of your thoughts, memories, change, and progress on each of the 365 days of the year
Perfect for adults and teens, isolation is the perfect time to get into the habit of writing something small every day.
3. Letters to My Daughter/Son
These letters are the perfect way to capture your thoughts and feelings and keep them for the future. They are also a lovely and thoughtful gift that anyone would treasure forever!
The book contains 12 blank letters with prompts with you to fill in and is a precious way to express memories, love and hope for the future. On the outside, space is provided for the date on which each letter should be opened, whether that is next week or in 20 years.
A joy both for parents to write and for children to receive!
4. Doodled Cats/Dogs
I will admit that I’m not an artist or even good at drawing at all. But I do definitely love animals and this book is perfect if drawing is a skill you want to hone. Whether you’re a diehard dog or cat person these books can teach you to doodle all different breeds and types of cats and dogs and is the ideal light-hearted activity for all ages!
5. 99 Things I Want to Do
For many people, a lot of time in quarantine has been spent planning exactly what you want to do when isolation finishes. This journal is the perfect place to do that. Beautifully designed and illustrated, each page contains a different prompt for future goals and activities and is a brilliant way to motivate yourself and look to the future with hope and joy.