Sticker books are a super-fun way to build creativity and fine motor skills while helping kids with emotional regulation. Throw in a stuffed animal or a favorite blankie, and you have a complete toolkit for keeping kids happy in the present moment — no screen required.
Something about the repetitive nature of applying stickers to the page makes it the ideal calming activity. It scratches the same itch as fidgets, but when kids are done, they have a masterpiece they can show off to proud parents and other supportive adults.
Add Sticker Books to Your Calm Kid Toolkit
Maybe the best thing about sticker books is that they’re flexible calming activities. Take a few deep breaths, bring out the stickers, and watch kids engage.
Kids can use sticker books in the backseat of a car, on public transit, while waiting at a doctor’s office, or during quiet time after school. For example, My Cool Sticker Backpack is a backpack-shaped activity book that comes with over 500 stickers and a carry-me handle. It’s easy for kids to take with them wherever they go.
Meanwhile, Klutz: Sticker Photo Mosaic: Dogs & Puppies will appeal to detectives and dog lovers alike. As they place the stickers in the right spot, kids will see each breed of dog emerge from the design. Each page is perforated, so artists can save their treasures and display them afterward.
Stick With Favorite Characters and Series
Have you ever seen the look on a child’s face when they open a picture book to find a bonus sheet of stickers? It’s like watching an adult find a winning lottery ticket. There’s almost nothing a little kid likes more than stickers. (Bubbles might be tied. But they’re significantly harder to smuggle into a restaurant.)
Want to see real joy? Give your favorite sticker enthusiast a book full of stickers featuring their favorite characters. Whether your kiddo is into Dog Man, Gabby’s Dollhouse, or Harry Potter, there’s a themed sticker book that’s perfect for them. Each one comes with multiple sticker sheets, perfect for use on the pages within — or your artist’s water bottles, notebooks, or pencil cases.
Build Skills on the Go
Sticker books aren’t just fun calming techniques (although that would be enough on its own!) They’re also a great way to build skills in between school days and on breaks — and a reminder that learning comes with its own special kind of joy.
Watch how proud little kids are when they learn their ABCs and 123s with Big Stickers for Little Hands: Early Learning. Or practice word recognition with the colorful stickers and engaging activities in First Words Sticker Activity Book.
Want to give your own brain a workout? Try Brain Games Sticker By Number: Blooms. Older kids can work alongside you, and little kids will love watching the flowers bloom across the page.
Make Your Own Stickers With Klutz Kits
Or maybe your little artist likes to make stuff from scratch. If so, Klutz Kits are the way to go. Your kiddo can make their own glow-in-the-dark puffy stickers, create paint and peel jelly stickers, or color fuzzy Pokémon characters. They’ll enjoy the process as much as they’ll love the finished product.
Ready to find your next sticker book? Search The Scholastic Store for everything from mosaic animals to favorite characters to DIY sticker fun.
