How I came to create activity books for children

The story is quite random, actually. We are lucky enough to live in a very green area and earlier this month all the spring blooms were out. We had our magnolia in front of the house in full bloom, as well as daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. Our rhododendrons were starting to have shoots, and the lavender was smelling wonderful.

That gave me the idea of creating an activity book for my oldest daughter who is 5 years old, since we would typically buy them online. I wanted the activity book to be fun and build on the natural curiosity of children so she can learn something without really realizing it. I had so much fun creating the book that I decided to do more, and then the idea struck that others might be interested in them too. Before I knew it, I was discovering the world of self-publishing.

Why activity books are excellent for your little one

Activity books are more than just fun. They’re powerful tools for learning and growth! When kids dive into puzzles, mazes, drawing exercises, and simple challenges, they build important skills without realizing. Activity books help strengthen fine motor skills, boost creativity, encourage problem-solving, and support early reading and math skills.

They also give children a sense of independence and achievement as they complete each page. Plus, activity books offer a wonderful break from screen time and can be enjoyed anywhere, whether at home, on trips, or at a cosy café with family. In short, they make learning feel like play, and that's one of the best gifts we can give to a child.

The importance of no screen time for children

Too much screen time can affect a child’s development in many ways. When kids spend a lot of time on tablets, phones, or TVs, they have fewer chances to move their bodies, explore the real world, and use their imagination. Physical play, drawing, reading, and outdoor adventures help kids grow stronger, think more creatively, and connect better with people around them.

As most adults experience first-hand, screens can also affect sleep, attention span, and even emotions. In children, the effects are exacerbated. Limiting screen time helps children stay active, curious, and better able to focus. It also encourages real-world learning and bonding with family and friends, things that build happy, healthy kids!

In our family we stopped putting our kids in front of screen last year because we noticed them behaving like little zombies. They were so captivated by the screen that they would be totally oblivious to the world around them, and to their own bodies. After many arguments, tantrums and pee-pee accidents, we said stop. It was a bit hard at the beginning because my husband and I faced some resistance but we held firm and after few weeks they didn't even ask anymore. The only exception to this rule is when they or I are sick, and I am just in survival mode.

It helps that we never watched much television to begin with, even as adults. We would watch the occasional event (some sports, Eurovision, a nature or gardening show...) but we cancelled our Netflix subscription last year and have just recently cancelled the 'live' TV subscription with our network operator. The shift hasn't been a painful one.

Spend as much time outside as possible

Fresh air, sunshine, and open spaces do wonders for kids. Being outside helps children move their bodies, build strong muscles, and stay healthy. It also gives them the chance to explore, imagine, and discover the world around them, from tiny bugs to tall trees and everything in between.

Outdoor play helps kids feel calmer and happier, boosts their creativity, and teaches them about nature. It’s a time to run, jump, dig, and dream. All things that help a child grow not just physically, but also emotionally and mentally. Plus, it's a lot of fun!

Having read Charlotte Mason's books, she recommends to spend 6 hours everyday outside and 1 hour if it's raining. I won't say that we are at the daily 6 hours, but we are definitely getting outside as much as possible. Whether it is playing in our garden, helping in the vegetable patch or simply going to the woods for a bicycle ride. When people complain about the weather I remind them of a quote I once heard that "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing".

I also recommend scouting for children. I have so far never met someone that has been in the scouts say they had a bad experience.

The Learn Through Nature Series: Activity Books for little explorers

Based on everything I have said so far, I decided to create a series of activity booked on the topic of nature and what you can observe in places as close to home as your own garden. It makes what they see in their activity book relatable, and they can have fun spotting birds, bugs and flowers while staying at home.

Making these books myself hasn't been easy, but it's been a journey I've thrown myself into over the last couple of months. It's been enriching for me, and my oldest is enjoying the book that mummy made. I hope that many more will too.

I can assure you that the outcome, whatever the future holds, has been far greater than any amount of time spent in front of a subscription-based streaming service.

*** For anyone interested: The e-book versions can be found for immediate download via the 'shop' button on my https://milkfrothdiaries.com website, whilst the paperback versions are listed on Amazon and can be easily found by searching for my author name: Sarah Dutton. I thank you most sincerely for any interest and for sharing this page with others ***