Why Activity Books Make the Best Birthday Party Favors for Kids | Drawing, Coloring, Tracing, and More – Great for All-Ages

by | Apr 5, 2025 | How to Draw Books for Kids

Planning a birthday party for kids can be a fun and memorable experience—but let’s be honest, finding the perfect party favors is not always easy. You want something affordable, fun, screen-free, and ideally… not destined for the trash a few days later. That’s where activity books come in.

Whether you’re planning a celebration full of unicorn magic, roaring dinosaurs, silly monsters, or futuristic robots, activity books make the perfect take-home gift or party favors. With over 70 titles and 24+ different themes to choose from, there’s something for every kind of party—and every kind of kid.

What Makes Activity Books Great Party Favors?

If you’ve ever spent time putting together goodie bags with party favors, you know the struggle of balancing cost with quality. Parents love giving away items that feel thoughtful. Kids want party favors that are actually fun. Activity books hit both goals with ease.

See Our Books!

Here’s why they’re a favorite:

  • Creative and Engaging
    Each book gives kids the opportunity to trace, draw, color, and explore their imagination. Whether they’re into silly characters, cute animals, or weird creatures, there’s a book that will grab their attention.
  • Screen-Free Entertainment
    In a world full of devices, activity books offer something refreshingly analog. They give kids a break from screens while still keeping them creatively engaged.
  • Budget-Friendly for All Guest Lists
    Whether you’re hosting a small group of close friends or a class-sized celebration, activity books come at a cost-effective price point that works for nearly every party budget.
  • Educational Benefits Disguised as Fun
    Drawing and tracing help improve fine motor skills, build confidence, and support early learning. But kids just think they’re having fun!
  • Perfect Fit for All Ages
    Most activity books are designed for kids aged 4 and up, making them great for preschoolers, elementary-age children, and even creative tweens.

Add Fun to the Party and the Goodie Bag

Another reason activity books are so popular as party favors? They’re versatile! Not only do they make ideal favors, they can also be used during the party itself.

Set up a small creative station at your event with crayons, pencils, and a few sample pages from different books. Kids will love getting a chance to draw and color while the cake is being cut, gifts are being opened, or during any lulls in the action. Plus, it’s a calm activity that gives parents a breather too.

Then when the party wraps up, kids can take their book home and keep the fun going. Imaginative activity book party favors are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Get The Books!

So Many Themes to Match Any Party

With over 24 themed categories and counting, there’s a high chance you’ll find books that match the exact tone of your child’s party. Some popular party themes that pair well with themed activity books include:

  • Magical creatures
  • Dinosaurs and prehistoric fun
  • Monsters and silly faces
  • Cute pets and cartoon animals
  • Space, robots, and aliens
  • Princesses, castles, and fairy tales
  • Food with faces
  • Sea creatures and beach fun
  • Weird creatures and imaginative characters

And those are just a few! Since more titles are always being added to the collection, you’ll have no problem finding one—or several—that your birthday kid will be excited to share with friends.

Easy to Gift, Easy to Love

Activity books are compact, lightweight, and easy to slip into a gift bag. Want to level up your party favor? Pair a book with a mini pack of crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers. It’s a small investment that turns a party favor into a full-on creative gift.

Because the books are high-quality and designed with kids in mind, they also feel more personal than plastic toys or generic trinkets. Kids get to keep something fun and memorable, and parents appreciate the thought that went into it.

Learn More

Encourages Creativity Without Pressure

One of the things that sets these books apart from typical coloring books is that they are truly beginner-friendly. Even kids who say “I can’t draw” will quickly realize they can follow the steps, trace the shapes, or complete the grid—and make something they’re proud of.

The books aren’t just fun; they’re confidence-boosting. That’s a pretty great party favor to offer your guests!

Ideal for Classroom and Group Parties Too

Planning a classroom birthday or handing out favors to a larger group? Activity books are a practical choice for teachers and parents alike. They don’t contain allergens, they’re mess-free, and they promote creativity. They’re also great for school reward systems or end-of-year gifts.

If you’re celebrating in a group setting, try ordering a variety of themed books and letting each child choose the one that suits them best. It adds a little personalized excitement that kids will remember.

Collectible and Expandable

Since there are over 70 books available in the full collection—and more added regularly—these books are also fun to collect. Some kids start with one theme and end up asking for more. That’s the beauty of offering party favors that do more than just entertain for a moment.

When a party favor turns into a hobby or a newfound love of drawing, it’s a win for everyone.

Shop Our Books


Ready to Make Your Party Extra Memorable?

When it comes to party favors, activity books check all the boxes:

  • Fun and Creative
  • Affordable
  • Educational
  • Screen-Free
  • Exciting and Unique
  • A Keepsake They’ll Actually Use

So if you’re planning a birthday bash and want to send kids home with something that’s fun, meaningful, and totally different from the usual goodie bag, consider adding activity book party favors to your party plan.

Whether you choose one theme to match your event or a mix of creative topics, these books make kids feel excited, encouraged, and inspired long after the party ends.

Get Started!

Browse the full collection today and find the perfect party favor that your guests will love (and parents will thank you for).

Sign up for my free newsletter to get more drawing pages like this right in your inbox! Click here.

Meet The Author & Artist

Kevin Coulston is an accomplished cartoonist, animator, and writer. He is the author and illustrator of over 70 (and still counting) children’s drawing books available here on FirstArtBooks.com. Kevin has also authored numerous kid-friendly comic book series, including “Dylan McVillain: A Super Villain with the Best Intentions” and “The Adventures of a 4th Grade Space Captain,” along with the Children’s Picture Book series “Alexis and the T-Rexes.”

Over a decade and a half since his initial published work, Kevin is now dedicating himself to inspiring the next generation of illustrators with his “How To Draw,” “Trace Then Color,” and “Draw by Grid” series of art books.

How to Draw A Cute Triceratops (Video Tutorial)

How to Draw: Cartoon Dinosaurs teaches kids aged 5+ to draw 50 playful cartoon dinosaurs with easy, step-by-step instructions, providing hours of creative fun and artistic growth! Embark on a Jurassic Adventure with Our Learn to Draw 50 Cartoon Dinosaurs Book! This...

8 Drawing Books Your Kids Will Love | Curated Author Picks | Fun All-Ages Art Activity Books

Drawing Books Your Kids Will Love: A Closer Look at Our Four Fun Drawing Styles If you're looking for drawing books your kids will love, you've come to the right place. With a wide range of creative titles and drawing methods designed for young artists of all skill...

New Step-by-Step Drawing Book Teaches Kids to Draw Cartoon Robots

FirstArtBooks releases newest entry in the “How to Draw” series from author Kevin Coulston. Kids Learn to Draw in 6 easy steps.

Video Drawing Tutorial: Shape Drawing Challenge #2 | Turn 1 Shape into 3 Characters | Draw with Shapes

Draw with Shapes – Turning Simple Shapes Into Amazing Characters If you’ve ever wondered how to spark a child’s creativity with just a simple shape, the Shape Drawing Challenge book is one of the most engaging ways to do just that. In my newest video from the ongoing...

How to Draw: Goofy Faces (Step-by-Step Drawing Book for Kids)

This fun and engaging children’s activity book will guide your kids through drawing 50 different goofy cartoon characters’ faces.

How Drawing at a Young Age Encourages Social Development

Drawing at a young age can be a great way to encourage social development in children. When children draw, they are often creating representations of the people and things around them. This process helps them to understand and make sense of the world around them.

How to Draw: Silly Aliens (Step-by-Step Drawing Book for Kids)

The goofy and silly aliens in this book will take your kid’s imaginations out of this world as they draw their very own Martians and moon men!

Draw with Kevin Coulston at Phoenix Fan Fusion | June 6th-8th, 2025 | Meet The Artist

Draw with Kevin Coulston at Phoenix Fan Fusion! I'm excited to announce that I'll be a featured guest at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2025, taking place June 6–8 at the Phoenix Convention Center. This event is a fantastic opportunity for families and young artists to dive into...

How to Draw a Black Cat for Halloween — A Free Kid’s Activity Page

Learn how to draw a funny cartoon black cat with this free drawing page from the instructional drawing book for kids ‘How to Draw: Halloween’

Celebrate Mario Day 🍄 by Drawing Mallow from Super Mario RPG

This coming Monday (March 10th) is Mario Day! Celebrate the greatest video game franchise in history by learning to draw Mallow from Super Mario RPG! If you enjoyed this video drawing tutorial, make sure to check out my art books for kids at FirstArtBooks.com Unlock...

What Our Customers Are Saying

“The author really does a great job demonstrating how easy (and rewarding!) it can be to draw seemingly ordinary things you (and your little ones!) may feel too intimidated to try drawing without the step-by-step guide! Putting already-known shapes together and making something new and original is a fantastic way to learn! And recognizing that you can add your own twists and personality to your drawings makes all the difference. I think it’s a fun, original approach to building confidence for a lifelong hobby. I have the ebook copy, and can only imagine how great a physical copy would be!”

– Daenarah [Amazon Review]

“There are several of these fun books by this author. My kids and I have had a lot of fun with these. It’s a great activity to do as a family and see how they all turn out. Almost like a sip and paint but more of a juice box and draw.”

Allison B. [Amazon Review]

My kids can’t wait to start drawing these monsters in their illustrations! The many different moods of the monsters appeal to their different personalities. We love the many options, styles, and opportunities to expand upon the characters. Recommended for all ages!

– Kasey [Amazon Review]

“Kevin has put out many books on drawing and animation, and has such a great feel for HOW to explain the process. His art is so expressive and kid-friendly, but his real strength is in his ability to really explain and show how it’s done, making it accessible to kids and adults. I’m a firm believer that not everyone who “can do” can teach, but Kevin does both beautifully! Pick this up and watch kids have a blast making robots of all sorts, while learning great fundamental art skills at the same time!”

Tom R. [Amazon Review]

“My 5yo LOVES this book! The drawings are cute and the instructions are easy to follow along with. She gets a kick out of drawing muffin monsters and ketchup monsters and it actually keeps her pretty focused for long periods of time.”

– Monica [Amazon Review]

“This is a fantastic book for kids who love art, cartoons, comic books, or just having fun! There are a lot of characters to choose from, and really easy step-by-step instructions to follow. You child will have a blast drawing these fun, silly characters! And just in time for Easter baskets!”

– Bestmomever [Amazon Review]

“This is a very good book for kids that want to learn to draw, my sons love it and Kevin does a great job of making drawing fun and not intimidating. Highly recommended for the long summer hours!”

David D. [Amazon Review]

News and Free Drawing Tutorials