The Easter Book Hunt: A Fun, Free Reading Activity for Kids

The Easter holidays are the perfect time to slow down, enjoy stories and find small moments of calm in between chocolate eggs and busy days.

If you’re looking for something simple, screen-free and genuinely engaging, an Easter book hunt is a lovely way to keep children reading without it ever feeling like work.

The best part is that you don’t need to buy anything new. This activity works entirely with the books you already have at home.

What is a book hunt?

A book hunt is just like a traditional Easter egg hunt, but instead of searching for sweets, children search for different types of books. It turns reading into a game, encourages children to revisit forgotten favourites and helps them discover new books on their own shelves.

How to set up your Easter book hunt:

• Hand your child the list below (you can download it or take a screenshot to print)
• Let them search around the house
• Tick off each one as they find it
• Add a small treat or sticker at the end

Or download and print the blank template and adapt it for your children.

For younger children (Babies to 5+)

• Keep it visual (colours, animals, pictures)
• Do it together
• Focus on sharing books rather than independence

You might also like to explore our Babies & Toddlers, Ages 3+ and Ages 5+ book recommendations.

For growing readers (7 to 11+)

• Add a little challenge (genres, themes, longer books)
• Encourage them to choose what to read next

Take a look at our 7+, 9+ and 11+ book lists for inspiration.

For older readers (13+ and YA)

• Let them adapt the hunt themselves
• Include prompts like “a book everyone is talking about” or “a series to get stuck into”

You can browse our 13+ and YA recommendations for ideas.

Activities like this are a gentle way to keep reading part of everyday life during the holidays.

If you’re looking for more ideas, our guide on how to keep children reading over the holidays is full of simple, realistic suggestions that fit around family life.