13 of the Best Seek-and-Find Books for Kids

I love a good seek-and-find book.

You’re probably already familiar with the classic I Spy books (which I could NOT keep on the library shelves when I was a librarian — they never made it out of the book drop before another child swooped in and snatched them up) and Where’s Waldo? from your own childhood, but now the shelves are bursting with lots of new options that your children will love.

These books are so great for a long afternoon at home or a car ride or plane trip because they keep children occupied for a good chunk of time. And they make the best gifts for children. Here are 13 seek-and-find books the whole family will love.

by Richard Scarry

Introduce your toddler to the enchanting world of Busytown with this colorful seek-and-find board book! Explore the town, find favorite characters, and locate hidden objects with your little one.
(Ages 0 – 3)



created by Highlights

Let your baby or toddler have some hands-on fun with this interactive and sensory-rich board book. Little ones will love lifting flaps, solving puzzles, and searching for hidden pictures. Designed by childhood experts, this book encourages learning and curiosity in the tiniest of readers.
(Ages 0 – 3)



by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by George Booth

In this reissued version of a classic Dr. Seuss book, things go crazy on Wednesday. There are lots of funny little details to find on each page, from the wrong kind of fruit growing in trees to a sun that’s green instead of yellow. This book never gets old!
(Ages 3 – 7)



by B. B. Cronin

This book is so eye-catching, with every page a completely different color! It’s gorgeous and surprisingly hard to find the objects hidden on each page. Also check out The Lost Picnic, The Lost Cousins, and the holiday companion The Lost Christmas.
(Ages 3 – 7)



by Penguin Young Readers Licenses

Kids will love searching the pages of this book for their favorite blue heeler. Each page presents a new scene for young readers to scour as they look for Bluey, Bingo, and other hidden items. If your little Bluey fan enjoys this book, check out the holiday title, Where’s Bluey? At Christmas.
(Ages 4 – 6)



by Caitlin Haynes, illustrated by Tom Cook

With its familiar “I Spy” structure and favorite friends from Sesame Street, this book is sure to be a hit with early readers. Kids are invited to look for characters and objects, reinforcing their knowledge of shapes, colors, and sizes as they go.
(Ages 4 – 6)



by DK

Get lost in 10 stunning scenes inspired by famous artworks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Search an oceanside village in Japan for the great wave, a busy New York street for a ballet dancer, and a sweeping scene of Arles, France, for Van Gogh himself.
(Ages 5 – 9)



by Martin Handford

What seek-and-find list is complete without the big man himself? Waldo has been delighting (and evading) searchers for decades. Follow Waldo and his friends through history as they hide among cavemen, gladiators, gold miners, and more. This updated version includes additional hidden object activities and spot-the-difference games for even more fun!
(Ages 5 – 9)



created by Highlights

Get ready for a cuteness overload with this adorable hidden pictures book. With over 300 pages of puzzles to solve, kids will have a blast searching for super cute items like food, animals, and magical creatures.
(Ages 6 – 9)



by Stephanie Milton, illustrated by Random House

Minecraft lovers will spend hours poring over the pages of this book, looking for game characters. With highly detailed illustrations and plenty of creepers to catch, this seek-and-find book is the perfect screen-free alternative when your kids need a break from the video game.
(Ages 6 – 9)



created by Highlights

Cat and dog lovers can’t get enough of this sweet seek-and-find book from Highlights. Kids who love their furry friends can enjoy hours of coloring, searching, and finding items in cozy scenes filled with adorable felines and canines.
(Ages 6 – 9)



by Will Mabbitt, illustrated by Aaron Cushley

Have you ever visited The Met in New York City? You could get lost in there! And that’s just what one little girl does. Now, she needs help navigating the galleries and finding hidden objects along the way. Kids will have a blast finding items, learning fun facts, and exploring the museum.
(Ages 7 – 9)



by Highlights

Does your kid like a challenge? Hand them this hidden pictures book and let them test their seek-and-find skills. With more than 1,500 hidden objects to find, this book will keep older kids occupied (and happy) for a long time.
(Ages 8 – 12)

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2025.