The Best Seek and Find Books: Fun Search for Kids
Seek-and-find books have come a long way from classics like Highlights' Hidden Pictures, I Spy, and Where's Waldo! While these favorites are still fun, there are many new and unique options to explore. These type of books are great for road trips, waiting in line, or whenever your kids need a quiet activity.
If you're looking for books that will engage your children, seek-and-find books—also called search-and-find or hidden picture books—offer exciting adventures. They not only entertain but also help kids develop observation and thinking skills.
In this post, we’ve picked the best books on seek-and-find for kids, with options for all ages and interests. These books are sure to spark your child's imagination!
Engaging Picture Books for Young Seekers
1. First 101 Words, A Highlights Hide-and-Seek Book with Flaps
This brilliant book is filled with 101 different words and clearly labeled pictures of animals, foods and so much more. Under the oversized flaps, the book explores shapes, sounds, different colors and numbers. Babies will love looking at and naming the photos, while toddlers and parents will enjoy the questions and answers that help them find the cute red bird hidden on each spread.
“My daughter loves flipping the flaps open and close. She has been obsessed with this book for weeks. I read this book with her almost everyday.” - Amazon review by Carlie
Goodreads Rating: 4.61
Ages: 1 - 2 years
2. Where’s Ellie? A Hide-and-Seek Book
Where's Ellie is a guessing game in board book form. Younger children will love searching for Ellie the elephant among familiar colorful objects—and finding something unexpected instead. Each page offers a hint of Ellie, but it isn't until the last page that readers will find her. And when they do, they'll want to start all over and do it again.
“My great grandson is 2 years old and this is his favorite book.” - Amazon review by Evelyn C.
Goodreads Rating: 3.81
Ages: Baby - 2 years
3. Llama Llama Hide & Seek
Children will love following along and lifting the flaps as LLama looks for his beloved Fuzzy. This casebound book includes flaps on every spread and a mirror at the end in a story that kids will want to read over and over again!
“My 2 year old loves this book, it’s one of his bedtime favorites. The repetitive words have helped him to recognize the words yes and no while reading.” - Amazon review by Melissa M.
Goodreads Rating: 4.20
Ages: 1 - 2 years
4. Where’s Bluey?: A Search-and-Find Book
Have you seen Bluey and Bingo? There are lots of other hidden items, too, so join the fun in this search-and-find book!
“This book is amazing. More then just an I Spy book, it is just like the show. With hidden long dogs just like in Bluey.” - Amazon review by Seantall
Goodreads Rating: 4.53
Ages: Baby - 2 years
6. Let’s Find Momo! A Hide and Seek Board Book
Look for Momo hiding on a farm, in a bookstore, at a construction site, and in other unlikely locations. In this sturdy board book kids can keep the game going—and learn new words—by searching for objects in each picture. Perfect for bedtime reading, car trips, playtime, or anytime, Let’s Find Momo is part art book, part puzzle book, and all fun!
“My 2-year-old loves this book so much he has it memorized. Highly recommend. I buy for everyone I know with smaller children.” - Amazon review by Ryan T.
Goodreads Rating: 4.57
Ages: 1 - 3 years
5. Spot, the Cat
Simple and stunning images tell the story of a cat named Spot as he weaves his way in and out of a city in this wordless picture book from award-winning author-illustrator Henry Cole.
“I love Henry Cole's fun books...but this book is truly amazing! He is able to portray so much sensitivity and emotion in this book without the use of words. His beautifully detailed black and white illustrations pull you in for more exploration as you search for Spot, the lost cat. This one is a winner!” - Amazon review by Kindle Customer
Goodreads Rating: 3.93
Ages: 2 - 4 years
7. Richard Scarry’s Busytown Seek and Find!
There is so much to see and do in Richard Scarry's Busytown! Kids can search the busy full-color pages for their favorite characters and tons of hidden objects! A great way to introduce early readers to Richard Scarry's Busytown.
“It is bigger than I expected and my grandkids LOVE it! One is 3 and the other is 17 months old, girl and boy and they pick it out every day. So much learning!” - Amazon review by JK
Goodreads Rating: 4.31
Ages: Baby - 3 years
8. Hide-and-Seek at the Construction Site
40 Highlights Hidden Pictures puzzles await kids in this engaging interactive story about work on a construction site. An oversized book with 40 flaps to lift and explore, it’s a perfect gift for children ages 2-5 fascinated by big machines and construction worker.
“My 3 year old nephew is going to love this book. It's high quality and has great hidden pictures and flaps that he will enjoy. He's only 3 years old, but he has nearly 75 books in his library and this is a great addition!” - Amazon review by justthe2ofus
Goodreads Rating: 3.89
Ages: 2 - 3 years
9. Let’s Play I Spy Vehicles
A perfect book for little learners. They'll develop counting, searching and observational skills, and be having so much fun they won't even know they're learning! This fun activity book features cars, trucks, motorcycles and more.
"I spy with my little eye a boy who is OBSESSED with this book.Do you have a little boy who loves vehicles?Look no further because this book has everything you could need to make a kid happy and busy at the same time. Need 15 minutes of quiet time? Buy your kid this book." - Amazon review by Rachel C.
Goodreads Rating: 3.50
Ages: 2 - 3 years
10. My Big Seek-and-Find Book
My Big Seek-and-Find Book is a 56-page, wipe-clean activity book that comes with its own pen. The colorful, illustrated pages wipe clean, so that young children can complete and repeat the puzzles time and time again―excellent for developing their problem-solving and observational skills, as well as their fine motor control.
“I got this for my son for his second birthday and after he opened it he didn't want to open anything else. He loves it. I think it's at the right challenge level for a 2-3 year old!” - Amazon review by Danielle
Goodreads Rating: 5.00
Ages: 2 - 4 years
11. The Bear’s Song
This sweet book is of Little Bear following a bee, because where there are bees, there is honey! This quest leads him and Papa Bear in a series of hijinks that ends with a happy reunion. Children and parents alike will love Benjamin Chaud's bright illustrations and the book's added bonus elements.
“My 7-year-old said these bear books are the only ones he would want to keep if he had to get rid of all his books for a move. Still his favorites after 4 years and we still love reading them.” - Amazon review by Rlnc
Goodreads Rating: 4.08
Ages: 2 - 4 years
12. Where’s Walrus?
A happy-go-lucky Walrus escapes the zoo in search of adventure in this wordless instant classic. Your child will follow along with this happy-go-lucky runaway as he hides amongst firefighters, businessmen, and even high-stepping dancers in this delightful wordless picture book.
“Bought this as a gag gift for my walrus loving hubby, but it has turned into one of my children's favorite books! I thought it would be a Waldo book of walruses, but it's actually an endearing childrens' book about a walrus and zoo keeper looking for him. I definitely would purchase this book again as a gift as it has bright colorful scenes with great art.” - Amazon review by Jessika A.
Goodreads Rating: 3.94
Ages: 2 - 5 years
13. Seek and Find Old Testament Bible Stories
This beautifully illustrated "Seek and Find" book is packed full of all your favorite Old Testament characters. It’s teeming with fun and exciting things to find―from snappy crocodiles, hungry lions, and golden palaces to a baby in the bulrushes!
“This book is a fun Bible-based hide-and-seek book that also teaches counting. My granddaughter loves looking for the various cute pictures on each page! I love that there is a short paragraph on the Bible story pictured.” - Amazon review by Bill
Goodreads Rating: 4.33
Ages: 2 - 5 years
14. Have You Seen My Dragon?
“First book I bought our grandson and it has grown with him. He is now 4 and still loves it, so I bought this one for my nieces new son. There is so much to see and learn and it truly does grow with your child. They can learn colors, to count and to be inquisitive, to search for hidden things and to see so much on each page.” - Amazon review by Lilygirl
Goodreads Rating: 3.96
Ages: 2 - 5 years
15. The Big Book of Search & Find
The Big Book of Search & Find is packed with hilarious scenes and amusing objects to find. It's a fun way to sharpen observation and concentration skills in kids of all ages.
“This is for my grandson who loves loves loves his seek and find puzzle books. What's there not to like! He lets me (Grammy) & his Grandad work them too. It's awesome and time well spent with him. This is like the 3rd one I've got him. Keeps him busy for a long time and something he enjoys.” - Amazon review by Sbragg
Goodreads Rating: 4.50
Ages: 2 - 7 years
Engaging Challenges for Older Kids
16. Jumbo Book of Hidden Pictures
Kids who love to figure it out will love this truly jumbo book, featuring 256 pages of world-famous Highlights Hidden Pictures scenes. That's more than 200 seek-and-find puzzles, including double-page puzzles! Kids can find pigs riding unicycles, kangaroos visiting the moon, pigeons playing pranks, and other funny scenes. Perfect for ages 6-9, this book will keep enthusiastic puzzlers busy at home or on the go.
Goodreads Rating: 4.58
Ages: 4+ years
17. Totally Awesome Explore and Find
Hunt for more than 500 fun things in this Totally Awesome Explore and Find puzzle book! This colorful art will keep younger kids entertained with scenes like safaris, mountains, jungle, farm, and things that go! Bring on a family road trip in a car or even on a flight on an airplane!
“4 year old granddaughter loves this book. Recommend for others!” - Amazon review by Cindy S.
Goodreads Rating: n/a
Ages: 3 - 4 years
18. The Odd One Out
A stylish book from the talented Britta Teckentrup, this fun seek-and-find book features animals of all kinds. Never has a search-and-find game been so pleasing to the eye. Each spread features fun rhyming couplets, beautiful and complexly patterned artwork, and a hidden surprise.
“I got this as a gift for my nephew who has never really been one to sit quietly. So I wasn't sure if he was going to dig this book or not. But as soon as he got it into his hands, he was sitting on the couch trying to find all the odd ones out. And I found all the illustrations beautifully done and a lot of fun” - Amazon review by Amanda
Goodreads Rating: 4.19
Ages: 3 - 5 years
19. Bear’s Merry Book of Hidden Things
If you’re searching for Where’s Waldo? for the next generation, this holiday seek-and-find from internet sensation will have you —and your kids—busy for hours.
“My 4 year old loves these. We have almost all of them now and the best part is that she and her grandpa sit and do them for an hour or so at a time!” - Amazoning review by MissG
Goodreads Rating: 3.90
Ages: 2 - 7 years
20. Where’s Waldo? Deluxe Edition
Looking for Waldo? Search no more. This Deluxe Edition celebrates our favorite bespectacled wanderer in style!
“The kids love these types of books. Much better than a regular Eye Spy or look-and-find book, as the riddles get the kids thinking and the wheels turning. Great for helping kids focus and expand attention spans. Keeps them busy and is fun to do as a family. Will buy more!!” - Amazon review by Toby M
Goodreads Rating: n/a
Ages: 3 - 7 years
21. Where’s the Unicorn? A Magical Search Book
Can you find these magical creatures on every lively, action-packed page? See if your child can spot every one of these seven beautiful animals as they sightsee in the city, join a mountain bike race, rock out at a music festival, spend a day in the museum, and more!
“This book is great for any little unicorn fan! Reminded me of Where’s Waldo. Some of the pages are pretty challenging but my 4 year old loves it and found most of them on her own! Highly recommend.” - Amazon review by KS
Goodreads Rating: 4.02
Ages: 3 - 7 years
22. Look for Ladybug in Ocean City
This stylish search-and-find picture book is full of witty, colorful illustrations packed with visual jokes and all sorts of things to spot to keep children busy for hours.
“Best look and finds ever! The artists’ drawings are wonderfully whimsical with an amazing attention to detail that all kids (and parents!) will just adore! We’ve had this for a couple of years (my child is now 6) and we still do our own hunts “I spy a crab with a hairbrush” etc. I wish this author/illustrator would put out more wonderful books as we have ALL that they have created!” - Amazon review by L. Martin
Goodreads Rating: 4.05
Ages: 4 - 5 years
23. Pokemon, Where’s Pikachu? Search and Find
Enter the exciting world of Pokémon in Pikachu's ultimate Search and Find. Your child will look for all their favourite Pokémon characters as they travel around the regions.
“I got this for my cousin who’s obsessed with Pokémon. He was extremely excited to receive this and was immediately using it. Definitely a good gift choice!” - Amazon review by Alicia
Goodreads Rating: 4.40
Ages: 3 - 8 years
24. Penelope Strudel and the Birthday Treasure Hunt
This is a fun, eccentric search-and-find book perfect for budding detectives. The luxuriously illustrated rooms of Custard Manor make this a perfect gift for birthdays or holidays, and a great interactive read to keep young minds busy.
“We got this for our 7yo who loves to read and likes to solve puzzles/riddles, but found it was way over his head. This is probably better for a 9-10 year old. It's a very cute book, great art, and a clever riddle in it. But a very narrow age level, I think. Older children might find it a bit silly?” - Amazon review by Bradley N.
Goodreads Rating: 4.44
Ages: 6 - 9 years
25. Pierre The Maze Detective: The Curious Case of the Castle in the Sky
A thrilling new maze challenge adventure for Pierre the Maze Detective and all detectives aged 8+. Follow Pierre and Carmen to Canal City for hours of puzzle fun in this crazy and colorful activity book!
“The book is interesting for all ages from 3 to 40. This book keeps our 4 y.o. occupied for a week already. It has plenty of puzzles and little things to find!” - Amazon review by User_js
Goodreads Rating: 4.65
Ages: 8 - 12 years
In Summary …
Helping children love reading is a great gift. Seek-and-find books make reading fun and interactive, helping kids improve their observation and problem-solving skills.
Whether your child likes colorful picture books or exciting puzzles, our list of the best seek-and-find books will spark their imagination and encourage a love for reading.
Join your child on these fun adventures and watch their love for reading grow!