Screen-Free Books & Toy Cars to Keep Kids Busy These Holidays

The school holidays are here, the weather can't make up its mind, and you've already heard "I'm booored" three times before morning tea. Sound familiar? The good news for NZ family: keeping children busy doesn't have to mean handing over a screen. A mix of audio books, hands-on learning books and a few good toy cars can fill a whole day — quietly building real skills while the kids think they're just playing.

Here are BubsKart's favourite screen-free holiday boredom busters, sorted by how your child likes to play.

Why screen-free wins these holidays

• Skills sneak in — sounds, letters, drawing and imaginative play all build while they're having fun
• Eyes get a rest — screen-free activities keep little minds busy without the screen time
• Independent play — a good book or car set buys māmā and pāpā a proper cup of tea
• Travel-ready — most of these pack into the car for road trips around Aotearoa

Quiet & absorbing: audio and learn-to-read books

Interactive Talking Book

The interactive talking book is the ultimate quiet-time win. Press a picture and it says or sings the word — ABCs, numbers 1–100, animals, colours, shapes and built-in songs — plus there's a dry-erase whiteboard for scribbles. It's a rechargeable, screen-free audio book for kids that holds attention for ages.

Phonics Learning Book

For school-aged learners, the phonics learning book turns the holidays into quiet reading progress. This touch-and-listen phonics storybook teaches all 36 sounds across five levels, with learn, test and play modes and fun mini-stories — one of the more complete learn-to-read phonics books for preschoolers and early readers.

Busy little hands: hands-on activity books

LCD Picture Book – Copy, Draw & Learn

The LCD picture book pairs a reusable LCD screen with printed copy-and-draw pages — kids look at the picture and recreate it, then clear the screen with one touch. It's a copy-and-draw learning book that quietly builds writing confidence and hand-eye coordination.

LCD Writing Tablet

Lightweight, reusable and endlessly forgiving, the LCD writing tablet is a doodle pad with a one-touch erase and a stylus — perfect for letters, shapes and scribbles in the car or at the café, and a mess-free way to strengthen fine motor skills.

Magic Water Book

At just $9.99, the magic water book is the easiest koha and the best travel pick. Fill the water pen, colour the page, watch the picture appear — then it dries and resets to colour again. A truly mess-free, water-reveal colouring book in seven themes, with no paint or markers.

Time to burn off energy: toy cars & trucks

When the sun comes out and the wriggles set in, the cars and trucks range takes over:

• 30-piece die-cast pull-back car set — a whole fleet with a storage box; brilliant for imaginative floor play (and sorted toy car storage)
• Remote control racing car & high-speed RC drift car — proper remote control cars for indoor zooming or backyard drifting
• Rechargeable 4WD RC car — no constant battery-buying, just recharge and race again
• Kids electric ride-on car with parental remote — the big-ticket outdoor thrill, with a remote so you stay in control
• Folding tricycle with training wheels — fresh-air fun that folds away when you're done

Match it to your child's age

• 1–2 years: the talking book — sounds, songs and chunky pages
• 2–3 years: talking book, writing tablet and pull-back cars for hands-on play
• 3–4 years: phonics book, magic water book and the LCD picture book — great educational toys for 3- and 4-year-olds
• 5+ years: the phonics book's blends, plus RC cars and the ride-on for bigger thrills

A quick note: the magic water book and writing tablet are recommended for ages 3+, and the die-cast set has small parts — keep those away from under-3s and supervise play.

Quick pick guide

FAQs

How do I keep my kids busy in the school holidays without screens?
Rotate a few different activities — an audio book for quiet time, a mess-free colouring or writing book for the table, and a toy car for active play. Variety beats boredom every time.

What are good screen-free learning toys for toddlers in NZ?
A talking audio book and a reusable water colouring book are perfect first picks — engaging, no screen, and they build listening and fine motor skills.

What are the best toy cars for kids in NZ?
A die-cast pull-back set is great value for imaginative play, RC cars suit ages 4+, and an electric ride-on is the showstopper for outdoor fun. Whether you're in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga or Dunedin, they ship across NZ.

Are these good for road trips and travel?
Yes — the water book, writing tablet and talking book are all made for keeping little ones occupied in the car or on the plane.

These holidays, swap the "I'm bored" for busy hands and happy zooming. Stock up on screen-free boredom busters and toy cars at BubsKart and get set for a smoother break, tamariki entertained and whānau sane.