Introduction
Activity books on Amazon KDP are one of the simplest ways for beginners to earn passive income. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing lets you upload a PDF once and collect royalties for years—without printing a single copy yourself. In this 2025 guide you’ll learn exactly how to research, design, publish, and market profitable activity books on Amazon KDP—even if you have zero design experience.
1. What Are Activity Books on Amazon KDP?
Activity books are printed puzzle, game, or coloring workbooks you self‑publish via KDP. Popular formats include:
Mazes
Crossword puzzles
Word searches
Coloring pages
Dot‑to‑Dots
Sudoku
Educational quizzes
Brain games
These activity books can target kids, adults, or seniors and be themed around learning, holidays, or mindfulness.
2. Why Sell Activity Books on Amazon KDP?
a. Low‑Content Simplicity
Unlike novels, activity books on Amazon KDP require minimal writing, perfect for non‑writers.
b. Huge Market Demand
Kids’ puzzle books and seniors’ brain games rank consistently in Amazon’s top 5,000 BSR.
c. Evergreen + Seasonal Sales
Math workbooks sell all year; Halloween coloring books spike each October.
d. Passive Income Potential
Amazon prints, ships, and handles customer service while you collect 60 % royalties minus print cost.
3. Best-Selling Niches in the Activity Book Market
Children’s Activity Books on Amazon KDP
Ages 3–5 (pre‑K learning)
Ages 6–8 (fun & learning)
Ages 9–12 (logic puzzles)
Adult & Senior Activity Books
Sudoku for Seniors
Word Search for Adults
Mindfulness Coloring
Special‑Interest Activity Books
Travel‑themed puzzles
Language learning games
Holiday‑themed coloring (e.g., Christmas, Diwali)
STEM educational activity books
Pro Tip: Use Book Bolt and Helium 10 to verify that your chosen niche has a Best Seller Rank under 100 k before you commit.
4. Create Your First Activity Book: 4 Key Steps
a. Research Your Niche
Search phrases like “kids activity book ages 4–8” on Amazon. Check:
BSR for sales volume
Reviews for feature gaps
Cover styles that dominate the first page
b. Plan Your Content
Select 50–120 pages for optimal royalty vs. print cost
Group activities by difficulty or theme
c. Design the Interior Pages
Canva Pro or Book Bolt Studio for drag‑and‑drop puzzles
Keep pages black‑and‑white for lower print cost
Maintain 0.25″ margins (0.375″ gutter)
d. Create an Attractive Cover
300 DPI, CMYK
Include focus keyword in subtitle if possible
Size with KDP Cover Calculator (e.g., 8.5″ × 11″, 100 pp)
5. Tools to Create Activity Books
Here are some tools that make the process easier:
| Tool | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Book Bolt | Niche research, design templates |
| Canva Pro | Interior and cover design |
| Tangent Templates | Interior templates and sizing |
| Amazon KDP Calculator | Set up correct margins and trim size |
| Creative Fabrica | Download puzzle elements and fonts |
6. Formatting and Uploading to Amazon KDP
Trim Size: Popular sizes include 8.5″ x 11″ or 6″ x 9″
Page Count: 50–120 pages for best profitability
Interior File: Upload a print-ready PDF
Cover File: Upload a wraparound PDF that fits your trim size + spine width
Choose Categories: Select relevant BISAC codes
Keywords: Include searchable terms like “puzzle book for 7-year-olds”
Set Pricing: Base this on your page count and competition
7. Step-by-Step to Create a KDP Account and Publish Your Book
Step 1: Create an Amazon KDP Account
Go to https://kdp.amazon.com
Sign in with your Amazon account or create a new one
Complete the account setup, including:
Author name or business name
Tax and payment information
Bank account for royalty payments
Step 2: Start a New Paperback Book
Click “Create” > “Paperback”
Step 3: Enter Book Details
Language: Choose the book’s language
Book Title & Subtitle: Use keyword-rich titles
Author: Use your name or brand
Description: Use HTML to format text and highlight features
Keywords: Add up to 7 search-friendly terms
Categories: Select 2 appropriate BISAC categories
Adult Content: Select “No” if appropriate
Step 4: Upload Manuscript & Cover
Manuscript: Upload your interior PDF
Cover: Upload your cover PDF (front, back, and spine)
Step 5: Preview and Approve
Use the KDP Previewer to check for formatting issues
Fix and reupload files if needed
Step 6: Set Pricing and Territories
Choose marketplace (e.g., Amazon.com)
Set your price and royalty (60% of list price minus printing cost)
Step 7: Publish
Click “Publish”
Your book will be live within 24–72 hours
8. Winning Pricing Strategies (2025)
| Page Count | Base Cost | List Price |
| 50 pages | ~$2.15 | $6.99–$7.99 |
| 100 pages | ~$2.75 | $8.99–$10.99 |
| 120+ pages | ~$3.20 | $11.99–$13.99 |
Tips:
Price competitively but profitably
Avoid $0.99 pricing—it reduces perceived value
Consider raising prices during holidays
9. Market Your Activity Books on Amazon KDP
a. Optimize Your Listing
Keyword-rich title (e.g., “Fun Word Search for Kids Ages 6–8”)
Bullet points with benefits (e.g., “Boosts vocabulary and problem-solving skills”)
Professional book description with HTML formatting
b. Use Amazon Ads (PPC)
Target keywords and categories
Start with $5–$10/day budget
Test automatic and manual campaigns
c. Leverage External Traffic
Promote on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook
Start a simple landing page with book previews
Reach out to bloggers or YouTubers in the education/kids space
10. Advanced Tips for Scaling
Publish in Series: Create 5–10 books per niche for consistent income
Outsource Design: Hire freelancers on Fiverr or Upwork
Expand Formats: Offer digital versions on Etsy or printables via Gumroad
Create a Brand: Use the same pen name and style across all your books
Bundle Books: Create value packs for holidays or schools
11. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Publishing without researching the niche
Ignoring formatting requirements (leads to rejections)
Using copyrighted images or puzzles
Poor-quality covers that don’t stand out
Underpricing to compete instead of adding value
12. Final Thoughts
Creating and selling activity books on Amazon KDP is one of the best low-risk, high-reward side hustles you can start today. With minimal upfront investment and zero inventory, it allows you to tap into evergreen and trending markets.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a graphic designer, or an entrepreneur looking to build passive income, activity books offer massive opportunity.
Stay consistent, publish with purpose, and treat your books like products—test, refine, and scale. In a few months, you could be earning income while you sleep, thanks to your Amazon bookshelf.
