Trying to go analog in 2026? Stay entertained with these 7 activity books.
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In 2026, everyone is looking to get off their phone. If you're trying to tame your screen time habits, you'll need a new outlet to stop your scrolling. Even if you've figured out how to cut back your screen time, whether it be through Bricking your phone or putting it in another room, that doesn't actually solve the issue of your attention.
If you're feeling a bit bored, first, congrats! Second, now's the time to turn your unused attention toward analog activities. Maybe you're looking for something to do while watching TV, or you just want to have a completely screen-free evening. Regardless, it's time to bring back the activity book.
That's right, it's time to take pen to paper and busy your mind. This can be as lowkey as a coloring book or as stimulating as a crossword. Here are seven activity books to go analog with in 2026.
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Cozy coloring books
Adult coloring books have hung around for a while and for good reason. They're fun and relaxing, the ideal activity to unwind in the evening. If you're cozy-maxxing this winter, get a coloring book to match your vibe, like the Fuzzy Hygge book. And don't forget a set of markers. TikTok tells me that the Ohuhu ones are the best.
Your favorite New York Times puzzles on paper
So you've put your phone away — but what if you want to play all your favorite New York Times games? Well, they've thought about that. That's where the New York Times Puzzle Mania! book comes in. It includes all your favorites, such as Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, and more. Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern bought this book and uses it to unwind, both as a standalone activity and while watching TV. It's full of stimulating puzzles and brain teasers that go beyond the NYT Games app.
Murder mysteries to solve on the page
The Murdle series, as the name implies, is a cross between a murder mystery and Wordle. It's a collection of logic puzzles, solving a series of intertwined murders. The puzzles get progressively more difficult, so you can ease into the detective mindset. Plus, there are six total Murdle books, so if you get hooked, there are plenty more to work through.
Sudoku with a mindful twist
The point of getting off your phone is to slow down and get away from distractions, so it's nice when an activity embraces that. Mindful Sudoku features 60 puzzles at easy, medium, and hard difficulties. On the opposite side of each puzzle is a mindful prompt so you can journal and reflect in the moment. Plus, there's an included answer key to check your work or provide a little hint.
Crosswords inspired by your favorite movies and TV shows
If you love TV and movies but also love crosswords, A24 has made the ultimate puzzle book. The book is 288 pages of nearly 100 puzzles. The crosswords are broken down by puzzle difficulty and then by the amount of TV knowledge you have. It's a good way to exercise and accumulate your TV expertise — hopefully making you a pro at pub trivia, too. A24 also makes a movie version, but it's unfortunately sold out.
Boston-based Shopping Reporter, Samantha Mangino, covers all things tech at Mashable, rounding up the best products and deals. She’s covered commerce for three years, spending extensive time testing and reviewing all things home, including couches, steam irons, and washing machines. She thoroughly vets products and internet trends, finding out if those cozy gamer chairs are really as comfortable as TikTok claims.
