Can you believe that Thanksgiving is around the corner? We’re not sure where the year has gone, but we do know that kids all over are looking forward to the break. They’ve been counting down the days at the thought of sleeping in that extra bit later, perhaps even having pie for breakfast when no one was looking, hanging out with friends, and relaxing. 

As most parents know, the excitement tends to last around 36 hours, and then you hear those dreaded words, “I’m bored.” Every parent’s worst nightmare—you’re in between travel plans, family get-togethers, and trying to keep everyone happy without having to resort to endless screen time. Sometimes holidays can feel like a parent’s equivalent of the Hunger Games.

Don’t despair, there’s great news! Book subscription boxes are your new secret weapon. Our tween book boxes are great at turning those boredom moments into adventures! Whether your tween is traveling, visiting family, or staying home, a book box adds a little magic to the break–and did we mention we have got a great selection of ready-to-ship options just waiting for you and your tween! (and it doesn’t matter if the WiFi is glitching or the cousins are fighting over the remote.)

Why Thanksgiving Break Is the Perfect Time for a Book Subscription

When you mark the Thanksgiving break off on your calendar, it seems so short, but when you throw a bored tween into the mix, well, it feels longer than a road trip with no snacks or breaks. Tweens are in that awkward stage, they’ve outgrown some of their old favorite hobbies (although no one is too old for glitter glue), and are not old enough for the young adult activities. They want independence but are still looking for something fun and interactive.

We know how difficult it is to find an alternative to all the digital attractions, but we’ve found that interactive reading tends to steal the spotlight every time, which is exactly why our tween book boxes are such a big hit.  Reading is so important, and research has shown that creating positive, self-driven reading experiences helps kids stay mentally active while improving focus and comprehension. Instead of “another school assignment,” it becomes an adventure they choose themselves.

 

Thanksgiving Break Activities for Kids: Reading Challenges, Craft Kits, and Travel-Friendly Books

Book Subscription Box for Reluctant Readers

We love a good movie marathon as much as anyone, but when screens start taking over, things can quickly turn from “holiday relaxation” to “holiday burnout.” Our book boxes offer a screen-free alternative that still feels exciting. Our world-famous surprise gifts bring each story to life. Plus, we’ve included an interactive activity sheet, which is so much fun. OUABC staff member Tristan’s kids complete every sheet, and there are some adult members of our team who have been known to join in. Bookworms always seem to be fans of stationery; notebooks, coloring pens, highlighters, you name it, and activity sheets are right up there!

Monthly Book Box to Reduce Screen Time

Each Once Upon a Book Club Tween Box includes an exciting middle grade novel, beautifully wrapped gifts to open as they read, and conversation-starting surprises that connect directly to the story. There is so much excitement as kids can unwrap gifts along the way, turning reading into a hands-on experience. Suddenly, they’re not just reading about an adventure—they’re part of it.

And if you’re looking to make reading even more interactive, you will definitely want to get one of our Reading Passports. We always include a Reading Passport in the first box of all of our Tween Subscribers! Each time your tween finishes a book, they can stamp it, track their reading journey, and earn bragging rights. It’s the perfect combo of structure and fun—and best of all, it keeps them off their devices while giving you a moment to sip that pumpkin-spice coffee in peace.

Family Book Club Kit for Tweens

Family book clubs are the best, and you will be surprised by how much better you will all get to know each other. Our subscription boxes are the perfect way to start a mini family book club. Remember to keep it simple. Set a weekly family reading night where everyone snuggles up with snacks, reads a chapter, and then shares their favorite moment or what they think will happen next. 

Add two or three quick discussion prompts on sticky notes to get the conversation started, or, even better, invite your tween to lead a mini Q&A based on what they read. Family reading nights build memories—and they make the box feel like a shared tradition rather than “just” a gift.

 

Book Box Activities for Kids at Home

Creating your own book box activities is so much fun, and you can even create your own reading bingo or challenges. Finish a chapter in a blanket fort, read to a pet, or even pretend to be one of the characters. For extra inspiration, explore our blog on Tween Reading Challenges for 2025: Fun Ways to Encourage Young Readers. If you’re looking for a quick win, why not set up a “reading zone” with a comfy chair, cozy blanket, and a little basket for their book, activity sheet, and pens—instant reading momentum.

Crafts are always a firm favorite here at Once Upon a Book Club, and we have written a few blogs with some great ideas. Make sure to check out DIY Bookish Crafts and Activities for Kids, DIY Book Pinwheel Crafts for Young Readers, or our DIY Themed Book Box Ideas: A Guide to Bookish Crafts!

 

Holiday Travel Reading Kit for Tweens

Thanksgiving travel can be…chaotic. Whether you’re dealing with long drives, flight delays, or the endless question, “Are we there yet?”, keeping kids entertained is key. A Tween Book Box is the perfect travel buddy. Our whimsical box is just what you need to keep your book and gifts safely together, and it doesn’t need Wi-Fi or batteries. To make the journey even more fun, create a holiday reading kit. Include their latest OUABC box, a few snacks, a comfy blanket, and one of our Reading Log Bookmarks so they can record their progress along the way. 

Add in a small game like our Restaurant and Car Bingo Kit to turn even the longest road trip into a story-filled adventure. Plus, reading while traveling helps kids unwind between the bustle of airports and family visits. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading before or during travel helps reduce anxiety and keeps minds active without overstimulation, and we think that is a win for both parents and kids.

 

Screen-Free Entertainment That Grows with Your Child

Screen-free entertainment for tweens works best when they grow with your child, which makes our boxes your number one choice. Book box subscriptions encourage independence and confidence: your kids choose when to read, and with those surprise gifts and fun activity sheets, they won’t be able to stop. Keep the momentum rolling with simple trackers like the Reading Log Bookmark and our Tween Reading Passport. We all love seeing our progress, and these trackers will encourage your tween to keep on reading.

As your child’s confidence blooms, OUABC grows with them—from imaginative middle grade stories to bold young adult adventures—making our boxes enduring reading gifts for kids that evolve as their tastes change.

 

Why Parents Love OUABC’s Tween Book Box

Parents love it because it turns what can feel like a chore into something kids truly look forward to: an affordable, enriching, parent-approved gift that delivers peace of mind. 

As OUABC subscriber Katie C. shared: “Buy with confidence! I purchased the Curious Case box featuring Sisterhood of Sleuths by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman for my 10-year-old daughter as a way to accelerate her reading journey for the school year. It’s definitely a treat for her! The anticipation to get to the next ‘surprise’ is such a motivating factor. She was excited to tell me about the book and events leading up to the sticky note reveal. Everything you need to carve out a quiet moment arrives at your door (beautifully wrapped, of course!). Who doesn’t love gift boxes curated just for them? This would be the PERFECT gift idea for the holidays coming, regardless of age. I also purchased the limited edition Summer Thrills box for myself, as Riley Sager is hands down my favorite author! This box is a chef’s kiss experience. Thank you for a wonderful reading journey! Happy Reading!” 

From “I’m Bored” to “One More Chapter?”

Thanksgiving break doesn’t have to mean endless screen time or restless tweens wandering the house. With a Once Upon a Book Club Tween Box, every day can bring a new surprise, a new story, and a new reason to love reading. It’s the perfect gift for curious minds, reluctant readers, and kids who just need a little spark to turn downtime into something magical. This Thanksgiving, give them a story that travels with them—from the backseat to Grandma’s couch—and watch as boredom transforms into adventure. Because when a kid says, “Can I read just one more chapter?”…that’s when you know you’ve truly won the holiday season.

Check out our ready-to-ship book boxes here!

 

Sources

National Literacy Trust. (2023). Encouraging self-driven reading among tweens. London: NLT Press.