Kids are curious by nature and childhood is the best time to indulge this natural curiosity and put them on the path to being lifelong learners. If a child in your life is curious about science, these books can help answer their question and fuel their passion for scientific exploration. Here are a few fantastic science book suggestions for young readers:
Ages 5-12
This book is full of indoor and outdoor activities guaranteed to spark kids' love of science. Each activity is suitable for a wide range of ages, and even come with suggestions for adjusting them to suit older or younger kids. Children will learn how to make pickles glow, mix up magnetic mud, and much more. It's not just a book of experiments, it's a resource for teaching kids in a fun, engaging way.
Ages 9-12
Everyone knows what history's great innovators did as adults, but what were they like as children? This book answers that with a look into the formative years of everyone from Alan Turing to Reshma Saujani. It covers innovators from a variety of fields including science, technology, entertainment, and much more. Teach kids about innovators throughout history, spark their imaginations, and encourage them to pursue their passions.
For all ages
Most people think of laboratories when they think of science but the outdoors offers kids a multitude of opportunities for learning and experimentation. This book is full of all kinds of foraging, growing, creating, and experimenting activities that anyone can do. Encourage budding botanists, naturalists, and ecologists with things ranging from growing beets in the dark, making their own paper, and foraging for edible roots.
Ages 12 and up
If there's one thing kids enjoy it's gross-out humor. This book is packed with funny anecdotes, facts, and a heaping helping of grossness. It covers all kinds of facts that kids aren't likely to learn in science class—including the world's most dangerous animals and the story of a researcher who tried to get stung by every stinging bug there is. The author finds answers to the kinds of questions many people think of but don't dare to ask and pairs them with interviews with leading researchers. It's equal parts gross, funny, fascinating, and guaranteed to interest young scientists.
Ages 10-15
A must-have for the comics fan and young learner in your life Batman Science explains just how the Caped Crusader's gear would work in reality. It covers everything from Batman's suits to the Batarang, to the Batmobile, and helps draw real-world connections between science and his gear.
Ages 8 and up
If you've spent any time around young kids you know that one of their favorite activities is asking questions. Unfortunately for a lot of adults, it's not always easy to provide answers. This book covers all kinds of subjects that kids are curious about—like, “Why do we have eyebrows?” or “How does snow form?” The answers are upbeat, factual, and written in a way that young kids can get. It's a great book for encouraging kids to learn about the world around them, and the answers provided help urge them to do a deeper dive on the subjects that interest them most.
Ages 5 and up
This book is an introduction to matter and chemistry concepts, presented in a fun, engaging pop-up format. It offers easy-to-follow experiments, chemistry-based explanations for things like onion tears, and bright illustrations. It's perfect for kids who want to experience hands-on chemistry experiments, and younger kids will love the pop-ups and pull tabs.
Ages 8-12
This captivating book takes young readers on a thrilling journey to explore the fascinating world of volcanoes and earthquakes. Packed with stunning photographs, intriguing facts, and engaging stories, it provides a comprehensive understanding of these powerful natural phenomena and their impact on our planet.
Ages 4-8
Written by renowned astronaut Chris Hadfield, this inspiring picture book tells the story of a young boy named Chris who dreams of becoming an astronaut. Overcoming his fear of the dark, Chris finds comfort and inspiration by looking up at the night sky, leading him to follow his dreams and eventually travel to space. It encourages children to embrace their imagination and explore the wonders of the universe.
Ages 8 and up
Introduce young readers to the incredible achievements of female scientists throughout history with this beautifully illustrated book. From Marie Curie to Jane Goodall, it showcases the contributions of fifty inspiring women who have made significant breakthroughs in various scientific fields. Each profile is accompanied by engaging facts, captivating visuals, and empowering messages that encourage young readers, especially girls, to pursue their scientific dreams.
Ages 8-12
Based on a true story, this remarkable tale follows William Kamkwamba, a young Malawian boy who overcomes adversity and harnesses the power of wind energy to transform his community. With determination and resourcefulness, William builds a windmill using recycled materials, bringing electricity and hope to his village. This book highlights the importance of innovation, renewable energy, and the impact one person can make on the world.
Ages 5-7
Join Rosie Revere, a young and imaginative engineer, as she embarks on a quest to invent extraordinary contraptions. With captivating rhymes and vibrant illustrations, this book celebrates creativity, perseverance, and the power of embracing failure as a stepping stone towards success. It inspires young readers, especially girls, to explore the world of engineering and follow their passion for invention.
By gifting these science books, you can inspire young minds, ignite their curiosity, and foster a lifelong love for learning. Encourage the young scientist in your life to explore the wonders of the natural world, embrace their creativity, and make a positive impact on the future. Happy reading and discovering!
