10+ Best Activity Books for 8-10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to keep your 8-10-year-olds engaged and learning? Look no further than our comprehensive guide to the best activity books for 8-10-year-olds! Whether your child loves puzzles, crafts, or brain teasers, we've curated a variety of picks that promise to keep their minds active and their creativity flowing. Keep reading to discover our top picks for activity books that are both fun and educational!

Fun Activity Books for 8-10-Year-Olds

• Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Creativity
  • Synopsis: This innovative book encourages kids to creatively engage with their world by completing tasks that encourage them to think outside the box and express themselves through art and writing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity, problem-solving, and confidence in personal expression, all while making the process fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who love to draw, write, and think creatively.

• The Kid's Awesome Activity Book by Mike Lowery
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Games, Puzzles
  • Synopsis: Filled with games, puzzles, and stickers, this book provides a variety of fun activities that challenge the mind and spark imagination.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with engaging activities that keep children entertained while enhancing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy puzzles, games, and interactive challenges.

• National Geographic Kids Why?: Over 1,111 Answers to Everything by Crispin Boyer
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational, Science
  • Synopsis: This book answers over a thousand questions kids might ask about the world around them, covering topics from science to history and beyond.
  • Why we recommend this book: It feeds curiosity about the natural world and various phenomena, encouraging learning and exploration.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who have lots of questions about how the world works.

• Brain Games: Big Book of Boredom Busters by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Educational, Puzzles
  • Synopsis: A collection of brain teasers, puzzles, riddles, and challenges designed to sharpen the mind and provide hours of entertainment.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a fun, engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Children who love challenges and testing their mental acuity.

• Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids by Christina Schul
  • Genre(s): STEM, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Features 50+ exciting engineering challenges and projects that encourage children to build, create, and learn.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces basic engineering concepts through hands-on activities that promote creativity and innovation.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and future engineers interested in how things work and are built.

Educational Activity Books for 8-10-Year-Olds

• Math Lab for Kids by Rebecca Rapoport and J.A. Yoder
  • Genre(s): Educational, Math, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book offers a fun and engaging way for kids to learn math concepts through hands-on activities and experiments.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mathematical thinking, problem-solving, logical reasoning
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes math enjoyable and accessible, helping children see the subject as something they can interact with creatively.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy math or need a more engaging way to grasp mathematical concepts.

• The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book by Tom Robinson
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Boasting easy, do-at-home experiments, this book allows kids to explore the world of science in their kitchens and backyards.
  • Skills and subjects this it improves: Scientific reasoning, experimental skills, observation
  • Why we recommend this book: It demystifies science, making it accessible and fun, encouraging a lifelong interest in scientific exploration.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds eager to understand how the world works through hands-on learning.

• Art Lab for Kids by Susan Schwake, illustrated by Rainer Schwake
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Provides 52 creative art projects for children, encouraging artistic expression and exploration through various mediums and techniques.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, fine motor skills, artistic techniques
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a diverse range of art activities that are easy to follow, ensuring that kids can express themselves creatively regardless of skill level.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and creative thinkers looking to explore different art forms.

• Geography Through Art by Sharon Jeffus and Jamie Aramini
  • Genre(s): Geography, Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This unique book integrates art and geography, teaching kids about different cultures and places through creative projects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, geographical knowledge, artistic skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively combines learning about the world with artistic expression, making geography both informative and enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in arts and crafts who also want to learn more about the world.

• The Curious Kid's Science Book by Asia Citro
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Encourages children to develop their own science experiments with guided questions and processes, fostering a deeper understanding of scientific concepts.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, scientific inquiry, experimentation
  • Why we recommend this book: It empowers kids to think like scientists and encourages curiosity and experimentation in a guided, safe environment.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists who are keen on experimenting and discovering the principles of science by themselves.

Challenging Activity Books for 8-10-Year-Olds

• Extreme Puzzle Challenges for Clever Kids by Dr. Gareth Moore
  • Genre(s): Puzzle, Logic, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book is packed with a variety of brain-bending challenges including crosswords, sudoku, and logic puzzles designed to test the wits of young readers.
  • Why this book is challenging: The puzzles in this book are designed to push the cognitive abilities of children, requiring advanced problem-solving skills and logical reasoning beyond typical children's puzzles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent way to sharpen a child's mind and improve their problem-solving and logical thinking skills in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle enthusiasts and young problem solvers who love a good challenge.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society Puzzle Book by Trenton Lee Stewart, illustrated by Diana Sudyka
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Puzzle, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Inspired by the popular novel series, this book offers a collection of perplexing puzzles, riddles, and brainteasers that follow the adventures of the Mysterious Benedict Society.
  • Why this book is challenging: The puzzles are intricately designed to challenge and engage advanced young readers, encouraging them to think creatively and critically.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the thrill of mystery with brain-teasing puzzles, enhancing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
  • Perfect for: Fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society series and young detectives who love solving complex puzzles.

• Code Cracking for Kids by Jean Daigneau
  • Genre(s): Coding, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This activity book introduces kids to the basics of coding through fun and engaging puzzles and games that teach the fundamentals of computer programming.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex concepts of coding and logical thinking that are typically not explored deeply at this age level.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great introduction to computer science, fostering skills in logical thinking and problem-solving that are essential in today's digital world.
  • Perfect for: Budding programmers and tech-savvy kids interested in learning how to code.

• Math Puzzles for Smart Kids by M Prefontaine
  • Genre(s): Math, Puzzle, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book offers a range of challenging math puzzles designed to stretch the abilities of young mathematicians and engage their problem-solving skills.
  • Why this book is challenging: The puzzles require advanced mathematical thinking, often introducing concepts and problem-solving methods that are sophisticated for this age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps to solidify mathematical concepts through practice and challenges, making math fun and engaging for young learners.
  • Perfect for: Young math enthusiasts who enjoy challenging their mathematical skills beyond the classroom.

• The Incredible Science Puzzle Challenge by Dr. Gareth Moore
  • Genre(s): Science, Puzzle, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: A collection of science-themed puzzles that challenge children to apply scientific knowledge and reasoning to solve various problems.
  • Why this book is challenging: It combines the application of scientific knowledge with problem-solving skills, requiring a higher level of understanding and analytical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's perfect for reinforcing scientific concepts through interactive and engaging puzzles, promoting both educational learning and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists who love to challenge their understanding of the natural world through puzzles and problem-solving activities.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to spice up your reading routine, activity books are a fantastic way to keep the fun rolling while boosting your reading skills. Especially for kiddos aged 8-10, these exercises can transform reading from a chore into a thrilling adventure. Here are some engaging exercises to get you started:

• Create a Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a group of friends to read the same book and discuss it.
  • How it helps: Encourages discussion and deeper understanding of the book.
  • Tips: Choose a regular time and place for meetings to keep everyone excited and committed.

• Design a Bookmark
  • What it is: Create personalized bookmarks with materials like markers, stickers, and glitter.
  • How it helps: Makes the act of reading more personal and exciting.
  • Tips: Use themes from the book you're reading for bookmark design inspiration.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw a map that outlines the settings or plot points of the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and recall of the story's structure.
  • Tips: Include key events and characters to make the map detailed and useful.

• Character Diary Entries
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of a character in the book.
  • How it helps: Develops empathy and deeper understanding of characters.
  • Tips: Choose different characters over time to explore various viewpoints.

• Reading Timer Challenge
  • What it is: Set a timer and challenge yourself to read uninterrupted until it goes off.
  • How it helps: Builds concentration and stamina for reading.
  • Tips: Start with short times and gradually increase as you get more comfortable.

• Vocabulary Hunt
  • What it is: Look for new words in your reading material and make a list.
  • How it helps: Expands vocabulary and improves understanding of new concepts.
  • Tips: Use a notebook dedicated to new words and their meanings.

• Book-to-Movie Comparison
  • What it is: Read a book and then watch its movie adaptation.
  • How it helps: Encourages analytical thinking by comparing different storytelling formats.
  • Tips: Make notes on differences and similarities to discuss or write about later.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine can make a world of difference, turning every page into a small adventure that's both educational and incredibly fun. So, grab your favorite books, gather some supplies, and start exploring the limitless possibilities within the pages. Happy reading!