10+ Best Craft Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce creativity to your little one? Look no further than craft books for 3-year-olds! These books are packed with fun, easy projects that are just right for tiny hands and growing minds. Whether you're looking to fill a rainy afternoon with activities or foster a love of arts and crafts, these books will provide endless inspiration. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to captivate and engage your toddler!

Fun Craft Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This beloved book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly through simple, engaging text and colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy vibrant art and learning about nature.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: A repetitive text pattern guides young readers through a colorful array of animals and their actions.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic and repetitive text makes it easy for little ones to participate in reading aloud, enhancing their pre-reading skills.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who love animals and interactive reading sessions.

• Peek-A Who? by Nina Laden
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Mystery
  • Synopsis: This engaging book uses rhyming and simple illustrations that incorporate die-cut windows to create a fun guessing game for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive format and playful mystery elements keep children engaged and encourage them to guess what comes next.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive play and parents looking for a fun way to engage with their children through reading.

• Press Here by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Interactive Book, Concept Book
  • Synopsis: This innovative book invites readers to press dots, shake pages, and use their imagination to follow instructions that lead to a fun, interactive experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes active participation and creativity, making reading a dynamic and enjoyable activity.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love interactive and hands-on play.

• Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of construction vehicles with soothing bedtime elements, perfect for settling down at night.
  • Perfect for: Little ones fascinated by trucks and parents seeking a calming bedtime read.

Educational Craft Books for 3-Year-Olds

• My First Book of Cutting by Kumon Publishing
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This craft book helps young children learn how to use scissors safely and effectively, featuring a variety of fun cutting projects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, following instructions
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed to build confidence and basic cutting skills through fun and engaging activities.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are developing their fine motor skills and beginning to use tools like scissors.

• The Arts & Crafts Busy Book by Trish Kuffner
  • Genre(s): Craft Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: Contains 365 engaging and creative craft activities for young children to do both at home and in classroom settings.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, motor skills, recognition of colors and shapes
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a wide range of easy and accessible crafts that help develop creativity and dexterity.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love hands-on activities and parents or teachers looking for daily craft ideas.

• Little Hands Paper Plate Crafts by Laura Check, illustrated by Norma Jean Jourdenais
  • Genre(s): Craft Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides instructions for creating adorable crafts from paper plates, which are perfect for young crafters.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, motor skills, project planning
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses simple materials to create enjoyable and rewarding projects that kids can be proud of.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy making fun projects with everyday items.

• Crafty Creatures by Jane Bull
  • Genre(s): Craft Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: Teaches children how to make cute and cuddly creatures using various materials and techniques.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, following detailed instructions, fine motor skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to use their imagination and creativity to bring delightful creatures to life.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and crafting, and parents looking for creative bonding activities.

• Red Ted Art: Cute and Easy Crafts for Kids by Maggy Woodley
  • Genre(s): Craft Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: A collection of simple and enjoyable craft projects designed for young children, inspired by the popular craft blog Red Ted Art.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, artistic expression, fine motor development
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides clear, easy-to-follow instructions and is filled with inspiring ideas for young crafters.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and young children who are just beginning to explore the joys of crafting.

Challenging Craft Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Exploring the Great Artists for Children by MaryAnn F. Kohl
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young children to great artists like Picasso and Monet through hands-on projects that mimic the artists' techniques.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex art concepts and techniques that are usually reserved for older children, providing a stimulating experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastic way to blend art history with practical, creative activities, helping children appreciate art while developing their own creativity.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are ready to explore beyond basic crafts and into the realms of real art techniques.

• The Complete Book of Arts and Crafts by the American Education Publishing
  • Genre(s): Craft Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This comprehensive resource includes over 200 craft projects for kids to do throughout the year, tailored to varying skill levels.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a wide range of techniques and materials, offering projects that require more complex skills than typical toddler crafts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It allows children to grow with the book, starting with simpler tasks and advancing to more complex projects as they develop their abilities.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are eager to try new and diverse crafting projects and won't shy away from a challenge.

• Art Lab for Little Kids by Susan Schwake, illustrated by Rainer Schwake
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: Features 52 playful art projects for preschoolers, encouraging artistic expression and exploration through fun, child-friendly activities.
  • Why this book is challenging: Each project introduces new art techniques and concepts, designed to engage preschoolers' curiosity and cognitive skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's structured to help young children explore a variety of artistic mediums and tools, fostering a love for art at an early age.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who love getting messy with paints, crayons, and other art materials.

• Time to Create: Hands-On Explorations in Process Art for Young Children by Christie Burnett
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book encourages exploration and creativity through process art, where the focus is on the creation experience rather than the final product.
  • Why this book is challenging: It moves away from traditional craft projects to focus more on sensory and open-ended activities that challenge conventional crafting norms.
  • Why we recommend this book: It supports a child's natural curiosity and creativity, promoting cognitive and sensory development through artistic expression.
  • Perfect for: Young children who thrive in environments where they can experiment and explore without strict guidelines.

• 1,2,3 I Can Sculpt! by Irene Luxbacher
  • Genre(s): Sculpture, Educational
  • Synopsis: Introduces children to the basics of sculpture using simple materials they can find at home or in the classroom.
  • Why this book is challenging: Sculpting involves complex hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness, skills that are advanced for three-year-olds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop fine motor skills and three-dimensional thinking, important components of early childhood development.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who enjoy tactile activities and are ready to engage with materials in a three-dimensional creative process.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce the little ones to the wonderful world of reading through craft books, you've come to the right place. Here are some fun and engaging exercises designed specifically for 3-year-olds that can help develop their reading habits early on. Let's dive in!

• Story Sequencing with Pictures
  • What it is: Create a storyboard using images from a craft book.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of story structure and sequence.
  • Tips: Use large, colorful pictures and ask your child to explain what happens in each.

• Match the Picture
  • What it is: Have your child match pictures from the book to similar objects around the house.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and recognition skills.
  • Tips: Start with clear and simple images to ensure success and build confidence.

• Read and Craft
  • What it is: Read a page or a short section and then do a related craft.
  • How it helps: Reinforces comprehension through hands-on activity.
  • Tips: Keep craft materials organized and accessible to make the activity smooth and enjoyable.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Dress up as characters from the craft book and act out scenes.
  • How it helps: Encourages deeper engagement with the text and stimulates imagination.
  • Tips: Use simple props and costumes to make the role-playing fun and easy to participate in.

• Picture Book Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the book, looking at pictures and discussing what might be happening.
  • How it helps: Develops predictive skills and sparks curiosity about the story.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to think and express their ideas.

That's a wrap on our list of exercises! These activities aren't just educational; they're a great way to spend quality time with your kiddo, exploring the magic of books. Remember, the key is to keep it fun and light. Happy reading and crafting!