10+ Best Craft Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to spark creativity in your little one? Look no further! Our carefully curated list of craft books for 5-year-olds is packed with fun, engaging, and easy-to-follow activities that are perfect for little hands and big imaginations. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that promise to keep your child entertained and creatively engaged!

Fun Craft Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Best Craft Book Ever by Laura Torres
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This engaging book provides a variety of easy-to-follow craft projects specifically designed for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with simple, colorful crafts that help develop fine motor skills and boost creativity in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who love making things with their hands.

• Crafty Science: More than 20 Sensational STEAM Projects to Create at Home by Jane Bull
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book combines arts and crafts with basic scientific principles, allowing kids to create fun projects that also teach them about science.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning science interactive and fun, encouraging curiosity and experimentation.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and artists who are eager to learn and create.

• My First Sewing Book: 35 Easy and Fun Projects for Children Aged 7 Years + by Susan Akass
  • Genre(s): Crafts, How-To
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to the basics of sewing, with projects that are manageable and appealing to young crafters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a great introduction to sewing, enhancing coordination and concentration.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are interested in learning how to sew and enjoy hands-on activities.

• Red Ted Art: Cute and Easy Crafts for Kids by Margarita Woodley
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Art
  • Synopsis: Filled with adorable and simple craft ideas, this book inspires children to create art using everyday materials.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and provides hours of fun through easy-to-follow instructions and charming projects.
  • Perfect for: Young crafters who love to create and parents looking for family bonding activities through crafts.

• Making Stuff for Kids by Black Dog Publishing
  • Genre(s): Crafts, DIY
  • Synopsis: A collection of unique DIY projects ranging from toys to simple home decorations, tailored for children and their families.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a treasure trove of creative ideas that promote family time and DIY skills among young children.
  • Perfect for: Families looking for fun, creative ways to spend time together and kids who love to build and make things.

Educational Craft Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Crafts for Kids: A Fun-Filled Guide to Making Magical Projects by Gill Dickinson
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book offers a wide range of fun and magical craft projects, from fairy houses to pirate hats, designed to spark the imagination of young children.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, fine motor skills, following instructions
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with imaginative projects that are easy for kids to undertake with a little help from adults, making it a great tool for interactive play and learning.
  • Perfect for: Young children who love imaginative play and parents seeking creative and educational activities to do with their kids.

• Little Hands Create! Art & Craft for the Very Young by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Early Learning
  • Synopsis: Tailored specifically for young children, this book provides easy and enjoyable craft activities that help develop early learning skills.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sensory skills, coordination, early literacy and numeracy
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses simple, everyday materials to create fun crafts, making it perfect for parents and educators looking for cost-effective educational activities.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergartners, as well as teachers and parents who want to encourage learning through play.

• The Super Book for Super-Heroes by Jason Ford
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This creative book allows kids to design their own superhero costumes, gadgets, and secret bases with a variety of crafts and activities.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, creative thinking, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of superheroes with the creativity of crafting, engaging children in imaginative play and artistic expression.
  • Perfect for: Young superhero fans and creative kids who enjoy designing and building things.

• Eco-Friendly Crafting With Kids by Kate Lilley
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Environmental Education
  • Synopsis: This book features 35 step-by-step projects that teach children how to make beautiful items out of recycled materials.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental awareness, creativity, resourcefulness
  • Why we recommend this book: It educates children on sustainability while allowing them to be creative, helping them understand the importance of recycling in a fun way.
  • Perfect for: Eco-conscious families and young crafters interested in learning about sustainability through hands-on activities.

• My First Book of Cutting by Kumon Publishing
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Educational
  • Synopsis: Designed to help kids improve their scissor skills, this book provides a series of cutting exercises that range from simple to complex.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, focus
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a progressive approach to developing cutting skills, which are crucial for young children's development.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are developing their fine motor skills and parents or educators who want to support their development in a structured way.

Challenging Craft Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Amazing Origami Projects You Can Create by Cassie Mayer
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Origami
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to the art of origami with a series of challenging projects that go beyond simple folds.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses techniques that require precision and patience, which are advanced skills for a 5-year-old.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop fine motor skills and patience, while also introducing the cultural significance of origami.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love detailed activities and are interested in learning a new art form.

• Crafts for Kids Who Are Learning About Insects by Kathy Ross, illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book offers a variety of craft projects themed around insects, each designed to educate children about different insect species and their environments.
  • Why this book is challenging: The crafts require following multiple steps and understanding basic entomological concepts, which are complex for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines learning with crafting, enhancing knowledge about nature while developing artistic skills.
  • Perfect for: Young nature enthusiasts and crafters who are curious about the insect world.

• World Art and Craft Activities for Children by Petra Boase
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Multicultural Education
  • Synopsis: This book explores art and craft techniques from around the world, encouraging children to create projects that reflect diverse cultures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces multicultural concepts and a variety of art techniques that are typically not familiar to young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes cultural awareness and artistic diversity through hands-on activities.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in arts and crafts who are also eager to learn about different cultures.

• The Kids' Building Workshop: 15 Woodworking Projects for Kids and Parents to Build Together by J. Craig Robertson and Barbara Robertson
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Woodworking
  • Synopsis: This book guides children and their parents through the process of building simple woodworking projects, from birdhouses to small furniture.
  • Why this book is challenging: Woodworking involves the use of tools and materials that require supervision and precision, making it a challenging and engaging activity for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable skills such as measuring, sawing, and safety, while also promoting teamwork between kids and parents.
  • Perfect for: Young builders and their parents looking for a shared activity that teaches practical skills.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to nurture a love of reading in your 5-year-old, craft books are a fantastic tool. They're not just fun; they're also incredibly beneficial for developing early literacy skills. Here are some engaging exercises that can transform reading time into an adventure, while fostering good reading habits.

• Create a Story Board
  • What it is: Drawing or using pictures to map out the story they just read.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps children recall story details.
  • Tips: Use a mix of magazine cutouts, drawings, and stickers to make it fun and engaging.

• Character Dress-Up
  • What it is: Dressing up as a favorite character from the craft book.
  • How it helps: Encourages deep engagement with the story and characters.
  • Tips: Keep a box of various costumes and props for spontaneous dress-up based on the story.

• Read and Craft
  • What it is: Creating a simple craft based on a theme or object from the book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces themes and subjects from the book through hands-on activity.
  • Tips: Prepare craft materials in advance and choose crafts that can be completed in one sitting.

• Story Retelling
  • What it is: Kids tell the story back to you in their own words.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory and understanding of narrative structures.
  • Tips: Encourage them to express what they found exciting or interesting.

• Book-Themed Scavenger Hunt
  • What it is: A scavenger hunt for items or themes found within the story.
  • How it helps: Makes reading interactive and heightens observational skills.
  • Tips: Keep the list short and the items simple to find to maintain enthusiasm.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make the process more enjoyable for your little one but also deepen their appreciation for stories. Each activity is designed to be fun and educational, setting the foundation for a lifelong love of reading. So, grab those craft books and let the adventures begin!