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

Looking for the perfect way to spark creativity in your little one? Doodle Books for 5-Year-Olds are a fantastic choice to help them express their imagination through fun and engaging activities. Whether you're on the hunt for a birthday gift or just a fun new addition to your child's bookshelf, we've got you covered. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks of Doodle Books for 5-Year-Olds that are sure to captivate and inspire young minds!

Fun Doodle Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: A colorful tale where the crayons have had enough! Each color writes a letter to their owner, expressing their feelings about how they are used.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to introduce young readers to expressing feelings and resolving conflicts, plus the illustrations are a delight.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love drawing and coloring, and those who enjoy humorous stories.

• Doodle Adventures: The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs! by Mike Lowery
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book invites kids to draw, doodle, and solve puzzles as they read, helping the main character navigate through an imaginative space adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines reading with interactive doodling and problem-solving, enhancing creativity and reading enjoyment.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who enjoy being part of the story and showing their creative side.

• Let's Make Some Great Art by Marion Deuchars
  • Genre(s): Art, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This interactive book encourages children to paint, color, and draw with various fun and educational art activities.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity and provides a hands-on approach to learning art techniques, which can be very engaging for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young artists and any child who loves being creative and learning through doing.

• Scribbles and Ink: Out of the Box by Ethan Long
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Interactive
  • Synopsis: Follow the adventures of two characters, Scribbles and Ink, as they use their imaginations to turn an ordinary box into an extraordinary world.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids that art can transform the mundane into something magical.
  • Perfect for: Children who love drawing and storytelling, and those who enjoy seeing how creativity can change perspectives.

• Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book teaches children how to create their own cartoons using simple step-by-step instructions, turning doodles into a comic story.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's educational and entertaining, perfect for developing narrative skills and artistic abilities simultaneously.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who have a passion for comics and drawing, and those interested in telling stories through art.

Educational Doodle Books for 5-Year-Olds

• My First Book of Doodling & Drawing by Kumon Publishing
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book provides step-by-step drawing guides that help children develop their fine motor skills through doodling.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, shape recognition, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed specifically for young learners, using simple shapes and easy-to-follow instructions to build confidence in drawing.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are just beginning to explore drawing and parents looking for educational activity books.

• Doodle Magic: Animals by Heather Zschock, illustrated by Martha Day Zschock
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Animals
  • Synopsis: Kids can discover and color animals while learning interesting facts about them, encouraging both creativity and educational engagement.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal knowledge, coloring skills, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the fun of doodling with educational content about animals, which is perfect for engaging young minds.
  • Perfect for: Young animal lovers and budding artists who enjoy learning through interactive activities.

• Doodle Town by Dominika Lipniewska
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Creative Arts
  • Synopsis: Filled with whimsical drawings of a bustling town, this book invites children to add their own doodles to complete scenes and solve creative puzzles.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, problem-solving, spatial awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters creativity and imagination by allowing children to be co-creators of the story and scenes within the book.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love to draw and color, and those who enjoy interactive and imaginative play.

• Doodle Adventures: The Rise of the Rusty Robo-Cat by Mike Lowery
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: This follow-up adventure continues to engage children in storytelling through drawing, as they help the characters overcome challenges with their doodles.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, reading comprehension, interactive problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a dynamic blend of reading and drawing that actively involves the child in the narrative.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy science fiction and interactive stories where they can influence the outcome.

• Let's Doodle Together! by Jenny Chen
  • Genre(s): Art, Interactive
  • Synopsis: A collaborative doodle book that encourages kids and adults to draw together, featuring fun and creative prompts.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Collaboration, creativity, imaginative thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes bonding through art and encourages both children and adults to unleash their creativity together.
  • Perfect for: Families looking for a shared activity that is both fun and creative, suitable for parents and children alike.

Challenging Doodle Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Super Duper Doodle Book by Rob Elliott
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Art
  • Synopsis: This book offers a series of complex doodle challenges that include creating intricate patterns and completing detailed scenes.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features advanced doodling tasks that require more precision and thought than typical doodle books, making it a stimulating challenge for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop fine motor skills and patience, as well as fostering a love for detailed artwork.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are detail-oriented and love challenges in their drawing projects.

• Doodle Fusion: Zifflin's Coloring Book by Lei Melendres
  • Genre(s): Art, Coloring Book
  • Synopsis: This coloring book is filled with highly detailed doodle art which allows children to color within intricate designs and patterns.
  • Why this book is challenging: The complexity and detail of the doodles provide a challenging coloring experience that requires focus and precision.
  • Why we recommend this book: Coloring these complex doodles can be meditative and immensely satisfying, enhancing concentration and attention to detail.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who enjoy intricate patterns and are looking for a coloring challenge.

• The Scribble Squad in the Weird Wild West by Donald "Scribe" Ross
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: In this adventure, a group of friends travel back in time to the Wild West, where they must use their doodling skills to solve problems and save the day.
  • Why this book is challenging: It combines reading with interactive elements that require creative thinking and problem-solving beyond simple doodling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an exciting way to integrate art with storytelling, encouraging both creative and analytical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love adventures and using their creativity to solve puzzles and challenges.

• Epic Doodle by Kerby Rosanes
  • Genre(s): Art, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book provides a variety of complex doodle prompts that range from creating alien landscapes to intricate monster designs.
  • Why this book is challenging: The doodle prompts are designed to push the boundaries of a child’s imagination and drawing skills with more sophisticated themes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages readers to expand their creative thinking and helps in mastering advanced doodling techniques.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young artists who are ready to take their doodling skills to the next level.

• Doodle Chaos by Zifflin, illustrated by Lei Melendres
  • Genre(s): Art, Coloring Book
  • Synopsis: This book features chaotic doodle designs that are densely packed and wildly imaginative, inviting children to add color and additional elements.
  • Why this book is challenging: The chaotic nature of the illustrations requires careful planning and a strategic approach to both coloring and doodling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's perfect for developing a keen eye for color and design, as well as enhancing decision-making skills in art.
  • Perfect for: Kids who thrive in creatively demanding situations and enjoy tackling complex art projects.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to turn doodle books into a springboard for developing good reading habits in your 5-year-old, you're in the right place. Doodle books are not only fun, but they can also be instrumental in building foundational reading skills. Here are some engaging exercises that can help your little one along their reading journey:

• Picture Story Creation
  • What it is: Ask your child to create a story based on the doodles in the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and puts their understanding of the visuals into words.
  • Tips: Guide them with questions about the doodles to help formulate their story.

• Doodle Description Game
  • What it is: Have your child describe a doodle in the book in as much detail as possible.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and observational skills.
  • Tips: Encourage the use of new adjectives and descriptive phrases.

• Match the Doodle
  • What it is: Create flashcards of simple words and have your child match them to the corresponding doodles.
  • How it helps: Supports word recognition and reading skills.
  • Tips: Start with easy words and gradually introduce more complex ones as their skills improve.

• Read and Color
  • What it is: Read a simple sentence related to a doodle and then have your child color the doodle accordingly.
  • How it helps: Reinforces reading comprehension and following instructions.
  • Tips: Use this activity to discuss colors, shapes, and actions described in the sentence.

• Doodle Memory Game
  • What it is: Show your child a page of doodles, cover it, and then ask them to recall and describe the doodles.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory and recall abilities.
  • Tips: Keep the sessions short and fun to maintain their interest and enthusiasm.

Incorporating these exercises into your daily or weekly reading routines can make learning enjoyable and effective for your 5-year-old. Doodle books are a fantastic tool that can promote creativity while enhancing early literacy skills. So, grab a doodle book and let the fun and learning begin!