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

Are you looking to introduce your little one to the thrilling world of football? You're in the right place! Our curated selection of football books for 5-year-olds is perfect for sparking a love for the game in young readers. From exciting stories to fun facts about football, we've got something that will capture the imagination of every budding fan. Keep reading to discover our favorite football books for 5-year-olds, and find the perfect kickoff to your child's reading adventure!

Fun Football Books for 5-Year-Olds

• My First Book of Football by Beth Bugler and Mark Bechtel, illustrated by Bill Hinds
  • Genre(s): Sports, Children's Non-Fiction
  • Synopsis: A beginner's guide to football, explaining the basics of the game, including rules and player roles, in a simple and engaging way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to football through easy-to-understand language and fun illustrations, making the learning process enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Young sports enthusiasts just starting to learn about football.

• Goodnight Football by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Christina Forshay
  • Genre(s): Sports, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A storybook that captures the excitement of a football game, ending with a gentle goodnight, perfect for bedtime.
  • Why we recommend this book: Combines the thrill of football with a soothing bedtime story format, encouraging a love for reading and sports.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love football and need a fun bedtime story.

• Kick, Pass, and Run by Leonard Kessler
  • Genre(s): Sports, Early Reader
  • Synopsis: Rabbit and his friends play a game of football after watching some kids play, leading to a fun and exciting adventure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an easy-to-read book that introduces basic football terms and teamwork through a story that is engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Beginning readers who enjoy sports and animals.

• Dino-Football by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Barry Gott
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Dinosaurs face off in a prehistoric game of football, filled with fun and whimsical twists.
  • Why we recommend this book: The combination of dinosaurs and football creates a captivating and amusing story that will capture the imagination of young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who love dinosaurs and enjoy energetic, imaginative stories.

• Touchdown Kid by Tim Green
  • Genre(s): Sports, Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story follows a young boy who strives to succeed in youth football, facing challenges both on and off the field.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring tale that teaches important life lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers looking for an inspiring sports story and those interested in stories about overcoming challenges.

Educational Football Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Littlest Leaguer by Syd Hoff
  • Genre(s): Sports, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Follow the journey of the smallest player on the football team, who proves that determination and heart are just as important as size.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, perseverance, self-esteem
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that emphasizes the value of persistence and believing in oneself, regardless of physical limitations.
  • Perfect for: Young athletes and any child who needs encouragement to keep trying, no matter the obstacles.

• T is for Touchdown: A Football Alphabet by Brad Herzog, illustrated by Mark Braught
  • Genre(s): Sports, Alphabet Book
  • Synopsis: This book explores the game of football from A to Z, introducing children to the key terms and aspects of the game.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet knowledge, football terminology
  • Why we recommend this book: It cleverly uses the alphabet to teach the fundamentals of football, making it educational and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and early readers who are starting to learn the alphabet and show interest in sports.

• Football With Dad by Frank Berrios, illustrated by Brian Biggs
  • Genre(s): Sports, Family
  • Synopsis: A young child enjoys a special day playing football with his dad, learning about the game and spending quality time together.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Family bonding, basic football skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the joy of sharing a sport between parent and child, fostering a love for the game and for family activities.
  • Perfect for: Young children who look up to their parents and enjoy active playtime.

• Biscuit Plays Ball by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories
  • Genre(s): Sports, Early Reader
  • Synopsis: Biscuit, the little yellow puppy, joins in on a game of football, experiencing the fun and excitement of the sport.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading skills, understanding teamwork and sportsmanship
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to football through the eyes of a beloved puppy, making it perfect for early readers who love animals.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to read on their own and enjoy playful stories with familiar characters.

Challenging Football Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Football Fanbook by Gary Gramling
  • Genre(s): Sports, Reference
  • Synopsis: This book provides a comprehensive look at football, including history, rules, famous players, and tips for young fans to understand and enjoy the game better.
  • Why this book is challenging: It contains a wealth of information that goes beyond basic football knowledge, introducing complex aspects of the game like strategies and historical statistics.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent resource for young readers who are ready to deepen their understanding of football and engage with the sport on a more intellectual level.
  • Perfect for: Young sports enthusiasts who have a keen interest in football and are eager to learn more than the basics.

• Quarterback Rush by Carl Bowen, illustrated by Eduardo Garcia
  • Genre(s): Sports, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel follows a young quarterback as he navigates the challenges of his first football season with his school team, focusing on game tactics and personal growth.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates detailed discussions of football plays and strategies, which are more complex for young readers to understand.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of a graphic novel with educational content about football, making it both entertaining and informative.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love comics and are interested in a more detailed understanding of football gameplay.

• Sports Illustrated Kids Big Book of Who: Football by The Editors of Sports Illustrated Kids
  • Genre(s): Sports, Biography
  • Synopsis: This book profiles football heroes, both past and present, exploring their careers and contributions to the sport in a format that's accessible to young readers.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces biographical and statistical information that requires more advanced reading skills and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great way to inspire young readers with stories of sportsmanship, perseverance, and achievement from real-life football heroes.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about real people and are inspired by sports figures.

• The Everything Kids' Football Book by Greg Jacobs
  • Genre(s): Sports, Educational
  • Synopsis: Covers all aspects of football, from the fundamentals of how to play to fun facts about the professional leagues and their superstars.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book covers a broad range of topics with a depth that requires more advanced cognitive skills from young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a thorough introduction to every facet of the sport, ensuring that young readers can get a comprehensive understanding of football.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are not just fans of playing football but also enjoy learning about the sport in a broader context.

• NFL Heroes: The 100 Greatest Players of All Time by George Johnson
  • Genre(s): Sports, Biography
  • Synopsis: An in-depth look at the top 100 NFL players, exploring their careers, achievements, and impacts on the sport.
  • Why this book is challenging: The detailed biographies and historical contexts provided in the book demand higher-level reading skills and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers detailed insights into the lives and careers of significant figures in football, providing both inspiration and education.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who aspire to understand the legends of the game and appreciate the history of football.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your 5-year-old to the exciting world of football through books, you're in for a treat! Not only will these books entertain them, but they can also help develop strong reading habits early on. Here are some fun exercises to pair with your football book reading sessions:

• Create a Storyboard
  • What it is: Draw scenes from the book on a piece of paper.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps children recall the story.
  • Tips: Use large, blank sheets and colorful markers to make it more engaging.

• Character Match
  • What it is: Match descriptions of characters to their names or pictures.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and helps kids understand character traits.
  • Tips: Create flashcards with character images on one side and their traits on the other.

• Book Cover Design
  • What it is: Have your child design a new cover for the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and gives them a sense of ownership of the story.
  • Tips: Provide them with art supplies like crayons, markers, and stickers.

• Story Retell Relay
  • What it is: Take turns retelling parts of the story from memory.
  • How it helps: Boosts memory and understanding of the narrative sequence.
  • Tips: Make it fun by using a toy microphone or creating a cozy storytelling corner.

• Word Hunt
  • What it is: Find new words in the book and look them up together.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and makes reading a shared adventure.
  • Tips: Use a child-friendly dictionary or an app for quick look-ups.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only make reading more fun but also more educational. Your little one will be learning without even realizing it! So, grab those football books and get ready to score some learning goals!