10+ Best Funny Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Looking for a way to tickle the funny bone of your favorite 7-year-old? You're in the right spot! Our roundup of funny books for 7-year-olds is packed with giggles and laughs that are perfect for young readers. Whether you're after a silly bedtime story or something to keep them chuckling on a rainy day, we've got just the list. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to bring smiles and laughter to your little one's day!
Table of Contents
Fun Funny Books for 7-Year-Olds
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
- Genre(s): Humor, Children's Fiction
- Synopsis: In this colorful tale, a box of crayons sends letters to their owner, expressing their frustrations and demands. Each crayon has its own quirky personality and unique problems.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious and creative story that encourages empathy and problem-solving, showing kids how to see things from others' perspectives.
- Perfect for: Kids who love drawing and coloring, and those who enjoy stories with multiple characters.
- Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
- Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
- Synopsis: When the bus driver takes a break, a pigeon makes every attempt to convince the reader to let it drive the bus, using every argument and trick it can think of.
- Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and funny, allowing kids to say "No" to the pigeon's outrageous requests, which enhances their decision-making skills and sense of responsibility.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy interactive stories and those who love a good laugh.
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- Genre(s): Humor, Fiction, Graphic Novel
- Synopsis: Greg Heffley navigates middle school where he must deal with bullies, popularity, and family dynamics, all while trying to fit in and look cool.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines text and cartoons in a diary format, making it relatable and easy to read, which can help reluctant readers feel more confident.
- Perfect for: Kids who are transitioning into middle school or those who enjoy stories about school life and growing up.
- The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
- Genre(s): Fairy Tale, Humor
- Synopsis: This book offers a humorous twist on the classic tale, told from the perspective of the wolf, who insists that the whole thing was a misunderstanding.
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches kids that there are two sides to every story and encourages critical thinking and humor.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy fairy tales and exploring different perspectives.
- Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
- Genre(s): Humor, Action, Graphic Novel
- Synopsis: Two fourth-graders, George and Harold, create a superhero named Captain Underpants, who accidentally becomes real when their principal is hypnotized into believing he’s the hero.
- Why we recommend this book: It's packed with action and humor, and the creative illustrations engage readers, helping to foster a love for reading.
- Perfect for: Adventurous kids with a wild imagination and a love for superheroes and comics.
Educational Funny Books for 7-Year-Olds
- The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton
- Genre(s): Humor, Adventure
- Synopsis: Andy and Terry live in an incredible treehouse with 13 stories, complete with a see-through swimming pool, a lemonade fountain, and a secret underground laboratory. Their adventures are as crazy and funny as their treehouse!
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, imagination, problem-solving
- Why we recommend this book: It's wildly imaginative and full of zany humor, which keeps children engaged and eager to read more.
- Perfect for: Kids who love inventive stories and dream of their own fantastical inventions.
- Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
- Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
- Synopsis: Stink Moody, the shortest kid in his class, discovers that he seems to be shrinking. Through funny experiments and adventures, he learns to appreciate what makes him unique.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-esteem, science basics, measurement
- Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with relatable school scenarios and science, making learning fun.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy quirky characters and stories about school life.
- Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
- Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book
- Synopsis: Little Chicken can't help interrupting her father as he tries to read her bedtime stories. She jumps into the stories, saving characters from making mistakes.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, storytelling, patience
- Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful read that teaches children the importance of listening and the joy of storytelling.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love to be part of the story and parents seeking a fun bedtime read.
- Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
- Genre(s): Humor, Early Reader
- Synopsis: This classic book features tales of two good friends, Frog and Toad, as they explore the ups and downs of friendship through their simple yet meaningful adventures.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Friendship skills, reading fluency, emotional intelligence
- Why we recommend this book: Its charming stories underscore the value of friendship and are perfect for developing readers.
- Perfect for: Beginning readers and kids learning about the nuances of friendship.
- The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
- Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book (ironically, without pictures)
- Synopsis: This innovative book proves that words alone can be fun and entertaining as it forces the reader to say silly and ridiculous things out loud.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading aloud, understanding the power of words, creativity
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to find joy and laughter in reading, even without illustrations.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive reading sessions and those who appreciate the humor in words.
Challenging Funny Books for 7-Year-Olds
- Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Skottie Young
- Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy, Adventure
- Synopsis: A father goes to buy milk for his children's breakfast and comes back with wild tales of aliens, pirates, and time travel.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative weaves complex adventures and fantastical elements that require imaginative thinking and an understanding of abstract concepts.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling ride that mixes absurdity with wit, showcasing Gaiman's talent for storytelling that captivates and amuses.
- Perfect for: Kids who love a good adventure and have a vivid imagination.
- Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
- Genre(s): Humor, Fiction, Fantasy
- Synopsis: Set in a bizarre school where the classrooms are stacked vertically, this book offers 30 quirky stories about the students and teachers at Wayside School.
- Why this book is challenging: The stories contain surreal and nonsensical plot twists that challenge conventional logic and reasoning.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages creative thinking and problem-solving, all while providing a good laugh with its eccentric characters and situations.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy quirky humor and thinking outside the box.
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
- Synopsis: Bored young Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth and drives through it in his toy car, entering a whimsical world filled with peculiar characters and absurd situations.
- Why this book is challenging: It plays with language and mathematics in clever ways, presenting puzzles and puns that require critical thinking and a good vocabulary.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a smart and witty adventure that teaches about the importance of learning and the joy of discovery.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love wordplay, puzzles, and imaginative journeys.
- The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
- Genre(s): Humor, Action, Graphic Novel
- Synopsis: Two fourth-graders create a comic book hero who accidentally becomes real when they hypnotize their principal.
- Why this book is challenging: The flip-o-rama sections and the mix of comic book panels with text require coordination and comprehension beyond simple reading.
- Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging, hilarious story that also encourages artistic creativity and storytelling.
- Perfect for: Kids who are fans of superheroes and comic books, and those who enjoy interactive reading experiences.
- The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
- Synopsis: A young girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, is kind and gentle. Together, they embark on an adventure to stop the other giants from eating children.
- Why this book is challenging: Dahl's use of playful language and creative word inventions provides a rich linguistic experience that requires an understanding of nuance and context.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story filled with whimsy and wonder, promoting themes of friendship and bravery.
- Perfect for: Children who enjoy stories about unlikely friendships and fantastical worlds.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to make reading a hoot for your 7-year-old while also building strong reading habits, incorporating some fun exercises can really help. Here are a few engaging activities designed to complement those giggles and chuckles from funny books. Let's dive in!
- Read Aloud Together
- What it is: You and your child take turns reading pages or chapters aloud from a funny book.
- How it helps: This encourages pronunciation skills and helps with understanding tone and inflection, which is great for funny books where timing is key.
- Tips: Use funny voices and expressions to make the reading more entertaining and engaging for your child.
- Character Role Play
- What it is: After reading, act out scenes from the book with your child, each of you playing different characters.
- How it helps: Helps deepen understanding of the story and characters, and enhances memory retention of what was read.
- Tips: Encourage your child to improvise dialogue or actions for their character based on the story.
- Draw the Story
- What it is: Your child draws their favorite scene or character from the book.
- How it helps: Stimulates creativity and helps with visual memory of the story details.
- Tips: Discuss the scene or character as your child draws, asking why they chose it and what they liked about it.
- Story Predictions
- What it is: Before turning the page, ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story.
- How it helps: Enhances inferential thinking skills and engagement with the plot.
- Tips: Praise creative guesses and discuss the outcomes to see how they match up with the guesses.
- Book-Themed Snacks
- What it is: Create snacks that are themed around something in the book, whether it's a character, setting, or a specific food mentioned.
- How it helps: Makes the reading experience more memorable and sensory.
- Tips: Keep the snack preparation simple and involve your child in the process.
By integrating these exercises into your reading routine, not only will your child find reading more enjoyable, but they'll also develop a stronger foundation in their reading skills. Plus, it's a wonderful way to spend quality time together, filled with laughter and learning. Happy reading!