10+ Best Funny Books for 8-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for a way to keep your 8-year-old giggling through their reading time? You're in the right spot! Our list of funny books for 8-year-olds is packed with stories that are sure to bring the laughs. From silly mishaps to whimsical adventures, we've gathered the best in children's literature to keep your young reader entertained. Keep reading to discover our top picks for funny books that will delight any 8-year-old!

Fun Funny Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Follow the adventures and misadventures of Greg Heffley as he navigates middle school, where he learns that sometimes what makes you popular isn’t always what makes you a good friend.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's hilariously relatable and offers a light-hearted, comical look at everyday school life through the eyes of a not-so-typical tween.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good laugh and those dealing with the ups and downs of school life.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A little girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG), and together they embark on a mission to stop the other giants from eating children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination with its creative language and whimsical plot, all while teaching important lessons about friendship and courage.
  • Perfect for: Young readers with a big imagination and a love for stories that mix reality with fantasy.

• Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
  • Genre(s): Humor, Action, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Two prank-loving boys, George and Harold, accidentally turn their grumpy principal into Captain Underpants, a superhero with a tighty-whitey costume and a cape.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines action-packed scenes with silly humor, which is sure to keep children engaged and entertained.
  • Perfect for: Energetic readers who enjoy comics and stories that are as action-filled as they are hilarious.

• The World's Worst Children by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
  • Genre(s): Humor, Short Stories
  • Synopsis: This book features ten outrageously funny stories about the most hilariously horrible children ever.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a collection of cautionary tales with a good dose of humor, perfect for making kids giggle while also making them think about the consequences of mischievous behavior.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love to laugh at naughty antics and enjoy short, amusing stories.

• Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set in a bizarre school built 30 stories high, with one classroom on each floor, this book follows the strange and funny events that happen in Mrs. Jewls's class at Wayside School.
  • Why we recommend this book: Each chapter tells a quirky story that is absurd yet incredibly engaging, encouraging a love of reading through humor and unexpected twists.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate the absurd and those who enjoy imaginative tales that are out of the ordinary.

Educational Funny Books for 8-Year-Olds

• Math Rashes and Other Classroom Tales by Douglas Evans, illustrated by Larry Di Fiori
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: A collection of humorous and fantastical stories set in a school where bizarre but funny things happen, like math rashes that spread among students.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem solving, creative thinking, mathematics
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively blends humor with educational scenarios that make learning fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Kids who find humor in school-related situations and enjoy stories that make them think outside the box.

• The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton
  • Genre(s): Humor, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Follows two boys, Andy and Terry, who live in a treehouse with 13 stories of fun features like a see-through swimming pool and a marshmallow machine.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, imagination, storytelling
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with whimsical illustrations and wacky plots that captivate young readers’ imaginations.
  • Perfect for: Children who dream big and love creative adventures in their reading material.

• Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Skottie Young
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A father goes to buy milk and comes back with wild tales of aliens, pirates, and time travel.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, storytelling, humor
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a wildly imaginative and funny story that demonstrates the power of storytelling and the fun of a simple errand turned adventure.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy fantastical tales with a lot of humor and heart.

• The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
  • Genre(s): Humor, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Four baby chickens, who consider themselves a squad, tackle their first case to help a scared squirrel find out what he’s afraid of.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a mystery, making it both entertaining and a good brain teaser for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives who love animals and giggles.

• My Weird School by Dan Gutman, illustrated by Jim Paillot
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: The series starts with "Miss Daisy Is Crazy!", where students find out their teacher doesn’t know how to read, write, or do math.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading fluency, comprehension, enjoyment in learning
  • Why we recommend this book: Each book in the series uses humor and quirky characters to make school and learning fun.
  • Perfect for: Kids who think school is boring but love to read and laugh.

Challenging Funny Books for 8-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: A bored young boy named Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth that transports him to the Lands Beyond, a fantastical world filled with peculiar characters and absurd situations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a rich vocabulary and a series of puns and wordplay that require a higher level of reading comprehension and linguistic understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful blend of adventure and humor, encouraging critical thinking and a deeper appreciation for the nuances of language.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love word games, puzzles, and imaginative journeys that challenge the mind.

• The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
  • Genre(s): Humor, Parody, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book humorously parodies classic children's literature through the tale of the old-fashioned Willoughby siblings who craft a diabolical plan to turn themselves into deserving orphans.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative style and the satirical take on classic themes require a sophisticated understanding of tone and context.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a hilarious, clever critique of the orphan trope in children's literature, wrapped in a witty and engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Advanced readers who enjoy satire and are familiar with classic children's stories.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Four gifted children are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they must solve a series of puzzles and stop a global crisis.
  • Why this book is challenging: The complex puzzles and moral questions posed in this book require critical thinking and advanced comprehension skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling, brain-teasing adventure that promotes problem-solving and teamwork.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love mysteries and intellectual challenges.

• Half Magic by Edward Eager, illustrated by N. M. Bodecker
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Four siblings find a magic coin that grants exactly half of whatever they wish for, leading to unexpected adventures and misadventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The concept of "half wishes" introduces complex thinking as characters must carefully phrase their wishes, blending fantasy with logic.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with magical mishaps in a way that encourages creative thinking and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories about magic with a twist and lessons about the consequences of their choices.

• The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, illustrated by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Humor, Mystery, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Miss Penelope Lumley is hired as a governess to three wild children who were raised by wolves and must teach them to fit into high society.
  • Why this book is challenging: The blend of Victorian-era settings with complex language and a sophisticated narrative style demands higher comprehension and inferential skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a unique, humorous take on the classic governess tale with an intriguing mystery at its heart.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy historical settings, mysteries, and stories about unconventional children.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to make reading a blast for your 8-year-old, especially with funny books, you're in the right place! Here are some engaging exercises that will not only keep them giggling but also help them develop great reading habits. Let’s dive in!

• Create a Laughter Log
  • What it is: Keep a special notebook where your child can write down the funniest parts of the books they read.
  • How it helps: Encourages attentive reading as they look out for humorous parts to jot down.
  • Tips: Encourage them to share their laughter log entries during family time, making it a fun discussion!

• Character Costume Day
  • What it is: Choose a day when your child can dress up as their favorite character from a funny book they are reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and connection to the character, making reading more engaging.
  • Tips: Help them prepare the costume and perhaps organize a small family performance where they can act out their favorite scene.

• Comic Strip Summary
  • What it is: After finishing a book, your child can create a comic strip summarizing the story.
  • How it helps: This helps with understanding plot structure and encourages creativity.
  • Tips: Provide them with markers, colored pencils, and paper to bring their ideas to life visually.

• Funny Book Club
  • What it is: Start a book club for your child and their friends where they read and discuss funny books.
  • How it helps: Improves social skills and provides motivation to read more.
  • Tips: Organize monthly meetings where they can discuss the book and share a lot of laughs.

• Joke of the Day
  • What it is: Each day, your child can learn and tell a new joke from the books they read.
  • How it helps: Enhances memory and understanding of language nuances.
  • Tips: They could share the joke at the dinner table or use it as a school icebreaker!

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading an active, enjoyable, and integral part of your child's daily life. By incorporating these fun activities, you're setting the stage for a lifelong love of reading. So, grab those funny books and let the laughter (and learning) begin!