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

Are you on the lookout for the perfect way to make math fun for your little one? Look no further! Our curated selection of Math Activity Books for 5-Year-Olds is designed to turn numbers into a playful adventure. Whether you're aiming to introduce basic concepts or reinforce early learning skills, these books are packed with engaging exercises and creative challenges. Keep reading to discover our top picks and find the ideal book to spark your child's love for math!

Fun Math Activity Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Everything Kids' Math Puzzles Book by Meg Clemens, Sean Clemens, and Glenn Clemens
  • Genre(s): Educational, Puzzle, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book is packed with various math puzzles that challenge and entertain children. It includes games, puzzles, and quizzes that cover basic arithmetic, geometry, and logic.
  • Why we recommend this book: It turns math into a fun game, making it more appealing and less intimidating for young learners. The puzzles are designed to sharpen both math and critical thinking skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy solving puzzles and parents looking for educational but entertaining learning tools.

• Math Is Fun! by Trudy Harris, illustrated by Andrew N. Harris
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Through fun rhymes and colorful illustrations, this book introduces basic math concepts to young readers in an engaging way.
  • Why we recommend this book: The rhyming text helps make the learning process enjoyable and memorable, and the illustrations aid in understanding the concepts presented.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are just starting to learn about numbers and parents who want to introduce math through storytelling.

• Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late by Laura Overdeck, illustrated by Jim Paillot
  • Genre(s): Educational, Bedtime Story
  • Synopsis: This book combines bedtime stories with math problems, making math a part of daily family routine in a fun way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It includes math problems scaled to suit different ages, making it a versatile tool for families with children of various skill levels.
  • Perfect for: Families looking to integrate learning into their nighttime routine and children who think math is boring.

• The Grapes of Math by Greg Tang, illustrated by Harry Briggs
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book offers a series of math riddles that encourage creative thinking in solving math problems.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches kids to think outside the box with clever riddles that make solving math problems an intriguing challenge.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love riddles and challenges, and educators seeking innovative ways to teach math concepts.

• Monster Math Picnic by Grace Maccarone, illustrated by Anne Kennedy
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Follows a group of friendly monsters as they prepare for a picnic and use math to divide up the goodies.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces basic division and sharing through a fun and relatable story, making these concepts easy to understand for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Children who are visual learners and anyone who enjoys playful stories with educational themes.

Educational Math Activity Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Math Adventures with Python by Peter Farrell
  • Genre(s): Educational, Coding, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book introduces basic programming alongside fundamental math concepts, using Python to explore and solve various math problems.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Computational thinking, basic programming skills, arithmetic, and problem-solving.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uniquely combines coding and mathematics, providing a practical and modern approach to learning that engages tech-savvy kids.
  • Perfect for: Young learners interested in computers and how they can be used to solve mathematical problems.

• Addition Adventures by Cindy Neuschwander, illustrated by Bryan Langdo
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Follows young characters as they embark on an adventure that requires them to solve addition problems to move forward.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Addition skills, logical thinking, and problem-solving.
  • Why we recommend this book: It turns addition into a fun and adventurous game, encouraging children to practice math without it feeling like a chore.
  • Perfect for: Kids who find traditional math exercises dull and parents looking for an interactive way to teach addition.

• Subtraction Action by Loreen Leedy
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book presents a series of fun and relatable scenarios where children need to use subtraction to find solutions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Subtraction skills, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a clear and engaging way to understand subtraction, making it less intimidating for young learners.
  • Perfect for: Children beginning to learn subtraction and educators needing resourceful material for teaching basic arithmetic.

• The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, illustrated by Rotraut Susanne Berner
  • Genre(s): Educational, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy, Robert, dreams of a whimsical number devil who takes him on nightly mathematical adventures, exploring various concepts from basic arithmetic to more complex ideas like Fibonacci numbers.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Number sense, understanding of mathematical concepts, and imagination in mathematical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively blends storytelling with mathematics, making complex ideas accessible and exciting.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure, as well as those who think math is too abstract or difficult.

• Ten Magic Butterflies by Danica McKellar, illustrated by Jennifer Bricking
  • Genre(s): Educational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Ten flower friends want to be butterflies, and one by one, they get their wish thanks to a magic fairy—teaching counting and conversion in a magical context.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, conversion from one form to another, and early arithmetic skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: Written by a mathematics educator and advocate, it beautifully combines storytelling with essential math skills.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers learning to count and any child enchanted by fairies and magic.

Challenging Math Activity Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Challenge Math For the Elementary and Middle School Student by Edward Zaccaro
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book provides a collection of problems and puzzles that go beyond standard math curricula, challenging students to think critically and creatively.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex problem-solving techniques and higher-level mathematical concepts that are usually not addressed at the elementary level.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop a deeper understanding of math through engaging and thought-provoking activities that stimulate young minds.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young mathematicians and any child looking for a significant challenge.

• Math for Smarty Pants by Marilyn Burns
  • Genre(s): Educational, Puzzle, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book includes math puzzles, tips, tricks, games, and facts designed to entertain and challenge bright young minds.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers a wide range of topics with varying degrees of difficulty, pushing the boundaries of what young children typically encounter in math.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and discovery in mathematics, fostering a love for the subject through playful yet educational content.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are naturally curious and eager to explore more complex math concepts.

• Primary Grade Challenge Math by Edward Zaccaro
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Aimed at gifted and advanced learners, this book offers math challenges that involve problem-solving and critical thinking skills, significantly beyond typical grade level.
  • Why this book is challenging: The problems require not only mathematical skills but also logical reasoning and creative thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It prepares children for higher-level math and problem-solving tasks, building a strong foundation for future academic challenges.
  • Perfect for: Gifted children or any young student who needs more than what is offered in the standard curriculum.

• Math Wizardry for Kids by Margaret Kenda and Phyllis S. Williams
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book offers over 300 activities that teach children mathematical concepts through fun, hands-on projects and experiments.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes activities that apply math in various real-world scenarios, making the concepts more complex and engaging.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes math tangible and exciting through practical applications, helping children see the relevance of math in everyday life.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive learning and parents seeking to supplement their child's education with fun, educational projects.

• Real World Math: Unexpected Events by Carrie De Francisco
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book helps children apply math to real-life situations through unexpected, fun scenarios that require critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Why this book is challenging: It places children in novel situations where they must use math in practical ways, often requiring multiple steps and critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances problem-solving skills and shows how math is used outside the classroom, making learning more meaningful and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Children who thrive on challenges and parents looking for ways to integrate math into everyday life.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to spice up your little one's math learning journey, incorporating some fun math activity books can be a game changer. Here are a few exercises that can help your 5-year-old develop not just math skills but also good reading habits along the way:

• Picture Math Story Time
  • What it is: Read a story from a math activity book that includes pictures and problems to solve.
  • How it helps: Integrates literacy and numeracy, enhancing comprehension and mathematical skills.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to describe the pictures and predict what happens next in the story.

• Math Word Hunt
  • What it is: Look for math-related words in the activity book and discuss their meanings.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and helps children recognize math terms and their significance.
  • Tips: Make a list of new words each week to reinforce learning and retention.

• Counting Challenge
  • What it is: Use the activity book to set up counting challenges using everyday objects.
  • How it helps: Enhances number recognition and counting skills in a practical context.
  • Tips: Keep the challenges fun and varied, such as counting toys, fruits, or pages in the book.

• Solve and Draw
  • What it is: Solve a math problem from the book and then draw a picture illustrating the solution.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps solidify the concept by visualizing the solution.
  • Tips: Display the drawings as a way to celebrate and review the problems solved.

• Math Puzzle Time
  • What it is: Complete math puzzles and riddles provided in the activity book.
  • How it helps: Develops problem-solving skills and logical thinking.
  • Tips: Work together on puzzles to make this a fun bonding activity and to provide guidance.

By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you're not just helping your child learn math—you're also fostering a love for reading and critical thinking. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light and enjoyable, turning learning into a delightful adventure. Happy teaching and learning!