Must Have Science Books for Kids of All Ages

Whether you are a parent or teacher, providing high-quality science books is one of the ways to help kids cultivate a love of science. These recommendations are based on my ten years of teaching experience and student endorsements. Science books for kids make great birthday gifts or holiday gifts. This list of science books for kids is teacher-created and child-approved!

Science Experiment Books: First and foremost, science is about doing. Nothing encourages doing science more than a science experiment book! All three of these books have plenty of experiments you can do today with materials you have at home! STEAM Play & Learn is perfect science fun for younger kids. I’ve even done some of these my toddler! Awesome Science Experiments for Kids has over 100 experiments great for children in grades 2 to 4. And of course I have to include my book, Real Science Experiments: 40 Exciting STEAM Activities for Kids. This book has a range of experiments for older kids looking for experiments they haven’t seen before.

General Science Fact/Trivia Books: These are what I consider “bathroom readers”. Actually, you should put one in your bathroom. Seriously! General science facts books have a broad appeal, so anyone can pick one up and find an interesting science fact. I have a copy of 8000 Awesome Things You Should Know that I picked up on clearance (it’s out of print), that is probably one of the few books in my classroom that every child picked up and read at some point. National Geographic Kids original 5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) was so popular, they came out with follow-up’s #2 and #3.

In my experience having one general science fact book is enough (unless your kid wants more). After that, look for science fact books that are specific to the child you are buying the book for, like Everything Awesome About Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Beasts! for dinosaur lovers or The Astronomy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained for space lovers.

A fun and random science book for teenagers is Can Holding in a Fart Kill You?. It is totally the kind of book a kid would get from their cool uncle. Big disclaimer, the book discusses the truth about Santa, drinking, and other mature content so take this into consideration before purchasing. A safer option meant for younger kids is Little Kids First Big Book of Why.

Nature of Science Books: Books that capture the adventure and discovery of true science. The Most Magnificient Thing is about a little girl trying to make an invention with the help of her dog. It promotes problem solving and perseverance. Even my toddler likes this book! Notable Notebooks: Scientists and Their Writings has real life ways people from Galileo to Jane Goodall have used a science notebook. I encourage children to keep a science notebook, and this book does just that! Hidden Wonders explores over 200 unique places to visit all over the globe. This is science at its finest, as you learn about everything from the Waitomo glowworm caves to Hawaii’s Pineapple Garden Maze.

How Things Work: David Macaulay’s The Way Things Work is iconic. I know many teenagers and adults who point to this book as the book. You know, THE book that set them on a path of loving science. If you have it (I hope you do!) check out his other books about how toilets, jet planes, and simple machines work. I can’t wait for his newest book, Mammoth Science: The Big Ideas that Explain Our World. Since David Macaulay’s books tend to be for older kids, National Geographic’s How Things Work by T.J Resler is great for third to fifth graders, and Usbourne’s How Things Work is a lift the flap book perfect for younger kids.

Science Graphic Novels: As a teacher, I always gravitated towards The Cartoon Guide to Physics and The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry (the best two in the series in my humble opinion), but my students only read these when I encouraged it (probably because they are high school level books). However, both the Max Axiom and Science Comics graphic novel series lured even the most reluctant science students into opening their pages. Part of the magic of graphic novels is they are great for third graders and adults alike.

Science Comics have topics related to a lot of kid’s interests, like sharks, dinosaurs, dogs, and cats.

Max Axiom covers a wide range of interests too! From physical science topics like magnetism to environmental science topics like renewable energy to life science topics like food chains and ecosystems.

Storytelling is integral to science teaching. The best science books tell great stories, and science comics do this well! School Library Journals has a great guide to teaching with science comics.

Science Reference Books: A science encyclopedia is the best, screen-free science homework help. With 304 pages, DK’s The New Children’s Encyclopedia (2019) is surprisingly only available in paperback, but also fairly cheap. The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia (2017)) is longer at 496 pages, more substantial in hardcover, and a bit more expensive. Both are good options meant for children fourth grade and up, but also great for adults to read through with younger children.

Consider buying used or borrowing from the library! Kids have ever-changing interests, so you might not want to buy the books on this list. Check them out from your local library instead! Or, consider buying a used book for much cheaper. At my house, I have a mix of new books, used books, and library books.

What should you do with an overflowing mountain of children’s books? Consider donating or reselling. Some books I pass on to other children. Some books I resell in consignment sales and used book stores. Some books I donate to other schools or local shelters.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for on this list, or want even more science books for kids, check out the list of bestselling children’s books in science, nature, and how things work on Amazon. So, what other books would you add to this list?