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

Looking for the perfect way to keep your ten-year-old engaged and learning? You’re in the right place! Our roundup of activity books for 10-year-olds is packed with choices that are as entertaining as they are educational. Whether you're after something for a rainy day or a sunny afternoon, these books promise to keep young minds buzzing with excitement. Keep reading to discover our various lists of activity books for 10-year-olds that cater to all interests and learning styles!

Fun Activity Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Creativity
  • Synopsis: This interactive book encourages kids to creatively engage with their world by filling pages with their unique ideas, destroying them in artistic ways, and altering the book from its original form.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and offers a hands-on approach that keeps reading and writing exciting.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love being creative and aren't afraid to get their hands dirty.

• The Kid's Awesome Activity Book by Mike Lowery
  • Genre(s): Activity Book, Puzzle Book, Games
  • Synopsis: Filled with games, puzzles, and stickers, this book provides a variety of fun activities that stimulate the mind and encourage creative expression.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with engaging activities that are perfect for keeping a young reader entertained while also challenging their problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy puzzles, games, and using their imagination.

• Brain Games for Clever Kids by Gareth Moore
  • Genre(s): Puzzles, Activity Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book offers a series of brain teasers, puzzles, and challenges designed to sharpen the cognitive abilities of young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps improve memory, problem-solving skills, and concentration in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love challenges and want to test their mental abilities.

• National Geographic Kids Weird But True! series by National Geographic Kids
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Science, Weird Facts
  • Synopsis: Each book in this series is packed with strange but true facts about the world, offering a fun and fascinating way to learn about science, history, and culture.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks curiosity about the world and encourages reading through fun, bite-sized pieces of information.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds that are fascinated by the odd, unusual, or simply weird aspects of the world.

• The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book by Tom Robinson
  • Genre(s): Science, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book teaches fundamental scientific concepts through easy and accessible experiments that can be done at home with everyday materials.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning science interactive and practical, which can help reinforce educational concepts through active participation.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists who enjoy experimenting and learning how things work.

Educational Activity Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Math Riddles for Smart Kids by M. Prefontaine
  • Genre(s): Math, Puzzles, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book is a collection of challenging math riddles and brain teasers designed to engage young minds and encourage problem-solving.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mathematical skills, logical thinking, problem-solving abilities
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a fun and engaging way to enhance mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills through puzzles and riddles.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love math challenges and enjoy solving puzzles.

• The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps! by Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Sol Linero
  • Genre(s): Geography, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book offers a tour of the 50 states of the USA, packed with maps, facts, and educational activities that highlight the unique aspects of each state.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Geographic knowledge, cultural awareness, reading comprehension
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an interactive exploration of the U.S. that educates children on geography and cultural diversity through visually appealing maps and activities.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers interested in learning more about different parts of the United States.

• Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids by Christina Schul
  • Genre(s): Engineering, Science, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Features 50+ exciting engineering challenges and projects that encourage kids to build, create, and learn fundamental engineering concepts.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Engineering principles, creativity, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces basic engineering concepts through DIY projects and activities that are both educational and fun.
  • Perfect for: Budding engineers and creators who love to build and understand how things work.

• The Drawing Book for Kids: 365 Daily Things to Draw, Step by Step by Woo! Jr. Kids Activities
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Offers a daily drawing prompt for kids, providing easy-to-follow steps to draw animals, objects, and many other things throughout the year.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Artistic skills, creativity, hand-eye coordination
  • Why we recommend this book: It nurtures creativity and improves drawing skills with simple, structured instructions that make art accessible and enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who enjoy drawing and want to improve their skills with daily practice.

• Science! STEM Sticker Adventure by Hopscotch Girls
  • Genre(s): Science, STEM, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This sticker book introduces kids to STEM concepts through interactive scenes and sticker activities that cover various scientific topics.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific knowledge, motor skills, understanding of STEM fields
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun sticker activities with educational content, making learning about science interactive and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love stickers and are curious about science and technology.

Challenging Activity Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Extreme Puzzle Challenges for Clever Kids by Dr. Gareth Moore
  • Genre(s): Puzzles, Logic Games, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book is packed with a variety of brain-bending puzzles ranging from mazes and crosswords to logic and number puzzles.
  • Why this book is challenging: The puzzles are designed to push the cognitive abilities of children, requiring advanced problem-solving skills and logical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great way to stretch the mind and improve critical thinking skills through fun and challenging activities.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle enthusiasts who love a good challenge and want to test their mental acuity.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society Puzzle Book by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Puzzles, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: Based on the popular book series, this puzzle book offers a range of mind-bending challenges that follow the adventures of the Mysterious Benedict Society.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex puzzles that require creative thinking and sharp attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the thrill of mystery with the satisfaction of solving puzzles, enhancing both reading pleasure and problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society series and kids who enjoy mysteries and brain teasers.

• Code This! Puzzles, Games, Challenges, and Computer Coding Concepts for the Problem Solver in You by Jennifer Szymanski
  • Genre(s): Coding, Games, Educational
  • Synopsis: This interactive book introduces basic coding concepts through puzzles, games, and challenges that teach the fundamentals of computer programming.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces real coding challenges that require logical thinking and basic programming skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent introduction to coding, offering a hands-on approach to learning that can spark interest in technology and computer science.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring coders and any kid interested in technology and problem-solving.

• Smart Kids Space: For Kids Who Really Love Space! by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Space, Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book takes young readers on a journey through the cosmos, exploring planets, stars, and galaxies with fun facts and engaging activities.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers advanced topics in astronomy with detailed explanations, requiring comprehension of complex scientific concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fuels curiosity about the universe and enhances understanding of space science through visually stimulating content and thought-provoking activities.
  • Perfect for: Young space enthusiasts and any kid fascinated by the mysteries of the universe.

• Logic Puzzles for Clever Kids: Fun Brain Games for Ages 4 & Up by Molly Lynch
  • Genre(s): Logic, Puzzles, Educational
  • Synopsis: A collection of engaging logic puzzles designed to develop critical thinking and reasoning skills in young minds.
  • Why this book is challenging: The puzzles range from simple to complex, requiring kids to use deduction and logical reasoning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop essential cognitive skills in a playful and engaging way, making it a fun learning experience.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy solving puzzles and want to improve their logical thinking skills.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking for ways to help your 10-year-old develop great reading habits through activity books, you've come to the right place. Here are some fun and effective exercises that can be incorporated into any reading routine. These activities are designed not only to enhance reading skills but also to make reading a more engaging and enjoyable experience.

• Create a Reading Map
  • What it is: Draw a map that outlines the plot of the book.
  • How it helps: Helps visualize the story’s structure and main events.
  • Tips: Use different colors or symbols for different types of events or characters.

• Design a Book Cover
  • What it is: Create a new cover for a book you've read.
  • How it helps: Encourages deeper thinking about the themes and mood of the book.
  • Tips: Think about what elements best represent the story to include in your design.

• Character Diary Entries
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of a character in the book.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of character development and perspective.
  • Tips: Choose key moments in the story for the character to reflect on.

• Story Prediction Chart
  • What it is: Before finishing the book, predict future events and plot outcomes.
  • How it helps: Enhances inferential thinking and comprehension.
  • Tips: Revisit and revise the predictions as you read more of the book.

• Book Review Blog Post
  • What it is: Write a blog post reviewing a book you've read.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and opinion-forming skills.
  • Tips: Include both what you liked and didn’t like about the book, and why.

• Reading Time Capsule
  • What it is: Create a box with items related to a book, to be opened later.
  • How it helps: Makes connections between the physical world and the themes in the book.
  • Tips: Include things like quotes, a list of favorite characters, and predictions for a sequel.

• Discussion Director
  • What it is: Lead a book discussion with friends or family members.
  • How it helps: Enhances verbal communication and ability to argue a point.
  • Tips: Prepare questions in advance to keep the discussion flowing.

These exercises are not only fun but also incredibly beneficial for developing strong reading skills and habits. Encourage your young reader to try out different activities and discover what they enjoy the most. Happy reading!