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

Looking for the perfect way to unleash your child's creativity? Dive into our latest blog post where we explore the best craft books for 10-year-olds. These books are packed with fun, engaging projects that are perfect for keeping little hands and minds busy. Whether your child loves drawing, cutting, pasting, or a bit of everything, we’ve got something that will spark their imagination. Keep reading to discover our top picks for craft books that are sure to inspire and entertain!

Fun Craft Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes by Doug Stillinger
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book provides step-by-step instructions on how to fold 10 unique and cool paper airplanes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fun with practical skills, enhancing both creativity and fine motor skills. The clear instructions make it easy for kids to follow along and succeed in making their planes.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love hands-on activities and are interested in learning how to create different types of paper airplanes.

• Sewing School ®: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make by Andria Lisle and Amie Petronis Plumley
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Educational
  • Synopsis: This craft book introduces children to the basics of sewing, with projects that range from simple bookmarks to wearable items like hats.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches valuable sewing skills and encourages patience and precision. The projects are age-appropriate and designed to boost confidence with each completed task.
  • Perfect for: Young crafters who are eager to learn basic sewing skills and enjoy making their own creations.

• Origami Chic: A Guide to Foldable Fashion by Sok Song
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Origami
  • Synopsis: This unique origami book focuses on creating foldable fashion items, from dresses to shoes, using nothing but paper.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a stylish twist to traditional origami, appealing to fashion-forward kids. It also helps develop spatial and cognitive skills through the intricate folding processes.
  • Perfect for: Kids who have an interest in fashion and design and love exploring new ways to express their creativity.

• The LEGO Ideas Book: Unlock Your Imagination by Daniel Lipkowitz
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Building, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This book is filled with tips and ideas on building new and exciting LEGO creations, using bricks that kids might already have at home.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imaginative play and problem-solving skills, showing kids that the possibilities are endless with LEGO. It's great for boosting creativity and persistence.
  • Perfect for: LEGO enthusiasts who are looking for new challenges and ways to use their existing LEGO sets creatively.

• Awesome Duct Tape Projects: More than 50 Projects for Washi, Masking, and Frogtape by Choly Knight
  • Genre(s): Crafts, DIY
  • Synopsis: This book provides instructions for creating a variety of fun and useful items with duct tape, including wallets, phone cases, and even clothing.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces kids to a versatile and accessible crafting material, encouraging them to think creatively about everyday objects. The projects are practical and fun, offering immediate satisfaction.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who enjoy DIY projects and are interested in learning how to make functional items from simple materials.

Educational Craft Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Craft Lab for Kids by Stephanie Corfee
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book features 52 family-friendly projects that explore various crafting techniques, including painting, papier-mâché, and textile arts.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Artistic skills, creativity, hand-eye coordination, and understanding of various crafting techniques
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a wide range of projects, ensuring that there's something for every interest and skill level, making crafting enjoyable and educational.
  • Perfect for: Kids and families looking for a variety of creative projects to do together throughout the year.

• Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects by Jack Challoner
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Science, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book offers a collection of DIY projects that combine crafting with basic scientific principles, allowing kids to create everything from a lemon battery to a homemade volcano.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific understanding, problem-solving, creativity, and manual dexterity
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes science accessible and fun, encouraging kids to learn through hands-on activities that yield real-world objects and experiments.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and crafters who are keen to explore how the world works while creating cool projects.

• The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food by Joseph Tychonievich; illustrated by Liz Anna Kozik
  • Genre(s): Gardening, Crafts, Educational
  • Synopsis: This unique guide teaches the basics of gardening through comic book-style storytelling and illustrations, focusing on a first-time gardener's journey.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Gardening skills, environmental awareness, storytelling, and visual learning
  • Why we recommend this book: It presents gardening in a fun and engaging way, appealing to kids who might not be immediately drawn to traditional gardening books.
  • Perfect for: Budding gardeners and comic book fans who are interested in learning about growing their own food in a fun, visual format.

• Star Wars Origami: 36 Amazing Paper-folding Projects from a Galaxy Far, Far Away.... by Chris Alexander
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Origami, Pop Culture
  • Synopsis: This book combines the art of origami with the iconic elements of the Star Wars universe, teaching kids how to fold paper models of characters and objects from the films.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fine motor skills, following instructions, spatial reasoning, and interest in science fiction and origami
  • Why we recommend this book: It connects a popular cultural phenomenon with a traditional craft, making it an exciting way for fans to engage with Star Wars in a hands-on manner.
  • Perfect for: Star Wars enthusiasts and young crafters interested in learning origami through a fun and familiar theme.

• Rubber Band Engineer: Build Slingshot Powered Rockets, Rubber Band Rifles, Unconventional Catapults, and More Guerrilla Gadgets from Household Hardware by Lance Akiyama
  • Genre(s): Crafts, Engineering, DIY
  • Synopsis: This innovative book shows kids how to build a variety of projects using rubber bands and everyday materials found around the home.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Engineering concepts, creativity, problem-solving, and mechanical skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches basic engineering and physics principles in a fun, accessible way that encourages experimentation and innovation.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and tinkerers who enjoy building and understanding how things work.

Challenging Craft Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Art of 3D Drawing: An Illustrated and Photographic Guide to Creating Art with Three-Dimensional Realism by Stefan Pabst
  - Genre(s): Crafts, Art, Drawing
  - Synopsis: This book teaches advanced drawing techniques to create lifelike and three-dimensional artistic pieces on two-dimensional platforms.
  - Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex drawing techniques that require understanding of perspective, shading, and optical illusions.
  - Why we recommend this book: It helps develop a deep understanding of artistic techniques and enhances both creativity and technical drawing skills.
  - Perfect for: Aspiring artists interested in mastering more sophisticated drawing techniques and creating visually stunning artworks.

• Woodshop for Kids: 52 Woodworking Projects Kids can Build by Jack McKee
  - Genre(s): Crafts, Woodworking
  - Synopsis: The book offers a year’s worth of woodworking projects for children, ranging from simple toys to durable furniture.
  - Why this book is challenging: It requires the use of tools and materials that demand precision, safety, and technical skills.
  - Why we recommend this book: It teaches practical skills and safety in woodworking, fostering a sense of accomplishment and confidence with each project.
  - Perfect for: Young crafters who are ready to take on more challenging projects and learn valuable woodworking skills.

• Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
  - Genre(s): Crafts, Drawing, Cartooning
  - Synopsis: This interactive book guides children through creating their own cartoons, using a blend of doodles and narrative structures.
  - Why this book is challenging: It combines the artistic skill of drawing with the complexity of storytelling.
  - Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and literacy skills by merging art and narrative, helping kids develop their storytelling abilities through cartoons.
  - Perfect for: Budding cartoonists and any young reader interested in telling stories through art.

• The Kids' Building Workshop: 15 Woodworking Projects for Kids and Parents to Build Together by Craig Robertson and Barbara Robertson
  - Genre(s): Crafts, Woodworking, DIY
  - Synopsis: This book outlines 15 projects that kids and parents can build together, including birdhouses, picture frames, and a simple stool.
  - Why this book is challenging: The projects require the use of tools and teamwork, focusing on skills like measuring, sawing, and assembling.
  - Why we recommend this book: It promotes teamwork and teaches practical woodworking skills, providing a great way for families to spend quality time together while building useful items.
  - Perfect for: Families looking to engage in hands-on activities that foster both bonding and skill-building.

• Drawing in 3-D by Mark Kistler
  - Genre(s): Crafts, Drawing, Educational
  - Synopsis: Mark Kistler teaches advanced drawing techniques to help children create three-dimensional effects on a two-dimensional surface.
  - Why this book is challenging: It covers complex concepts of perspective, light, and shadow that are typically taught at higher levels of art education.
  - Why we recommend this book: It enhances visual perception and artistic skills, encouraging kids to explore advanced art techniques in an accessible way.
  - Perfect for: Young artists who want to challenge themselves and improve their drawing skills beyond the basics.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a crafty 10-year-old at home or know one who loves diving into books about crafts, here are some fantastic exercises to help them develop great reading habits. These activities are not just fun but also enhance their learning experience. Let's get started!

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on how many books or pages to read each week.
  • How it helps: Helps in developing a consistent reading habit and achieving set targets.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals to keep motivation high.

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a specific area at home as a reading nook.
  • How it helps: Encourages regular reading by creating a comfortable and inviting space.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the space with their crafts or favorite items.

• Book-Themed Craft Project
  • What it is: Choose a craft from the book to complete.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension by applying what they read into a tangible project.
  • Tips: Discuss the project before starting, linking the craft to the story or information in the book.

• Read and Discuss
  • What it is: Read a chapter or section and then discuss it with someone.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding and retention of the material.
  • Tips: Use open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking and conversation.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters based on the reading material.
  • How it helps: Boosts creativity and helps visualize textual content.
  • Tips: Share the drawings with family or friends to connect over the story.

• Reading Challenge with Friends
  • What it is: Start a friendly reading challenge with peers.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a fun and competitive activity.
  • Tips: Set up rewards for completing the challenge to keep everyone motivated.

• Keep a Reading Journal
  • What it is: Maintain a journal to note down thoughts and favorite quotes.
  • How it helps: Helps establish a routine and keep track of progress.
  • Tips: Make it a habit of filling out the journal every day.

These exercises are designed to make reading more interactive and enjoyable for your young reader. By incorporating these activities, you're not just helping them build strong reading habits but also encouraging a love for learning and creativity. Happy reading and crafting!