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

Are you on the hunt for ways to make reading more engaging for your little one? Look no further! Our guide on the best interactive books for 5-year-olds is packed with picks that promise to keep those tiny hands busy and those big imaginations soaring. From lift-the-flap to sound button books, we’ve rounded up a variety of interactive reads that are perfect for your preschooler. Keep reading to discover our favorite interactive books for 5-year-olds that are sure to captivate and educate!

Fun Interactive Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Press Here by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Conceptual
  • Synopsis: This imaginative book invites young readers to press, rub, and shake the dots on its pages, watching as the simple actions lead to surprising results on the next page.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages interaction and participation, making reading a dynamic and engaging experience. It helps develop fine motor skills and understanding of cause and effect.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy colorful, playful, and hands-on activities.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This classic book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches counting, the days of the week, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all wrapped in beautiful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who love nature and learning about animal transformations.

• Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Nature
  • Synopsis: This book invites children to tap, rub, touch, and wiggle illustrations to make an apple tree bloom, produce fruit, and lose its leaves.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively teaches about the seasons and the natural cycle of a tree through simple, interactive play.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are curious about nature and enjoy interactive reading sessions.

• Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Conceptual, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book uses splashes of color and simple instructions to engage children in the magic of color mixing and transformation.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces basic concepts of color theory in a fun, hands-on way that stimulates creativity and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who loves playing with colors.

• Don't Push the Button! by Bill Cotter
  • Genre(s): Humor, Interactive
  • Synopsis: A funny story about Larry, the monster, who tells the reader not to push the button—only to tempt them into seeing what happens if they do.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful and humorous way to engage children in the story, encouraging them to interact with the text while teaching them about consequences.
  • Perfect for: Energetic kids who enjoy a good giggle and being part of the story.

Educational Interactive Books for 5-Year-Olds

• What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom
  • Genre(s): Inspirational, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The story follows a child who comes up with an idea and wonders what to do with it. As the idea grows, so does the child's confidence in it.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, confidence building, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages kids to embrace their ideas and see where they might lead, fostering imagination and self-esteem.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and inventors, and any child learning to trust in their own ideas.

• Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers About Our World by Katie Daynes, illustrated by Marie-Eve Tremblay
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This interactive book features over 60 flaps for children to lift, exploring questions about the natural world and how it works.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Geography, natural sciences, curiosity about the world
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning about Earth engaging and accessible, encouraging exploration and discovery.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who love to ask "Why?" and "How?" about the world around them.

• Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey
  • Genre(s): Educational, Astronomy
  • Synopsis: This book introduces children to the stars and constellations, featuring star charts and details about the night sky in different seasons.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Astronomy, pattern recognition, navigation
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a clear, simple introduction to stargazing that can be appreciated by both kids and adults.
  • Perfect for: Young astronomers and any child interested in learning about the stars and the universe.

• The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Emotional Learning, Pop-Up
  • Synopsis: This pop-up book helps children identify and understand their feelings through colors, as they follow the Color Monster on a journey to sort out his mixed-up emotions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, color identification, vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a creative and visually engaging way to help children express and manage their emotions.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are learning to articulate their feelings and anyone who loves imaginative pop-up books.

• My First Book of Comparisons by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Paul Boston
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book is packed with facts and comparisons that explain measurements, quantities, and speeds in a visually engaging way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, numeracy, understanding of scale
  • Why we recommend this book: It simplifies complex concepts with clear visuals and comparisons, making them easy to understand for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Inquisitive kids who love facts and figures, and those who enjoy understanding how things compare.

Challenging Interactive Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: This delightful book follows the Jolly Postman as he delivers mail to various fairy-tale characters, with actual letters and envelopes included for children to open.
  • Why this book is challenging: It incorporates reading within reading, requiring children to handle multiple text formats and understand different contexts and characters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a unique reading experience that combines the joy of storytelling with the excitement of opening mail, enhancing engagement and comprehension.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love fairy tales and interactive play, and those who enjoy a bit of a challenge with their reading.

• The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin, illustrated by Rosana Faria
  • Genre(s): Conceptual, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This innovative book describes colors as they are experienced by someone who is blind, using textured pages and Braille alongside the text.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces children to Braille and the concept of experiencing the world in non-visual ways, which are complex ideas for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a profound sensory experience and a new perspective on colors and perception, fostering empathy and understanding.
  • Perfect for: Visually curious kids and those interested in learning about different sensory experiences and Braille.

• Wonders of Nature: Explorations in the World of Birds, Insects and Fish by Florence Guiraud
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book explores the fascinating details of various animals in the natural world, with interactive elements like lift-the-flaps and pull-tabs.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents detailed scientific information about biology and ecology, requiring focus and comprehension beyond simple storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: It engages children’s curiosity about nature with hands-on elements and detailed illustrations, enhancing learning and retention.
  • Perfect for: Young naturalists and any child with a keen interest in animals and the environment.

• ABC3D by Marion Bataille
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Pop-Up
  • Synopsis: A stunning pop-up book that offers a 3D take on the alphabet, with each letter transforming as you turn the page.
  • Why this book is challenging: The abstract representations and mechanical transformations of each letter challenge the reader's spatial and cognitive skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually and intellectually stimulating approach to learning the alphabet, encouraging imagination and a deeper understanding of design and typography.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love art and design, and those who appreciate a visually engaging approach to learning basic concepts.

• Flotsam by David Wiesner
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Wordless
  • Synopsis: A wordless book that tells the story of a young boy who discovers a camera washed up on the beach and explores the magical photos it contains.
  • Why this book is challenging: The absence of text requires children to infer the story and emotions through pictures alone, enhancing their analytical and interpretive skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination and creativity, allowing children to create their own narratives and meanings from the intricate illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young storytellers and dreamers, and any child who enjoys detailed, thought-provoking artwork.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Interactive books are a fantastic way to engage your 5-year-old and nurture a love for reading. Here are some exercises that can help develop good reading habits while keeping the fun alive. Each exercise is designed to maximize interaction and enjoyment.

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside time each day to read an interactive book together.
  • How it helps: Encourages regular reading and strengthens bonding through shared activity.
  • Tips: Let your child choose the book to increase their interest and engagement.

• Ask Questions
  • What it is: Pause during reading to ask your child questions about the story and pictures.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and encourages them to think critically about the story.
  • Tips: Keep questions simple and related to the story to maintain their interest.

• Create a Storyboard
  • What it is: Draw a sequence of events from the book on a large piece of paper.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding sequence and reinforces story recall.
  • Tips: Use large, blank paper and colorful markers to make the activity more engaging.

• Character Role-Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book with your child, taking on the roles of different characters.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of characters and plot while making reading fun.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more exciting and memorable.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Before turning the page, ask your child to guess what might happen next.
  • How it helps: Develops imaginative thinking and anticipation skills.
  • Tips: Praise their efforts, whether the prediction is right or wrong, to encourage active participation.

• Follow-Up Activities
  • What it is: Engage in a related activity after reading, like drawing a favorite scene or writing a letter to a character.
  • How it helps: Deepens understanding of the book’s content and themes.
  • Tips: Choose activities that are fun and align with your child’s interests.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you’ll help your child develop not only a love for reading but also critical thinking and creative skills. Enjoy exploring the pages and the possibilities together!