10+ Best Interactive Books for 7-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 latest roundup features some of the best interactive books for 7-year-olds, designed to turn each page into a fun-filled adventure. Keep reading to discover a variety of interactive books that are perfect for encouraging both reading skills and creativity in young children.

Fun Interactive Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Press Here by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This innovative book invites readers to press, shake, and tilt the pages to embark on a fun and unique interactive experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages active participation and imagination, making reading a dynamic and engaging activity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love hands-on play and parents seeking a book that can be a fun, interactive experience for storytime.

• The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture Book (without pictures)
  • Synopsis: Despite having no pictures, this book turns the idea of a picture book on its head with silly sounds, funny phrases, and a script that makes the reader say the most ridiculous things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It shows that words alone can be incredibly fun and that reading aloud can be hilariously entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy laughter and parents who don't mind being a bit silly to make reading fun.

• Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Nature, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book invites kids 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 teaches about the seasons and the growth cycle of trees through simple interactive activities.
  • Perfect for: Children who love nature and interactive reading sessions that involve physical activities.

• Mix It Up! by Hervé Tullet
  • Genre(s): Art, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book creatively engages children to follow instructions involving blending and mixing colors on the page, simulating a magical painting experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces basic color theory in a playful and hands-on manner.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who enjoys being creative while reading.

• What's In My Truck? by Linda Bleck
  • Genre(s): Lift-the-Flap, Interactive, Transportation
  • Synopsis: This interactive book features various trucks and what they carry, with flaps to lift and discover what's inside each vehicle.
  • Why we recommend this book: It satisfies curiosity about how things work and what things are, enhancing both motor skills and knowledge.
  • Perfect for: Kids fascinated by vehicles and interactive elements like flaps and surprises.

• Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey
  • Genre(s): Science, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to the stars and constellations, featuring star charts, a guide to the planets, and updated science information.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning about astronomy interactive and accessible, sparking interest in science and the night sky.
  • Perfect for: Young astronomers and any child curious about the stars and planets.

Educational Interactive Books for 7-Year-Olds

• My Very First Book of Numbers by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This split-page book allows kids to match numbers with corresponding quantities of objects, combining reading with basic math skills.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Number recognition, counting, early math skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great tool for teaching young children how to count and recognize numbers in a fun, interactive way.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergartners beginning to learn numbers.

• Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers About Our World by Katie Daynes, illustrated by Marie-Eve Tremblay
  • Genre(s): Geography, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book features over 60 flaps for children to lift and discover facts about the world, covering topics like different cultures, landmarks, and natural phenomena.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Geography, cultural awareness, curiosity and discovery
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages exploration and satisfies curiosity about the diverse world around us.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers eager to learn about different cultures and the natural world.

• See Inside How Things Work by Conrad Mason, illustrated by Colin King
  • Genre(s): Science, Technology, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This lift-the-flap book explores the inner workings of everyday items and machines, explaining the science behind them in an accessible way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mechanical knowledge, scientific curiosity, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It demystifies technology and machinery, making complex concepts understandable for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Inquisitive kids who always want to know how things work.

• Wipe Clean: Learning Sight Words by Roger Priddy
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book includes activities and exercises that help children learn to read, write, and recognize common sight words, complete with a wipe-clean pen.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading, writing, vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a hands-on approach to learning sight words, enhancing reading fluency and comprehension.
  • Perfect for: Beginning readers who are building their vocabulary and reading skills.

• The Human Body: A Shine-A-Light Book by Carron Brown and Rachael Saunders
  • Genre(s): Science, Interactive
  • Synopsis: Using a flashlight, children can discover the hidden workings of their own bodies by shining a light behind the pages, revealing bones, muscles, and internal organs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Anatomy, curiosity about human biology
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a unique interactive experience that makes learning about the human body exciting and magical.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists fascinated by how the human body works.

Challenging Interactive Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Questioneers Collection by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): STEM, Fiction, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This collection includes books like "Rosie Revere, Engineer," "Ada Twist, Scientist," and "Iggy Peck, Architect," which follow young protagonists exploring the worlds of engineering, science, and architecture.
  • Why this book is challenging: Each book introduces complex STEM concepts and problem-solving skills in a narrative format, encouraging readers to think critically.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires creativity and perseverance in pursuing STEM activities and problem-solving, fostering a love for science and engineering.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

• The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This delightful book takes readers on a whimsical journey with the Jolly Postman who delivers letters to various fairy-tale characters, with real letters included in the book for children to open and read.
  • Why this book is challenging: The text includes playful rhymes and puzzles, and handling the delicate letters helps develop fine motor skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the charm of classic fairy tales with the excitement of receiving real mail, enhancing storytelling with a tactile, interactive experience.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love fairy tales and interactive reading.

• You Choose by Pippa Goodhart, illustrated by Nick Sharratt
  • Genre(s): Choose Your Own Adventure, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book allows children to imagine themselves in various scenarios and choose what they would do, where they would go, and who they would meet from a series of colorful, detailed illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It encourages decision-making and critical thinking as children ponder their choices and the consequences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters imagination and independence in young readers by allowing them to craft their own stories and adventures.
  • Perfect for: Imaginative children who enjoy creating stories and scenarios.

• Atlas of Adventures by Rachel Williams, illustrated by Lucy Letherland
  • Genre(s): Geography, Adventure, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This atlas takes children on a journey around the world, exploring continents and cultures through beautifully illustrated maps and engaging activities.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex geographical and cultural information in an accessible way, encouraging global awareness.
  • Why we recommend this book: It expands a child’s worldview and curiosity about different cultures and places, making learning geography fun and interactive.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers eager to learn about the world in a vibrant, hands-on way.

• Animalium by Jenny Broom, illustrated by Katie Scott
  • Genre(s): Science, Nature, Interactive
  • Synopsis: Styled as a museum in a book, "Animalium" presents a collection of detailed illustrations and facts about animals from various habitats around the world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features museum-quality artwork and scientific information that provide a deeper understanding of biodiversity and conservation.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about the natural world in a visually stunning format that captivates and educates simultaneously.
  • Perfect for: Young naturalists and animal lovers who appreciate detailed illustrations and learning about wildlife.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Interactive books are a fantastic way to engage 7-year-olds and enhance their reading skills. Here are some exercises that can make reading interactive books even more beneficial and fun for young readers. These activities are designed to develop good reading habits and foster a love for reading.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book as different characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of character actions and emotions.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-playing more exciting.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Guess what might happen next in the story before turning the page.
  • How it helps: Encourages analytical thinking and engagement with the narrative.
  • Tips: Discuss why certain events might happen and explore different outcomes.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Boosts comprehension and helps visualize text.
  • Tips: Share and discuss your drawings with others to compare interpretations.

• Question and Answer Game
  • What it is: Create questions about the story and quiz each other.
  • How it helps: Reinforces memory and understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Take turns asking and answering questions for interactive learning.

• Connect to Personal Experiences
  • What it is: Relate events or characters in the book to personal life.
  • How it helps: Deepens personal connection to the story.
  • Tips: Share your connections with friends or family members to enhance discussion.

These exercises are not only fun but also incredibly beneficial in developing a deeper love and understanding of books. Encourage your child to try these activities while reading interactive books, and watch their reading skills and enjoyment soar!