10+ Best Joke Books for 12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect way to keep your pre-teen entertained and laughing? You're in the right place! Our roundup of joke books for 12-year-olds is packed with hilarious reads that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your child’s face. Whether they're into clever puns or silly one-liners, we've got something that will tickle their funny bone. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks!

Fun Joke Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott
  • Genre(s): Humor, Joke Books
  • Synopsis: A collection of jokes, riddles, and puns that are clean and suitable for children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with simple, easy-to-remember jokes that help kids appreciate humor and improve their social skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love to share laughs with friends and family.

• Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott
  • Genre(s): Humor, Joke Books
  • Synopsis: This book offers a variety of jokes including knock-knock jokes, Q&A jokes, and tongue twisters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages reading and sharing humor, enhancing vocabulary and reading comprehension in a fun way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers looking for a fun and engaging way to enjoy reading.

• Knock Knock Who's There: My First Book Of Knock Knock Jokes by Tad Hills
  • Genre(s): Humor, Joke Books
  • Synopsis: A beginner's joke book that introduces young readers to the classic format of knock-knock jokes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great way to introduce young readers to playful language and puns, fostering an early love for reading.
  • Perfect for: Children who are just starting to read independently.

• The Everything Kids' Giant Book of Jokes, Riddles, and Brain Teasers by Michael Dahl, Kathi Wagner, Aubrey Wagner, and Aileen Weintraub
  • Genre(s): Humor, Puzzles, Activities
  • Synopsis: A mix of jokes, riddles, and brain teasers that challenge and entertain.
  • Why we recommend this book: It not only amuses but also helps improve problem-solving skills and cognitive abilities.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy challenges and stimulating their minds while having fun.

Educational Joke Books for 12-Year-Olds

• National Geographic Kids Just Joking by Rosie Gowsell Pattison
  • Genre(s): Humor, Educational, Nature
  • Synopsis: This book combines hilarious jokes with fun facts about the animal kingdom, offering a perfect blend of laughter and learning.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal biology, environmental awareness, reading comprehension
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a fantastic resource for kids who love animals and humor, making learning fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in nature and wildlife, who also enjoy a good laugh.

• School Jokes For Kids by Riley Weber
  • Genre(s): Humor, School Life
  • Synopsis: Packed with school-related jokes, this book is perfect for kids to share with their classmates and friends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, linguistic play, stress relief through laughter
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to connect with peers through humor, enhancing their social interactions and school experience.
  • Perfect for: Students who want to bring a bit of fun into their everyday school life.

• Laugh-Out-Loud Awesome Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott
  • Genre(s): Humor, Joke Books
  • Synopsis: A fresh collection of jokes that are perfect for young comedians to share with family and friends.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Verbal skills, creativity, and confidence in public speaking
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s filled with clean, age-appropriate humor that’s great for kids' development and social skills.
  • Perfect for: Young jokesters who love to entertain and engage with others through humor.

• The Jokiest Joking Joke Book Ever Written...No Joke! by Kathi Wagner
  • Genre(s): Humor, Joke Books
  • Synopsis: Over 2000 jokes, knock-knocks, puns, and riddles that will keep kids laughing for hours.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Memory, cognitive flexibility, and linguistic skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a vast array of jokes that can help improve memory and understanding of wordplay.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a wide variety of jokes and are looking to expand their joke repertoire.

Challenging Joke Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Ultimate Joke Challenge by Scott Allen
  • Genre(s): Humor, Joke Books
  • Synopsis: A compilation of jokes, brain teasers, and riddles designed to challenge the wit and intellect of young readers.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book includes complex wordplay and riddles that require higher-level thinking and a good understanding of language nuances.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stimulates the mind while providing a lot of laughs, enhancing both linguistic skills and cognitive reasoning.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a mental challenge as much as a good chuckle.

• Smarty Pants Jokes for Brainiacs by Lisa Eisenberg
  • Genre(s): Humor, Intellectual Jokes
  • Synopsis: This book features a collection of smart, science-based jokes that delve into topics like mathematics, physics, and more.
  • Why this book is challenging: It incorporates educational content that requires a bit of prior knowledge or a willingness to learn new concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great way to combine learning with fun, making complex subjects more accessible and enjoyable.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who excel in academics and enjoy humor that makes them think.

• Wit's End: Advanced Jokes for Clever Kids by May Nakamura
  • Genre(s): Humor, Advanced Joke Books
  • Synopsis: A sophisticated joke book that includes puns, riddles, and wordplay of a higher order, tailored to kids who need more than just a simple punchline.
  • Why this book is challenging: The jokes and riddles in this book often involve abstract concepts or linguistic tricks that are not typically found in children's joke books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages deeper thinking and understanding of humor, which can aid in developing a more nuanced language sense.
  • Perfect for: Kids who find typical children's jokes too easy and seek something more stimulating.

• The Encyclopedia of Immature Humor: Vol I by Bob Phillips
  • Genre(s): Humor, Encyclopedic Joke Books
  • Synopsis: An extensive collection of jokes, each accompanied by explanations that touch on their linguistic, cultural, or scientific backgrounds.
  • Why this book is challenging: The additional information requires readers to think critically about the jokes and their contexts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's not only entertaining but also educational, providing insights into why certain things are funny.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds that enjoy dissecting jokes to see what makes them tick.

• Giggle Fit: Brainy Jokes for Smart Kids by Joseph Rosenbloom
  • Genre(s): Humor, Intellectual Jokes
  • Synopsis: A collection of jokes that cater to a more intellectually curious audience, with themes ranging from literary references to scientific facts.
  • Why this book is challenging: The content is designed to appeal to children with a higher level of comprehension and a broad range of knowledge.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a laugh while challenging the intellect, making it a perfect blend of fun and brain exercise.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are not only jokesters but also thinkers, always ready to learn something new while laughing.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of joke books, you're in for a lot of laughs and learning. To make the most out of your reading experience, especially if you're around 12 years old, here are some fun exercises that can help you develop good reading habits while keeping the fun alive!

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or jokes to read every day.
  • How it helps: Ensures consistent reading and helps form a daily habit.
  • Tips: Start with a small, manageable number and increase it gradually.

• Create a Joke Diary
  • What it is: Write down the best joke you read each day.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and recall abilities.
  • Tips: Share your favorite joke of the day with a friend or family member.

• Joke-Telling Sessions
  • What it is: Organize weekly sessions to tell jokes to your friends or family.
  • How it helps: Boosts confidence and public speaking skills.
  • Tips: Practice the delivery of the jokes to improve timing and impact.

• Illustrate a Joke
  • What it is: Draw a comic or picture based on a joke you enjoyed.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps in visualizing concepts.
  • Tips: Use bright colors and funny expressions in your drawings.

• Discuss and Debate
  • What it is: Talk about why a joke is funny or not with friends or family.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and reasoning skills.
  • Tips: Be respectful of others' opinions and keep the discussion light and fun.

• Joke Comparison
  • What it is: Compare jokes from different books or authors.
  • How it helps: Helps understand different humor styles and cultural influences.
  • Tips: Think about what makes each style unique and which you prefer.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine can make your journey through joke books even more engaging and beneficial. Not only will you be laughing more, but you'll also be building valuable skills that go beyond the pages. So, pick up that joke book, and let's get started!