10+ Best Stem Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce your little one to the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering, and math? You're in the right place! Our carefully curated selection of STEM books for 3-year-olds is designed to spark curiosity and encourage early learning in a fun and engaging way. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to captivate your toddler's imagination and make learning an adventure!

Fun Stem Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Rosie, a young girl who dreams of becoming an engineer. Through her attempts to build a flying machine, Rosie learns important lessons about perseverance and embracing failure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and resilience, showing young readers that it's okay to fail and important to keep trying.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young inventors and creative thinkers.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Ada Twist is a curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and scientific inquiry, inspiring kids to ask questions and explore how things work.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters who love to question everything.

• Baby Loves Coding! by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chan
  • Genre(s): Board Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book introduces basic concepts of coding through a simple story about a baby who thinks logically to solve problems during play.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces very young children to computational thinking, helping them develop problem-solving skills early on.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who enjoy playing with puzzles and learning how things work.

• My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for Kids by Bruce Betts
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational, STEM
  • Synopsis: This colorful book explores the solar system, providing young readers with facts about planets, stars, and other celestial bodies.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great introduction to space, fostering a sense of wonder about the universe.
  • Perfect for: Little astronomers and any child fascinated by space.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: A little girl and her best friend, who happens to be a dog, decide to make the most magnificent thing, but the task isn't as easy as she thinks.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches persistence and the value of iteration through trial and error in the creative process.
  • Perfect for: Young makers and builders, and anyone who needs encouragement to keep trying despite setbacks.

Educational Stem Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
  • Genre(s): Biography, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book tells the inspiring story of Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who calculated courses for NASA missions, including the Apollo 11 moon landing.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mathematics, history, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the significant contributions of a pioneering African American woman in STEM, teaching children about equality, perseverance, and the importance of mathematics.
  • Perfect for: Young mathematicians and history buffs.

• Cece Loves Science by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Cece, a curious young girl, loves asking questions and exploring the world through science experiments with her best friend, Isaac.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, experimental skills, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to be curious and to explore science in everyday life, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Budding scientists and any kid who loves experiments.

• Hello, World! Ocean Life by Jill McDonald
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Educational, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young readers to the wonders of ocean life, exploring different creatures and their habitats.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Marine biology, environmental awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a simple and engaging introduction to marine biology, fostering a love for science and the environment.
  • Perfect for: Little explorers who are fascinated by the sea and its diverse inhabitants.

• ABCs of Engineering by Chris Ferrie and Sarah Kaiser
  • Genre(s): Board Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book introduces basic engineering concepts through the alphabet, from A for Axle to Z for Zinc.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Engineering fundamentals, vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes complex engineering concepts accessible and fun for toddlers, sparking an early interest in STEM fields.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are curious about how things work and potential future engineers.

• Lift-The-Flap Computers and Coding by Rosie Dickins, illustrated by Shaw Nielsen
  • Genre(s): Interactive Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: A fun and interactive flap book that introduces children to the basics of computers and coding.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Computational thinking, basic programming concepts
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses an engaging lift-the-flap format to teach foundational coding skills, making learning playful and interactive.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love interactive reading and those interested in computers and coding.

Challenging Stem Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Quantum Physics for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book introduces basic concepts of quantum physics in a simplified manner that is accessible to young children.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex scientific ideas, such as quantum physics, at a very basic level, which is not typical for the age group.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex physics concepts to the very basics, making it a great starting point for early scientific education.
  • Perfect for: Little budding physicists and curious minds interested in how the universe works.

• General Relativity for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This is a simple book that explains the basic principles of Einstein's theory of general relativity to very young children.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles advanced scientific concepts, such as general relativity, which are usually not introduced at such an early age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It serves as an introduction to complex scientific theories in a very basic and understandable form for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Young children who show an early interest in science and parents who want to introduce complex ideas early on.

• Newtonian Physics for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book simplifies Newton's laws of motion for preschoolers, using clear, concise language and engaging illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces fundamental physics concepts, such as gravity and motion, which are sophisticated for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning about physics fun and accessible, providing a great foundation for future scientific learning.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers developing early problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

• Optical Physics for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: The book explains how light and vision work, using simple explanations and colorful illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers the basics of optical physics, including how light behaves, which is a complex topic for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young children to the science of light in a very elementary way, sparking curiosity about the natural world.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are fascinated by colors and light.

• Rocket Science for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book introduces basic aerospace engineering concepts to young children, explaining how rockets work in a very simplified way.
  • Why this book is challenging: It discusses aerospace engineering and basic principles of flight, which are advanced topics for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages an early interest in aerospace engineering and physics through simple and engaging explanations.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young astronauts and children interested in how things fly.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your little one to the fascinating world of STEM books, you're on the right track. Not only can these books be super fun, but they also lay the foundation for a lifelong love of science, technology, engineering, and math. Here are some engaging exercises to help your 3-year-old develop good reading habits while exploring STEM concepts:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Before reading, flip through the book and talk about the pictures.
  • How it helps: Enhances prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions like "What do you think is happening here?" to stimulate imagination.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Ask your child to guess what the book might be about based on the cover and title.
  • How it helps: Encourages active thinking and curiosity.
  • Tips: Keep the guesses fun and light; there are no wrong answers here!

• Repeat Reading
  • What it is: Read the same STEM book several times.
  • How it helps: Improves word recognition and builds confidence in reading.
  • Tips: Try to point out and discuss new details in each reading session.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book using simple props or costumes.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and makes reading a memorable experience.
  • Tips: Let your child take the lead in choosing scenes and roles to play.

• Simple Experiments
  • What it is: Conduct easy, safe experiments that relate to the book's content.
  • How it helps: Provides hands-on learning and helps connect book knowledge to the real world.
  • Tips: Use household items and keep the experiments simple and supervised.

• Book-Based Questions
  • What it is: After reading, ask specific questions about the story and its characters.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and understanding of the narrative.
  • Tips: Start with broad questions and gradually move to more detailed ones.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine can make STEM books an exciting and educational experience for your toddler. Not only will they get a head start on essential STEM concepts, but they'll also develop a love for reading that will benefit them for years to come. Happy reading!