Best Critical Thinking Worksheets for Kindergarten (2026): 5 Picks

Finding the best critical thinking worksheets for kindergarten is easier once you know the child: a kindergartener who likes puzzles needs a different book than one who learns through stories. We compared five workbooks by pages, age, grade, edition and description.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Smart Start STEM by Evan-Moor	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Thinking by Highlights	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	School Zone Thinking 64	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	School Zone Thinking 32	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Complete Kindergarten Math by Imanishi	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Smart Start STEM by Evan-Moor

Evan-Moor Educational Publishers·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 128 page kindergarten STEM workbook with stories, practice pages, a journal and an answer key.

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Pros

• Includes an answer key
• Stories, practice pages and a journal
• 128 pages, the longest book here

Cons

• No perforated tear-out pages are stated
• 2018 edition, older than the 2019 workbooks
• STEM focus, less pure logic-puzzle practice

2

Thinking by Highlights

Highlights Learning·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 48 page kindergarten workbook of tracing, writing and puzzles for logic and reasoning.

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Pros

• Tracing, writing and puzzles in one book
• Sequencing, grouping and sorting concepts
• Hidden Pictures puzzles included

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers
• 48 pages, shorter than the STEM workbook
• No answer key is stated

3

School Zone Thinking 64

School Zone·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 64 page workbook of classifying, sequencing, picture analogies and logic puzzles with perforated pages.

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Pros

• 64 activity pages, perforated tear-out pages
• Classifying, sequencing, analogies, logic puzzles
• Parent guide included

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers
• Grade level cut off as Preschool -
• Shorter than the 128 page STEM workbook

4

School Zone Thinking 32

School Zone·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32 page workbook of classifying, sequencing, organizing and picture puzzles with a completion certificate.

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Pros

• 32 activity pages with completion certificate
• Classifying, sequencing, organizing practice
• Parent guide included

Cons

• Grade level 1 - 2 above reading age 3 - 5 years
• 32 pages, the shortest full-data book here
• 2007 edition, the oldest here

5

Complete Kindergarten Math by Imanishi

Naoya Imanishi MEd·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A math-only activity workbook of mazes, pattern puzzles and word problems, for a child who enjoys games and puzzles.

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Pros

• 175 activities in four levels that build in difficulty, per the listing
• Counting to 100, addition, subtraction, shapes and patterns are covered
• The listing says the activities complement Common Core State Standards

Cons

• Reading age of 4 to 5 years sits below the grade Kindergarten to 1 listed
• Math only, so reading, writing and other subjects need another book
• No answer key is stated in the listing

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More picks to compare

• K-1 Critical ThinkingA supplemental workbook for kindergarten and grade 1 thinking practice.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed age or level where given. Four of the five picks list an age and a grade level; the math workbook states neither. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best critical thinking worksheets for kindergarten

Match the age and grade together

Age and grade do not always line up: the 32 page School Zone book lists reading age 3 – 5 years with grade level 1 – 2, while the Highlights book lists reading age 4 – 6 years, marked as from customers, with grade level Kindergarten – 1. For more choices, see the best workbooks for kindergarten.

Stories or pure puzzles

The Evan-Moor workbook teaches through stories, practice pages and a journal, with an answer key included. The School Zone and Highlights books lean on puzzles: classifying, sequencing, analogies, tracing and writing. For number practice, see the best word problem worksheets for kindergarten.

Before you buy

• Check the edition: the 32 page School Zone book is from September 1, 2007; the 64 page book is the Deluxe edition from March 8, 2019.
• Check the answer key: only the Evan-Moor workbook states one is included.
• Check age and grade together: four listings state both, and the math workbook states neither.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these workbooks for?

Listed ages run from 3 – 5 years to 5 – 6 years; grades run from Preschool to Kindergarten and up.

Do any of these workbooks include an answer key?

Only the Evan-Moor workbook states an answer key is included; the other listings state none.

Which workbook has the most pages?

The Evan-Moor workbook, at 128 pages, followed by the 64 page School Zone book.

Still deciding? Our top pickSmart Start STEM by Evan-Moor

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Related lists

See every Workbooks and Homeschool list and all Workbooks and Homeschool lists.

More lists: workbooks for kindergarten, math workbooks for kindergarten, writing workbooks for kindergarten.