Best Science Books for 5 Year Olds: 5 Compared

A five-year-old who asks why the sky is blue needs answers at her level, not a textbook. Finding the best science books for 5 year olds means matching the reading age and the format to a child who learns by touching and asking. We compared five science books by listed reading age, interactivity, print length and what each description says, so you can feed that curiosity well.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Big Book of Science by Zoehfeld	9.8/10	Buy
2	Book of Planet Earth by Baumann	9.7/10	Buy
3	Experiments Book by Chatterton	9.7/10	Buy
4	How Everything Works by Gifford	9.4/10	Buy
5	500 Amazing Facts by Kurtz	9.4/10	Buy

1

Big Book of Science by Zoehfeld

Kathleen Zoehfeld·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 lively first science reference with bright images and simple activities, for ages 3 to 6.

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Pros

• Made for little kids with age-appropriate text and bright images
• Activities, games and simple experiments included
• Covers animals, space, volcanoes, sound, light and inventions

Cons

• Reading age 3 to 6, marked as from customers
• 128 pages, half the experiments book
• Published March 2019, older than the 2020 and 2022 picks

2

Book of Planet Earth by Baumann

Anne-Sophie Baumann·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 flap-filled tour of geology, weather and oceans with 45+ interactive flaps, for ages 4 to 7.

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Pros

• More than 45 flaps, popups, pull-tabs and rotating wheels
• Listed for kids ages 5 to 8 in the description
• Great family read-aloud book, per the listing

Cons

• 18 pages, the slimmest here by far
• Reading age 4 to 7, marked as from customers
• Earth science only; no space or biology topics

3

Experiments Book by Chatterton

Crystal Chatterton·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 ›

Over 100 STEAM projects with step-by-step instructions and photos, for ages 5 to 9.

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Pros

• Over 100 STEAM projects with explanations of why they work
• Step-by-step instructions with colorful photos
• Uses common household materials, per the listing

Cons

• Grade level 3 to 6 runs above a 5-year-old
• Published February 2018, the oldest here
• Project book format needs setup time, unlike read-aloud books

4

How Everything Works by Gifford

Clive Gifford·9.4/10 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 lift-the-flap look at machines and gadgets from cars to robots, for ages 6 to 8.

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Pros

• Flaps and gatefolds reveal how machines work
• Covers cars, computers, robots and more
• Detailed illustrations by James Gulliver Hancock

Cons

• Reading age 6 to 8 is above the target age
• 24 pages, slim next to the 100-page books here
• Grade level 1 to 3 starts above kindergarten

5

500 Amazing Facts by Kurtz

Kevin Kurtz MA·9.4/10 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 ›

500 science facts with full-color pictures from dinosaurs to deep sea, for ages 6 to 10.

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Pros

• 500 science facts with full-color pictures
• 212 pages, wide topic range
• Published December 2020, recent

Cons

• Reading age 6 to 10, marked as from customers, is above 5
• Grade level 4 to 6 is well above the target
• Fact-book format, no activities or experiments

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More picks to compare

• Science Experiments by Gold Stars101 STEAM projects, ages 5 to 9, 96 pagesCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 18 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a 5-year-old reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All five listings state a reading age marked as from customers except the Lonely Planet book: 3 to 6 years on the Nat Geo book, 4 to 7 years on the Planet Earth book, 5 to 9 years on the experiments book, and 6 to 10 years on the facts book. 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 science books for 5 year olds

Start with the reading age

Three of these include age 5 in the listed range: the Nat Geo book at 3 to 6 years, the Planet Earth book at 4 to 7 years, and the experiments book at 5 to 9 years. The Lonely Planet book at 6 to 8 years and the facts book at 6 to 10 years sit above the target, so buy those to grow into. For gentler first reads, browse our picture books lists.

Flaps beat paragraphs at five

Interactivity matters more than page count at this age. The Planet Earth book packs more than 45 flaps, popups, pull-tabs and rotating wheels into 18 pages, and the Lonely Planet book uses gatefolds and flaps to open up machines. The 500-facts book leans on text and pictures instead, which suits an older reader. If she likes making things as well as reading, our writing books for 5 year olds add a creative outlet.

Projects versus reading

The experiments book is a 254-page project book with 100+ STEAM projects, step-by-step instructions and photos, while the other four are read-aloud and browsing books. A project book needs table space and time; a picture book needs only a lap. Match the format to how your five-year-old actually spends an afternoon.

Before you buy

• The 6 to 8 and 6 to 10 reading ages sit above the target; buy those books to grow into.
• The experiments book lists grade level 3 to 6, so expect to lead the projects yourself.
• Only the Lonely Planet book states its reading age without a from-customers mark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is made for the youngest scientists?

The National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Science, with a reading age of 3 to 6 years and grade level Preschool to 2, made for little kids first encounters with science.

Which book is the most interactive?

The Book of Planet Earth, with more than 45 flaps, popups, pull-tabs and rotating wheels. The Lonely Planet book adds gatefolds and flaps on machines.

Which book has the most projects?

Awesome Science Experiments for Kids, with 100+ STEAM projects, step-by-step instructions and colorful photos of the results.

Is the facts book too advanced for a 5-year-old?

Its listed reading age is 6 to 10 years and grade level 4 to 6, both above 5. It works better as a grow-into book than a first science book.

Which books mention age 5 directly?

The Planet Earth book lists books for kids ages 5 to 8, and the experiments book lists projects for kids ages 5 to 10.

Still deciding? Our top pickBig Book of Science by Zoehfeld

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

Also see our best writing books for 5 year olds. Also see our best valentine books for 5 year olds. Also see our best xmas books for 5 year olds.

More lists: browse kids and teens lists.