Best Science Workbook (2026): 5 Compared

The best science workbook matches the grade first and the teaching style second. This list compares workbooks for grades 1 through 8, scored on what each listing publishes: page count, grade level, reading age and extras like answer keys.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Big Science Workbook by School Zone	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Spectrum Science Grade 4 by Spectrum	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Daily Science Grade 3 by Evan-Moor	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	General Science 5-8 by Mark Twain	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	DK Science First Grade by DK	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Big Science Workbook by School Zone

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 320-page science workbook for grades 2 to 3 covering weather, plants and animals with experiments.

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Pros

• Stated 320 pages
• Experiments such as condensation on a can
• Covers weather, plants, insects and more

Cons

• 2019 publication date
• No answer key stated
• Reading age marked as from customers

2

Spectrum Science Grade 4 by Spectrum

Spectrum·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 144-page grade 4 science workbook with an answer key, for ages 9 to 10.

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Pros

• Answer key stated
• Stated 144 pages
• Covers space, life and earth science

Cons

• 2014 publication date
• Reading age marked as from customers
• Grade 4 and up only

3

Daily Science Grade 3 by Evan-Moor

Evan-Moor Educational Publishers·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 192-page grade 3 workbook with 30 weeks of standards-based science and an answer key.

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Pros

• 30 weeks of instruction stated
• Answer key stated
• Stated 192 pages

Cons

• 2009 publication date
• Reading age marked as from customers
• Grade 3 focus only

4

General Science 5-8 by Mark Twain

Wendi Silvano·9.6/10 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 reproducible 96-page general science workbook for grades 5 to 8, ages 10 to 14.

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Pros

• Reproducible pages stated
• Answer key stated
• Covers solar system, weather and matter

Cons

• 2008 publication date
• 96-page length
• Covers grades 5 to 8 only

5

DK Science First Grade by DK

DK·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 60-page DK science workbook for first graders, ages 5 to 7.

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Pros

• Developed with educational experts, per the listing
• Stated 60 pages of exercises
• Linked to school curriculum, per the listing

Cons

• 2013 publication date
• Reading age marked as from customers
• No answer key stated

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More picks to compare

• 8th Grade Science Daily PracticeSuits grade 8 with 217 pages and 20 weeks of activities.Check on Amazon
• DK Science Second GradeSuits ages 6 to 8 with 60 pages, a grade up from the DK pick.Check on Amazon
• Skill Sharpeners Science Grade 1Suits ages 5 to 6 with 144 pages of physical, life and earth science.Check on Amazon
• Skill Sharpeners Science Grade 4Suits ages 9 to 10 with 148 pages across the sciences.Check on Amazon
• Nature Smarts Ages 7-9Suits ages 7 to 9 with 96 pages on wildlife and earth science.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Every workbook here lists a grade level and a reading age, most of them marked as from customers. 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 workbook

Match the grade

Start with the listed grade. The DK book lists grades 1 to 2, School Zone lists 2 to 3, Evan-Moor lists 3 and up, Spectrum lists 4 and up, and Mark Twain lists 5 to 8. Our homeschool curriculum section groups more grade-level picks.

Check for the answer key

Spectrum, Evan-Moor and Mark Twain state an answer key; School Zone and DK do not. For homeschool grading, a stated key saves guesswork.

Consider the page count

Page counts run from 60 to 320 pages. The 320-page School Zone book covers weather, plants, insects and more; the 60-page DK book suits a light supplement. Edition dates run from 2008 to 2019 among these listings.

Before you buy

• Check the edition year on the listing; the workbooks here run from 2008 to 2019 editions.
• Confirm whether an answer key is included or sold separately.
• Match the listed grade level to the student, and note when the reading age is marked as from customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which workbook has an answer key?

Spectrum, Evan-Moor Daily Science and Mark Twain state an answer key. School Zone and DK do not state one.

What ages are these workbooks for?

Listed reading ages run from 5 to 7 years on the DK book to 10 to 14 years on the Mark Twain book, most marked as from customers.

Which is best for homeschooling?

Evan-Moor Daily Science is built for homeschooling with 30 weeks of instruction; Spectrum and School Zone also suit home use. Check the grade match first.

Still deciding? Our top pickBig Science Workbook by School Zone

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Related lists

See every workbooks and homeschool list and our best homeschool science curriculum.

More lists: science books for 9 year olds and science nonfiction books.