Looking for ways to inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and teach problem-solving skills at home? Here are awesome STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) books for kids.
Marvelous Machines by Jane Wilsher
$19.99; www.whatonearthbooks.com
Using the see-through magic lens, you can learn about mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering by exploring the inner workings of machines. In your kitchen or bedroom, beneath city streets or far up in space, machines are at work day and night making, moving, building and even thinking for us. In this eye-catching book, you can explore the hidden inner workings of machines and inventions: from everyday objects like toasters and bicycles, to cutting-edge technologies such as pill-sized medical robots and super-fast maglev trains. The see-through magic lens will reveal how all these machines work, showing all the elements hidden within them from wires and pipes, to magnetic and gravitational forces. The ideal gift book for budding scientists and engineers aged 7+
Science FACTopia! by Rose Davidson
$14.99; www.whatonearthbooks.com
Follow an ingenious trail of 400 facts about space, animals, rocks and crystals, virtual reality, the body, coding, 3D printing, engineering, plants, fungi, math, and more, where each fact is connected to the next in hilarious and unexpected ways. You’ll meet a parrot called Squawkzilla, find out about the fastest muscles in the body, discover gems that can change color, and learn about black holes that “burp.” This wittily illustrated book is the perfect gift to inspire and delight curious kids aged 8+.
Adventures in Backyard Gardening: Inspiring Young Gardeners to Grow Their Own Food by Ron Smith
$19.99; Amazon.com
Young naturalists can explore the fun of backyard gardening through stories and journal entries, detailed instructions, and interesting facts about food and nature. Topics explored include community agriculture, composting, the fascinating world of fungi, raising backyard chickens, and beekeeping.
The Mathematics of the Universe by Soledad Romero Mariño
$18.99; Amazon.com
The lyrical verses and captivating illustrations of this picture book explore how the concepts and patterns of mathematics shape the natural world. This charming STEM educational resource encourages students to see the world through a mathematical lens, and spheres, hexagons, symmetry, fractals, and spirals are among the concepts explored. Thought-provoking quotes from renowned figures such as Galileo, Marcel Proust, and Jules Verne add depth to the learning experience.
Reaching for the Stars: A Mission to Space by Roxanne Troup
$16.99; Amazon.com
This picture book's lyrical text introduces space concepts while celebrating NASA's Artemis missions and all future space adventures. This out-of-this-world journey features an engaging narrative that uses endearing rhymes to introduce STEM concepts and a glossary that teaches space vocabulary words.
Meet the Pollinators; A Night and Day Adventure by Barbara Ciletti
$19.99; Amazon.com
Presented narratively, this title captivates young learners, emphasizing pollinators' vital role in our planet's survival. It conveys that even small creatures wield significant influence, illustrating pollinators' continuous journey for food. Includes additional teaching materials that enrich learning with pollinator bios, flower diagrams, and pollinator garden flower suggestions. This story underscores the importance of caring for Earth, highlighting its reciprocal response to positive stewardship.
Infinity: The Magical Cycles of the Universe by Soledad Romero Mariño
$18.99; Amazon.com
This stunning picture book with a die-cut cover captures how the whole universe flows in eternal natural cycles. The mix of science, poetry, and art is structured in a way that children will be drawn into these 11 natural cycles that are part of everyday life. Includes an innovative approach to nonfiction information presented in verse with a delicacy and simplicity and is the perfect book for STEM curriculums.
Sightseeing with Aliens by Insha Fitzpatrick
$14.99; QuirkBooks.com
Discover everything about aliens in this funny and informative handbook packed with weird science, fascinating history, and plenty of trivia. Are aliens out there? What’s the deal with Area 51? Can outer space support human life? Blast off to space with Sightseeing with Aliens and discover: Cool science and eye-opening history! Learn about the past, present, and future of space exploration, Strange accounts of alien encounters! Dig into the truth behind UFO sightings, crop circles, extraterrestrial events, and more, Hands-on activities to try at home. Create a time capsule and learn how to advocate for the environment.
Nick and Tesla and the High-Voltage Danger Lab by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
$8.99; QuirkBooks.com
Solve mysteries using DIY science projects with twin sleuths Nick and Tesla. Summer break is about to get weird. After their parents disappear, twins Nick and Tesla are sent to live with their Uncle Newt, an eccentric inventor with his very own science lab. Soon, the young sleuths find themselves investigating a mysterious family right in their own neighborhood. As they race to uncover the truth, Nick and Tesla must build a bottle rocket launcher, a 9-volt battery burglar alarm, and an electromagnet picker-upper to save the day. Features laugh-out-loud jokes, fun illustrations, and five DIY science projects with step-by-step instructions for readers to try at home.
Nick and Tesla and the Robot Army Rampage by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
$8.99; QuirkBooks.com
Join twins Nick and Tesla as they build homemade robots and race to solve a mystery. When a rash of robberies hits the town of Half Moon Bay, the two young sleuths head straight to their Uncle Newt’s science lab. They’ll have to build their very own battlebots, robo-bugs, and hoverbots to outsmart a criminal mastermind. Can Nick and Tesla crack the case before it's too late? Features laugh-out-loud jokes, fun illustrations, and five DIY science projects with step-by-step instructions for readers to try at home.
Little Scientist Board Book Set
$16.99; https://www.mudpuppy.com
Features colorfully illustrated portraits of scientists who have made a historical impact on the world. Introduces children to important people in history, including astronomers (Carl Sagan, Carolyn Porco, Vera Rubin, Edwin Hubble), physicists (Isaac Newton, Lene Hau, Albert Einstein, Katherine Johnson), earth and life (Mary Anning, Charles Darwin, Jane Goodall, Jacques Cousteau), and chemists (Louis Pasteur, George Washington Carver, Rosalind Franklin, Marie Curie).
Counting on the Earth Board Book
$9.99; https://www.mudpuppy.com
This beautifully illustrated board book teaches children their numbers (1-10) while celebrating the beauty of our planet.
The Kitchen Pantry Scientist Physics For Kids: Science Experiments and Activities Inspired by Awesome Physicists, Past and Present; with 25 Illustrated Biographies of Amazing Scientists from Around the World by Liz Lee Heinecke, Kelly Anne Dalton
$19.99; Quarto.com
Make a water rocket and engineer the perfect paper airplane. Play with mirror images. Use atmospheric pressure to push an egg into a bottle. Crush a mint to create a flash of light. This engaging guide offers a series of snapshots of 25 scientists famous for their work with physics, from ancient history through today. Each lab tells the illustrated story of a scientist along with some background about the importance of their work, and a description of where it is still being used or reflected in today’s world.
Katherine Johnson by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Jemma Skidmore
$15.99; Quarto.com
Learn about the incredible story of Katherine Johnson, the trailblazer whose calculations changed the future of space exploration. This powerful book is the perfect gift for STEM and space enthusiasts. It features quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of Katherine's life.
Kitchen Pantry Scientist Biology For Kids: Science Experiments and Activities Inspired by Awesome Biologists, Past and Present; with 25 Illustrated Biographies of Amazing Scientists from Around the World by Liz Lee Heinecke, Kelly Anne Dalton
$19.99; Quarto.com
Play disease detective to learn how John Snow tracked down the source of a cholera epidemic. Learn about biologist Ernest Everett Just’s discoveries and experiment with osmosis using eggs with dissolved shells. Make your own agar plates for growing bacteria and fungi just like Fannie Hess.
Kitchen Science Lab For Kids: Edible Edition: 52 Mouth-Watering Recipes and the Everyday Science That Makes Them Taste Amazing by Liz Lee Heinecke
$24.99; Quarto.com
Explore the science of making food with 52 delicious recipes designed for kids, from healthy homemade snacks to scrumptious main dishes and mind-boggling desserts.
She Can Stem: 50 Trailblazing Women in Science from Ancient History to Today – Includes hands-on activities exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math by Liz Lee Heinecke, Kelly Anne Dalton
$19.99; Quarto.com
Inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators with the stories of 50 groundbreaking women in STEM—each paired with a fun, hands-on experiment that makes science exciting and accessible!.For thousands of years, women have made remarkable contributions to science, technology, engineering, and math. She Can STEM brings these inspiring stories to life by exploring the pivotal moments that sparked these women’s passion for science, the challenges they overcame, and the unique interests that make them extraordinary individuals beyond the lab.
The Kitchen Pantry Scientist Chemistry For Kids: Science Experiments and Activities Inspired by Awesome Chemists, Past and Present; with 25 Illustrated Biographies of Amazing Scientists from Around the World by Liz Lee Heinecke, Kelly Anne Dalton
$19.99; Quarto.com
Aspiring young chemists will discover an amazing group of role models and memorable experiments. Replicate a chemical reaction similar to one Marie Curie used to purify radioactive elements. Distill perfume using a method created in ancient Mesopotamia by a woman named Tapputi.
Nature School: Planet Earth: Lessons and Activities to Inspire Children's Fascination with Our Planet by Lauren Giordano, Stephanie Hathaway, Laura Stroup
$19.99; Quarto.com
Inspire a child’s love for our planet and its place in the universe through fascinating bite-size facts, captivating illustrations, and more than 30 hands-on activities. From the expansive universe to tiny micro-ecosystems, Nature School: Planet Earth explores the intricacies of the planet we call home. Discover details about Earth’s stunning structure, its amazing atmosphere, and the foremost features that enable it to support life. Learning through both physical and life science lenses, you will come to truly appreciate planet Earth.
Extreme Weather For Kids: Lessons and Activities All About Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Blizzards, and More! By Matthew Cappucci, Stephanie Hathaway
$19.99; Quarto.com
Extreme Weather for Kids is a whirlwind ride through the wild world of weather, written in accessible language and complemented by vivid descriptions and imagery. Designed to harness children’s natural curiosity, this action-packed introduction to meteorology incorporates firsthand accounts from inside Mother Nature’s most dramatic moments. For each phenomenon introduced, explanatory text, informative illustrations, sidebars, and asides allow readers to explore at their own pace. Along with storm-chasing reports and photos from in the field, each chapter includes a step-by-step hands-on activity for engaging with the science.
Science In The Wild: 52 Fun Projects and Activities to Explore, Discover, and Learn from Nature by Dr. Erica L. Colón
$24.99; Quarto.com
Dive deep into the natural world with this adventure-packed collection of investigations that invites kids to explore engaging science questions through hands-on discovery. Why learn indoors when the wild beckons? While classrooms and online platforms are vital, nothing beats the interaction of nature and science. Science in the Wild isn’t just about learning; It’s a journey to immerse yourself in the natural world, satisfying your curiosity with thrilling investigations.
Remarkable Women: Fascinating Facts You Never Knew About Amazing Women! By Eric Huang, Sam Caldwell
$12.99; Quarto.com
Remarkable women have been at the forefront of history. They’ve changed the world and are leading the way to our future. But how much do you really know about the remarkable women who’ve shaped our world?
Sheet Pan Science: 25 Fun, Simple Science Experiments for the Kitchen Table; Super-Easy Setup and Cleanup by Liz Lee Heinecke
$19.99; Quarto.com
With Sheet Pan Science, contain the mess and let the fun overflow with 25 safe, easy physics, biology, and chemistry projects. Each project in the book contains simple instructions, easy-to-understand science explanations, and step-by-step photographic guides. While a stovetop or freezer may occasionally be required, most steps of the experiments can be performed directly on a rimmed baking sheet.
Published: February 2025
