There are so many different STEM and engineering books for kids out there right now. I took weeks to find the best ones for our family, and as I went down the rabbit hole, I gathered them all in a list to share. These books span from elementary to high school, so there’s something for everyone!
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Here’s my disclaimer about the “age levels” of these books: don’t assume that because they’re written for younger kids, your older kids won’t learn from them. In fact, most of my kids are now middle and high school, but they will pick up non-fiction picture books and graphic novels all the time!
Engineering books for kids in elementary
Usborne Lift the Flap Construction and Demolition
Usborne Lift the Flap Engineering
Inner Workings
Usborne Lift the Flap Questions and Answers: How does it work?
The Science of Bridges and Tunnels: the art of engineering
School of Monsters Wheels and Springs and Moving Things
Expandable Explorations Big Builds
See Inside How Things Work
How do Bridges Not Fall Down?
Construction (a first discovery book)
How Do Seesaws Go Up and Down?
How Things Work: Cranes, Dump Trucks, Bulldozers
Construction & Truck Learning Invitations
Your vehicle loving kiddos will love these learning invitations!
Engineering graphic novels
The Science Comics (Get to Know Your Universe!) series is so fun. There are three that are great for any engineering study:
- Bridges: engineering masterpieces
- Cars: engines that move you
- Robots and Drones: past, present, and future
STEM experiment and activity books
Books about how things work
Not all of these books are only about engineering feats, but they’re all filled with incredible information and illustrations:
- How Things Work: then and now
- The New Way Things Work
- How Everything Works
- Building Big
- Stephen Viesty’s Incredible Cross-sections
Books about Inventors & Inventions
These books give a great look into specific inventors and inventions and how they came to be:
- DK Inventors
- Just Like Rube Goldberg
- The Story of Inventions
- The Story of Inventions (yes, these are two different books with the same name!)
Engineering books for kids in middle and high school
Boring textbooks aren’t the only way to teach engineering to middle and high school kids. These books are interesting and engaging:
- Engineering for Teens: a beginner’s book for aspiring engineers
- The Engineering Book (this is a great timeline of milestones in the history of engineering
- The Things We Make: the unknown history of invention
- Structures: why things don’t fall down
Must-have book for all ages
Engineering in Plain Sight: an illustrated field guide to the constructed environment
This book has fantastic illustrations and explanations about how different structures are made.
If you have a favorite engineering book, please add it in the comments!
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