Best Books for Kids Ages 5-12
Getting kids to read is half the battle. The other half is finding books and media that they'll actually pick up on their own instead of reaching for a screen. The good news is there's incredible stuff out there for the 5-12 age range — you just have to know where to look. This list mixes physical books with creative tools and reading-adjacent gear that keeps kids engaged with stories and learning. Because reading doesn't have to mean sitting still with a chapter book. Audiobooks, creative play, and interactive media all feed the same curiosity muscle. Honestly, the best thing you can do is put good options in front of kids and let them choose. Force it and they'll hate it. Make it fun and they'll surprise you.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Key Pros | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy | Book | Stunning illustrations | Buy on Amazon |
| Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet (2023) | Kids | 2-year worry-free guarantee | Buy on Amazon |
| LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box (790 Pieces) | Lego | 790 pieces for endless creativity | Buy on Amazon |
| Crayola Inspiration Art Case (140 Pieces) | Kids | 140 pieces in one case | Buy on Amazon |
| VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam HD Video Camera | Kids | Designed for kid-sized hands | Buy on Amazon |
| Yoto Player Kids' Audio Player | Kids | Screen-free entertainment | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Look at Each Product
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
Beautifully illustrated fable about kindness, friendship, courage, and hope for all ages. Hand-drawn ink illustrations paired with simple profound quotes make every page a meditation. Perfect gift book that resonates with children and adults equally.
- Stunning illustrations
- Timeless wisdom
- Perfect gift for any age
- 4.9 rating with 68K reviews
- Very short read
- Limited narrative depth
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet (2023)
Kid-proof tablet with a thick protective case and 2-year worry-free guarantee that covers accidental damage. Includes one year of Amazon Kids+ with thousands of apps, books, videos, and games. Parental controls manage screen time and content access.
- 2-year worry-free guarantee
- 1 year of Amazon Kids+ included
- Robust parental controls
- Kid-proof protective case
- Limited app store compared to iPad
- Performance can lag
LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box (790 Pieces)
Open-ended LEGO set with 790 bricks in 33 colors including wheels, windows, doors, and eyes for limitless creative building. Comes in a sturdy yellow storage box. Suitable for ages 4 and up with no instructions to limit imagination.
- 790 pieces for endless creativity
- Sturdy storage box included
- 33 different colors
- Ages 4 and up
- No specific build instructions
- Small pieces not for under 4
Crayola Inspiration Art Case (140 Pieces)
Comprehensive art set in a portable case with 64 crayons, 20 colored pencils, 40 washable markers, and 15 sheets of paper. The sturdy snap-shut case keeps everything organized and makes a great gift for budding artists.
- 140 pieces in one case
- Portable and organized
- Washable markers
- Great gift for kids
- Case can be hard for young kids to close
- Crayon quality is basic
VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam HD Video Camera
Kid-friendly video camera designed for ages 5-10 with a flip-up lens for selfie mode and over 20 animated backgrounds for creative videos. Includes a green screen and tripod. Durable design built to survive kid handling.
- Designed for kid-sized hands
- Green screen and tripod included
- 20+ animated backgrounds
- Durable construction
- Video quality is basic
- Small internal storage
Yoto Player Kids' Audio Player
Screen-free audio player for kids that plays stories, music, and podcasts via physical cards kids insert themselves. No microphone, no camera, no ads. Built-in night light and sleep timer. Bluetooth speaker for portable listening.
- Screen-free entertainment
- Kids control it themselves
- No ads or inappropriate content
- Huge card library available
- Cards are an ongoing cost
- Speaker quality is basic
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best book for kids who don't like reading?
Start with something visual. 'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse' by Charlie Mackesy is gorgeous and reads more like an art book with wisdom scattered through it. Kids who resist dense text often connect with illustrated stories. The Yoto Player is also great — it plays audiobooks and podcasts so they can absorb stories without the pressure of reading.
Is a kids' tablet good for reading?
The Fire HD 8 Kids has Amazon Kids+ built in with thousands of books, and the parental controls let you set reading goals before they can access games. It's a sneaky way to build reading habits. But don't ditch physical books entirely — mix both for the best results.
What age should kids start reading chapter books?
Most kids are ready somewhere between 6 and 8, but there's a wide range and that's totally normal. Don't push it. Picture books, graphic novels, and audio stories all count as reading. The goal is building a love for stories, not hitting some arbitrary milestone by a certain age.
How do I get my kid to read more during summer?
Make it the path of least resistance. Leave books lying around, take trips to the library, and let them pick whatever they want — even if it's the same graphic novel series for the fifth time. Pair reading with something fun like the Crayola Art Case for drawing what they read. Low pressure wins.