Shopping for slightly older kids and younger teens is a great chance to give gifts that inspire creativity. If you can gift a local class, that’s fantastic, but when you can’t, books centered on arts, crafts, and curiosity are excellent alternatives. They’re portable, long-lasting, and often introduce new ideas a child hasn’t seen before.
Below is a curated list of ten creative books for kids and younger teens—many I own or have given as gifts. Each offers hands-on projects, imaginative prompts, or approachable techniques that encourage exploration. If you need a thoughtful present, consider one of these choices.
Photo by Jeff Mindell | Graphic by Meagan Knight for Studio DIY
Creative Books for Kids and Teens
1. Candy Aisle Crafts by Jodi Levine: This book makes creative projects from items you can find at a grocery store or big-box retailer. It’s ideal for kids who enjoy food-related crafts and simple, approachable projects that use familiar materials.
2. Board Games to Create and Play by Kevan Davis and Viviane Schwarz: A brilliant concept for game-loving kids—this book provides blank game boards, pieces, and layouts so kids can design and build their own board games. It’s interactive, imaginative, and perfect for collaborative play.
3. This Book is a Planetarium by Kelli Anderson: A pop-up, interactive book that transforms into a planetarium and other creative contraptions. It’s engaging for a wide age range and encourages hands-on discovery through inventive paper engineering and playful surprises.
4. Think and Make Like an Artist by Claudia Boldt and Eleanor Meredith: An activity book that introduces different artists and media, then prompts kids to try related projects. It explains the ideas behind art forms and uses materials commonly found at home, which makes it approachable and educational.
5. Make More Faces by Tupera Tupera: A sticker book focused on creating faces on various templates. Simple, delightful, and perfect for younger children while still entertaining older kids who enjoy visual play and storytelling.
6. Let’s Sew Together by Rubyellen Bratcher: A friendly introduction to sewing, this book includes a range of projects from easy no-sew options to basic stitched toys, accessories, and décor. It’s a lovely way to teach practical skills and encourage patience and creativity.
7. Playful by Merrilee Liddiard: Full of imaginative, budget-friendly projects—like cardboard dollhouses and makeshift toys—this book leans into the spirit of make-believe. It mixes simple crafts with a few more involved builds that foster imaginative play.
8. The Kids Book of Hand Lettering by Nicole Miyuki Santo: A clear, kid-focused guide to hand lettering with easy lessons and projects. It helps children learn letterforms and shows practical ways to use their new skills in cards, signs, and personal projects.
9. Martha Stewart’s Favorite Crafts for Kids: A comprehensive collection of 175 projects suitable for rainy days, school breaks, and family crafting. From puppets and pet rocks to yarn and paper projects, this book is a reliable resource for a variety of ages and interests.
10. Play, Make, Create: A Process Art Handbook by Meri Cherry: Focused on process over product, this handbook offers open-ended prompts, sensory ideas, and invitations to create. It’s excellent for encouraging exploration, experimentation, and a love of making without pressure to produce a “perfect” outcome.
More Favorite Kids Books
- Our Favorite Board Books
- Favorite Books For One Year Olds
- Favorite Books For 18 Month Olds
- Favorite Books For Two Year Olds
- Our Favorite Books For Three Year Olds
- Our Favorite Books For Four Year Olds