Critical Thinking Books for Kids
This list includes several different kinds of books that can support critical thinking in children.
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For simple activities that help kids practice these skills, see Critical Thinking Activities for Kids.
Logic Puzzles & Brain Games
Logic Puzzles for Clever Kids
By Molly Lynch
Ages 4–6
With over 50 picture-based puzzles, this workbook gives kids practice with sequencing, patterns, analogies, inference, and deduction. Activities include spotting differences, completing patterns, and solving mazes.
Logic Workbooks for Gritty Kids
By Dan Allbaugh
Ages 4–12
Spatial reasoning, math puzzles, logic problems, word games, focus activities, and two-player games increase in difficulty within each section.
The series includes different books for different age groups.
Awesome Logic Puzzles for Kids: 60 Clever Brain Games and Puzzles
By Shametria Routt Banks
Ages 6–9
The puzzles cover patterns, sequences, analogies, matchstick problems, logic grids, and deductive reasoning. Each chapter progresses from easier to harder problems, and children can choose sections in any order.
brainPLAY Trickiest Puzzles Ever
By Highlights
Ages 7+
With more than 200 puzzles, this book includes hidden pictures puzzles, mazes, logic riddles, crosswords, and more. The puzzles are designed to require careful observation, pattern recognition, and problem-solving.
Brain Games for Clever Kids
By Gareth Moore
Ages 9–11
Word, number, and memory challenges, including sudoku, kakuro, battleships, and spot-the-difference puzzles, give children practice in numerical reasoning and visual observation.
The Codebreakers Club: Solve the Mystery of the Missing Puzzle Professor
By Naoya Imanishi
Ages 9–12
Three young investigators solve puzzles to find their missing professor. The story includes logic grids, codes, rebuses, crosswords, and word searches.
Curiosity & Inquiry
Milo’s Mind
By Stephanie Simoes
Ages 6–9
Milo teams up with Rationality to investigate his beliefs. Along the way, he learns what can shape those beliefs, why evidence is important, and that it’s okay to change your mind when the evidence calls for it.
The Book of What If...?: Questions and Activities for Curious Minds
By Matt Murrie & Andrew R. McHugh
Ages 8–12
Each section starts with a “What if...?” question about history, people, everyday life, or nature, then invites readers to explore possible answers through writing, drawing, discussion, and creative activities.
Philosophy
Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy
By The School of Life
Ages 9+
This illustrated book introduces thinkers including Socrates, Confucius, Hypatia, and Descartes through questions about happiness, other people, and how we understand ourselves. The focus is reading and reflection on philosophy in everyday life.
I’m continuing to add to this list as I review more books. If you have a book to suggest, email me at stephanie@critikid.com. If you are the author or publisher, please include a digital review copy.