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Why we LOVE this product!
Written by a practicing architect, this book treats kids as designers with real problems to solve: a flooded city, a home for a pet, a safe house in a crisis. That makes it one of the most meaningful architecture books for this age.
The 30 projects span history, landscape and sustainability, so it lasts well beyond a weekend.
Two things to weigh: some projects take planning and adult help, and at $24.99 it costs more than most activity books.
Description
SKU:
9781631599729
Adventures in Architecture for Kids: 30 Design Projects for STEAM Discovery and Learning is a 144-page project book by architect Vicky Chan that uses design thinking to show kids how buildings are made, including choosing materials, designing for different people and caring for the environment.
What's inside
- 30 projects in four chapters: general construction, architecture and history, landscape architecture and sustainable architecture
- Projects such as mapping your home in 2D, a pasta house, building with ice, a treehouse, a playground and a refugee home
- A glossary and index
How it works
Each project poses a design challenge, then walks kids through exploring ideas, building, testing and trying again. Most use simple, easy-to-find materials.
What kids learn
- Design thinking: identify a problem, test ideas, improve
- Sustainability: wind energy, flooding, indoor air and extreme climates
- History and geography: how people have built with plants, ice and water
- Math and engineering: measuring, planning and structure
Good to know before you buy
- Age: Barnes & Noble lists ages 7 to 11; some retailers say 9 to 12.
- Author: Vicky Chan founded Avoid Obvious Architects and a volunteer group that has taught over 6,000 children about sustainable design.
- Format: paperback, 144 pages, part of the Design Genius Jr. series (Rockport Publishers, 2021).
- Price: $24.99 at Barnes & Noble at the time of writing.
How it compares
More thoughtful and wide-ranging than most kids' architecture project books: alongside building, it asks who a building is for and how it affects the planet.
Who it's for
Curious builders 7 and up, eco-minded kids, and teachers or homeschoolers who want projects with real-world purpose.
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About
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble traces its roots to 1873, when Charles M. Barnes began selling books from his home in Wheaton, Illinois. In 1917, his son William joined G. Clifford Noble in New York to establish Barnes & Noble. The company entered a new chapter in 1971, when bookseller Leonard Riggio acquired the Barnes & Noble name and flagship store, beginning a period of growth that would help shape the modern American bookstore.
Under Riggio's leadership, Barnes & Noble expanded across the country and introduced its distinctive superstore concept, bringing together an extensive selection of books with a welcoming atmosphere where customers could browse, discover new interests, and spend time exploring. The stores also expanded beyond books to include educational toys, games, music, and gifts.
Today, Barnes & Noble continues to connect readers and families with stories, ideas, and new discoveries through its bookstores and online shop. Its range extends from children's picture books and young adult fiction to puzzles, games, creative toys, and collectibles. By bringing reading together with opportunities for learning and play, Barnes & Noble remains a destination for families looking for inspiration, entertainment, and thoughtful gifts.
