8 Football Books for Kids in Time for the Big Game
It’s almost time for the Big Game so let’s round up some football books for kids! If your home is anything like mine, you have a husband glued to the couch watching all the playoff games. My kids are also catching football fever as they place guesses on the scores and try to learn more about the game. They are excitedly peppering us with questions.
Since they aren’t yet invested enough to watch a game from start to finish, I find myself trying to come up with alternative ways to entertain them during game time. This is why we’ve been checking out picture books about football from our local library. We rounded up a few of our favorites below so your little QB has some fun game-time reading material.
*The football books for kids post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.
If your little one loves sports, check out these books about swimming and books about the Olympics!
Football Books for Kids: Picture Books
Kickoff by Tiki and Ronde Barber
Plot: Football greats Tiki and Ronde Barber are on the list of football books for kids with this picture book inspired by their childhood. This is a story about teamwork and perseverance as the brothers try out for the High School team.
Goodnight Football
Author: Michael Dahl
Illustrator: Christina E. Forshay
Year: 2017
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 1 – 4
Plot
Have a kid who is too geared up after the big game? Try reading them this bedtime book about football.
Why Jackie loves it
With rhyming text and lovely illustrations, this bedtime story is a win for any football fan.
Find this book in: Best Books for 3-year-olds / Bedtime Stories / Football Books for Kids
Dino-Football
Author: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Barry Gott
Year: 2012
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 7
More info: Part of the Dino-Sports series
Plot
Dinosaurs and Football? Every little boy will love this story! It’s time for the Greenblades and Redscales to play in the Mega-Bowl. Watch as these dinos put on their gear and start scoring touchdowns. Who will win the big game?
Why Jackie loves it
My dinosaur fan loved reading this story over and over before the big game. It’s a great one for any football-loving child!
Find this book in: Football Books for Kids / Best Books for 5-year-olds
The Berenstain Bears Play Football
Author: Mike Berenstain
Illustrator: Mike Berenstain
Year: 2017
Genre: Early Reader
Age: 4 – 8
Plot
This is one of the kids’ books about football that is perfect for early readers. It’s all about the Grizzly Bowl! As they wait for the big game to start, Brother and Sister bear and their friends play some football of their own.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you have a sports lover who is learning to read, this is the perfect story for you!
Find this book in: Football Books for Kids / Best Books for 6-year-olds
Plot
Will’s town is down on its luck after a recent factory closure left many residents without jobs. The town can’t even afford to fund the town football team and with so many townsfolk leaving, they might not have enough players either. But Will is determined to give the town something to rally around – so he sets off to save the football season.
Why Jackie loves it
Sports enthusiasts will love Lupica’s detailed play descriptions. It’s one of the reasons my son loves anything by Lupica!
Find this book in: Best Books for 11-year-olds / Football Books
Non-Fiction Kid’s Books about Football:
Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes by Don Tate
Plot: This is the true story of Ernie Barnes, a Black football player who turned into a renowned artist in the 1930s. If you are looking for historical football books for kids, check this one out.
What is the Super Bowl? by Dina Anastasio
Plot: The what is series takes on the Super Bowl in the latest in the Who Was series. It looks at major moments in Super Bowl history from huge wins, to stunning losses. It also take a look at all the hype surrounding the big game including the half-time show!
T is for Touchdown
Author: Brad Herzog
Illustrator: Mark Braught
Year: 2006
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 6 – 9
Plot
Sports writer, Brad Herzog, tackles the history of the game, from pigskin to end-zone in alphabetical order. It’s geared to young readers and old alike with easy-to-follow rhymes and more in-depth descriptions.
Why Kirsten loves it
A kids’ book about football that’s also an alphabet book? Sign me up!
Find this book in: Kids Books About Football / Best Books for 7-year-olds
