Bed time fairy tales
Bedtime Stories | Free 5 Min Bedtime Stories for Kids Online Bedtime Stories
The Classic fairytale of Cinderella: a young girl, mistreated by her step-mother and step-sisters, who finds out that dreams really can come true.
The Classic Fairytale Story of Snow White with a Modern Twist: Who is the “fair”est of them all? Snow White of course!
A Bedtime Story of Honesty, Courage and Truth. If Pinocchio is to become a Real boy he needs to learn how to be honest, brave and true.
A Grimm’s Brother Tale: A miller tells a tale that his daughter can turn straw into gold. A strange little man is willing to help…for a price. Guess his name and he will be gone…but what is his name?
Goldilocks and the Three Bears ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids. Goldilocks finds the three bears cottage in the woods. Should she make herself comfortable?
Hansel and Gretel Bedtime Stories for Kids. When Hansel and Gretel go in search of food, they find a gingerbread house. But who is inside?
A Story of Friendship, Love and Courage. Rapunzel’s Story ~ A Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale. An evil witch has trapped Rapunzel in a tower. Can her long hair or love save her?
A Story of Courage, Justice and Self-Awareness. Merlin the Magician places a magic sword in a stone…whomever can pull it out is the rightful king.
A Bedtime Story of Acceptance and Self-Awareness. A Mama Duck is proud when her six ducklings hatch from their eggs. But one duckling does not look like the others? Is he truly an Ugly Duckling?
The classic Brother’s Grimm fairytale that sparked the Disney adaptation.
A Story of Courage, Learning and Love. The Classic fairy tale: The Little Mermaid falls in love with a prince on shore and she makes a deal with the Sea Witch to become human. But without her voice, how can the prince fall in love with her?
This Classic Folktale is adapted from the original story of “Aladdin” from The Arabian Nights. Aladdin, the Genie and the Magic Lamp work to impress the princess who wishes to be a commoner.
A Story of Courage, Kindness to Animals and Learning. The Classic Tale of a male deer, Bambi, his mother and his adventures learning in the woods.
A Story of Charity, Compassion and Justice, from England. Robin Hood takes part in an archery contest thrown by the Sheriff of Nottingham. Will he realize its a trap before it is too late? One of the many Tales of Robin Hood.
This is the Legend Tale of Maui the Demi-God from Moana. It is part of our Classic Bedtime Stories for Kids Collection. It has been adapted from the Tales of Maui as well as Disney’s version of Moana.
A Bedtime Story in Simple English for Kids. A toy rabbit learns that through a child’s love it can become real.
The Classic Tale of the Snow Queen: Gerda and Kai struggle to fight the Snow Queen and find the balance between Good and Evil.
The Classic Fairy Tale of Sleeping Beauty. Princess Aurora has been cursed by Maleficent. When she pricks herself on a spinning wheel on her 16th birthday, she is put into a deep sleep for 100 years.
Who can save her?
Bedtime Story for Kids: The Gift of the Magi, A Christmas Story. Della and Jim wish to give each other the perfect Christmas present, but how will they come up with the money?
A Bedtime Story of Friendship, Courage and Acceptance. . The story tells of the time Pocahontas saved the life of settler John Smith from her father, Powhatan.
A Cinderella Story ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
The Classic fairytale of Cinderella: a young girl, mistreated by her step-mother and step-sisters, who finds out that dreams really can come true.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Story ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
The Classic Fairytale Story of Snow White with a Modern Twist: Who is the “fair”est of them all? Snow White of course!
Pinocchio Story ~ Fairy Tale Bedtime Stories in English for Kids
A Bedtime Story of Honesty, Courage and Truth. If Pinocchio is to become a Real boy he needs to learn how to be honest, brave and true.
Beauty and the Beast Classic Tale ~ Fairy Tale Stories for Kids
The classic fairy tale of a beautiful woman and the monstrous beast.
Rumpelstiltskin ~ A Fairy Tale Bedtime Story for Kids
A Grimm’s Brother Tale: A miller tells a tale that his daughter can turn straw into gold. A strange little man is willing to help…for a price. Guess his name and he will be gone…but what is his name?
Goldilocks and the Three Bears ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
Goldilocks and the Three Bears ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids. Goldilocks finds the three bears cottage in the woods. Should she make herself comfortable?
Hansel and Gretel ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
Hansel and Gretel Bedtime Stories for Kids. When Hansel and Gretel go in search of food, they find a gingerbread house. But who is inside?
Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm ~ Bedtime Stories
A Story of Friendship, Love and Courage. Rapunzel’s Story ~ A Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale.
An evil witch has trapped Rapunzel in a tower. Can her long hair or love save her?
The Sword in the Stone: a King Arthur Legend of the Sword Story
A Story of Courage, Justice and Self-Awareness. Merlin the Magician places a magic sword in a stone…whomever can pull it out is the rightful king.
The Ugly Duckling Story ~ Fairy Tale Story for Kids in English
A Bedtime Story of Acceptance and Self-Awareness. A Mama Duck is proud when her six ducklings hatch from their eggs. But one duckling does not look like the others? Is he truly an Ugly Duckling?
The Frog Prince: The Story of the Princess and the Frog ~ Bedtime Stories
The classic Brother’s Grimm fairytale that sparked the Disney adaptation.
The Little Mermaid Story ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids in English
A Story of Courage, Learning and Love. The Classic fairy tale: The Little Mermaid falls in love with a prince on shore and she makes a deal with the Sea Witch to become human.
But without her voice, how can the prince fall in love with her?
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp from The Arabian Nights ~ Bedtime Stories
This Classic Folktale is adapted from the original story of “Aladdin” from The Arabian Nights. Aladdin, the Genie and the Magic Lamp work to impress the princess who wishes to be a commoner.
Bambi Story: A Life in the Woods ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids in English
A Story of Courage, Kindness to Animals and Learning. The Classic Tale of a male deer, Bambi, his mother and his adventures learning in the woods.
Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow Story ~ Legend Stories for Kids
A Story of Charity, Compassion and Justice, from England. Robin Hood takes part in an archery contest thrown by the Sheriff of Nottingham. Will he realize its a trap before it is too late? One of the many Tales of Robin Hood.
Maui from Moana: Tales of the Demi-God ~ Legend Stories for Kids
This is the Legend Tale of Maui the Demi-God from Moana.
It is part of our Classic Bedtime Stories for Kids Collection. It has been adapted from the Tales of Maui as well as Disney’s version of Moana.
The Velveteen Rabbit Story ~ Bedtime English Story for Kids
A Bedtime Story in Simple English for Kids. A toy rabbit learns that through a child’s love it can become real.
The Snow Queen Fairy Tale Story ~Bedtime Story for Kids
The Classic Tale of the Snow Queen: Gerda and Kai struggle to fight the Snow Queen and find the balance between Good and Evil.
Sleeping Beauty Fairy Tale Story ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
The Classic Fairy Tale of Sleeping Beauty. Princess Aurora has been cursed by Maleficent. When she pricks herself on a spinning wheel on her 16th birthday, she is put into a deep sleep for 100 years. Who can save her?
The Gift of the Magi Story ~ A Holiday Story for Kids
Bedtime Story for Kids: The Gift of the Magi, A Christmas Story. Della and Jim wish to give each other the perfect Christmas present, but how will they come up with the money?
Pocahontas and John Smith Story ~ Folktales Stories for Kids
A Bedtime Story of Friendship, Courage and Acceptance.
. The story tells of the time Pocahontas saved the life of settler John Smith from her father, Powhatan.
The Emperor’s New Clothes Story ~ Bedtime Stories
A Bedtime Story in Simple English for Kids. The Emperor is fooled into believing he is wearing magic clothes which can’t be “seen”.
Mulan Story ~ Tale of Hua Mulan Bedtime Stories | English Story for Kids
A Bedtime Story in Simple English for Kids. Based on the “Ballad of Mulan” and Disney’s Mulan, this is a legend tale about a girl who goes in disguise as a boy and joins the army in her brother’s place.
Short Stories for Kids ~ Folk tales, Fairy Tales, Riddles, Legends, Poems
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More From Stories to Grow By
You will find a story you love. Did you know that Stories to Grow By also provides a collection of World Tales? Folktales, fairytales, fables, and more! Whether you are looking for a story from your own country or culture, or a want to learn about a new one! We have you covered.
Check out our special collection of world tales by clicking HERE.
We are strive to provide more. If you would like to see additional stories, content, and materials, or maybe even have some of your own you would like to share - drop us a line! Contact us directly by clicking HERE.
Stay Up to DateJoin our blog by clicking HERE.
Teaching Resources from Stories to Grow By
In addition to our bedtime stories, we also offer a multitude teaching resources! This includes over 100 free bedtime stories, fairy tales, folk tales, readers theater play scripts, and performance notes!
You will find the bedtime stories and the materials you need for your classroom with Stories to Grow By.
Choose Stories By Age, Reading Time...
Fairy Tales to Enchant You…
Welcome to our huge fairy tales library!
Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Riding Hood, and stories of Cinderella… Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen… Arabian Nights, Aesop’s Fables, Greek myths and Norse legends…
Browse our most popular fairy tales collections
Famous Fairy Tales
Little Red Riding Hood is going to enjoy some delicious food with her Grandma… but meets big slobbery Oscar on the way!
Ella is invited to a fancy dress ball – but she has no pretty dress! Luckily a fairy dogmother is nearby…
A picky Prince must marry – what happens when a mechanic Princess arrives at his door?
The story of beautiful Snow White, the seven dwarfs and the evil Queen.
A mother goat leaves her seven kids at home alone… are they smart enough to outwit a visiting wolf ?
A shoemaker and his wife have magical assistance from some elves every evening when they go to bed. But do the elves need…
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Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales
A Prince called Desire seeks a bride in warmer lands.
This marvellous musician has a strange way of making friends and keeping them!
Three Dwarfs meet a poor girl who shares the last of her bread with them.
A younger brother is a wise dwarf who teaches his brothers kind things.
A little tailor tricks two giants and a King, winning against all odds.
The story of beautiful Snow White, the seven dwarfs and the evil Queen.
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Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales
A butterfly takes his time in deciding which flower he should marry.
A beautiful story of a much loved Grandmother who dies, by Hans Christian Andersen.
A snow man falls in love with a hot stove…
Five peas in a shell discover their destinies…
A sick boy goes on a magical adventure of the imagination…
A Prince offers a Princess gifts that she refuses.
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English Fairy Tales
A witty wife helps her husband solve his problems in all sorts of sticky situations!
A Prince steals a magical ring from a fairy queen in order to defeat a wicked dragon.
A little weed feels worthless, until it helps some hungry birds.
A giant keeps Jack prisoner for seven years… until finally he makes his escape!
A prince learns how to have empathy with the help of a fairy and a ring.
A young man wants to marry a silly girl… but must find three sillier people first!
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French Fairy Tales
A Princess, by enchantment, transforms into a white doe. Will true love prevail and help her break the spell?
A handsome courtier begs a princess marry a king, but the princess falls in love with him instead.
A prince has a red hat that makes him invisible, and uses it to pursue Love.
A pair of lovers are separated when a king is turned into a blue bird.
A friendly frog helps a queen and a princess to escape a lion witch.
A yellow dwarf forces a queen and her daughter to make a promise they cannot keep…
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Chinese Fairy Tales
Molo goes to great lengths to help others and become a sword hero.
A family of human-ogres shows strength in the difficulties they face being both.
When the king’s daughter is taken by a bird with nine heads, who will save her?
Rose of Evening is beautiful and kind, but what is she keeping secret?
Giauna is beautiful but also kind, and can heal the sickness of others.
A boy called Bamboo helps a turtle escape a temple, and goes on a big adventure.
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Oscar Wilde Fairy Tales
The status of a Prince begs a sparrow to help him bring happiness to the sad and poor of his city.
A short story about a beautiful child of the stars, who learns about humility.
The tale of a selfish giant who closes his beautiful garden to children.
The tragic tale of a selfish miller, and his poor and generous friend.
The haunting story of a nightingale who creates a red rose for a lover.
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Norse Myths and Legends
A plump pancake manages to escape being eaten by 7 children!
A boy keeps meeting a rat who promises they will soon be married.
A child called Minnikin conquers three trolls to save two captured princesses.
It all seems like a perfectly normal wedding… or is it?!
Cinderlad is lazy, until he meets a King that will put him to the test!
The story of a cat who literally eats everything in sight, even the moon!
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Aesop’s Fables
A wordless counting picture book based on the Aesop fable.
A raven tries to copy an eagle, but finds it’s not so easy! An Aesop fable.
A collection of Aesop’s fables in short poetry form – along with vintage illustrations.
A town mouse and a country mouse visit each other’s home, to find they like their own best.
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Japanese Fairy Tales
A story of the Sun, the Moon and an Empress all working together for peace.
A hare deceives some crocodiles, and learns to tell the truth.
A hero fights an ogre, and steals his arm.
An old man loves his dog, who brings him tragic heartache and good luck.
The story of Prince Yamato Take and his protector the Sun Goddess.
Princess Hase has a cruel stepmother, but she remains kind.
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Scottish Fairy Tales
A Prince meets a strange ghost in an inn, who asks him to do her a favour.
Lady Janet acts courageously to rescue her True Love from a fairy queen’s grasp.
The fairy tale of a Princess, a boy, a magical Grandmother and an army of Goblins.
When a Princess is caused by a spell to be as light as air, a Prince discovers the way to make her happy.
Janet must trust a fairy named Tamlane, in order to return him to human form.
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Russian Fairy Tales
A Princess trusts a wicked old witch, who turns her into a white duck.
A boy is stolen by a wicked witch, and recovered by a kind and brave girl.
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Read Our Complete Fairy Tale Library !
Bedtime stories for children. Read online with pictures.
In this section we have collected interesting fairy tales from all over the world that are suitable for reading before bed. These small instructive and kind stories will help children calm down after a stormy day and tune in to rest.
In bedtime stories you will not find cruelty and frightening characters. Only light plots and pleasant characters.
At the bottom of each fairy tale there is hint for what age it is intended, as well as other tags. Be sure to pay attention to them when choosing a product! You do not have to spend time reading a fairy tale to find out if it suits your child or not. We have already read everything, sorted and compiled short descriptions of fairy tales.
Enjoy reading and good dreams :)
bedtime stories for children read
An interesting fairy tale is that part of childhood that stays with us forever, even when childhood is gone.
This is a magical world that is wide open in front of the baby, and acquaintance with it begins with a short and sweet bedtime story.
At what age to read fairy tales to a child
There is no strict age limit in reading fairy tales to a child. Reading for a child is primarily an opportunity for emotional intimacy with an adult. Even if not a word is clear yet, the familiar timbre of the voice, the measured rhythm soothe the baby and stimulate its development. That is why psychologists recommend reading fairy tales even to babies. The main condition: the process should bring pleasure to both the adult and the baby.
The benefits of reading fairy tales
A bedtime story read by a parent is a powerful stimulus for the development of the child, the child has ample opportunities in the following areas:
- imagination;
- fantasy;
- creative thinking;
- language skills;
- emotional development;
- the ability to find a way out of problem situations.
Unlike cartoons, a fairy tale does not present the child with ready-made images and the world invented by the artist, but invites him to think, think out and imagine what is not in the illustrations.
Simply put, we read to children at night and at the same time unleash their creativity. The next step is the first children's tests of themselves as an author and artist, but that will come later. And now such familiar and at the same time amazing short bedtime stories come to the aid of parents.
Bedtime stories - what should they be?
It often happens that every day a baby asks for the hundredth time to read a familiar fairy tale to him, not wanting to listen to any others.
Do not argue and try to read something new - a bedtime story exists for this, to cradle and give pleasant dreams. So, it should be:
- short;
- calm;
- kind;
- without dynamic details in the plot, but with a happy ending.
Repeated repetition of the same situation (a familiar room, a favorite blanket and soft toy, next to it is a mother reading a familiar fairy tale) turns into a kind of ritual for the baby, which has a calming effect.
It helps relieve the emotional stress that has accumulated over a long day.
Short stories on our website
The Short Bedtime Stories section presents famous works by Russian and foreign authors that have become favorites for children all over the world.
Magic little men created by Astrid Lindgren, kind tigers by Donald Bisset, inseparable Hedgehog and Bear cub by Sergey Kozlov - these and other characters are looking forward to meeting young readers.
Here you will also find folk tales and illustrated works by Vladimir Suteev. Kids will be delighted with simple instructive stories and colorful pictures created by a real Master.
Tips on the website
The free bedtime stories presented on our website are so diverse that sometimes it can be difficult to find the right one. To help parents, we have developed a convenient search engine that allows you to view the parameters of a fairy tale without opening it:
- readers' age;
- reading time;
- short description;
- popularity indicator;
- illustration.
Secrets of reading bedtime stories
In order to replace the evening fairy tale with a sweet dream, it should be a short fairy tale, which should be read online in a calm and familiar environment.
Read in a low voice, without haste. Remember, we read to children at night not to give them new knowledge - there is daytime for this. In the evening, it is important to create a relaxing atmosphere and a sense of peace. For this, it is important to choose the right bedtime story, which is why our site is always open for you, dear parents!
Tales for boys with pictures. More than 60 works.
Boys, for you we have collected all the most interesting and exciting works in one section. Here you will find fairy tales about dragons, magic, strength, courage and courage. And also get acquainted with stories about the life and adventures of your peers - ordinary boys. Read fairy tales for boys with pictures on the Mishka Books website.
A short story about a kid and a prankster Carlson adapted by B. Larin for children. "Kid and Carlson" read This story actually happened. But, of course, it happened far away from you and me - in Swedish ...
Microbe Petka is a funny story about microbes - little Petka and his friend Anginka, who live in a glass of ice cream. “Petka-microbe” read How Petka saved his native drop A microbe lived in one drop of water. The name of the microbe was Petka. U…
Grade 2Continuation of the story about the boy Malysh and his friend Carlson. The parents did not like this friendship and they advertised in the newspaper that a tutor was required for the Kid. The text is presented in an adaptation for children by Boris Larin. "Carlson is back" ...
Grade 2 The tale about the boy Svante Svanteson, whom everyone called the Kid. He lived with his family in Sweden and dreamed of a real friend - a dog! One day, the wonderful prankster Carlson, who lives on the roof, flies to him.
And in…
A tale about a smart boy from a large family of poor onions. One day, his father accidentally stepped on the foot of Prince Lemon, who was passing by their house. For this, his father was thrown into prison, and Cipollino decided to rescue his father. Head…
An interesting tale about how two cranes were resting. One crane lay on the grass all the way, and the other helped the animals: someone to get a bucket from the river, someone to lift a basket on a spruce. Guess which faucet got a good rest,…
A fairy tale about how a bus mother taught her little bus not to be afraid of the dark... About a little bus that was afraid of the dark to read There was a little bus in the world. He was bright red and lived with his mom and dad in a garage. Every morning…
The tale of an unprecedented strongman Nikita Kozhemyak, who with his strength and cunning defeated a terrible snake and saved the princess… (in the retelling of KD Ushinsky) Nikita Kozhemyak read In the old days, a terrible snake appeared not far from Kyiv.
Lots of people from…
A story about how the donkey Mafin found a piece of paper with a plan where the treasure was hidden. He was very happy and decided to immediately go in search of him. But then his friends came and also decided to find treasures. Muffin is looking for...
Grade 2A tale about a brave and devoted mongoose Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, who lived in a big house with people who sheltered Rikki after a big flood. The mongoose saved the inhabitants of the house from vipers who lived in the garden and wanted to get rid of people. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi…
Grade 2-3Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf is one of the most beloved Russian folk tales. With the help of the gray wolf, Ivan Tsarevich finds the Firebird, the beautiful wife Elena the Beautiful, the faithful golden-maned horse and defeats the envious. (A.N. Afanasiev, 1819d.) Ivan Tsarevich and…
Grade 2 The tale tells about the life and adventures of a dwarf - a man with small stature and a large head. Everyone called him Little Muck.
He was left an orphan early and his relatives drove him out of the house. Little Muk goes by white...
A fairy tale about a little boy, the size of a little finger. Despite his height, the boy was very resourceful and brave. He repeatedly saves his brothers from death and helps his family cope with the need ... The Boy-with-a-Thumb read Once upon a time ...
One day Deniska and Mishka played hockey and were late for the lessons. They came up with a good reason, but never agreed. As a result, the deceit came out. A fire in an outhouse or a feat in the ice read We with ...
3rd gradeThe tale of how the glorious hero Ilya Muromets caught the Nightingale the Robber and brought him to Prince Vladimir in the city of Kyiv ... Ilya Muromets and the Nightingale the Robber read Ilya Muromets gallops at full speed . His horse,…
The tale of Ivan Tsarevich, who went to rescue his mother from the underworld. In this he was helped by the princesses of the copper, silver and gold kingdoms.
