Bedtime stories to read for kids


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.

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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.

Fairy Tales, Bedtime Stories and Kids Poems!

Stripy Elephant and his friends have a BIG problem... they never hear the end of the bedtime story! So Stripy Elephant decides he will learn to read. ..

Age 4-6 All Poems for Kids Animals Poems About Life Poems for Kids Rhyming Poems Seasons

A collection of autumn rhythm poems by artist-illustrator Clancy.

5 Min Stories Age 4-6 Age 7-12 All Animals Picture Books Picture Books Unicorns

Jaydee finds a unicorn in the garden one day. But will Mummy and Daddy believe her?!

Aria feels like she's having a terrible day... until she learns how to change her thoughts.

Anaya only wants to suck her thumb - even if Mummy and Daddy want her to stop!

Learn to read the short 'u' sound with our free phonics early reader!

View 5 Min Stories

Goldilocks sneaks into the Three Bears' cottage. .. what could possibly go wrong!

A Princess makes a promise to a Frog who helps her, but soon changes her mind.

The story of the life cycle of a Ridley Turtle.

View 10 Min Stories

A little girl is curious about all the sounds around her!

A naughty cat won't come back to play!

A little brother can do all sorts of things when he wears his big brother's shoes!

View Age 0-3

A letter from Santa to all the children around the world!

A mother vulture teaches a baby vulture about the cycles of life and death.

Pepper enters a competition - but Carrot threatens to ruin it for her!

View Age 4-6

Aladdin finds a Magic Lamp, but a wicked magician seeks to steal it from him.

Lady Janet acts courageously to rescue her True Love from a fairy queen's grasp.

Jack and George are surprised when Mum becomes a monster!

View Age 7-12

Beauty turns herself over to a Beast when her father steals a Rose.

A talking fish grants wishes to a fisherman's wife, until she becomes too greedy.

A boy is stolen by a wicked witch, and recovered by a kind and brave girl.

View Fairy Tales

Little Mouse, Littler Mouse and Tiny Mouse have a wonderful day at the Carnival.

Sam just can't wait to see what's in his secret Christmas present!

Making friends is pretty hard for a friendly shark with a toothy smile. But he's going to try!

View Early Readers

The tale of an unlikeable little girl who discovers how to tend the beauty in her heart.

The warm and wonderful tale of Santa Claus's adventures.

A multi-cultural collection of children's myths and legends from all over the world.

View Chapter Books

Pepper loves voting with a fancy new hand-held remote... until she loses confidence in the ways people vote.

Carrot gets his friend Pepper to the big potion contest... but what a potion!

If three royal children won't go to sleep, the dragons will be sent in!

View Comic Books

See a pin, pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck!

Simple Simon met a pie-man, going to the fair. ..

There was a monkey climbed up a tree, when he fell down, then down fell he...

View Nursery Rhymes

Lewis Carroll's famous nonsense poem about the hunting of a mythical creature.

A wind evokes feelings as it whisks up the trees and bushes.

An ode to the humble slice of bread.

View Poems for Kids

Victoria invents a fork, and presents it to the King!

When you're learning to fly broomsticks in the classroom, all sorts of things are about to happen!

One day a boy finds a mysterious note... and a TIME MACHINE!

View Kids Writing

Short bedtime stories for children

What do older children remember? Rare moments of trust and open dialogue with parents. Short bedtime stories are author's and folklore works of the world that will allow parents to get closer to their children. Reading kind and magical fairy tales, their general discussion will help to form the correct moral guidelines in the life of a child. Short bedtime stories will develop children's imagination, the ability to empathize and find answers to questions that concern children on their own.

Sort by: popularity of reading a review of the screening

  • householders of people's markets at night of children 4 years of children 9 years of Soldatal Slutdles 1 class of grade 2 class 4 classes 9,000

    Russian people's bondage.

  • InstructiveRussian FolkTalesAbout animalsAbout the bearSovietFor children 2 years oldFor children 3 years oldFor kidsAbout good and evilFor schoolchildrenFor grade 1Younger group

  • Alexander Pushkinskazy at night of the verse of children 12 years of the children's saddles of the senior group of the preparatory group

  • Russian people's sales on the night of animals of children 2 years of children 3 gunstale kids good and Zlepropropyopro Grandmother Group 9000 9000 9000 2 Russian people -yaguAbout geeseFor schoolchildrenFor grade 1For kindergartenFor middle group

  • Hans Christian AndersenFor schoolchildrenFor grade 2Bedtime storiesFor children 6 years oldInstructiveAbout princessesFor children 8 years oldForeign writers

  • Russian people's sales on the night of the Komkotkoye bear of children 2 years of fat, Toldlya Tolstoy Dobre and Powerful Group

  • Russian folk priest -Durakaskazykazy at the night of the waves of Konyatolstoy - Russian folk senior schoolboy 2 class 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 Russian FolkTales for the nightSoviet HouseholdFor children 2 years oldFor kidsInstructiveYounger group

  • Alexander Pushkinskovskazovskazy at night fish -owned children 8 years of schoolchildren 2 classes 2 class of children's Sadamwrozhnate group

  • Brothers of the Grimmzarba writers at the night of animals of children 3 years of children 4 years of schoolchildren of 2 classes of children's seducide and schools of the middle group

    9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 nightIn verseFor children 4 years Korney ChukovskyAbout the flyFor kindergartenFor the senior group

  • Charles PerraultForeign writersBedtime storiesAbout animalsAbout the wolfFor girlsFor children 3 years oldFor children 4 years oldFor kidsAbout grandmotherFor schoolchildrenFor 1st gradeFor 3rd gradeFor kindergartenFor middle group 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 a hint for which 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;
    • speech 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.

    The repeated repetition of the same situation (a familiar room, a favorite blanket and a 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, Donald Bisset's kind tigers, Sergey Kozlov's inseparable Hedgehog and Bear cub - 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: