Children's nighttime stories
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
[…]
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.
Fairy Tales, Bedtime Stories and Kids Poems!
A rhyming poem about being grateful every day, for love, beauty and family.
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?!
Use your imagination to tell the story in this wordless picture book about creating a garden with Dad.
A little mouse walks to Mount Fuji on a a journey of seven days - a haiku poem story.
A baby dolphin wonders if Santa Claus will visit them underwater. Santa Claus can't swim... but Saint Flipperous will bring gifts for the sea creatures!
View 5 Min Stories
Rosco the friendly German Shepherd has more adventures in the Fall...
A crazy story about three silly people, and a man's quest to find three sillier!
Galen misses his mom, and longs to reach a book on the top shelf of the book case.
View 10 Min Stories
Barry Banana is having a great party - until a monkey comes along!
A sweet and non-frightening bedtime story to celebrate Halloween with little ones!
Learn your ABCs with this fun and simple alphabet book!
View Age 0-3
Edward Lear's nonsense limericks, complete with original vintage illustrations.
Jam jar just wants to be peanut butter... but he's so much better as himself!
A Princess sings a lullaby to her kingdom every night - until she falls under a curse.
View Age 4-6
A poem about the different songs of birds, and what they might mean to a careful listener.
The Princess Rosetta is tricked into exile, but her little friend - a dog - helps her.
Two brothers, a skilled fisher and a happy hunter, try to get along.
View Age 7-12
A collection of Aesop's fables in short poetry form - along with vintage illustrations.
A handsome courtier begs a princess marry a king, but the princess falls in love with him instead.
A boy called Bamboo helps a turtle escape a temple, and goes on a big adventure.
View Fairy Tales
Floof the dog really, really wants a phone... even if he can't use one!
You don’t need to be alike to be friends. When two very different children meet an unusual creature, it’s a chance to ask, How About You?
A little girl has a friend in the mirror with whom she loves to do things!
View Early Readers
Blinky Bill is a koala bear who is born for big adventures. An Australian children's classic!
When Alice follows a white rabbit down a hole, things get curiouser and curiouser!
A boy goes on an adventure to save an imprisoned baby dragon.
View Chapter Books
Naughty Carrot the Cat steals some of Pepper's colourful potions. He's in for a big surprise!
Pepper and Carrot start playing with a crystal ball that isn't theirs... uh-oh!
Pepper loves voting with a fancy new hand-held remote... until she loses confidence in the ways people vote.
View Comic Books
The tragic nursery rhyme of three blind mice, who lose their tails to a carving knife!
There was a monkey climbed up a tree, when he fell down, then down fell he...
A diller, a dollar, a ten o'clock scholar...
View Nursery Rhymes
Thomeone hath a looth tooth ! What'th a kid to do!
Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye...
All the clocks can't agree on who is the best!
View Poems for Kids
A trio of haikus about rain, holidays and bluebells.
A group of friends get LOST! coming home from a phone shop!
One day a boy finds a mysterious note... and a TIME MACHINE!
View Kids Writing
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!
Bedtime stories
Bedtime stories come to us along with golden stars, night coolness, peace and quiet. Bedtime stories have a special role - to call for a sweet dream, to catch up with slumber, to calm down.
The bedtime story about the song says that what you are used to is not the worst, but quite decent. One voiced character decided to change his song. But he realized that you need to appreciate what you have.
Read and listen to a fairy tale (3min39sec)
Heading: Bedtime stories | Tags: bedtime story
The main characters of the New Year's fairy tale are Baba Yaga, Kikimora, Santa Claus, forest animals and a sorcerer helping Baba Yaga.
In this tale, Baba Yaga does evil and good, mourns and rejoices. Great was her desire to disrupt the New Year's holiday. But there is always someone standing on the side of good.
Read and listen to a fairy tale (5 min 43 sec)
Heading: Bedtime stories | Tags: New Year's fairy tales, bedtime story, fairy tales about Baba Yaga
The puppy Tuzik and the sparrow Gosh live in our bedtime story. And the main character of the fairy tale is the kitten Meow, who once got very upset...
Heading: Bedtime stories | Tags: bedtime story
The bunny was rich in good friends. And because of that, his life was happy and joyful. Bunny valued friends. He is one of those who understands what friendship is.
Read and listen to a fairy tale (5 min 25 sec)
Heading: Bedtime stories | Tags: New Year's stories, bedtime story, listen
Evening wind can whisper a bedtime story. He knows a lot of fairy tales, because he penetrates everywhere, hears and understands a lot.
There are no barriers for him. Bedtime story "Octopussy Monya" - from the piggy bank of fairy tales told by the wind.
Read and listen to a fairy tale (4 min 16 sec)
Heading: Bedtime stories | Tags: bedtime story
When night comes, it means it's time to go to bed. And children and adults, and birds, and animals.
Read and listen to a fairy tale (2 min 48 sec)
Heading: Bedtime stories | Tags: bedtime story, Tales Iris Revue
The little fox was very fond of a sunny day. During the day he succeeded. But the little fox began to notice that the day began to run away faster.
Read and listen to a fairy tale (2 min 46 sec)
Heading: Bedtime stories | Tags: bedtime story
This New Year's fairy tale is about a mitten. In the most common case, there should be two mittens. But it happens that one of them is lost. And if this happens in a fairy tale, then various unusual events occur with the mitten.
