Bedtime Stories for Kids
Read free bedtime stories for kids online, from short bedtime stories for busy evenings to calming bedtime stories that help children relax before sleep. Browse by age and reading time to find the right story for your child.
This page brings together bedtime fairy tales, gentle folktales and original stories. Many include read-aloud audio, so children can listen and follow along at bedtime.
Looking for short bedtime stories for preschoolers or longer bedtime stories for older children? Browse by age and story type below to find the right story.
For classic bedtime stories, explore familiar fairy tales such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel and Beauty and the Beast within the age sections below.
Browse By Age
Ages 0–5 | Ages 3–7 | Ages 5-10 | Ages 8 – 12
Browse by Story Type
Short Bedtime Stories for Kids | Calming Bedtime Stories | Classic Bedtime Stories
Short Bedtime Stories for Kids
These short bedtime stories for kids are quick to read and work well for busy evenings, calmer bedtimes or shorter story times.
- All Stories
- 10 to 15 Minute Stories – Free, Meaningful Tales for Kids
- 5 to 10 Mins
- A World of Stories
- Ages 0–5
- Ages 3–7
- Ages 5–10
- Ages 8–12
- Blog
- Classics
- Español
- Fable
- Fairy Tales
- Folk Tales
- Long Stories
- Nursery Rhymes
- Original Stories
- Over 15 Mins
- Philippines
- Short Stories
- Uncategorized
- Under 5 Mins
Calming Bedtime Stories for Kids
These calming bedtime stories for kids are gentle, slower-paced and ideal for helping children relax before sleep. These stories focus on comfort, kindness and peaceful endings, making them perfect for winding down at bedtime.
Grumpy Cloud — short emotional story with a soft ending
The First Strawberry — gentle nature-based tale about kindness
The Dreamcatcher — sleep-linked story with a calm theme
The Fairies’ Harp — quiet Welsh folktale with a reflective ending
Sleeping Beauty — familiar classic with a peaceful sleep theme
Bedtime Stories for Ages 0–5
These bedtime stories for ages 0–5 are gentle, simple and easy to follow, making them ideal for younger children at the end of the day.
- All Stories
- 10 to 15 Minute Stories – Free, Meaningful Tales for Kids
- 5 to 10 Mins
- A World of Stories
- Ages 0–5
- Ages 3–7
- Ages 5–10
- Ages 8–12
- Blog
- Classics
- Español
- Fable
- Fairy Tales
- Folk Tales
- Long Stories
- Nursery Rhymes
- Original Stories
- Over 15 Mins
- Philippines
- Short Stories
- Uncategorized
- Under 5 Mins
Bedtime Stories for Ages 3–7
These bedtime stories for ages 3–7 include familiar favourites, gentle folktales and easy-to-follow stories for younger readers and listeners.
- All Stories
- 10 to 15 Minute Stories – Free, Meaningful Tales for Kids
- 5 to 10 Mins
- A World of Stories
- Ages 0–5
- Ages 3–7
- Ages 5–10
- Ages 8–12
- Blog
- Classics
- Español
- Fable
- Fairy Tales
- Folk Tales
- Long Stories
- Nursery Rhymes
- Original Stories
- Over 15 Mins
- Philippines
- Short Stories
- Uncategorized
- Under 5 Mins
Bedtime Stories for Ages 5–10
These bedtime stories for ages 5–10 include longer plots, memorable characters and richer adventures for children ready for more detailed stories before bed.
- All Stories
- 10 to 15 Minute Stories – Free, Meaningful Tales for Kids
- 5 to 10 Mins
- A World of Stories
- Ages 0–5
- Ages 3–7
- Ages 5–10
- Ages 8–12
- Blog
- Classics
- Español
- Fable
- Fairy Tales
- Folk Tales
- Long Stories
- Nursery Rhymes
- Original Stories
- Over 15 Mins
- Philippines
- Short Stories
- Uncategorized
- Under 5 Mins
Bedtime Stories for Ages 8–12
These bedtime stories for ages 8–12 include deeper themes, stronger character development and longer reads suitable for older children.
- All Stories
- 10 to 15 Minute Stories – Free, Meaningful Tales for Kids
- 5 to 10 Mins
- A World of Stories
- Ages 0–5
- Ages 3–7
- Ages 5–10
- Ages 8–12
- Blog
- Classics
- Español
- Fable
- Fairy Tales
- Folk Tales
- Long Stories
- Nursery Rhymes
- Original Stories
- Over 15 Mins
- Philippines
- Short Stories
- Uncategorized
- Under 5 Mins
