Bedtime Stories for Kids
Reading bedtime stories is a great way to unwind at the end of the day and prepare kids to head to bed. While many kids would be content to read the same story over and over again, most parents enjoy bringing a little variety to the bedtime routine. Whether reading a classic fairy tale or laughing over a silly collection of poems, bedtime stories boost kids’ imagination and give them something to dream about as they nod off to sleep. It does not matter who does the reading, just as long as kids take a moment to relax and enjoy the power and enjoyment that comes from reading a good bedtime story.
One story is usually not enough to satisfy a child at bedtime. While you may not spend the whole night reading, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a handful of stories at bedtime. A story collection will provide you with hundreds of stories to help fulfill the request of “one more story please” many nights in a row.
- Tumble Books – Many elementary schools and public libraries offer free access to Tumble Books, a collection of interactive storybooks for kids and teens featuring some of their favorite characters and authors.
- Oxford Owl: Find a Book – Browse the library of free eBooks and activities to find reading material to fit your child’s age and interests.
- RIF: Read-Along Stories and Songs – Reading is Fundamental is committed to helping kids learn to read and offers entertaining read-along stories and catchy songs to help them learn.
- BAB Books On-Line – The creative stories from BAB Books feature bright graphics and teach life lessons.
- Turtle Diary – Simple stories engage beginning readers while teaching them phonics and basic rhymes.
- Goodnight Stories – Kids can see a story, hear a story, fill in a story or decide a story, letting them interact with their bedtime stories.
Classic fairy tales and fables have been delighting children for centuries. These stories feature timeless scenarios and teach children valuable lessons. Most of the time, you can also find more than one version of a classic tale as they have been adapted over time to appeal to different cultures and individuals at different stages of life.
- Fables from Aesop – Four of Aesop’s classic fables are animated to appeal more to children, but still feature the timeless morals.
- Complete Library of Children’s Books Online – Find an extensive of public domain picture books, reading classic stories that have been enjoyed for generations.
- Children’s Library – The Children’s Library is full of historical and public domain stories written to be enjoyed by children of all ages.
- Project Gutenberg: Children’s Bookshelf – One of the most extensive collection of free, public domain children’s books is found on Project Gutenberg’s Children’s Bookshelf.
- World of Tales – Delight your child with classic stories, including folktales from Africa, Asia and South America.
- SurLaLune Fairy Tales – Authors such as Charles Perrault and the Grimm Brothers have been read to children for centuries and the tradition is continued in this collection of classic fairy tales.
- Bible Story Guy - Children can learn important life lessons as they read classic stories from the Bible.
Reading a book about a kid’s favorite character can be a great way to get a child interested in reading. Whether enjoying a story about a popular literary character or a classic story starring a favorite character from a movie or TV show, at bedtime, children will enjoy listening to the latest action involving their favorite characters.
- CBeebies Stories – Read stories featuring children’s favorite BBC characters, such as the Teletubbies.
- PBS Kids Stories – Clifford the Big Red Dog has been one of children’s favorite characters for decades and many of his classic stories are available to read online.
- Little Critter – Learn life lessons and read about common scenarios your children face through the eyes of the popular Little Critter and his family.
- We Give Books – We Give Books thinks reading should be free and is focused on sharing some classic picture books with your child for free.
Parents and kids are not the only ones who can read books at bedtime. Instead of reading a traditional picture book or novel, snuggle up and listen to an audio book. For kids who have trouble sleeping, audio books can be the perfect solution to distract them and relax them as they slowly nod off to sleep.
- Storynory – From classics and fairy tales to original stories, Storynory’s collection of free audio books contain something that nearly every reader will enjoy.
- Storyline Online – Members of the Screen Actors Guild read picture books for children to enjoy, giving parents a night off from reading bedtime stories.
- Books Should Be Free – Take time to introduce your child to classic novels such as Treasure Island and Anne of Green Gables by playing these audio books at bedtime.
- Speakaboos – Share audio versions of classic fairy tales with your children to fill their dreams.