Free Bedtime Stories for Kids
A growing library of short, screen-free bedtime stories for kids aged 3 to 8. Sort by age or theme, or read straight through — every story is completely free to enjoy.
How the Camel Got His Hump
A short bedtime story for little ones about a grumpy camel who says 'Humph!' to everyone, until a bit of desert magic gives him a hump of his own.
How the Whale Got His Throat
A short bedtime story about a big hungry Whale who eats a jumpy sailor, and finds out why some things are best left alone.
How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin
How a smooth-skinned Rhinoceros stole a baker's cake and got a most itchy, wrinkly punishment, a funny bedtime story for children aged 5 and 6.
How the Kangaroo Got His Legs
A funny bedtime story about a proud Kangaroo who asked three gods to make him famous, and ended up hopping across a whole continent to get his wish.
The Beginning of the Armadillos
On the banks of a great brown river, a Prickly Hedgehog and a Slow-and-Solid Tortoise outwit a Painted Jaguar with tongue-twisters, and become a wholly new animal.
The Elephant's Child
In the High and Far-Off Times, an insatiably curious Elephant's Child journeyed to the great grey-green greasy Limpopo river to learn what the Crocodile has for dinner.
The Crab That Played With the Sea
A short bedtime story about a great big Crab who tried to play with the whole sea, until the Eldest Magician made him small enough to hide under a stone.
How the First Letter Was Written
A short bedtime story about a little girl called Taffy who invented the very first letter, a picture message that caused a great deal of mix-up.
How the Alphabet Was Made
How a Neolithic girl named Taffy and her Daddy invented the alphabet, by drawing a picture for every sound they could make.
How the Leopard Got His Spots
How a plain yellow Leopard learned camouflage the hard way, and got his beautiful pattern of spots from a helpful Hunter.
The Cat That Walked By Himself
In the days when the tame animals were wild, the wildest of all was the Cat. This is the story of how he came to sit by the fire, and still, somehow, walk by himself.
The Butterfly That Stamped
How the most wise King Solomon, with the help of his Queen Balkis and one very small Butterfly, brought a whole noisy palace to peaceful silence.
Captain Pearl and the Rainbow Treasure
A bedtime story for little pirates about Captain Pearl, who searches the whole sea for treasure, and finds something more sparkly than gold.
The Night the Stars Led Us Home
A gentle bedtime story for little ones about a pirate crew who get lost in the dark, and find their way home by following the stars.
Old Salty and the Mermaid's Map
A magical bedtime story for ages 5-6 about the world's oldest pirate, who receives a secret map from a mermaid and discovers a wonder he's never seen in seventy years at sea.
The Baby Who Made a Dragon Smile
A bedtime story for ages 5-6 about John the blacksmith, whose baby discovers a grumpy old dragon in the cellar, and turns out to be the only one brave enough to be friends with it.
King Leo and the Magic Book
A bedtime story for ages 7-8: young King Leo finds a forbidden book full of magical creatures, and must fix a dangerous mistake before it's too late.
Sabrinetta and the Fiery Dragon
A bedtime story for ages 7-8: the kingdom is terrorised by a fiery dragon, and the princess discovers that the one thing a dragon cannot burn is a truly kind heart.
Princess Jenna Who Always Said No
A funny bedtime story for little ones about a princess who says no to everything, until she discovers that her stubbornness is actually a very special gift.
The Princess in the Tower
A gentle bedtime story for little ones about a princess who lives in a tall white tower, and learns that the best things can be found just outside the window.
Princess Marigold and the Lost Crown
A bedtime story for ages 5-6 about a princess who wakes up to find her crown is missing, and follows a trail of clues through the palace garden.
Cadet Tom and the Runaway Rocket
Cadet Tom accidentally launches a training rocket solo and must use star navigation to bring it home. A brave bedtime story for ages 5–6.
Astro and the Sleeping Stars
When the Academy's power cuts out, Tom discovers Astro's secret, and a late-night lesson in the colours of stars begins. For ages 7–8.
Commander Rosa and the Meteor Parade
When an uncharted meteor shower fills the sky, Commander Rosa wakes her crew for a night that none of them will ever log properly. For ages 7–8.
Perseus and the Mirror Shield
A brave boy uses a shiny shield as a mirror to outsmart the dangerous Medusa, a short bedtime myth for children aged 3 to 4.
King Midas and the Golden Wish
King Midas wishes everything he touches turns to gold, until his breakfast and his daughter do too! A funny cautionary tale for ages 3 to 4.
Bellerophon and the Winged Horse
Bellerophon waits patiently at the magical spring until Pegasus arrives, then rides the winged horse to defeat the fearsome Chimera. For ages 5 to 6.
The Crow and the Pitcher
When the water is too low to reach, a crow refuses to give up and finds a way, one stone at a time. Aesop's fable retold for ages 7 to 8.
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