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Stories for 3+ years old

These are stories three years old should understand, but everyone can enjoy. We base our age requirements on vocabulary, topics, and overall length. It surely does not mean the stories are not suitable for older children.

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The Prince of Football

Milada Kubatova

The Prince of Football

10
 min
3
+
4.62

Adam has managed to lose all of his potential friends because of his unreasonable temper, snobbishness, and unwillingness to share. He really acts like a spoiled little princeling. But thanks to a newcomer in the neighbourhood and a love of football, he finally discovers the benefit of calming himself down and gradually learns how to make friends.

Emotions and empathy
The Goat and the Hedgehog

Pavol Dobsinsky

The Goat and the Hedgehog

7
 min
1
+
4.61

A famous story for children from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection. It is about a goat that scares away many, even strong and fearless animals, but in the end a small brave one finds a way to deal with her.

Bedtime stories for toddlers
The Horse and His Rider

Aesop

The Horse and His Rider

5
 min
3
+
4.61

If we want something to serve us long and well, we have to take good care of it. The old soldier knew very well that he had survived all the pitfalls of the war only thanks to the bravery and strength of his horse. So he took good care of it. The horse was always prepared for battles. When the war ended, however, he stopped paying so much attention to the horse - which does him no good in the end.

Aesop's fables
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky

African Legend

Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky

4
 min
3
+
4.61

A funny story about how the Sun and the Moon invited the huge ocean over to visit. This African legend explains how they managed to do it and for what price.

Around the World
The Conceited Christmas Tree

Lenka Kulichova

The Conceited Christmas Tree

11
 min
3
+
4.61

When a Christmas tree is brought to an apartment and the whole family admires it, it becomes too proud. However, the other pieces of furniture remind it that this admiration means nothing, because while the furniture stays in the apartment all year round, the tree will go into the garbage as soon as Christmas is over.

Christmas stories for kids
How Spring Begins

Tereza Sebesta

How Spring Begins

5
 min
3
+
4.61

The sun’s rays will wake up something in the ground... What could it be? You and your children can find out what the arrival of spring looks like in the countryside. This short spring fairy tale, which is suitable even for the little ones, will help you.

Short stories
The Clever Frog

Storytime Magazine

The Clever Frog

5
 min
1
+
4.61

Giuseppe the frog may be small but he is very clever – in fact, he considers himself the smartest frog in the pond! However, his pride and unwillingness to take any advice from others causes him a lot of trouble in the end.

Bedtime stories for toddlers
The Owl’s Story

Puerto Rican Legend

The Owl’s Story

8
 min
3
+
4.6

This Puerto Rican legend explains why owls only come out at night. The reason lies in the fact that a long time ago, there was a great celebration, at which the other birds kindly helped the owl. However, she did not pay them back with the same coin at all, and on the contrary, abused their willingness to help.

Around the World
How the Tennis Court Came Back to Life

Milada Kubatova

How the Tennis Court Came Back to Life

10
 min
3
+
4.6

When Annette spots a neglected tennis court near her new house, she is immediately interested in trying it out. Her mum teaches her a new sport and shows her how much fun it can bring, but not before they’ve done some hard work for the local neighbourhood environment.

Stories for 3+ years old
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Aesop

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

7
 min
3
+
4.59

It’s better to live happily and peacefully than in abundance, but fearing about the future. When the country mouse visits her town mouse cousin, despite the abundance of things, she finds herself standing there in fear of her own life, too.

Animal stories
The Best Farmer on the Market

Katarina Gondova

The Best Farmer on the Market

8
 min
3
+
4.59

At the bustling farmers' market, farmers offer so many goodies that you can hardly see the little bee's stall. But when the competition for the best farmer takes place, everyone suddenly realises that without the hard-working bees, they would hardly grow anything.

Nature stories
Snowflakes

Marian Dyno Buric

Snowflakes

9
 min
3
+
4.59

This winter fairy tale is about snowflakes that fly from the sky, get to know the world stretching beneath them, and finally land directly on a Christmas tree.

Christmas stories for kids
The Stray Reindeer

Marian Dyno Buric

The Stray Reindeer

11
 min
1
+
4.59

Oaky the pixie finds every Christmas extraordinary. But this year turns out to be super special. After following some footprints in the snow, he meets a lost animal. It’s a reindeer — one of Santa Claus’s team! Oaky brightens-up the lonely reindeer’s Christmas by inviting him to join all the forest animals and celebrate the occasion together.

Bedtime stories for toddlers
Little Red Riding Hood

Charles Perrault

Little Red Riding Hood

15
 min
3
+
4.58

Don’t talk to strangers. This famous fairy tale reminds us that talking to strangers can be dangerous. Luckily, this story has a happy ending.

Folk stories
The Naughty Gnome

Readmio

The Naughty Gnome

6
 min
3
+
4.58

This bedtime story is about a restless gnome who doesn't want to sleep. By putting the gnome to bed, children who also don't want to sleep can learn when it's time to calm down and stop playing. It helps soothe their thoughts so they can sleep.

Bedtime stories
The Wooden Boy

Slovak Tale

The Wooden Boy

11
 min
3
+
4.56

A folk tale about a boy who was carved from a log. When the wooden boy grows up, an evil witch and her husband want to bake him for dinner. But the young lad deals with them well and returns home safe and sound, flying on a wild goose.

Folk stories
The North Wind and the Sun

Aesop

The North Wind and the Sun

5
 min
3
+
4.56

This version of Aesop's fable teaches that peace and a smile can help you achieve more than anger and strength. The North wind and the sun couldn’t figure out who was stronger. In the end, they decide that the first one to take the coat off the traveller who was walking along the way would win.

Short stories
Sloth the Superhero

Lenka Kulichova

Sloth the Superhero

8
 min
3
+
4.56

Theodore the sloth, who spends the whole day lounging in the trees, longs for an adventure. However, when the magic fairy helps him become a superhero for a day, he finds that it is not as easy and fun as he first thought.

Stories for 3+ years old
Bedtime stories
Short stories
Folk stories
Human body
Wellbeing
Emotions & empathy
Nature stories
Science stories
Around the World
Animal stories
Aesop's fables
For toddlers
For 3+ years old
For 5+ years old
For 8+ years old
Christmas stories

Questions about

Stories for 3+ years old

What types of stories are suitable for 3-year-olds?

For 3-year-olds, stories that are short, engaging, and easy to understand are ideal. Themes might include friendly animals, family interactions, or playful adventures. The language used is straightforward and age-appropriate, making it easy for young children to follow along and enjoy the story.

How can parents choose the best stories for their 3-year-olds?

Parents can choose the best stories for their 3-year-olds by considering the following:

  • Look for stories with themes that match the child’s developmental stage.
  • Choose shorter stories with simple plots that are easy for young children to follow and understand.
  • Consider the child’s interests, such as animals, adventures, or family dynamics, to find stories that will be particularly engaging for them.Readmio offers a variety of stories that cater to these considerations, helping parents select the best content for their young children.

What themes are commonly explored in stories for 3-year-olds on Readmio?

On Readmio, stories for 3-year-olds commonly explore themes such as:

  • Friendship and Cooperation: Stories that illustrate the value of getting along with others and working together.
  • Family and Everyday Life: Tales that revolve around family interactions, daily routines, and familiar environments.

How long are usually the stories in this category?

Stories for 3-year-olds on Readmio are typically short, ranging from 3 to 10 minutes in length. This duration is ideal for young children, as it fits within their shorter attention spans and allows for a complete and satisfying story experience without becoming overwhelming.