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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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Why Does Charlie Avoid Chocolate?

Hana Do

Why Does Charlie Avoid Chocolate?

10
 min
3
+
4.54

Charlie is invited to a birthday party. But then he learns that there’s going to be a chocolate cake, and he starts to fret. To go to the party would mean being exposed as an oddball — his friends would find out about his food allergy, and he assumes he’ll be teased or thought less of. But with a bit of encouragement from his mum, he decides to go. (And he needn’t have worried in the slightest!)

Human Body
Cedric the Centipede Makes a New Friend

Mel Candea

Cedric the Centipede Makes a New Friend

10
 min
3
+
4.53

Cedric the Centipede loves his shoes and he has many different types. Luckily he has so many feet so that he can wear them all at once! But when he goes to show them off, no one pays any attention to him or his beloved shoes. That’s when he meets someone new - who appreciates his hobby. And in his turn, he also becomes a good friend.

Nature stories
And Finally, To Sleep

Lenka Medvecka

And Finally, To Sleep

4
 min
1
+
4.53

Lenny the octopus was attempting to drift off to sleep one night, but her arms had another idea — they simply wouldn’t settle down! Those fidgety appendages kept wriggling every which way. Luckily, her mum was available for a cuddle, and she also composed a poem... Lenny’s silly arms soon became calm.

Bedtime stories for toddlers
The Stray Reindeer

Marian Dyno Buric

The Stray Reindeer

11
 min
1
+
4.52

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
Why Polar Bears Have Short Tails

Scandinavian Legend

Why Polar Bears Have Short Tails

5
 min
3
+
4.5

This legend tells that long ago, polar bears had long and fluffy tails. A bear was very hungry and had nothing to eat, until his friend the fox told him how to fish in the cold. But he never managed to catch one fish - and even ended up without a tail. The story describes the harsh environment of Scandinavia, and it explains why greed doesn’t pay off.

Short stories
The Girl with the Almond Eyes

Hana Do

The Girl with the Almond Eyes

5
 min
3
+
4.5

Little Meg has a new classmate who looks different from the other children. Meg is curious why the girl has such strange eyes. However, her father has an explanation. Meg learns why all eyes are beautiful, even if they might be different.

Emotions and empathy
A Night Under the Stars

Tereza Sebesta

A Night Under the Stars

4
 min
3
+
4.49

In the evening, watching the twinkling stars right from your sleeping bag or gazing into the flames of a real campfire can be a truly beautiful and enjoyable experience. Being outdoors and in the fresh air is good for our immunity. Using those restful images can help your child fall asleep.

Short stories
The Boy Who Didn't Like Christmas

Katerina Matulikova

The Boy Who Didn't Like Christmas

9
 min
3
+
4.46

Unlike his friends, little Frank is not looking forward to Christmas. He likes the presents, but he would prefer not to have to do all the other Christmas traditions his family practices at home. Can this Christmas be a beautiful time even for Frank?

Christmas stories for kids
The Enormous Turnip

Folk Tale

The Enormous Turnip

11
 min
1
+
4.45

All together we can overcome even the most difficult obstacles. A well-known tale about a grandfather who grows such an enormous turnip from a small seed in the garden that he can't even pull it out of the ground. Luckily, he has good helpers and they manage to pull out the turnip all together.

Bedtime stories for toddlers
Little Red Riding Hood

Charles Perrault

Little Red Riding Hood

15
 min
3
+
4.44

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 Best Farmer on the Market

Katarina Gondova

The Best Farmer on the Market

8
 min
3
+
4.41

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
How Winter Began

Tereza Sebesta

How Winter Began

5
 min
3
+
4.39

Have you ever thought about when exactly winter begins? The raven is impatiently waiting for the first snowflake, and an old top hat is waiting for the black bird in the bushes. What does the raven need it for? You’ll find it out in this magical winter fairy tale.

Christmas stories for kids
The Cougar and the Cricket

Mexican Tale

The Cougar and the Cricket

5
 min
3
+
4.38

This Mexican legend is about a strong cougar that mocked and scared all the other animals. However, a tiny cricket and his army of wasps decided to show the cougar that power is not everything.

Short stories
How the Egg Didn’t Go on a Trip

Katarina Gondova

How the Egg Didn’t Go on a Trip

8
 min
3
+
4.38

There is an egg in the fridge that likes to listen to fairy tales about adventures. But why should adventures only take place in fairy tales? The egg in this story decides it would like to do something exciting as well. One day, it ventures out of the fridge and into the world...

Stories for 3+ years old
Sloth the Superhero

Lenka Kulichova

Sloth the Superhero

8
 min
3
+
4.35

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
The Frog King

Brothers Grimm

The Frog King

8
 min
3
+
4.35

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the Brothers Grimm. This is a tale about a spoiled princess. She is willing to promise anything to a frog for helping her find a lost ball in a well. Although the frog helps her, the princess later refuses to keep her careless promise. However, she has no idea yet that the frog is an enchanted prince.

Folk stories
Reggie’s Snowy Way to School

Lenka Kulichova

Reggie’s Snowy Way to School

7
 min
3
+
4.34

Reggie is a little dragon who doesn’t really want to go to school. He'd rather play in the snow. However, the streets are covered with so much snow that even the usual way to school turns into a real adventure for him!

Christmas stories for kids
The Cocky Inflatable Crocodile

Katarina Gondova

The Cocky Inflatable Crocodile

4
 min
1
+
4.34

A tale about a green crocodile who isn’t just a blow-up toy, but also a puffed-up one, who spits poison with every word he says – so much so that all the other inflatable toys by the lake are afraid of him. But even a big scary crocodile can burst into tears at the sight of something as simple as a little pointed nail.

Bedtime stories for toddlers
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Human body
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Emotions & empathy
Nature stories
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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.

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