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Stories for 5+ years old

These stories should be understandable for five years olds. However, we believe they can be fun at any age above that as well. The age requirements are based on vocabulary, topics, and overall story length.

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The Man Who Never Lied

African Tale

The Man Who Never Lied

7
 min
5
+
4.8

It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times. This lovely tale from the African continent teaches us not to believe everything we hear.

Around the World
A Mystery in Ronnie’s Room

Katarina Gondova

A Mystery in Ronnie’s Room

9
 min
5
+
4.8

Ronnie is very forgetful. So it’s no surprise that when she is given some pot plants, it totally slips her mind that she needs to water them. Until, that is, strange things start happening in her bedroom…

Stories for 5+ years old
The Blacksmith and the Carpenter

Korean Tale

The Blacksmith and the Carpenter

9
 min
5
+
4.8

If we want to be successful, we need to think through our plans well. After a short visit in a village, a noble scholar decided to move in. But because of his impulsive decision, he found out too late about the unbearable noise coming from the workshops next to his house. He decided to get rid of his neighbours with a trick. However, his bad intentions brought him bad results.

Around the World
The Northern Wind

Norwegian Tale

The Northern Wind

14
 min
5
+
4.79

When the Northern wind blows away all the food from Olaf and his mother’s pantry, Olaf sets out in search of it. He doesn't get the food back, but the Northern wind does give him a magical gift. However, a greedy innkeeper begins to encroach on the rare gift, too. Will Olaf eventually get justice?

Around the World
The Day the Queen Met a Magic Dog

Readmio

The Day the Queen Met a Magic Dog

11
 min
5
+
4.79

This story was prepared as a loving tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. According to her classmates, Clara is not a special girl. So everyone is surprised when she gets a special task: to welcome the Queen to their school! How will Clara rise to this challenge and face her classmates’ ridicule?

Emotions and empathy
The Honest Woodcutter

Aesop

The Honest Woodcutter

5
 min
5
+
4.78

Honesty pays off. A woodcutter was cutting a tree when his ax slipped and fell to the bottom of the mountain stream. Luckily for him, Mercury, the god of water, saw how miserable the woodcutter was and decided to help. But not before he had tested him.

Short stories
The Snow Queen

Hans Christian Andersen

The Snow Queen

20
 min
5
+
4.78

A fairytale by Hans Cristian Andersen about the fight between good and evil. The pieces from the devil's mirror, which turn a person into a heartless being, hit a boy named Kai. One day he disappears and ends up in the Ice Palace of the Snow Queen. His brave friend Gerda sets out to look for him. A long and dangerous journey awaits her.

Folk stories
The Story of Chrysanthemum

Japanese Legend

The Story of Chrysanthemum

8
 min
5
+
4.78

This Japanese story explains why the chrysanthemum – a hugely adored flower of the Orient – has so many petals. It is thanks to a mother who saved her sick child with her wit.

Around the World
How Otto Was Fed up with Glasses

Jana Kasparova

How Otto Was Fed up with Glasses

9
 min
5
+
4.78

From his early childhood, Otto was hardworking and patient. This quality comes in handy in his life, because it is important to be persistent and not to give up when working as a chemist. And it pays off: Otto, along with his friend, invents contact lenses, which millions of people around the world still use today.

Science stories
Olly and Polly Visit a Shieling

Monika Cavojova

Olly and Polly Visit a Shieling

10
 min
3
+
4.77

When Olly and Polly, the twins, go to visit a shieling, they have no idea how many new things they’ll get to know: what happens at a traditional shieling, who are its inhabitants and many more things besides. The story introduces children to the traditional way of life and processing of sheep products.

Stories for 3+ years old
The Snowman

Marian Dyno Buric

The Snowman

7
 min
3
+
4.77

Some mean children on the street make fun of a pair of siblings who look different to them. When a snowman notices, it comes to life and explains to the kids that just like snowmen, people are also different and this is never a reason to tease them.

Christmas stories for kids
The Snow Monster

Hana Do

The Snow Monster

8
 min
3
+
4.77

Elizabeth loves winter. She loves making snowballs and building snowmen. But one day, something she hears at her nursery school makes her afraid of them. Luckily, she trusts her father, and he sets things straight. A story for very young children about how to cope with fear.

Emotions and empathy
The Dragons and the Crows

African Tale

The Dragons and the Crows

10
 min
5
+
4.76

One can fix mistakes and bad decisions with determination. The ruler of the crows makes a fateful decision, upending the lives of his subjects. All the crows have to leave their city, which is then occupied by dragons. Eventually, he comes up with a plan to return all the crows back home.

Around the World
Camping with a Dinosaur

Katarina Gondova

Camping with a Dinosaur

7
 min
5
+
4.76

Vanessa and Simon are twins who set out to camp in the woods with their family. However, they see a scary shadow which looks a lot like... a dinosaur! It gives them quite a fright. Where did it come from? You’ll find out in this fun and educational story.

Short stories
Baba Yaga Next Door

Tereza Sebesta

Baba Yaga Next Door

13
 min
5
+
4.76

Andy spends all day, every day, reading. He likes tales of mystery and magic. In fact, he has been so engrossed in his book that he hasn’t noticed one of his neighbours is actually a witch…

Stories for 5+ years old
The Rooster, the Cat, and the Club

Slovak Tale

The Rooster, the Cat, and the Club

11
 min
5
+
4.75

Patience pays off, and waiting for the right opportunity will bring results in the end. This is a story about three brothers who get a really modest inheritance from their father: a cat, a rooster, and a club. However, thanks to being smart, all three manage to make their fortunes using only the seemingly ordinary and almost useless things.

Folk stories
Mary and the Twelve Months

Pavol Dobsinsky

Mary and the Twelve Months

14
 min
5
+
4.75

This classic story is about good winning over evil. When her evil stepmother sends Mary out to the forest to get violets and strawberries, the twelve months will help her out with their supernatural powers.

Folk stories
Cristiano and a Lesson on Humility

Readmio

Cristiano and a Lesson on Humility

11
 min
5
+
4.75

Cristiano is determined to become the best football player in the world and he tirelessly trains to achieve his goal. He finds school boring, so he tries to avoid it as best he can. His playing skills are constantly improving, but with dexterity, his pride starts to rise. What will his friend Voz have to say about it? The story contains true facts from the life of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Stories for 5+ 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 5+ years old

What types of stories are suitable for 5-year-olds?

For 5-year-olds, Readmio offers stories that are engaging, imaginative, and appropriate for their developmental stage. Suitable stories include tales of exciting journeys and discoveries that spark curiosity and imagination, but also stories featuring animals. Kids at this age tend to like stories that highlight the importance of making friends, working and playing together.

What are some signs that my child is ready for more complex stories?

Recognizing when your child is ready for more complex stories involves observing their developmental milestones and interests. Usually your child can already listen to and engage  with longer stories or follow a narrative without losing interest. If your child is using a more advanced vocabulary and can understand and use new words, they might be prepared for stories that introduce new and more challenging language. Once your child shows interest in a wider range of topics or asks questions about various subjects, they may benefit from stories that explore new and more sophisticated concepts. At Readmio, you can find a variety of stories that cater to different levels of complexity. If you notice these signs, exploring stories from Category for 5-year olds.

What themes are commonly explored in stories for 5-year-olds on Readmio?

On Readmio, stories for 5-year-olds commonly explore themes such as:

  • Friendship and Kindness: Stories that focus on building relationships, being considerate, and helping others.
  • Imagination and Creativity: Tales that encourage imaginative play and creative thinking.
  • Problem-Solving and Resilience: Stories that present simple challenges and how characters overcome them with determination and cleverness.

How long are usually the stories in this category?

Stories for 5-year-olds on Readmio are typically around 10 to 15 minutes long. This duration is ideal for maintaining the attention span of young children, providing enough time for a complete narrative without being overwhelming. The length allows for engaging stories that fit well into bedtime routines or short reading sessions throughout the day.