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.

The Cunning Heron and the Crayfish

The Cunning Heron and the Crayfish

13
 min
5
+
4.82

This story is rather old but the lesson not to trust promises that seem too sweet is still valid. When the old heron can no longer hunt on its own, it comes up with a plan to get food with no effort. Many naïve pond residents pay for it with their lives. Only the careful crayfish uncovers the heron’s true intentions and saves its own life.

Bestie

Bestie

11
 min
5
+
4.82

“Don’t be so childish!” Vivi’s classmates push her away when she wants them to play a new game she invented. Unfortunately, in the age of mobile phones and tablets, there is somehow no room for your own imagination or classic children's games. However, thanks to a happy coincidence, Vivi found a friend. Not only the one she dreamed of, but a true one. We easily buy many things for money, but real values cannot be bought.

The Black and Red Sweater

The Black and Red Sweater

8
 min
5
+
4.81

Sometimes even small misunderstandings can end a friendship. This is what the two inseparable friends in this African story learn when a cunning traveller tricks them.

Miss Mole’s Husband

Miss Mole’s Husband

10
 min
5
+
4.81

The tale of a mole searching far and wide for the world’s most worthy husband for his daughter. His new son-in-law surprises not only the mole, but it will surprise you as well!

The Golden Sardine

The Golden Sardine

10
 min
5
+
4.81

Mikey’s ordinary breakfast suddenly takes an extraordinary turn when he finds a magic golden sardine inside a fish can. But there’s a catch – the fish will only grant food-preserving-related wishes. What can Mikey do about that?

The Day the Queen Met a Magic Dog

The Day the Queen Met a Magic Dog

11
 min
5
+
4.81

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?

The Golden Craft

The Golden Craft

8
 min
5
+
4.8

An old folk tale, the lessons of which are valid to this day. While the royal family is sailing, a strong wind rises and their ship sails far away to an unknown land. There no one knows who they are. To survive, they have to learn how to herd sheep. The king quickly realises: if he had mastered a craft, they wouldn’t have ended up this way.

John the Simpleton

John the Simpleton

13
 min
5
+
4.8

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Once upon a time there were three brothers. Two were educated and wise, but the third was called John the simpleton, because he didn't get much sense. All three decide to win the heart of the princess. She promises to marry the lad who entertains her best.

The Story of Chrysanthemum

The Story of Chrysanthemum

8
 min
5
+
4.79

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.

The Northern Wind

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?

The Imp

The Imp

8
 min
3
+
4.79

Since an ugly imp has settled in the forest behind the village, the villagers have been avoiding him and blaming him for all the misfortunes that happen to the village. However, a young girl's unfortunate fall in the forest shows the imp's real, caring face, and the villagers finally admit their mistake and put aside all their prejudices.

A Black Hole Isn't Black

A Black Hole Isn't Black

8
 min
5
+
4.79

Stevie has a love for space and planets. When he finds out there was a famous scientist with the same name and the same passion, he wants to become just like him. And so he starts to learn about black holes. They're so mysterious and curious! But... are they really black?

The Blacksmith and the Carpenter

The Blacksmith and the Carpenter

9
 min
5
+
4.79

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.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

24
 min
5
+
4.78

This is a world famous story where good again wins over evil. When the beautiful Snow White escapes from the evil queen, seven dwarves living in a modest hut deep in the woods help her out.

The Little Star

The Little Star

10
 min
5
+
4.78

This is a Christmas story about a little star. After it falls from the sky, two curious children discover it. Although the children fail to return the star to the sky, it eventually finds its place as a Christmas tree decoration.

Mary and the Twelve Months

Mary and the Twelve Months

14
 min
5
+
4.78

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.

The Christmas Puppy

The Christmas Puppy

13
 min
5
+
4.78

The magic of Christmas is not hidden in many gifts, but in good deeds. One little puppy manages to melt the hearts of two adults, who until then hadn’t wanted to complicate life with a new family member, and especially not one like a dog, which as we all know can create be quite messy…

Khabar and the Scorpion

Khabar and the Scorpion

10
 min
5
+
4.78

This story will take you to the hot Sahara Desert, and you’ll meet an experienced merchant travelling its sands. On the back of his dromedary, he carries a precious cargo that saves people’s lives. But what if our merchant were to succumb to greed?

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.