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.

John the Simpleton

John the Simpleton

13
 min
5
+
4.63

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 Cake Paradox

The Cake Paradox

9
 min
5
+
4.63

A much-loved princess is so cherished that when she gets sick, a reward is offered to anyone who can make her better. Cake does the trick, and she is restored to health. The only problem is that when cake is all she eats, she starts to get ill again. What must the queen do? Carry on with the cake paradox and hope it works its magic twice? Or will the new palace chef find a better way?

The Hunter and the Snake

The Hunter and the Snake

11
 min
5
+
4.62

This tale reminds us that we have to appreciate those who have been taking care of us our whole lives. When the snake and the hunter try to resolve their dispute, they ask three judges to help them decide who is right. But the advice of each of them is based on their previous experience of coliving with a person.

The Conceited Christmas Tree

The Conceited Christmas Tree

11
 min
3
+
4.62

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.

Snowflakes

Snowflakes

9
 min
3
+
4.62

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.

The Fox, the Rabbit, and the Owl

The Fox, the Rabbit, and the Owl

7
 min
3
+
4.62

Fiona the fox is annoyed that she can’t draw as nicely as her other forest friends, even though she tries very hard. But when Olive the owl has an accident, Fiona doesn’t hesitate to assist, dashing to Olive’s aid and helping her friend. As a result, Fiona realises that her particular skills lie elsewhere…

How Spring Begins

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.

The Man Behind the Messy Mould

The Man Behind the Messy Mould

6
 min
5
+
4.61

Alec's head was always busy with so many ideas it made him forgetful and untidy. And he always had a runny nose, too! So when he grew up, he became a doctor. He wanted to find a cure for bacteria, which could be deadly. And after not just one, but two accidents, he discovered something really special. Read on to find out more!

The Best Farmer on the Market

The Best Farmer on the Market

8
 min
3
+
4.61

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.

Rumpel Stiltskin

Rumpel Stiltskin

8
 min
5
+
4.61

Children at school laugh at Rumpel because of his name - he sounds just like a famous fairy tale. But Rumpel decides to make the best of this disadvantage and let the children know their teasing doesn't bother him. In the end, it turns out that his ability to guess every name comes in really handy!

The Monster Bulgasari

The Monster Bulgasari

10
 min
5
+
4.61

This thrilling and perhaps slightly scary story from the Asian continent tells how a monk on the run accidentally creates a prickly monster. It feeds on everything made of metal, and no one can stop it. Find out how the whole Kingdom of Korea is turned upside down, just because its king has wrongfully persecuted all of the monks.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

12
 min
5
+
4.6

A classic tale from Charles Perrault’s collections about a beautiful princess who falls asleep for a hundred years on the day of her fifteenth birthday. After a long time, rumours about the cursed kingdom, in which everything has fallen into eternal sleep, reach a young prince. He sets his mind to freeing the sleeping princess and saving the whole kingdom.

The Owl’s Story

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.

The Russet Dog

The Russet Dog

5
 min
5
+
4.6

This Celtic tale brings you a merry story of a savvy fox. When her beautiful russet coat becomes a home for annoying fleas, the fox thinks of a clever way how to get rid of them.

Pandora’s Box

Pandora’s Box

9
 min
5
+
4.6

Who is Pandora and what is hidden in the magic box she was given by Zeus? Here we venture to the ancient world, at a time when the Greek gods roamed among the humans and generally had the upper hand. This tale has us pondering over the meaning of good and bad, happy and sad, and all of the many facets of everyday existence. It teaches us that the positive and negative are utterly connected, and helps us see that life is fascinating.

The Clever Frog

The Clever Frog

5
 min
1
+
4.59

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.

Rapunzel

Rapunzel

9
 min
5
+
4.59

A jealous witch wanted to have the beautiful Rapunzel all to herself, so she locked her up in a tower with no door. The only way up there was on Rapunzel’s long, golden plait. A prince, however, decided to thwart the witch’s plans and set Rapunzel free.

The Mice and the Weasels

The Mice and the Weasels

6
 min
5
+
4.58

A true leader is an example for their acts, and not just words. The mice have been losing fights with the weasels for a while, so they decide to appoint some leaders to prepare them for the next fight. But the leaders feel overly superior, so they quickly separate from the team.

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.