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.

Sandra Makes a Pact with the Sun

Sandra Makes a Pact with the Sun

10
 min
5
+
4.8

The arrival of the new school year does not please Sandra at all. She doesn’t like getting up early in the morning, and would prefer to avoid it completely. But one day, the Sun overhears her objections, and that sparks a notion: What if I stopped getting up early in the morning too? Well, this seems fair. But what happens when the Sun doesn’t wake up on time?

The Golden Axe

The Golden Axe

8
 min
5
+
4.8

This Vietnamese fairy tale tells of a poor lumberjack who loses his axe in the river. He wants nothing more than to get it back. A mysterious old man offers to return his axe - but it's actually a test. And the old man isn't even an ordinary old man...

The Nicest Gift

The Nicest Gift

6
 min
5
+
4.79

Emma is unhappy because the other children in her class make fun of her wild hair. But one day, her teacher’s wise words change her perspective. Come and join Emma’s classmates as they discover why her hair (and not only that) is actually a very valuable gift.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

14
 min
5
+
4.79

In this German folktale, you meet a mysterious piper who comes to rid the town of Hamelin from the rats that are plaguing it. But what happens when the mayor doesn’t pay him for this service as he had agreed to do? Well, it isn’t pretty. Though, in a very unexpected way, all comes good in the end.

Evelyn’s Fondness for Fishing

Evelyn’s Fondness for Fishing

12
 min
5
+
4.79

In this tale, you will get to know a bit about the life of fishing lines, including little Evelyn. But she is different from the other lines and doesn’t quite know why. She has yet to find her place in the world. So one day she decides to leave home, setting out to discover where she belongs and who she is. What happens to her as a result of this adventure is a wonderful surprise!

Discovering the Emotions: Fear

Discovering the Emotions: Fear

12
 min
5
+
4.79

Martin continues his search for these things called feelings. Where do emotions actually live and what do they look like? While last time he came across Anger, he is now going to visit another of his neighbours, and in the process he encounters Fear.

A Mulish Match

A Mulish Match

12
 min
3
+
4.78

Little Wendy could do with learning some manners. She’s not very helpful at home, and when someone asks her to do something, it goes one ear in and out the other. Then, one day, she gets excited by the opportunity to ride a horse. What will happen when she finds out that the horse is just as stubborn as she is?

A Christmas Story About Baby Jesus

A Christmas Story About Baby Jesus

11
 min
3
+
4.78

Remind yourself and your children about why we celebrate Christmas with this simple retelling of the Bible story of Jesus’s birth. Put yourselves into Mary and Joseph’s shoes as they meet the angel Gabriel, travel to Bethlehem, and finally meet their miraculous baby in a completely unexpected place...

The Apple Pie

The Apple Pie

6
 min
5
+
4.78

Tommy is sad about something the other children said to him at school – they laughed at him because he looked different. Then his mum teaches him an important lesson while they make an apple pie together. Find out what that lesson was in this short story.

Appreciating Edith

Appreciating Edith

8
 min
5
+
4.78

Edith is the school cleaner, but the pupils don’t pay much attention to her. However, everything changes when she suddenly has to take some time off. The children come to realise what a huge difference a clean school makes and how crucial the job of a cleaner is. In addition to everything they are taught in class, the pupils learn that every occupation should be valued.

Grumposaurus

Grumposaurus

12
 min
5
+
4.78

Billy is especially grumpy today – nothing is good enough for him. Then something very odd starts to happen. Billy’s grumpiness is gradually turning him into a grumposaurus! In the story you’ll find out how Billy navigates his foul mood. And how, just before it takes over his entire existence, he learns to see the bright side of life.

Kuartam the Toad

Kuartam the Toad

6
 min
5
+
4.78

A story based on an Ecuadorian folktale about a toad with an extraordinary power. Anyone who mocked him for his ugly appearance was harshly punished, since Kuartam could turn into a jaguar before your very eyes and gobble you up. None of the local tribespeople had ever seen him, but they sometimes heard an ear-splitting roar coming from the jungle. One night, a young hunter decides to find out whether there is any truth to the legend...

The Airport at Christmas

The Airport at Christmas

8
 min
5
+
4.77

When a lot of people are stranded at the airport in a snowstorm, it looks like their Christmas is going to be ruined. However, something almost miraculous happens that alleviates their anger and worries, and even conjures up a joyful Christmas atmosphere in the middle of the busy airport.

How Evie Didn’t Want to Wear Glasses

How Evie Didn’t Want to Wear Glasses

10
 min
5
+
4.77

Evie is sad because she has to wear glasses. What bothers her most is that her friends might make fun of her. Out of fear, she decides to hide her glasses and every morning, after saying goodbye to her mother, she secretly takes them off so that no one can see them. But how will this little secret turn out?

Noah’s Ark

Noah’s Ark

10
 min
5
+
4.77

In this version of a well-known Bible story, you and your children can find out about how Noah came to build his legendary ark and how he managed to save his own family and all the animals on the planet from a huge disaster.

Christmas For Everyone

Christmas For Everyone

5
 min
5
+
4.76

Christmas is coming soon and little Carl is worried about whether their lonely neighbour Mrs Lizzie will get any Christmas presents. So he decides to make a gift for her himself. But how will the boy deal with it?

Mio in Science Class: About Birds

Mio in Science Class: About Birds

7
 min
5
+
4.76

Mio, our favourite little elephant, likes school a lot. This time, he and his classmates are looking forward to science class, where today they will be learning about birds and listening to birdsong. What new facts and sounds will Mio and the children learn?

The Mirror

The Mirror

11
 min
5
+
4.76

An amusing story from Korea about a simple villager, Mr Kim, who one day sets off to the big city of Seoul, where he sees a mirror for the first time in his life. He brings it home, where it becomes a source of surprise and amusing misunderstandings for Mr Kim and his family. It’s easy to see the relevance of the story even today, with so many peculiar modern inventions emerging.

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.