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 Boy Who Didn't Like Christmas

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?

Wise Matthew and the Fools

Wise Matthew and the Fools

11
 min
5
+
4.44

A witty tale based on a work by Pavol Dobšinský about human foolishness. One day, wise young Matthew sets out in search of a bride. But as he wanders across the world, he chances upon only mad and foolish people. With his wisdom, he will eventually find his bride, but also a good deal of money.

The Cunning Heron and the Crayfish

The Cunning Heron and the Crayfish

13
 min
5
+
4.44

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.

The Monster Bulgasari

The Monster Bulgasari

10
 min
5
+
4.44

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.

Why the Moonlight isn’t Warm

Why the Moonlight isn’t Warm

10
 min
5
+
4.44

This is the legend of the moon in the early days of its existence, when it shone as brightly as the sun and heated the Earth all night long. The excessive heat caused much distress, threatening all living things. People everywhere looked for ways to protect the planet from burning up. This was finally achieved thanks to a skilled archer and his talented wife, who worked together to send a beautifully embroidered silk veil into the sky to cover the moon and quell the heat. It reminds us that long ago, humans still found a way to explain phenomena they did not understand.

The Three Slackers

The Three Slackers

10
 min
5
+
4.43

These three brothers, who by now were grown men, only knew how to be lazy and idle. They avoided any notion of work, yet they longed for wealth and happiness. In order to survive in the easiest possible way, they decided to look for a treasure chest. But can such slackers manage to find one? And if so, will it be filled with the treasures they were expecting?

Little Blue

Little Blue

4
 min
5
+
4.43

What does it mean to feel blue, and what can we do if a feeling of sadness suddenly comes over us? This short story about a child’s temporary bout of the blues, shows us a way to interpret this and even overcome it.

Pandora’s Box

Pandora’s Box

9
 min
5
+
4.43

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.

Little Explorer

Little Explorer

5
 min
5
+
4.42

In this good night story, the kid becomes an explorer and goes to get to know his own body. He visits various limbs and several organs, gets to know their activity and function, and at the same time calms down before evening sleep.

A Raindrop

A Raindrop

7
 min
5
+
4.42

A little schoolgirl called Jane is stuck because it's raining outside and she got soaked without an umbrella. However, when she meets a magical raindrop, she learns from it how important rain is to all of us - and what a long journey awaits every drop in the natural world.

The Best Farmer on the Market

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.

A Long Name

A Long Name

8
 min
5
+
4.4

Simpler solutions can be much more effective. An old Chinese superstition says that the longer a name, the longer lived and happier a person will be.

The Cake Paradox

The Cake Paradox

9
 min
5
+
4.4

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?

How Winter Began

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.

The Little Tailor

The Little Tailor

11
 min
5
+
4.39

In this Austrian fairy tale, you will travel the world with a tailor who seems rather small and ordinary, but has some magical gifts. Will he be able to withstand the challenges he faces? How can he win a battle with an evil giant?

The Mouse and the Bull

The Mouse and the Bull

5
 min
5
+
4.38

Size and strength don’t decide everything. One small cheeky mouse bites the big bull right in the nose and causes him immense pain. The furious bull wants revenge on her immediately. But despite his huge strength, he doesn’t manage to harm the little mouse.

Phaethon

Phaethon

6
 min
5
+
4.38

Don’t overestimate your abilities. When young Phaethon goes to see his father, the sun god, he persuades him to lend him his solar chariot. How does Phaethon’s ride end?

The Cougar and the Cricket

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.

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.

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