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.

Wise Matthew and the Fools

Wise Matthew and the Fools

11
 min
5
+
4.36

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 Rabbit’s Ears

The Rabbit’s Ears

7
 min
3
+
4.35

According to this Mayan story, the little rabbit was unhappy with his appearance, so he went to the wizard to turn him into a powerful beast. Instead, the wizard explained to him that real value did not lie in having a strong body. So that the rabbit would not leave without the promised spell, he instead received a pair of long dexterous ears as a gift.

Mr Cat from Catville

Mr Cat from Catville

9
 min
5
+
4.32

Often things are not the way they seem to be. A funny story about an old cat who decides to leave his comfortable home and go into the woods among the wild animals. Along the way, without even knowing, he manages to gain respect even from much stronger animals.

Why the Sun Never Married

Why the Sun Never Married

7
 min
3
+
4.32

This Bulgarian legend tells how the sun planned to get married, but the promised wedding never happened. The wedding plans were thwarted by a little hedgehog. She understood the unfortunate results the heat of an entire sunny family in the sky would have. This fairy tale touches on current environmental issues.

The Girl with the Almond Eyes

The Girl with the Almond Eyes

5
 min
3
+
4.32

Little Meg has a new classmate who looks different from the other children. Meg is curious why the girl has such strange eyes. However, her father has an explanation. Meg learns why all eyes are beautiful, even if they might be different.

Princess Sunny

Princess Sunny

9
 min
3
+
4.32

Do you know how the freckles that adorn the faces of many of us came into being? You'll find out the reason in this story about Sunny. You'll read about how her freckled face was a reminder of a magical fruit, and how her parents were able to find her when she disappeared.

The Bees and the Beekeeper

The Bees and the Beekeeper

5
 min
5
+
4.31

Some things are not what they look like. When a thief breaks into the hives where the bees live, the beekeeper immediately starts to repair them. But just as the bees return from their meadows they see the beekeeper standing among the ruins of their houses. At first glance, it seems to them that they have caught the culprit of this devastation in the act!

The Buckwheat Tale

The Buckwheat Tale

6
 min
5
+
4.28

This story with a sad ending tells of a young buckwheat growing in a field that became too proud of its own beauty. The buckwheat, blinded by its pride, did not even listen to the advice of the old willow and refused to bow its head even before the dangerous storm.

The Story of Wood

The Story of Wood

4
 min
5
+
4.27

Laziness never pays off. A legend tells us that a long time ago, people didn’t have to drag the wood from the mountains. It just simply came by itself to the right place. But one day a woman wanted to make her way home easier, and got onto the wood so that it carried her. However, it didn’t move. From that time on, people have had to work hard to take wood home from the mountains.

The Lion and the Hare

The Lion and the Hare

8
 min
5
+
4.24

If someone is stronger, it does not mean they can blame others unjustly. The lion accused the turtle of sniffing off all the aroma from the meat he had roasted. This is why it wasn’t tasty. He even went so far as to ask the sultan to recognise the crime and punish the turtle. Fortunately, the cunning hare helps her out in the end.

Seven Little Goats, Dwarves, Piglets and a Wolf

Seven Little Goats, Dwarves, Piglets and a Wolf

10
 min
3
+
4.22

When Mr Grey Wolf lands a job at the FairyWorks, everything seems to go smoothly at first. However, Mr Grey Wolf is completely new to the job. First, he can’t find the house of the seven little goats. Then he nearly makes a mess of some of the other fairy tales! How in the world will this all turn out?

The Land of the Eagles

The Land of the Eagles

5
 min
5
+
4.19

Albania is a country they sometimes call the land of eagles. There is a legend that explains its name. When a brave hunter saved a young eagle from danger, he laid the foundations of an inseparable friendship between man and eagle.

Why Kangaroos Hop

Why Kangaroos Hop

6
 min
3
+
4.16

This Australian legend explains why kangaroos move by jumping on their two hind legs. It is a consequence of their effort to escape unnoticed from a persistent hunter, and learning something new in the process.

The Devil's Lair

The Devil's Lair

11
 min
5
+
4.14

A story about how people, even in ancient times, want above all to ensure that good always wins over evil. The brave son of a poor widow sets out to save the king's daughter after she has been kidnapped by a devil. He finds his way to hell thanks to an old woman who gives him clues. There, together with the princess, they defeat the devil, get free and help two other kidnapped girls.

The Magic Flies and the Lazy Spider

The Magic Flies and the Lazy Spider

8
 min
3
+
4.14

Mrs Spider doesn’t know what to do with her husband, Mr Spider, whose hobby is lying on the couch in front of the telly. However, a small group of little flies come to help her. With a clever trick, they end Mr Spider's laziness once and for all.

The Flying Trunk

The Flying Trunk

24
 min
5
+
4.08

A story with a sad ending about the light-hearted son of a merchant, who wastes all of his inherited money. The only thing left of the fortune in the end is a trunk. However, he is a master storyteller, and is able to come up with really interesting fairy tales. Thanks to them, he enchants the royal family itself.

The Hare and the Hyena

The Hare and the Hyena

4
 min
5
+
4.07

The tale reveals why hyenas have back stripes on their backs, and teaches that real friends should be honest with each other.

The Snake and the Gold Coins

The Snake and the Gold Coins

5
 min
5
+
4.05

This fairy tale, originally from India, tells the story of a reverent farmer who treats a snake living on his land with respect. He gets an unexpected reward for this, but his greedy son wants to abuse the good will of the magical serpent. He (naturally) is punished for this.

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.