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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.

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Why the Moonlight isn’t Warm

Vietnamese Tale

Why the Moonlight isn’t Warm

10
 min
5
+
4.37

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.

Around the World
Vardiello and the Hen

Italian Tale

Vardiello and the Hen

9
 min
5
+
4.36

Vardiello isn’t a very clever son, but he thinks he is. When his mother leaves him alone in the house he gets into deeper and deeper trouble. Find out how a hen led to him hiding in the oven!

Around the World
Wise Matthew and the Fools

Pavol Dobsinsky

Wise Matthew and the Fools

11
 min
5
+
4.35

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.

Folk stories
Phaethon

Greek Fable

Phaethon

6
 min
5
+
4.33

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?

Stories for 5+ years old
The Magic Flies and the Lazy Spider

Lenka Kulichova

The Magic Flies and the Lazy Spider

8
 min
3
+
4.31

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.

Stories for 3+ years old
King Midas and the Donkey Ears

Greek Fable

King Midas and the Donkey Ears

11
 min
5
+
4.31

Let’s take a trip to Ancient Greece, back into that mythical time when gods roamed the earth. One day, King Midas gets mixed up in a godly contest and is rewarded for his impudence with a pair of donkey’s ears. He is ashamed, and tries to hide them. But how can he live with his secret? And will anyone find out?

Around the World
The Spider Princess

Inca Legend

The Spider Princess

5
 min
5
+
4.29

This is a story about the Inca Princess. Instead of doing her royal duties, she was carried away by her cruelty and ignorance. For her behaviour, she was punished and turned into an eternally working spider.

Short stories
The Devil's Lair

German Tale

The Devil's Lair

11
 min
5
+
4.28

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.

Around the World
The Buckwheat Tale

Hans Christian Andersen

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.

Folk stories
The Mice and the Weasels

Aesop

The Mice and the Weasels

6
 min
5
+
4.2

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.

Aesop's fables
The Snake and the Gold Coins

Indian Tale

The Snake and the Gold Coins

5
 min
5
+
4.2

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.

Around the World
The Sisters Tam and Cam

Vietnamese Tale

The Sisters Tam and Cam

18
 min
5
+
3.98

In this story, you will learn about a Vietnamese Cinderella named Tam. She, too, suffers a lot because of her cruel stepmother and her sister Cam. She does not give up, and she eventually gets justice and a happy ending.

Around the World
The Flying Trunk

Hans Christian Andersen

The Flying Trunk

24
 min
5
+
3.6

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.

Folk stories
Bedtime stories
Short stories
Folk stories
Human body
Wellbeing
Emotions & empathy
Nature stories
Science stories
Around the World
Animal stories
Aesop's fables
For toddlers
For 3+ years old
For 5+ years old
For 8+ years old
Christmas stories

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.