Our bedtime stories

Bedtime stories to read online. Here you’ll find notoriously familiar tales but also fables, folk stories, educational stories, sleep stories, and legends from all around the world. We work hard to cover every corner of storytelling.

Bedtime stories
Folk stories
Emotions & empathy
Nature stories
Science stories
Ecology stories
Around the World
Animal stories
Aesop's fables
For 3+ years old
For 5+ years old
For 8+ years old
Christmas stories
Emotions and empathy
The King’s Secret

Irish Legend

The King’s Secret

8
 min
5
+
4.64

This Irish legend tells of King Maon and the secret he was extremely ashamed of. However, no secret can be kept secret forever. Eventually, the king has to face his greatest fear – the fear of shame and ridicule.

Folk stories
Hansel and Gretel

Brothers Grimm

Hansel and Gretel

17
 min
3
+
4.81

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the Brothers Grimm. The story is about two siblings who get lost in a forest and come across a gingerbread house. However, they have no idea yet that there is a danger waiting for them: an evil witch.

Folk stories
Cinderella

Charles Perrault

Cinderella

28
 min
5
+
4.8

In one of the most famous classic fairy tales of all time, we learn about modest Cinderella, who has to stand the heartless behaviour of her stepmother and half-sisters. However, thanks to the help of a magic fairy, she will finally have a happy ending.

Folk stories
The Flying Trunk

Hans Christian Andersen

The Flying Trunk

24
 min
5
+
4.02

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. An unusual story 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.

Animal stories
The Tortoise and The Hare

Aesop

The Tortoise and The Hare

5
 min
5
+
4.73

The hare was always showing-off, mocking the tortoise for being so slow and boasting about his running speed. Fed up with all the ridicule, the tortoise suggests holding a race. The hare finds this a completely comical idea and laughs his head off. But of course he cannot resist the opportunity to humiliate her, so a race is promptly organised. Let’s find out how they get on.

Aesop's fables
The Honest Woodcutter

Aesop

The Honest Woodcutter

5
 min
5
+
4.62

Honesty pays off. A woodcutter was cutting a tree when his ax slipped and fell to the bottom of the mountain stream. Luckily for him, Mercury, the god of water, saw how miserable the woodcutter was and decided to help. But not before he had tested him.

Stories for 8+ years old
Pelops

Greek Fable

Pelops

5
 min
8
+
3.98

This fable teaches us that even in the past people could tell the difference between good and evil intentions. Although the story is typical of the time in which the fable originated, the main theme is still relevant today. Pelops longs for the beautiful Hippodamea and decides to fight for her heart. But her father will give his daughter as a bride only to one who can defeat him in a four-carriage race. However, the loser must pay with his life.

Folk stories
Thumbelina

Hans Christian Andersen

Thumbelina

20
 min
8
+
4.79

A classic story by the world-famous author Hans Christian Andersen. Various traps await the charming Thumbelina. First, she is kidnapped by a frog who wants Thumbelina as a bride for her son, and later she is threatened with marriage to a blind, heartless mole. Eventually she finds her longed for happiness and love.

Animal stories
The Ugly Duckling

Hans Christian Andersen

The Ugly Duckling

9
 min
3
+
4.82

A famous story by Hans Christian Andersen about a duckling which thought it was ugly. The duck hatches a nest full of beautiful yellow ducklings, but one of them (which hatched last) is somewhat grey. Every animal mocks him, so the duckling decides to leave so as not to suffer their laughter.

Science stories
Louis’s Love of Light

Tereza Sebesta

Louis’s Love of Light

8
 min
8
+
4.55

At a young age Louis became fascinated by light, above all else. From staring at a flame to playing with its effects, he explored light’s many mysteries. As an adult, he studied further and went on to design theatre scenography, enchanting audiences across Paris. But he still wanted to do more. His ultimate mission: to capture light. And that he did.

Folk stories
The Little Mermaid

Hans Christian Andersen

The Little Mermaid

25
 min
8
+
4.62

One of Andersen's most famous and beautiful fairy tales. A touching story about the love of a little mermaid who falls in love with a prince. Because of love, the mermaid becomes human and sacrifices not only her voice, but ultimately her own life.

Animal stories
The Three Little Pigs

Joseph Jacobs

The Three Little Pigs

16
 min
3
+
4.84

This is a slight enhancement of the well-known fairy tale. Three playful pigs each build a house in the meadow. Two of them don’t feel like putting much effort into it, simply wanting the task to be achieved as soon as possible, while the other brother works hard and long to construct a sturdy house. Naturally, the hungry wolf exploits the laziness of the two careless pigs…

Folk stories
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

Indian Tale

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

15
 min
5
+
4.69

Never lose your faith, even in hard times. Good will always win in the end. A world famous classic tale about a naĂŻve boy named Aladdin. An evil wizard uses him to obtain a magic lamp. When he gets trapped in the tomb, the powerful genie who lives in the lamp helps him.

Folk stories
Sleeping Beauty

Charles Perrault

Sleeping Beauty

12
 min
5
+
4.79

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.

Around the World
The Story of Chrysanthemum

Japanese Legend

The Story of Chrysanthemum

8
 min
5
+
4.69

This Japanese story explains why the chrysanthemum – a hugely adored flower of the Orient – has so many petals. It is thanks to a mother who saved her sick child with her wit.

Questions about bedtime stories

What age is the best to start reading to kids?

As soon as possible. For toddlers, rhymes are a great way to start. The rhythm keeps it interesting for the ears. Frequent reading is crucial for training sound recognition. At around 2-3 years, when their passive vocabulary becomes large enough, it’s good to start with longer stories (around 5 minutes). Keep in mind we are not machines, every child is different. Some start to enjoy storytelling sooner than others. Just keep it with the flow.

Can I read Readmio stories in a book?

At the moment, we don't offer a printed collection of all the Readmio stories - it would be a really thick book! What you can do, though, is download and save each story in pdf format, which you can then printout if you like to read from paper rather than from a screen. To enjoy the sound effects, simply scan the QR code in the pdf to open the story in the app, place your mobile phone or tablet next to you, and your device will accompany you as you read. Some reader salso like to pair their device with a bluetooth speaker :)

Why is it good to read to children at bedtime?

Children love bedtime stories for several reasons:

  • story time provides an opportunity for children to bond with their parents or caregivers. It's a special time when they can snuggle up together and share a quiet moment before sleep.
  • stories transport children to magical worlds, allowing their imaginations to soar.
  • the familiar routine of reading a story before bed can create a sense of predictability and safety.- listening to stories helps children develop their language skills.
  • listening to stories helps children develop their language skills.
  • stories often convey important messages about love, friendship, empathy, and perseverance and can help children make sense of what they experienced during the day.
  • the rhythmic cadence of storytelling and the soothing tone of a parent's voice can help children relax and unwind, making it easier for them to fall asleep.

What is the number one bedtime story?

What each of us thinks is the "number one" bedtime story is very subjective, and varies based on our cultural background, personal preferences, and individual experiences.
Here are some examples of classic bedtime stories from our Readmio library that are loved by many:
Cinderella by Ch.Perrault,
The Little Mermaid by H.CH.Andersen,
The Three Little Pigs by J.Jacobs,
Pinocchio by C.Collodi,
The Gingerbread House - Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm.
These stories are often chosen for their timeless appeal, making them ideal choices for bedtime reading to children.

Do bedtime stories help children fall asleep?

Over time, a bedtime reading habit does build associations that trigger and enhance sleepiness and relaxation – with repetition, bedtime reading becomes a very powerful sleep cue. Psychologists generally agree that bedtime stories can have positive effects on children's cognitive, emotional, and social development, as well as on their sleep habits.

What are 5 benefits of reading?

1. Reducing stress and helping the child relax.
2. Improving concentration and memory.
3. Expanding vocabulary and strengthening writing abilities.
4. Increasing knowledge.
5. Boosting imagination and creativity.

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