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.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

24
 min
5
+

This is a world famous story where good again wins over evil. When the beautiful Snow White escapes from the evil queen, seven dwarves living in a modest hut deep in the woods help her out.

The Little Match Girl

The Little Match Girl

12
 min
8
+

This touching story reminds us to be more attentive, empathetic, and caring. It has a sad ending and is about a poor girl who wanders the streets alone in winter. No one either notices, or helps her.

The Owl’s Story

The Owl’s Story

8
 min
3
+

This Puerto Rican legend explains why owls only come out at night. The reason lies in the fact that a long time ago, there was a great celebration, at which the other birds kindly helped the owl. However, she did not pay them back with the same coin at all, and on the contrary, abused their willingness to help.

How Jack Went to Seek His Fortune

How Jack Went to Seek His Fortune

10
 min
5
+

This fairy tale is about a boy named Jack who sets out to roam the world. Along the way, various animal friends join him, and when they encounter a house full of bandits, they do not get scared. On the contrary, they join forces and get the whole house for themselves, along with all the stolen treasure.

Good Night, Forest Animals

Good Night, Forest Animals

7
 min
3
+

This bedtime story for the little ones will take children through the evening forest. As it gets darker, the animals from this forest gradually fall asleep for the night. In this way, children will also learn that in the evening it is time to sleep and rest.

The Emperor's New Clothes

The Emperor's New Clothes

13
 min
3
+

This is a story all the children around the world know.Being constantly adored is the only thing that brings meaning to the emperor’s life. Two crooks who pretend to be weavers take advantage of his weakness. They tailor a breathtaking dress for the emperor. He feels so unique in it. However, there is a catch, which he must surely discover sooner or later....

Good Night, Farm Animals

Good Night, Farm Animals

5
 min
3
+

This bedtime story takes us to a busy farm which gets calmer by the end of the day as its animals get ready to sleep. Children can wish good night to all of the animals and also prepare for their own sleep.

The Motor Coach

The Motor Coach

10
 min
3
+

It’s in our nature to replace old things with new things – things that are nicer and more modern. An old Motor Coach learned that the hard way. He couldn’t keep up with the demand of the modern times and was replaced with better, much faster high-speed trains.

The Brewery of Egg-Shells

The Brewery of Egg-Shells

7
 min
5
+

When a mother goes to the cradle in the morning, she realizes her baby has been swapped with a fairy. She gets a lot of different advice, but only takes the advice of a famous healer to get her baby boy back.

The Tortoise and the Hare

The Tortoise and the Hare

5
 min
5
+

Going slower you can often get farther. The hare often mocked the tortoise for being so slow. One day, she suggested holding a race. Simply the comical idea of It made the hare roll on the ground laughing. How did the race end?

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk

12
 min
5
+

A story from a collection of fairy tales compiled by the famous storyteller Joseph Jacobs. The popular tale of a magic bean and a poor boy. He climbs the plant up to the sky, even defeats a giant, and eventually becomes rich.

Louis’s love of Light

Louis’s love of Light

8
 min
5
+

Louis had been fascinated by light and by what it could do from an early age. He'd been playing with light all of his life, enchanting audiences in the theatre and the whole of Paris. But he still wanted to do more. What if he could manage to tame light and capture it?

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.
  • 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.