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Bedtime stories for kids

The best bedtime stories are short, warm and calm, with a happy ending and pictures you can linger over. These are the books in our library that were made for the end of the day: moonlit bakeries, owls tidying a library after closing time, fireflies lighting the way home and quiet hugs before sleep.

Every story can be read aloud with words that light up, and the sleep timer lets the story finish by itself after one book or after 15 or 30 minutes. Switch on Night pages for soft, dim colors that are gentle on tired eyes.

For ages 1 to 3

For ages 3 to 6

For ages 6 to 9

Reading tips

Keep bedtime stories to one or two books, in the same order every night. Routine helps children settle.
Lower your voice and slow down on the last page, so the story itself signals that it is time to sleep.
Let your child choose between two books you pick. They feel in charge, and you keep it calm.

Helpful guides for parents

Questions parents ask

How long should a bedtime story be?

For toddlers, 3 to 5 minutes is plenty. Children aged 3 to 6 often enjoy 10 minutes. Most books here take 5 to 10 minutes to read aloud.

Can the story stop by itself?

Yes. Use the sleep timer in the listening bar to stop after the current book, or after 15 or 30 minutes.

Are these bedtime stories free?

Many are free to read with no account. Members can read and listen to every book, with new ones every week.

Every book, read aloud

Members get the whole library, new books every week, downloads and Family voices.

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