The best bedtime stories for kids in 2025
If you're looking for bedtime story ideas that'll get your baby, toddler or child in the mood for a peaceful night's sleep and help them wind down after a busy day then read on... We've curated a list of the best bedtime books for all ages from classic tales to relaxing stories that you'll love reading with your little one
Tucking your child into bed and reading them a story is one of the nicest moments you'll share together each day. But as well as being a special time to bond and create memories, a regular bedtime story has a number of important benefits for children.
Recent studies have found that regular bedtime stories help foster a child's imagination, promote good literacy and lifelong reading habits, encourage healthy development and also help them get to sleep quicker1 and stay asleep for longer2. Pretty impressive for a few words and pictures on a page.
To help you keep up a regular bedtime story routine with your child and benefit from all the positives of sharing a book together each night, we've rounded up some of the best children's books to read before bed. Our list includes classic tales that have been read by parents for decades as well as new favourites, interactive books and relaxing stories for all ages. You can buy all of these books in shops, online or borrow them from your local library.
Don't just take our word for it though. We've also included suggestions from mums in our Top Testers Club, who have shared the books their children always ask for at bedtime, that help them drift off and that, as adults, they've found enjoyable to read over and over again too.
You'll also find links to some free stories that you can read online. Although it's best not to allow little ones to see the screen while you're reading as studies show that screen time before bed suppresses melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate the sleep cycle. However, you could just show them the pictures or turn your screen brightness down low.
Top bedtime stories for all ages at a glance:
- Short bedtime stories for kids
- Classic bedtime stories for kids
- Interactive bedtime stories for kids
- Funny bedtime stories for kids
- Scary bedtime stories for kids
- Relaxing bedtime stories for kids
- Bedtime stories that teach important lessons
- Bedtime stories for older children
- Holiday bedtime stories
Short bedtime stories for kids
Whether you haven't got much time, your child is tired or they're really young, these much-loved short bedtime stories will delight, reassure and relax them in equal measure.
For babies and toddlers
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Tales from Acorn Wood by Julia Donaldson
All Aboard the Bedtime Bus by Karl Newson
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems
For children 3+
Goodnight Tiger by Timothy Knapman
10 Minutes to Bed... series by Rhiannon Fielding
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
Together by Emma Dodd
Ten Little... series by Mike Brownlow
Hairy Maclary by Lynley Dodd
The Everywhere Bear by Julia Donaldson
A Kiss Like This by Laurence Anholt
The Usbourne Farmyard Tales Books by Heather Amery
Everything Under The Sun by Molly Oldfield
Classic bedtime stories
You'll probably recognise some of these books from when you were little as these stories have been read at bedtime for many years. Some have lovely melodic rhythms that help lull your child into a sleepy state, while others are just brilliant stories that stand the test of time. If you're looking for a new baby gift or birthday present these books are a good choice.
For children under 3
Peepo by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Dogger by Shirley Hughes
Mr Lazy or Mr Calm in the Mr and Little Miss series by Roger Hargreaves
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Peace At Last by Jill Murphy
The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Each, Peach, Pear, Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
For children 3+
Can't You Sleep Little Bear? by Martin Waddell
Peter Rabbit: Tales For Bedtime by Beatrix Potter
Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne
Ginger by Charlotte Voake
How to Catch a Star by Olivier Jeffers
The Old who was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson
The Brambly Hedge series by Jill Barklem
Percy the Park Keeper by Nick Butterworth
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
For older children
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
The Wishing Chair by Enid Blyton
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The BFG by Roald Dahl
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Charlotte's Web by E.B White
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S Lewis
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Interactive bedtime stories
Make bedtime fun and encourage your child to get involved with these interactive books. With lift up flaps to help develop a baby's fine motor skills as well as stories older children can help "write", these books are perfect for sparking the imagination and having fun together before lights out.
For babies and toddlers
Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
Oh Dear! by Rod Campbell
Pop-up Peekaboo Bedtime by DK
That's Not My... book series by Fiona Watt
Twinkly Twinkly Bedtime Book by Sam Taplin
Dinosaur's Wobbly Bottom by Kit Frost
Pussy Cat Pussy Cat What Can You See? by Jo Lodge
Toot Toot Beep Beep by Emma Garcia
For children aged 3+
Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett
The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Never Touch A... book series by Rosie Greening
The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever by Louise Fitzgerald
You Choose Fairy Tales by Pippa Goodhart
Who's In Your Book series by Tom Fletcher
Bedtime for... by Wonderbly
Do Not Open This Book by Andy Lee
Funny bedtime stories
Is there anything cuter than hearing your child giggle? Laugh your way into a happier bedtime routine together with these humorous tales that'll send your child off to sleep full of endorphins and good feelings.
For babies and toddlers
Whatever Next by Jill Murphy
The Tickle Book by Ian Whybrow
The Tickle Monster by Jodie Bissett
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
I Am A Tiger by Ross Collins
Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton
The Story of the Little Mole who knew it was None of his Business by Werner Holzwarth
Oi Frog! by Kes Gray and Jim Field
For children aged 3+
Ketchup on your Cornflakes by Nick Sharratt
I Am Bat by Morag Hood
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
Dave Pigeon series by Swapna Haddow
The Day The Crayons Quit by Oliver Jeffers
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
The Dinosaur Who Poops series by Tom Fletcher
Everyone's Awake by Colin Meloy
Penguin Huddle by Ross Montgomery
The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards
Scary bedtime stories
Not for everyone, especially children that have nightmares, these ever so slightly scary books about witches and monsters are a fun idea for halloween or for any children who love the idea of things that go bump in the night!
For preschoolers
Not Now Bernard by David McKee
Funnybones by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas
There's No Such Thing as a Snappenpoop by Jeanne Willis
For older children
The Dark by Lemony Snicket
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Skull by Jon Klassen
The Night Knights by Gideon Sterer
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Fairytale bedtime stories
Fairtytales have been a bedtime favourite for centuries and often come as collections of beautiful anthologies that you can work your way through together and pass down as a keepsake. Full of princesses, knights, fairies and dragons, these tales are the stuff of magical bedtime dreams.
For babies, toddlers and preschoolers
The Princess and The Wizard by Julia Donaldson
Disney Princess My First Bedtime Storybookby Disney Books
I Want a Bedtime Story by Tony Ross
The Mermaid Moon by Briony May Smith
Margaret's Unicorn by Briony May Smith
Ella's Night Lights by Lucy Fleming
For children aged 3+
The Princess and the Giant by Caryl Hart
Usborne Illustrated Hans Christian Anderson Fairytales
Usborne Illustrated Grimm's Fairytales
The Orchard Book of Bedtime Fairytales by Helen Craig
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
Through the Fairy Door by Gabby Dawnay
Relaxing bedtime stories for kids
The main aim of a bedtime story is to take a child from a busy and energetic day time state to a relaxed and sleep-ready night state and these calm stories do just that, with their relaxing themes and laid-back rhythms. Just mind you don't fall asleep while reading them!
For babies and toddlers
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
What a Day: A Mindful Moment for Bedtime by Emma Ballantine
Goodnight Little Bear by Igloo Books
Goodnight Tractor by Michelle Robinson
Yawn by Sally Symes
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Say Goodnight Little Penguin by Ladybird
The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep by Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin
I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth
One Sleepy Night by Sebastien Braun
Again by Emily Gravett
On The Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
For children aged 3+
The Lights That Dance in the Night by Yuval Zommer
Bear's Little Book of Calm by Seb Davey
Silver by Walter de la Mare
Arlo The Lion Who Couldn't Sleep by Catherine Rayner
The Worry Tiger by Alexandra Page
The Night Box by Louise Grieg
Snow Bear by Tony Mitton
Bedtime stories that teach important lessons
It's often said that the last thought before bed is a powerful one that will stay in your head and be processed while you sleep, so it's important to ensure the message in any bedtime story is a good one. These brilliant books for children aged 3 and up offer reassurance as well as teach children crucial lessons, like the fact that they aren't alone or that it's ok to be different, through beautifully written stories.
For babies and toddlers
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
Godfrey is a Frog by Alex Latimer
The Perfect Fit by Naomi Jones
A Moment Like This by Ronne Randall
The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
For older children
Meet The Strongest Girl in the World by Astrid Lindgren
There's a Tiger in the Garden by Lizzy Stewart
The Song For Everyone by Lucy Morris
Stardust Jeanne Willis
I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
Blue by Brita Teckentrup
Beegu by Alexis Deacon
The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson
Look Up by Nathan Bryon
Too Much Stuff! by Emily Gravett
The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle
The Lights on Cotton Rock by David Litchfield
Bedtime stories for older children
Madame Badobedah by Sophie Dahl
A Year Full of Stories: 52 folk tales and legends from around the world by Angela McAllister
The Last Bear by Hannah Gold
I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery
The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes
The Danger Gang by Tom Fletcher
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
The Explorer by Katherine Rundell
Holes by Louis Sachar
Holiday bedtime stories
The Jolly Postman at Christmas by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas by Matt Lucas
Isadora Moon Makes a Wish by Harriet Muncaster
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth
Night Night Santa by Roger Priddy
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
We're Going on an Elf Hunt by Patch Moore
We're going on an Egg Hunt by Martha Mumford
The Bedtime Bunny Hunt by Beatrix Potter
Hush-a-Bye Bunny by Holly Surplice
The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett
Online bedtime stories and bedtime audio books
While it's lovely to share physical books with your children, if you don't have the space or budget you don't need them to reap the benefits of a good bedtime story. Anything that sparks the imagination and encourages children to develop a love of stories works so you could make something up in your head, or use online resources for free bedtime stories. Or you could pop an audio player on for your child and let them drift off listening to it.
You can find free online bedtime stories at Sooper Books and Storyberries while both Toniebox and Yoto have collections of audio book bedtime stories. We love Tonies Bedtime Stories With Sleepy Bear, Tonies Peppa Pig: Peppa's Bedtime Stories and Tonies Enid Blyton Stories for Bedtime. And from Yoto – Enid Blyton Treasury of Bedtime Stories, 5-minute Sleepy Stories and Puffin Sleepy Tales.
References:
1 A “Storybook” Ending to Children's Bedtime Problems—The Use of a Rewarding Social Story to Reduce Bedtime Resistance and Frequent Night Waking, Raymond V. Burke, Brett R. Kuhn, Jane L. Peterson. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, Volume 29, Issue 5, July 2004
2. Reading at bedtime associated with longer nighttime sleep in Latino preschoolers, Brown SJ, Rhee KE, Gahagan S. Clinical Pediatrics. 2016
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