Stories for 3+ years old

These are stories three years old should understand, but everyone can enjoy. We base our age requirements on vocabulary, topics, and overall length. It surely does not mean the stories are not suitable for older children.

Pavol Dobsinsky

Hey, Ho – Ground, Open Up!

min

4.65

A Slovak folk tale by Pavol Dobšinský about how being smart and skillful wins over brute force. A well-known tale about two brothers and twelve bandits. The elder brother is greedy. After their father’s death, he keeps all the inheritance for himself. The younger brother is a modest and kind-hearted lad. He’s hardworking and smart which helps him to deal with the bandits.

Folk stories

Pavol Dobsinsky

The Goat and the Hedgehog

min

4.46

A famous story for children from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection. It is about a goat that scares away many, even strong and fearless animals, but in the end a small brave one finds a way to deal with her.

Bedtime stories for toddlers

Karel Erben

Sweet Porridge

min

4.72

The story is about the magic words “Thank you”! One day Johnny goes to the mountain to collect something to snack on. Then he hears a cry for help. He ends up helping out an old lady who has fallen into a swamp. To repay him, she gives Johnny a clay pot. It’s not an ordinary pot, though - as Johnny will soon discover.

Folk stories

Slovak Tale

The Wooden Boy

min

4.49

A folk tale about a boy who was carved from a log. When the wooden boy grows up, an evil witch and her husband want to bake him for dinner. But the young lad deals with them well and returns home safe and sound, flying on a wild goose.

Folk stories

Aesop

The North Wind and the Sun

min

4.5

This version of Aesop's fable teaches that peace and a smile can help you achieve more than anger and strength. The North wind and the sun couldn’t figure out who was stronger. In the end, they decide that the first one to take the coat off the traveller who was walking along the way would win.

Short stories

Aesop

The Moon and his Mother

min

4.0

The ones who truly love us don’t care what we look like. Once upon a time, the moon thought to herself that after all these years of staring up at her pale form, people simply must be bored with her looks. So she decided to spruce herself up a bit. She even asked her mother to tailor her a beautiful dress. To find out what happened next, read the rest of this retelling of Aesop’s famous fable.

Short stories

Pavol Dobsinsky

The King of the Wind

min

4.73

If we go after our goal and are not discouraged by obstacles, we will always find someone to help us. A young lad sets out in search of his sister, who has been stolen by the king of the wind.. But when he finds her after a long journey to the wind castle, he must complete several of the king's tasks to get his sister back. How will he deal with them?

Folk stories

Aesop

The Lion and the Mouse

min

4.93

Even the weaker can help the stronger. This version of Aesop's fable is about a great strong lion, the king of the jungle, who one day allows a little mouse to run free. Soon, when the lion falls into a trap and finds himself in need, the mouse comes to help. By saving the lion’s life, the mouse repays the lion for his kindness.

Animal stories

Monika Cavojova

The Vanishing Pond

min

4.86

This short tale illustrates the magic of the water cycle. Water can have different forms, and changes form depending on the weather. Forest animals learn how important water is when the sun drinks it all from the pond. They also get to know that it has a magical power – water can take many forms.

Ecology stories

Aesop

The Horse and His Rider

min

4.65

If we want something to serve us long and well, we have to take good care of it. The old soldier knew very well that he had survived all the pitfalls of the war only thanks to the bravery and strength of his horse. So he took good care of it. The horse was always prepared for battles. When the war ended, however, he stopped paying so much attention to the horse - which does him no good in the end.

Aesop's fables

Brothers Grimm

Hansel and Gretel

min

4.57

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

Hans Christian Andersen

The Ugly Duckling

min

4.92

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.

Animal stories

Joseph Jacobs

The Three Little Pigs

min

4.71

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…

Animal stories

Pavol Dobsinsky

Old Bucky and the Wolf

min

3.9

This story (adapted from Pavol Dobšinský’s collection) about a brave dog tells us that wisdom can win over strength and that honesty and loyalty always pay off.

Folk stories

Pavol Dobsinsky

Jack the Pea Boy

min

4.81

Those who are smart will overcome any difficulties. Pavol Dobšinský’s story tells us about a boy who is small as a pea but also incredibly strong.

Folk stories

Puerto Rican Legend

The Owl’s Story

min

4.58

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.

Around the World

Ancient Mayan Legend

The Rabbit’s Ears

min

4.74

According to this Mayan story, the little rabbit was unhappy with his appearance, so he went to the wizard to turn him into a powerful beast. Instead, the wizard explained to him that real value did not lie in having a strong body. So that the rabbit would not leave without the promised spell, he instead received a pair of long dexterous ears as a gift.

Around the World

Lenka Kulichova

The Magic Flies and the Lazy Spider

min

3.75

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

Questions about

Stories for 3+ years old

What types of stories are suitable for 3-year-olds?

For 3-year-olds, stories that are short, engaging, and easy to understand are ideal. Themes might include friendly animals, family interactions, or playful adventures. The language used is straightforward and age-appropriate, making it easy for young children to follow along and enjoy the story.

How can parents choose the best stories for their 3-year-olds?

Parents can choose the best stories for their 3-year-olds by considering the following:

Look for stories with themes that match the child’s developmental stage.
Choose shorter stories with simple plots that are easy for young children to follow and understand.
Consider the child’s interests, such as animals, adventures, or family dynamics, to find stories that will be particularly engaging for them.Readmio offers a variety of stories that cater to these considerations, helping parents select the best content for their young children.

What themes are commonly explored in stories for 3-year-olds on Readmio?

On Readmio, stories for 3-year-olds commonly explore themes such as:

Friendship and Cooperation: Stories that illustrate the value of getting along with others and working together.
Family and Everyday Life: Tales that revolve around family interactions, daily routines, and familiar environments.

How long are usually the stories in this category?

Stories for 3-year-olds on Readmio are typically short, ranging from 3 to 10 minutes in length. This duration is ideal for young children, as it fits within their shorter attention spans and allows for a complete and satisfying story experience without becoming overwhelming.