Stories for 5+ years old

These stories should be understandable for five years olds. However, we believe they can be fun at any age above that as well. The age requirements are based on vocabulary, topics, and overall story length.

The Donkey, the Table and the Stick

The Donkey, the Table and the Stick

15
 min
5
+
4.68

This English fairy tale is about a boy named Jack who sets out to roam the world. He gets many magical gifts for his hard work, but the greedy innkeeper always robs him of everything. Will Jack manage to punish the greedy man in the end?

Cinderella

Cinderella

28
 min
5
+
4.81

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.

The Legend of The Sun

The Legend of The Sun

8
 min
5
+
4.69

This African legend tells the story of how the sun came into being, and then how it got up into the sky, where it has been shining ever since. And also, why day and night take turns.

The Dragons and the Crows

The Dragons and the Crows

10
 min
5
+
4.52

One can fix mistakes and bad decisions with determination. The ruler of the crows makes a fateful decision, upending the lives of his subjects. All the crows have to leave their city, which is then occupied by dragons. Eventually, he comes up with a plan to return all the crows back home.

The Northern Wind

The Northern Wind

14
 min
5
+
4.8

When the Northern wind blows away all the food from Olaf and his mother’s pantry, Olaf sets out in search of it. He doesn't get the food back, but the Northern wind does give him a magical gift. However, a greedy farmer begins to encroach on the rare gift, too. Will Olaf eventually get justice?

The Turtle, the Hippo and the Elephant

The Turtle, the Hippo and the Elephant

9
 min
5
+
4.7

This story is about a smart little turtle that tricks an elephant and a hippo in order to gain their friendship. This African fairy tale also explains how turtles and tortoises came to exist.

The Man with the Coconuts

The Man with the Coconuts

8
 min
5
+
4.62

This fairy tale from the Philippines tells of a man who goes to pick coconuts. However, expecting good earnings, he does not listen to the well-meaning advice of the neighbor, and even this simple task greatly complicates itself in the end.

The Rabbit’s Ears

The Rabbit’s Ears

7
 min
3
+
4.0

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.

The Delicious Stone Tteok

The Delicious Stone Tteok

10
 min
5
+
4.58

This old folk tale reminds us that when we are smart, we can overcome the most difficult obstacles, even if we are at an obvious disadvantage.

The Lion and the Cunning Jackal

The Lion and the Cunning Jackal

8
 min
5
+
4.7

In this African fairy tale, an old jackal gets into trouble. In the end, however, he overcomes fear and manages to trick the mighty lion.

The Magic Flies and the Lazy Spider

The Magic Flies and the Lazy Spider

8
 min
3
+
3.93

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.

The Real Princess

The Real Princess

8
 min
3
+
4.69

Being a princess doesn’t mean just wearing beautiful dresses, sporting a crown, and constantly dancing. The story is about a schoolgirl named Connie who doesn’t like school at all. She knows in her heart that she’d rather be a princess. But one day she experiences something unusual at school.

Olly and Polly Visit a Shieling

Olly and Polly Visit a Shieling

10
 min
3
+
4.77

When Olly and Polly, the twins, go to visit a shieling, they have no idea how many new things they’ll get to know: what happens at a traditional shieling, who are its inhabitants and many more things besides. The story introduces children to the traditional way of life and processing of sheep products.

Miss Mole’s Husband

Miss Mole’s Husband

10
 min
5
+
4.92

The tale of a mole searching far and wide for the world’s most worthy husband for his daughter. His new son-in-law surprises not only the mole, but it will surprise you as well!

The Monkey and the Drum

The Monkey and the Drum

11
 min
5
+
4.19

When a clumsy monkey gets a thorn in its tail, it has no choice but to rely on human help. However, it very quickly abuses this help and shows its greed. In this way the monkey gets a lot of things from people in exchange.

The Rat Boy

The Rat Boy

11
 min
5
+
4.69

This is a story about a boy named Timmy, who treats everyone nastily and rudely. However, he eventually crosses the path of an elf who punishes him for his bad behavior with a magical transformation - such that neither Timmy nor his own mother recognise him.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

24
 min
5
+
4.83

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 Land of the Eagles

The Land of the Eagles

5
 min
5
+
4.6

Albania is a country they sometimes call the land of eagles. There is a legend that explains its name. When a brave hunter saved a young eagle from danger, he laid the foundations of an inseparable friendship between man and eagle.

Questions about

Stories for 5+ years old

What types of stories are suitable for 5-year-olds?

For 5-year-olds, Readmio offers stories that are engaging, imaginative, and appropriate for their developmental stage. Suitable stories include tales of exciting journeys and discoveries that spark curiosity and imagination, but also stories featuring animals. Kids at this age tend to like stories that highlight the importance of making friends, working and playing together.

What are some signs that my child is ready for more complex stories?

Recognizing when your child is ready for more complex stories involves observing their developmental milestones and interests. Usually your child can already listen to and engage  with longer stories or follow a narrative without losing interest. If your child is using a more advanced vocabulary and can understand and use new words, they might be prepared for stories that introduce new and more challenging language. Once your child shows interest in a wider range of topics or asks questions about various subjects, they may benefit from stories that explore new and more sophisticated concepts. At Readmio, you can find a variety of stories that cater to different levels of complexity. If you notice these signs, exploring stories from Category for 5-year olds.

What themes are commonly explored in stories for 5-year-olds on Readmio?

On Readmio, stories for 5-year-olds commonly explore themes such as:

  • Friendship and Kindness: Stories that focus on building relationships, being considerate, and helping others.
  • Imagination and Creativity: Tales that encourage imaginative play and creative thinking.
  • Problem-Solving and Resilience: Stories that present simple challenges and how characters overcome them with determination and cleverness.

How long are usually the stories in this category?

Stories for 5-year-olds on Readmio are typically around 10 to 15 minutes long. This duration is ideal for maintaining the attention span of young children, providing enough time for a complete narrative without being overwhelming. The length allows for engaging stories that fit well into bedtime routines or short reading sessions throughout the day.

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