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 Cougar and the Cricket

The Cougar and the Cricket

5
 min
3
+
4.33

This Mexican legend is about a strong cougar that mocked and scared all the other animals. However, a tiny cricket and his army of wasps decided to show the cougar that power is not everything.

Why Kangaroos Hop

Why Kangaroos Hop

6
 min
3
+
4.07

This Australian legend explains why kangaroos move by jumping on their two hind legs. It is a consequence of their effort to escape unnoticed from a persistent hunter, and learning something new in the process.

The Little Birdie

The Little Birdie

9
 min
5
+
4.84

Envy can separate even the best of friends. The story is about two neighbors who always help each other, until envy separates them. When a beautifully singing bird nestles on an apple tree that has grown in one of their gardens, the other neighbor begins to envy him, and they start quarreling

Hercules and the Potter

Hercules and the Potter

4
 min
5
+
4.77

Before asking for help, make sure you have done all you could. One day, a potter’s wagon got stuck on the muddy road. Even though he kept whipping the horse, the wagon didn't even move from the mud. The potter lamented his bad fortune, and called to the mighty Hercules to come to help. But who eventually does help him?

The Origin of Fire

The Origin of Fire

7
 min
5
+
4.63

Based on a legend from South America, this story shows the lives of people back in the days when they didn’t know fire and tells of how it was eventually discovered.

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

19
 min
5
+
4.9

A world famous tale teaches us that lying doesn’t pay off. When a lone woodworker carves out a wooden puppet just for pleasure, it suddenly comes to life. The extraordinary puppet becomes a restless and adventurous boy called Pinocchio. But when he lies, his little nose starts growing.

The Little Star

The Little Star

10
 min
5
+
4.76

This is a Christmas story about a little star. After it falls from the sky, two curious children discover it. Although the children fail to return the star to the sky, it eventually finds its place as a Christmas tree decoration.

Mary and the Twelve Months

Mary and the Twelve Months

14
 min
5
+
4.78

This classic story is about good winning over evil. When her evil stepmother sends Mary out to the forest to get violets and strawberries, the twelve months will help her out with their supernatural powers.

The Christmas Puppy

The Christmas Puppy

13
 min
5
+
4.94

The magic of Christmas is not hidden in many gifts, but in good deeds. One little puppy manages to melt the hearts of two adults, who until then hadn’t wanted to complicate life with a new family member, and especially not one like a dog, which as we all know can create be quite messy…

The Man Who Never Lied

The Man Who Never Lied

7
 min
5
+
4.8

It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times. This lovely tale from the African continent teaches us not to believe everything we hear.

The Christmas Bell

The Christmas Bell

13
 min
5
+
4.88

When preparing for the upcoming Christmas, Santa finds out he has lost his magic bell. He therefore sets out on an extraordinary journey in the middle of summer – to look for a man who could make him a new magic bell.

The Conceited Christmas Tree

The Conceited Christmas Tree

11
 min
3
+
4.52

When a Christmas tree is brought to an apartment and the whole family admires it, it becomes too proud. However, the other pieces of furniture remind it that this admiration means nothing, because while the furniture stays in the apartment all year round, the tree will go into the garbage as soon as Christmas is over.

The Motor Coach

The Motor Coach

10
 min
3
+
4.81

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. After long years of loyal service, the Motor Coach ended up in a cold, dark corner of a depot, like a useless old piece of rusty metal. Nowadays, it can only think back to those happy times when it used to take families with kids on their trips up to the mountains. Or could there still be someone who cares about the old train’s fate? You’ll find out in this story.

Little Explorer

Little Explorer

5
 min
5
+
4.28

In this good night story, the kid becomes an explorer and goes to get to know his own body. He visits various limbs and several organs, gets to know their activity and function, and at the same time calms down before evening sleep.

The Tiger and the Persimmon

The Tiger and the Persimmon

6
 min
5
+
4.26

We often fear the unknown. Even the tiger in this story was so frightened that it took off into the mountains in order to get as far away as possible. Do you want to know what the tiger was so terrified of? You’ll find out in this witty folk tale from the Asian Continent.

The Wawel Dragon

The Wawel Dragon

5
 min
5
+
4.64

This Polish legend tells about Wawel Hill, under which a terrible dragon settled and ravaged the whole countryside. However, the people eventually managed to defeat the dragon, thanks to the ingenuity of an ordinary shoemaker.

The Spider Princess

The Spider Princess

5
 min
5
+
4.18

This is a story about the Inca Princess. Instead of doing her royal duties, she was carried away by her cruelty and ignorance. For her behaviour, she was punished and turned into an eternally working spider.

Why Polar Bears Have Short Tails

Why Polar Bears Have Short Tails

5
 min
3
+
4.43

This legend tells that long ago, polar bears had long and fluffy tails. A bear was very hungry and had nothing to eat, until his friend the fox told him how to fish in the cold. But he never managed to catch one fish - and even ended up without a tail. The story describes the harsh environment of Scandinavia, and it explains why greed doesn’t pay off.

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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