Topic
Stories to tell children before going to bed
Stories read in bed need to be different from stories read during the day: no rushing climax, no questions that force the child to think hard, and must end with a quiet image. The stories in this group are about 10 minutes long and end when the character has finished his work — if your child usually falls asleep before the end, let the story continue, the end is always quieter than the middle.
Stories in the group
Elliot and the Waiting Moon
Making room for someone else's turn
Waiting and taking turns4–7 years old 5 minute
Asha and the Screen-to-Sleep Lantern
A gentle goodbye to the day
Moving from screens to sleep4–7 years old 5 minute
The Five-Toy Cleanup
A small-sort story
cleaning up toys by category3–7 years old 7 minute
Mina Checks the Tomorrow List
A calm school-bag routine
packing a school bag with a checklist4–8 years old 7 minute
Nia and the Little Handwashing Song
Clean Hands Before Lunch
washing hands before meals3–6 years old 7 minute
Sam’s Picture-Card Morning
Three Small Steps Before School
using a short morning routine3–7 years old 7 minute
Bea’s Table-Time Rhythm
A gentle dinner manners story
using relaxed mealtime manners3–7 years old 7 minute
Theo Takes a Curious Look
Trying Food Gently
exploring a new food without pressure3–8 years old 7 minute
Ella Builds a Snack Plate
A gentle food choices story
choosing a balanced snack4–8 years old 7 minute
Bram’s Blanket Finds Its Place
A windy night bedtime story
returning to bed after a night-time worry3–7 years old 7 minute
Remy Learns the Medicine Rule
A Calm Safety Story
using medicine only with a trusted adult4–8 years old 7 minute
Poppy Says Where It Hurts
A gentle playground story
telling a trusted adult when something hurts3–7 years old 8 minute
Showing 12 of 98 stories
Short answers for parents
Frequently asked questions
How long should you read stories to your child before bed?
The stories here are about 10 minutes long, suitable for when your child is lying down and you only need to play them once. If your child is still alert and wants more, listen to the old story again instead of opening a new story - new content makes your child awake.
Does listening to stories on the phone before bed affect sleep?
Screen lighting is the problem, not the voice. The appropriate way to use it is to turn on the voiceover and then turn the screen face down or use the bedtime mode in the reader — your child just listens, doesn't see.
What should I do if my child refuses to sleep even after listening to a story?
Keep the same nightly routine (brush teeth, go to bed, a story, lights out) for at least two weeks. Children respond to sequence repetition more than to the content of individual stories.