Establishing and maintaining a bedtime routine for young children is essential. After they've brushed their teeth and put on their pajamas, it's good for little ones to have a little extra time to wind down before going to sleep. That's why story time is so important. And the perfect way to make this time of relaxation and calm a part of your child's routine every night is through audio bedtime stories.
How should you introduce audiobooks into your child's bedtime routine? Get them excited about bedtime by selecting stories to listen to that are both engaging and soothing. Before long, your kids will think of audiobooks at bedtime as a treat they can look forward to at the end of an energetic day.
Since the goal is to get children to fall asleep, consider sticking with familiar titles. You'll notice a lot of books on this list are classics, fairy tales, lullabies, and myths that your child probably already knows. If there's too much suspense or the unknown involved in the story you're listening to, your child might feel compelled to stay awake all the way to the end rather than resting. Repetition is great for this very reason—children will find comfort in stories they've heard again and again. So, if there's a listen on this list that your child loves, don't be afraid to play it for them many times. Here are just a few of the best bedtime audiobooks for kids from ages two through nine.
This article was originally created for the US market.
Best bedtime audiobooks for kids ages two and younger
Repetitive language can be soothing, especially for young children. So, It's no wonder that Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle's cherished classics remain a perennial favorite with toddlers. This wonderful compilation brings together the first three Bear books—Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?—and the newest addition, Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? Academy Award-winning actress and mother Gwyneth Paltrow narrates all four stories with warmth and humor.
Your littlest ones will be enchanted by this calming collection of beloved fairy tales, rhymes, and tunes, with added sleepy sound effects. Performed by two of the nation's favourite children's TV presenters, Derek Griffiths and Katy Ashworth, Bedtime Stories and Lullabies is perfect for sending tots off to dreamland.
Best bedtime audiobooks for kids ages three to five
Once upon a time ... Yes, a classic fairy tale can be the perfect listen before bedtime. Actress Meg Ryan narrates Red Riding Hood, one of the most cherished stories in children's literature. This modern version, complemented by original whimsical music performed by Art Lande, is sure to captivate listeners ages four and up. As a bonus, it comes packaged with a second fairy tale, also wonderfully retold by Tom Roberts and read by Meg Ryan, Goldilocks.
Is there anything more magical than wandering about a city on a beautiful snowy day? This audiobook version of Ezra Jack Keats's cherished Caldecott Medal-winning classic conveys that sense of joy and magic through the eyes of a little boy. Quincy Tyler Bernstine's gentle narration captures young Peter's wonder as he explores a city that seems brand new after the first snowfall.
Peppa Pig is a very lively character! And just like energetic little ones, she needs her sleep. When bedtime rolls around, skip right ahead to Episode 6 of Peppa Pig's Play-A-Long Podcast. Peppa and George are having a sleepover at Granny and Grandpa Pig’s house, but they’re NOT tired! Relax and listen along as Peppa and her family gently guide your child through brushing their teeth with a song, winding down with a story, and settling in for a full night’s sleep with lots of wonderful dreams.
A wonderful addition to any bedtime routine, this audiobook features a collection of charming stories that will take your child on a journey through the world of dinosaurs, going on fun adventures and then winding down before drifting off into deep, restful sleep. As they listen to imaginative and heartwarming tales of dinos, little ones will learn techniques to help them quiet their minds, calm their emotions, and connect with their body and breath to fully relax and fall asleep fast and peacefully.
Best bedtime audiobooks for kids ages six to eight
![The Tractor Who Wants to Fall Asleep [UK English]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1yCfhSrCyL._SL800_.jpg?w=3840&q=70)
If sleep is a nightly struggle, allow your child to take a ride around the farm with Tractor Alex. Along the way, they'll meet Yawning Carrot, Half-Asleep Leon , meeting YawyiLeon, Sleeping Apples and other friends, who tell them what they do to fall asleep at night. The Tractor Who Wants to Fall Asleep is the latest book in Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin's bestselling, sleep-inducing series that uses innovative techniques and soothing language to lull little ones into slumber.
Beatrix Potter's amazing universe of animals dressed in human clothing has taught and entertained children for generations. In this charming collection, award-winning narrator Katherine Kellgren lends her virtuoso voice to 21 classic adventures of Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Benjamin Bunny, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and more. Your child will be delighted while easing into sleep, night after night.
In this collection of warm and cuddly stories about a humble bear and his assorted friends, Winnie-the-Pooh goes visiting and gets into a tight place, Eeyore loses a tail, Piglet meets a Heffalump, Eeyore has a birthday and gets two presents, and an expedition is mounted to the North Pole! As usual they are accompanied by Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl—not to mention a very clever young human, Christopher Robin. Award-winning actor and author Alan Bennett gives A. A. Milne's characters the voices you felt they were always meant to have—and your little ones will adore.
Best bedtime audiobooks for kids ages nine and older
The elegant voice of British actress Indira Varma (of Game of Thrones fame) gives new life to this children’s classic. Perfectly capturing every accent and voice, Varma seamlessly transitions between characters and helps listeners visualise two lonely children as they discover a secret, neglected garden in need of some serious TLC and learn about benefits of kindness. The Secret Garden is the perfect bedtime story and will likely have children begging to listen every night.
The Weirdies, written by Michael Buckley and narrated by award-winning actress Kate Winslet, is the perfect bedtime story for children (and adults) who love A Series of Unfortunate Events and Edward Scissorhands. The Weirdie Triplets—Barnacle, Garlic, and Melancholy—have been left behind and now must fend for themselves entirely. But that's easier said than done when up until now, their every need has been tended to by a staff of 200 live-in housekeepers, cooks, gardeners, launderers, brass polishers, shoe shiners, snow tenders, and rug beaters. Even putting on their clothes and brushing their own teeth is a mystery to them. Yes, the Weirdie Triplets have a lot to learn about the world. But at least they have one another
Looking for a longer story to listen to with your older kids—one that they can gradually work through every night before bedtime and one that you can enjoy as well? Performed brilliantly by Rob Inglis, this audiobook version of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is sure to satisfy. Bilbo Baggins loves quiet evenings in his snug hobbit hole, and he imagines he'll live out a peaceful life in Hobbiton. But when the wizard Gandalf arrives, bringing with him tales of the great wide world, Bilbo grows restless, and soon he finds himself on an unforgettable adventure with a band of dwarves searching for treasure. Along the way, Bilbo even faces off against a treacherous dragon named Smaug.
