Looking for short bedtime stories? Here are free short bedtime stories in PDF: picture books for kids, classic story collections and calm short stories for adults.
Most of these stories take five to fifteen minutes to read aloud. You will meet sleepless bunnies, sleepy sloths and shadows that are not so scary after all.
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For Kids
Short Bedtime Stories for Kids
These short bedtime stories are picture books for kids aged 2 to 9, quick enough to finish before the yawns start. Many deal with what children think about at night: the dark, strange noises and where dreams come from.
A lonely little bunny tries sleeping over at each of his friends' homes and finds that no bed feels quite like his own. A gentle rhyming picture book for ages 3 to 7.
Nandi refuses to go to sleep, so Mama offers her an adventure instead, tracking a very strange beast through the jungle. A playful bedtime picture book for ages 2 to 6.
A child wakes up thirsty in the night and spots a tiger under the bed. A very short story about night-time fears with a reassuring ending, for ages 3 to 6.
When the lights go low, the pirate puppet and the teddy bear start to look different. A reassuring picture book about bad dreams and how to chase them away. Ages 3 to 7.
Something keeps following Teju and he cannot work out what it is. A warm picture book about being afraid of shadows, ending with shadow puppets at bedtime. Ages 3 to 7.
What is that doof-doof-doof noise in the night? Meet three tiny, furry creatures who hop about while everyone else sleeps. A funny bedtime story for ages 3 to 7.
Mr Sloth is sleepy and needs a good branch for a bed, but every branch he picks has a problem. A rhyming read-aloud with a repeating refrain, for ages 2 to 5.
The wind carries off a boy's new cap, and that night he is sure the moon is wearing it. A sweet, simple story to read under the night sky. Ages 3 to 6.
Long ago Mr Owl was on guard while the other animals slept, and one mistake changed his habits forever. An illustrated folk-style tale for ages 4 to 8.
Beena's animal friends snore so loudly that the whole village is awake. A funny story full of sounds to imitate, with questions for the reader on every page. Ages 4 to 7.
Dylan, a playful young blue dragon, learns how to make friends even when things get in the way. An illustrated story with a happy ending, for ages 4 to 8.
The forest animals tease Jessie for being shy, until a friend is in trouble and Jessie's courage saves the day. An illustrated animal story for ages 4 to 8.
The spirit of an old pirate tells of a boy, a treasure map and a hidden treasure, with a lesson about caring and sharing. An illustrated adventure for ages 5 to 9.
One book, many nights of short bedtime stories. These collections range from a tale for each day of the year to the fairy tales and woodland animal stories children heard at bedtime a century ago.
One short story for every night of the year, told by Daddy to Jack and Evelyn. Animals, fairies and the seasons fill these two-minute tales, first published in 1923.
Five funny, slightly absurd bedtime stories, from a submarine full of bees to toothpaste at the centre of the Earth. Each one takes about ten minutes to read aloud. Ages 5 to 10.
A collection of short tales about talking toys, kittens, fairies and woodland animals, written to be read just before sleep. With the original illustrations.
Short goodnight stories about animals, dolls and fairy folk, each one brief enough for a single bedtime. A companion to The Sandman's Hour, with illustrations.
Sixteen short tales of the Green Meadows, with Reddy Fox, Peter Rabbit, Jimmy Skunk and the Merry Little Breezes. The 1910 classic that started the Burgess bedtime stories.
Five literary fairy tales, including The Selfish Giant and The Nightingale and the Rose. Tender, beautifully written stories of about fifteen minutes each.
Twelve gentle stories of village life, old quarrels mended and late-blooming romances, set in the world of Anne of Green Gables. Every one ends kindly.
Fifteen delicate short stories built on small moments: a morning at the bay, a party on the lawn, a singing lesson. Calm, observant prose for the end of the day.
Four short parables written in plain, unhurried language, including Three Questions and How Much Land Does a Man Need? Stories that leave you with something to think about.
Fourteen very short fantasy tales set at the edge of the world, full of far-off cities, strange quests and dry humour. Most take under ten minutes to read.
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