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. On that note, repetition is great for this reason as well. 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.
Best Bedtime Audiobooks for Kids Ages Two and Younger
Repetitive language can be soothing, especially for young children, and this book is a classic and perennial favorite with toddlers for a reason. The audiobook version of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? features a calm, gentle narration from actress Gwyneth Paltrow and relaxing music that will help your little one drift off to sleep.
This audiobook might not be a storybook in the strictest sense, but songs certainly tell their own stories. Lullabies are the perfect way to get small children to fall asleep. In this collection of bedtime songs and lullabies, available exclusively from Audible, you get more than 45 minutes of calming music perfect for sleepy time. (And best of all, this one's included in the Audible Plus Catalog, so it’s free with your membership!)
Best Bedtime Audiobooks for Kids Ages Three to Five
This audiobook brings together four celebrated, classic Caldecott and Newbery Award-winning children's stories. Each story is divided into its own chapter, and the music accompanying the delightful narration gives these familiar tales a completely new and captivating feel. Parents describe this collection as "nostalgic and magical."
Speaking of magical... Is there anything more dreamlike than wandering about a city on a beautiful snowy day? This audiobook version of Ezra Jack Keats's beloved children's story The Snowy Day conveys that very joy and serene magic. Jane Harvey's narration captures little Peter's wonder as he explores a city that seems brand new when it's covered with snow.
Once upon a time... Yes, a classic fairy tale like Red Riding Hood can be the perfect listen before bedtime. This audiobook version of James Marshall's rendition of the familiar story of a little girl who encounters a hungry wolf on the way to visit her grandmother features an emotive but calm narration style from Donal Donnelly, complemented by quiet background music.
Here's another fun favorite that's brought to life in audio through an expressive performance—this time, from the delightful narrator Owen Jordan—and music. As they listen, your little ones can join Harold on his imaginative journey as he draws his way in and out of adventure.
This collection from Sweet Dreams Stories is specifically aimed towards helping energetic and fretful little ones calm their mind to welcome a good night's sleep. These charming and amusing stories promote relaxation while also gently teaching children lessons to strengthen their focus, build self-confidence, and encourage creativity. And they're the perfect remedy for stubborn sleepy-heads who struggle with falling and staying asleep.
Oh, what to do when the bus driver has to take a break from driving his route? Should a very persistent pigeon be permitted to step in to take his place? These are the questions at the heart of the whimsical Caldecott-winning Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Author Mo Willems narrates this audiobook himself, giving voice to the goofy pigeon who is the star of several of his children's books.
Best Bedtime Audiobooks for Kids Ages Six to Eight
If getting your child to go to sleep is a constant struggle, listening to The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep might be the answer. When Roger the Rabbit can't sleep, Mommy Rabbit takes him to see his Uncle Yawn, who always knows how to help. This audiobook includes two different readings of the story, so you can pick which narration works best for your child. If you want more audio bedtime stories like this one, Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin has written a follow-up, The Little Elephant Who Wants to Fall Asleep. And like his first best seller, it uses new sleep techniques and soothing language to help children drift off easily.
Arnold Lobel's Caldecott Honor-winning Frog and Toad Are Friends is not only a captivating celebration of the power of friendship—it's also a warm and comforting listen that's perfect for bedtime. Read by the author, this audiobook features music and sound effects that will immerse your child in the world of the story until they slip into slumber.
Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends are universally beloved characters for a reason, and the 10 stories in this audiobook will bring your little ones closer to all their favorites, while also lulling them to sleep. Narrator Peter Dennis is the only audiobook reader endorsed by the real-life Christopher Robin, author A.A. Milne's son, who wrote, "Peter Dennis has made himself Pooh's Ambassador Extraordinaire and no bear has ever had a more devoted friend. So if you want to meet the real Pooh, the bear I knew, the bear my father wrote about, listen to Peter."
Best Bedtime Audiobooks for Kids Ages Nine and Older
If you're 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—get this audiobook version of J. R. R. Tolkien's classic, The Hobbit. 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.
Both adults and children will love these classic Greek myths, as told by some very familiar names: Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, Kathleen Turner, and Matthew Broderick. Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths tells the compelling stories of the gods and goddesses of Olympus. These stories are short and the narration is relaxing, which makes this the perfect audiobook to listen to before bedtime. Your children will enjoy these stories so much, they might even start looking forward to bedtime. (Hey, a parent can dream.)
Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons is an excellent audio story for children, included with your Audible membership. Like The Hobbit, it's a great choice for kids who want a story they can listen to over the course of several evenings. 14-year-old Viva Durant is the youngest detective in New Orleans, and she's determined to solve a mystery involving hidden treasure. Along with your kids, you'll be mesmerized by how this story immerses listeners in the culture, history, and music of this vibrant city. Performed by Hall of Fame narrator Bahni Turpin, this audiobook also features original jazz music.
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.
Esperanza Rising is the award-winning story of Esperanza Ortega, who grows up in a life of privilege on her family's ranch in Mexico. She assumes she'll one day take over her mama's position and preside over all of El Rancho de las Rosas. But when tragedy strikes, Esperanza and Mama are forced to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp. Actress Trini Alvarado narrates this book with a soothing voice that's perfect for engaging listeners and gently lulling children to sleep.
