How to Read Bedtime Stories Aloud: 9 Simple Tips for Parents
You don't need to be a performer to read a good bedtime story. Children mostly want your attention and your voice. These tips come from UK early-years guidance and from our own experience writing stories to be read aloud.
1. Keep it short and regular
A short story every night is more valuable than a long one now and then. The UK children's reading charity BookTrust points out that even 10 minutes of reading aloud a day can help children enjoy reading. Our fairy tales each take about four minutes, which fits easily into a bedtime routine.
2. Read it to yourself first
If you can, skim the story before bedtime. You'll know where the exciting moments are, what's about to happen and whether anything needs softening for your child.
3. Slow down more than feels natural
Bedtime reading should be slower than everyday speech. Pause at the ends of sentences and leave short silences after a question. Let your voice drop a little towards the end of the story.
4. Use voices — or don't
Different voices and facial expressions can make a story more fun, and NHS early-years advice encourages it (Health for Under 5s). If voices feel awkward, ask your child how a character might sound and let them do it.
5. Let your child join in
Repeating lines are made for joining in, like the wolf's rhyme in The Three Little Pigs or "what big eyes you have" in Little Red Riding Hood. Children often start "reading along" with these lines long before they can read.
6. It's fine to change the story
You're the narrator. If a part is too scary, or your child is nearly asleep, skip ahead or soften it. The same NHS advice notes that young children can't read the words themselves, so you can change the story.
7. Talk about it afterwards (briefly)
One or two gentle questions can help a child make sense of a story, but bedtime isn't a test. Each of our story pages ends with a few optional conversation starters, such as these for The Frog Prince.
8. Say yes to "again!" when you can
Asking for the same story again is completely normal. Familiar stories are comforting, and children notice new things each time.
9. Keep reading as they grow
BookTrust says there's no upper age limit for reading aloud as a family. Older children often enjoy longer stories, or taking turns reading to you.
Want help choosing? Our guide to 10 classic fairy tales for kids suggests stories by age. Or see how reading fits into a simple bedtime routine.