Inklingo
English Stories for Kids

English Stories for Kids

These 65 English stories are picked for young learners: short, gentle, and full of pictures. Every story has audio so kids can listen along, simple A0–A2 language, and tap-to-translate words for help — perfect for reading together at home or in class.

65stories65narrated with audio~2min average read
Easy English StoriesShort English StoriesEnglish Stories for BeginnersEnglish Listening PracticeA1 English Stories

How to read English stories with kids

Reading together is the best part. Keep it playful and let the pictures do a lot of the work.

1

Look at the pictures

Before reading, talk about the pictures together. Guessing what happens makes kids want to read on — and they pick up words faster.

2

Listen and point

Play the audio and point to each word as it is spoken. Hearing and seeing words together builds reading and pronunciation at once.

3

Tap tricky words

Tap any word a child does not know for the meaning. No need to look up everything — understanding the story is what matters.

4

Read it again

Kids love repetition. Re-reading a favorite story builds confidence and locks in vocabulary without it feeling like study.

Short English stories kids will love

Simple, colorful, and fun
The Ghost of the Empty Seat at the Royal Albert Hall

Music & Arts

The Ghost of the Empty Seat at the Royal Albert Hall

A story about a ghost at a music concert.

A00 min0 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Key to the Secret Garden in Bloomsbury

Mystery & Crime

The Key to the Secret Garden in Bloomsbury

A story about a man who finds a silver key in a park and discovers a hidden garden.

A00 min0 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Knight in the London Marathon

Sports

The Knight in the London Marathon

A story about a brave knight in a big race in London.

A00 min0 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Midnight Bus to Notting Hill

Culture & Travel

The Midnight Bus to Notting Hill

A man takes a red bus to his hotel in Notting Hill.

A00 min0 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Milk Bottle With No Lid

Daily Life

The Milk Bottle With No Lid

A story about a woman and her cat with a milk bottle.

A00 min0 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
The Mystery of the Green Children

Myths & Legends

The Mystery of the Green Children

A story about two green children in a village.

A00 min0 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
The Ravens of the Tower of London

History

The Ravens of the Tower of London

A story about black birds at a big tower.

A00 min0 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
The Secret Ingredient in the Cornish Pasty

Food & Cuisine

The Secret Ingredient in the Cornish Pasty

A story about a secret recipe from a grandmother.

A00 min0 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
The Last Window Tapped by the Knocker-up

History

The Last Window Tapped by the Knocker-up

A man who wakes up workers in 1890s London prepares to retire as new technology replaces his job.

A20 min0 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Photograph in the Charity Shop Coat

Daily Life

The Photograph in the Charity Shop Coat

A young woman buys a warm coat from a charity shop and discovers an old photograph hidden in the pocket, beginning a quiet search to return the precious memory to its owner.

A20 min0 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Flower of the Second War

Mystery & Crime

The Flower of the Second War

A young student goes on a mysterious quest to Kew Gardens using an old key given to him by his grandmother.

A11 min106 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
The Ticket Under Platform Seven

Mystery & Suspense

The Ticket Under Platform Seven

Leo finds a strange note on an old train ticket and begins to investigate.

A11 min136 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
The Note Under the Wrong Door

Relationships & Drama

The Note Under the Wrong Door

An elderly woman living alone discovers a friendly note from a new neighbor.

A11 min139 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Only Passenger at the Smallest Station in Wales

Culture & Travel

The Only Passenger at the Smallest Station in Wales

Liam wants to catch a train at a very small request station in Wales.

A11 min116 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
The Candle Left in the Window the Night the Men Came Home

History

The Candle Left in the Window the Night the Men Came Home

A mother waits for her soldier son to return from the war and finds a way to light his path.

A11 min131 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Wrong Name on the Birthday Cake

Daily Life

The Wrong Name on the Birthday Cake

A girl named Maya fixes a mistake on her father's birthday cake just in time for the party.

A11 min136 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Last Ticket for the Glastonbury Mud

Music & Arts

The Last Ticket for the Glastonbury Mud

A young man named Sam finds a lost ticket at a music festival and makes a kind choice.

A11 min137 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Trophy Left in the Changing Room After the Final

Sports

The Trophy Left in the Changing Room After the Final

A young player named Maya learns that she is still a valuable part of her winning team, even when she is injured.

A11 min145 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
The Black Dog That Follows the Old Roman Road

Myths & Legends

The Black Dog That Follows the Old Roman Road

A man learns the truth about a mysterious black dog with glowing eyes while walking home on a dark road.

A11 min147 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Mermaid's Chair in the Old Church

Myths & Legends

The Mermaid's Chair in the Old Church

A young girl discovers a mysterious and magical chair in an old church featuring a mermaid.

A01 min123 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
The Red Scarf Left on the Paddington Bench

Mystery & Crime

The Red Scarf Left on the Paddington Bench

A station worker finds an elegant red scarf on a quiet bench late at night, and a small silver tag holds the only clue to its owner.

A11 min133 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
The Light That Came On in the Locked Cottage at Dungeness

Mystery & Suspense

The Light That Came On in the Locked Cottage at Dungeness

A woman and her neighbor investigate a mysterious yellow light in an empty cottage by the dark beach.

A11 min148 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
The Brother Who Stopped Coming to Sunday Dinner

Relationships & Drama

The Brother Who Stopped Coming to Sunday Dinner

A story about a sister who tries to reunite her brother and father after a disagreement.

A11 min145 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
The Wren Boy Who Knocked on the Wrong Door

Culture & Travel

The Wren Boy Who Knocked on the Wrong Door

A young boy in Ireland celebrates a holiday by singing for coins and has a meaningful encounter.

A11 min135 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz

Kids stories by level

English Stories

Make English a daily habit on the app

The Inklingo app turns stories into a fun, personalized path — save words, earn progress, and unlock new stories — great for kids who want to keep going.

Get the Inklingo app

English stories for kids FAQ

Are these English stories good for children?

Yes. They are short A0–A2 stories with simple language, friendly pictures, and audio narration — chosen to be easy and enjoyable for young learners and beginners of any age.

Are the kids stories free?

Yes. You can read and listen to every story for free, with no sign-up. The Inklingo app adds saved words, progress, and personalized review for older kids.

Can my child learn English from stories?

Absolutely. Hearing and reading simple stories is how children learn any language — they absorb vocabulary and grammar in context. Pictures and audio make it stick for young learners.

What age are these stories for?

The simple language and pictures suit early readers and anyone learning their first English. Read together with younger kids; older kids can read and listen on their own.