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.
Russian Stories for Kids
Russian Stories for Kids
These 89 Russian 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.
89stories89narrated with audio~3min average read
How to read Russian stories with kids
Reading together is the best part. Keep it playful and let the pictures do a lot of the work.
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.
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.
Read it again
Kids love repetition. Re-reading a favorite story builds confidence and locks in vocabulary without it feeling like study.
Short Russian stories kids will love
Simple, colorful, and fun
Relationships & Drama
An Apple for Mom
Masha gives her mother a red apple.
A01 min70 wordsAudio8 key wordsQuiz
Daily Life
A Cup of Water
This is a story about a girl named Masha who asks her mother for a cup of water.
A01 min90 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Sports
The Ball in the Water
A story about a friend who takes a red ball from the water.
A01 min90 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Mystery
The Red Cup
A mother looks for a red cup at home.
A01 min90 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Music & Arts
The Red Painting
Masha gives her mother a red painting.
A01 min90 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Food & Cuisine
Dad Eats an Apple
A father and child eat apples at home.
A01 min92 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Nature & Adventure
The Cat and the Tree
A story about a cat, a child, and a ball in a tree.
A01 min96 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Culture & Travel
A Friend Goes Home
Ivan goes home, meets his mother, and enjoys water and bread.
A01 min106 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Sports
Сломанное весло на последнем километре
A determined rower faces an unexpected challenge during a boat race.
A11 min128 wordsAudio7 key wordsQuiz
Mystery
Монета на пустом подоконнике
A story about a girl named Masha who finds a mysterious golden coin on her windowsill.
A11 min146 wordsAudio8 key wordsQuiz
Relationships & Drama
A Ball for a Friend
Anton gives a red ball to his friend Ivan.
A01 min94 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Daily Life
The Cat and the Ball
A story about a cat, a mother, and a red ball at home.
A01 min94 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Food & Cuisine
Two Apples
A story about a mother and child eating two apples.
A01 min102 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Relationships & Drama
A Friend's Book
A story about a friend and his book.
A01 min102 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Daily Life
The Cat on the Chair
A story about a cat sitting on a chair.
A01 min94 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Food & Cuisine
Bread and Milk
A child eats bread and drinks milk at home.
A01 min104 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Daily Life
The Bag by the Door
A story about Masha and a book in a bag.
A01 min96 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Culture & Travel
Электричка с рассадой в мае
A young girl named Anya and her mother take a train ride to their garden during a beautiful spring day in May.
A12 min162 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Myths & Legends
Птица, приносящая снег
A story about a beautiful white bird that brings snow to a little girl.
A12 min164 wordsAudio10 key wordsQuiz
Music & Arts
Пластинка в ящике комода
Masha discovers an old vinyl record in a drawer and listens to it with her mother.
A12 min172 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Daily Life
Зонт, который нашёл хозяина
A young girl named Lena discovers a lost blue umbrella in a cafe and helps its owner find it again.
A12 min200 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Nature & Adventure
Лиса, которая шла за санями
A story about a man named Anton traveling through the quiet winter taiga who discovers he is not alone.
A12 min216 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Food & Cuisine
Два рецепта и старая обида
Two sisters overcome a long-standing grudge while preparing their grandmother's traditional beet soup.
A12 min226 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
Relationships & Drama
Варенье у чужой двери
Anya finds a mysterious jar of jam at her door and tries to find out who left it for her.
A12 min230 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Kids stories by level
Russian StoriesA0 — Russian for kids
View all →An Apple for Mom
Masha gives her mother a red apple.
A Cup of Water
This is a story about a girl named Masha who asks her mother for a cup of water.
The Ball in the Water
A story about a friend who takes a red ball from the water.
The Red Cup
A mother looks for a red cup at home.
The Red Painting
Masha gives her mother a red painting.
Dad Eats an Apple
A father and child eat apples at home.
A Ball for a Friend
Anton gives a red ball to his friend Ivan.
The Cat and the Ball
A story about a cat, a mother, and a red ball at home.
A1 — Russian for kids
View all →Сломанное весло на последнем километре
A determined rower faces an unexpected challenge during a boat race.
Монета на пустом подоконнике
A story about a girl named Masha who finds a mysterious golden coin on her windowsill.
Электричка с рассадой в мае
A young girl named Anya and her mother take a train ride to their garden during a beautiful spring day in May.
Птица, приносящая снег
A story about a beautiful white bird that brings snow to a little girl.
Пластинка в ящике комода
Masha discovers an old vinyl record in a drawer and listens to it with her mother.
Последний выстрел на биатлоне
A young athlete named Anya focuses to win a biathlon race despite her fatigue.
Зонт, который нашёл хозяина
A young girl named Lena discovers a lost blue umbrella in a cafe and helps its owner find it again.
Электричка до конечной
A story about Masha's train journey to the final station.
A2 — Russian for kids
View all →
Свисток, который прозвучал раньше времени
An exciting story about a football match where a player faces a confusing referee decision during a critical goal.
The Guardian Doll That Cannot Be Taken From The Hut
A young girl named Anya learns a special rule about a protective doll in her home.
Гейзер, который проснулся среди ночи
A young girl named Anya experiences the natural wonder of a geyser erupting in the middle of the night.
Ночёвка без палатки на карельских скалах
Two friends go on a nature trip to Karelia and experience an unforgettable night under the open sky after a mistake.
Синяя лошадь на стене Витебска
This story tells how Marc Chagall painted a blue flying horse in Vitebsk and showed people that art can express a dream.
Фотофиниш, который пересчитали трижды
Two long-time friends test their bond when they compete for a single spot on the national team.
Значок октябрёнка, который потеряли в первый день
A young girl named Tanya feels sad when she loses her special school badge but learns a lesson about responsibility.
Квитанция из города, где никто не был
Marina receives a mysterious receipt that leads her to a forgotten box of her father's letters and a secret connected to an imaginary city.
Make Russian 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.
Russian stories for kids FAQ
Are these Russian 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?
Start reading without an account. Guest translations are limited to 12 taps per day. A free account saves your progress and includes 5 completed stories; further access requires Pro.
Can my child learn Russian 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 Russian. Read together with younger kids; older kids can read and listen on their own.