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 74 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.
74stories74narrated 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
Sports
Сломанное весло на последнем километре
A determined rower faces an unexpected challenge during a boat race.
A01 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.
A01 min146 wordsAudio8 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.
A02 min162 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Myths & Legends
Птица, приносящая снег
A story about a beautiful white bird that brings snow to a little girl.
A02 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.
A02 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.
A02 min200 wordsAudio6 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.
A02 min230 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Nature & Adventure
Гейзер, который проснулся среди ночи
A young girl named Anya experiences the natural wonder of a geyser erupting in the middle of the night.
A02 min240 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
History
Ёлка, которую разрешили снова
A young girl and her parents celebrate the holiday by finally getting a beautiful Christmas tree.
A02 min240 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Sports
Последний выстрел на биатлоне
A young athlete named Anya focuses to win a biathlon race despite her fatigue.
A12 min190 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Music & Arts
Пианино у подъезда
A girl named Masha discovers a mysterious piano sitting alone in front of her apartment building.
A12 min208 wordsAudio4 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
Culture & Travel
Паром на Куршскую косу ушёл без рюкзака
Lena loses her backpack on a ferry, but helpful people return it before she continues her trip along the Curonian Spit.
A12 min228 wordsAudio8 key wordsQuiz
Daily Life
Записка под дверью незнакомца
Anton discovers a mysterious note under his door and discovers a surprising truth.
A12 min236 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
Relationships & Drama
Открытка без подписи
A young girl sends a secret note to her neighbor to show appreciation for her kindness.
A12 min236 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Mystery
Часы, которые спешат на пять минут
A young girl discovers the special meaning behind her grandmother's clocks that are set five minutes fast.
A12 min244 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
Myths & Legends
Печь, которую нельзя топить в полночь
A young girl named Mila discovers a mysterious rule about her grandmother's stove in a village house.
A12 min250 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
Sports
Свисток, который прозвучал раньше времени
A exciting story about a football match where a player faces a confusing referee decision during a critical goal.
A02 min178 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Mystery
Следы до двери и обратно
A short story about a girl who finds mysterious footprints and a surprise gift on a winter morning.
A02 min228 wordsAudio7 key wordsQuiz
Culture & Travel
Электричка до конечной
A story about Masha's train journey to the final station.
A02 min202 wordsAudio4 key wordsQuiz
Myths & Legends
Кукла-берегиня, которую нельзя выносить из избы
A young girl named Anya learns a special rule about a protective doll in her home.
A02 min192 wordsAudio6 key wordsQuiz
Nature & Adventure
Ёж у ночного костра
A little hedgehog searches for warmth on a cold, dark night and finds a cozy campfire.
A02 min246 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Music & Arts
Хор, который замолчал на полуслове
A story about a choir that follows a special tradition of silence to remember someone important.
A12 min234 wordsAudio5 key wordsQuiz
Kids stories by level
Russian StoriesA0 — 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.
Свисток, который прозвучал раньше времени
A exciting story about a football match where a player faces a confusing referee decision during a critical goal.
Кукла-берегиня, которую нельзя выносить из избы
A young girl named Anya learns a special rule about a protective doll in her home.
Зонт, который нашёл хозяина
A young girl named Lena discovers a lost blue umbrella in a cafe and helps its owner find it again.
A1 — Russian for kids
View all →Последний выстрел на биатлоне
A young athlete named Anya focuses to win a biathlon race despite her fatigue.
Пианино у подъезда
A girl named Masha discovers a mysterious piano sitting alone in front of her apartment building.
Лиса, которая шла за санями
A story about a man named Anton traveling through the quiet winter taiga who discovers he is not alone.
Два рецепта и старая обида
Two sisters overcome a long-standing grudge while preparing their grandmother's traditional beet soup.
Паром на Куршскую косу ушёл без рюкзака
Lena loses her backpack on a ferry, but helpful people return it before she continues her trip along the Curonian Spit.
Хор, который замолчал на полуслове
A story about a choir that follows a special tradition of silence to remember someone important.
Записка под дверью незнакомца
Anton discovers a mysterious note under his door and discovers a surprising truth.
Открытка без подписи
A young girl sends a secret note to her neighbor to show appreciation for her kindness.
A2 — Russian for kids
View all →
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.
Телеграмма, изменившая маршрут поезда
This story explains how one urgent telegram changed Emperor Nicholas II's journey and the history of Russia.
Кошки Эрмитажа в войну
A moving story about a woman named Nina who cares for the cats at the Hermitage Museum during and after the Leningrad blockade.
Ноты, найденные в старой печи
A young woman discovers a hidden piece of music in her grandmother's old house that brings back long-lost memories.
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?
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 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.