My quality of life as a mom of three would dramatically decline without audiobooks. Over the years, my kids and I have spent hundreds of hours listening to audiobooks while doing chores, crafting, road-tripping, or simply winding down together at home.
Because my children range in age from 3 to 13, audiobooks have become one of our favorite ways to share stories. With a background in elementary education, I’m also a self-proclaimed children’s book connoisseur.
Below are some of our favorite audiobooks for every age group—stories that come to life in audio. Some feature incredible narrators, others include music and sound effects that make the story immersive, and some are simply so beautifully written that they hold a child’s attention regardless of the narration quality. But first, what is the best way to listen to audiobooks with kids—and where do you find them?
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Where to find audiobooks for kids
Libby and Hoopla
These free library apps are our main source. Sometimes popular titles have waitlists, so I usually request a few books at once to make sure we always have something ready to listen to. You can also check out old-fashioned audiobooks on CD’s at the local library.
Spotify
Spotify now offers a surprising number of audiobooks—some free, others available to purchase. Because my family already subscribes to Spotify Premium, it’s been easy to access more titles.
Audible and Libro.FM
Both of these subscription services offer large audiobook libraries and monthly credits. Libro.FM is especially appealing because purchases support independent bookstores.
Learning Ally
If you have a child with a learning disability, this platform is a helpful resource. It pairs audiobooks with highlighted text to support struggling readers.
Vox Books
Their slogan is “books that talk.” These picture and chapter books contain built-in audio that reads the story aloud. We usually borrow them from the library, though they can be purchased (around $50 each). They’re pricey, but would make great gifts from grandparents or wonderful classroom resources.
The Yoto Player
The Yoto Player is a screen-free audio device where kids insert cards to play audiobooks. The player costs around $110, and cards range from $12-30. Many parents love it because kids can access stories independently without a phone or tablet.
Personally, I opted for an Alexa device to play audiobooks, but a few of my friends swear by the Yoto system.
Julie’s Library
Created by Julie Andrews during the pandemic, this delightful podcast-style series shares story read-alouds. Although there are only 20 episodes, each of them is a gem for young listeners. Some of my favorite episodes include “Tia Isa Wants a Car,” “How to Build a Hug: Temple Grandin and Her Amazing Squeezing Machine,” and “On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein.”
Once you know where to find audiobooks, the next step is to discover stories that shine in audio form.
Best audiobooks for toddlers
It’s never too early to introduce audiobooks. For toddlers, I choose texts that are rhythmic, repetitive, and easy to follow—qualities that work well in audio form too. Here are a few of my personal favorites that can be listened to on repeat:
The rhythmic pattern of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? makes this collection irresistible to little listeners. Yes, it will get stuck in your head, but that’s exactly what makes it so appealing to the young.
This audiobook is even available to purchase for your child’s Yoto Player!
Another rhythmic favorite (apparently bears are big in tot culture). My kids love acting out the sound effects, swishing through grass, splashing in the water, and squishing and squashing through mud. There’s a great rendition on Spotify by the Kiboomers that includes music and sound effects.
Dragons love tacos of every kind, except spicy ones. When dragons eat spicy salsa, things get chaotic fast. This quirky, silly story is one we know by heart.
This funny story about a “bad” seed trying to change its ways has humor kids love, and jokes adults appreciate too. The Vox book version is fantastic, though you can also find audiobook versions through library apps and streaming platforms. YouTube even has one from HarperKids Storytime.
The pigeon that won’t quit. Willems is a master of interactive storytelling, and his books translate well to audio. You can listen on all streaming platforms, or there’s a fun rendition of Willems and the pigeon reading it aloud on YouTube.
Best audiobooks for preschoolers and kindergarteners (ages 3–5)
Arnold Lobel takes simple text and infuses it with charming humor and wit. His stories of friendship translate beautifully to audio. We are big Lobel fans in this house—every one of his stories is made for countless re-listens. Also, there’s an award-winning Broadway musical. A Year with Frog and Toad is a delight. The soundtrack is gold!
Pooh becomes a cozy read-aloud for 4-or 5-year-olds in our house. The original series is narrated by a man with a thick British accent—it took us some getting used to, but we ended up loving it.
This was one of my favorite books as a young child, and my kids enjoy it too. It’s the story of a teddy bear searching for a missing button and finds an unexpected friend—it’s a simple, heartfelt audiobook for preschoolers.
The Little Bear series gives off Arnold Lobel vibes. The stories follow the little bear and his family—calm, imaginative, and a solid foundation for introducing young children to chapter-style storytelling. If looking for low-stimulation entertainment or bedtime stories, this is a great listen.
Beatrix Potter’s classic tale of mischievous Peter sneaking into Mr. McGregor’s garden is told in a delightful narration that brings the woodland world to life.
Best audiobooks for elementary school (ages 6–9)
As kids transition from early readers to longer chapter books, they do well with short chapters, strong narration, and straightforward plots. These are some of my favorite stories for this age range:
I love the narrator and the music accompaniment in the audiobook version of the Little House books. The first book is the gentlest and doesn’t contain some of the historical tensions that the next books have been labeled controversial for.
Paddington’s series is a must! The narrator brings Paddington’s polite but chaotic adventures to life. Truly, his charming British narration keeps our whole family laughing.
My daughter relistens to this story every few months. It’s a short audiobook, but very moving. If you’ve never read this one before, it’s a classic story about kindness, bullying, and empathy that is bound to spark meaningful conversations after families listen together. It’s a simple story showing the complexity of human behavior—I highly recommend it.
Ralph the mouse’s motorcycle adventure has a strong pacing that keeps kids engaged, making it a perfect audiobook choice for new chapter-book listeners.
My kids and I went on a long Herriot kick—and I don’t regret it. These heartwarming animal stories come from a country veterinarian and offer soothing, funny tales for kids who love animals.
This classic story about a swan that learns to play a trumpet and write is a delight in audio format—the dialogue and plot really come alive.
Another classic story about a quirky dreamer and his penguins. The audiobook has fun sound effects and character voices, but be aware that it features old-fashioned gender roles, which might warrant some additional conversation.
Favorite middle grade audiobooks (ages 9–13)
As kids age, it’s time to move into longer plots, deeper themes, and bigger adventure territory—making this list fantastic for family listening.
This Newbery Medal–winning story about a boy searching for his father during the Great Depression is powerful when heard aloud. Curtis is a literary genius who brings the important topics of race to light in a poignant, digestible way for young readers.
Another important book on race—this one follows Esperanza’s journey from privilege in Mexico to resilience as an immigrant in California. It’s an emotional, inspiring, and beautifully narrated story.
Narnia feels even more immersive when heard as an audiobook. My daughter listened to the whole series this way and enjoyed every book.
Bilbo Baggins’ epic journey is a fantastic audiobook for older kids, with sweeping narration that brings Middle-earth to life. My favorite part? Andy Serkis, the actor who played Gollum in the films, narrates the audiobook, and he’s fantastic.
Yes, it’s true that the Harry Potter series remains one of the most beloved family audiobooks of all time. You just can’t go wrong here. Plus, the new tv series is releasing soon—perfect time to read with your kids!
Fast-paced humor and Greek mythology—my son devoured this wildly popular audiobook series in less than a month’s time. Such a great way to learn about mythology.
Our editors love Percy Jackson and the Olympians—and the new tv series adaptation!
This series kept my son heartily entertained for weeks, too. Fast-paced action, entertaining characters, and twists and turns on every page. The author narrates his own books and does a stellar job.
Hands down one of the most talented modern authors. This audiobook will sweep you up in its heartfelt, imaginative story. Also, my kids learned a lot about childhood labor in the Victorian ages. I cried at the ending—fair warning.
Best audiobooks for family roadtrips
Planning a road trip and looking for audiobooks the whole family will enjoy? Store the headphones and listen to these tales together. Kids of all ages—and parents—will be engaged in these audiobooks until you get to your road trip destination.
I was blown away by this book when I found it. The short, poetic chapters come alive in audio format. It’s a moving story about a captive gorilla discovering courage and friendship, which makes a great road trip audiobook as kids and adults are bound to be equally rapt.
One of my all-time favorite adventure tales about a brave mouse, a princess, and a dungeon rat is wonderfully dramatic in audiobook form. 10/10 recommend!
This is an epic series full of swashbuckling adventure, the best character voices, sound effects—it’s hands down one of the most entertaining audiobooks for kids and adults.
A robot surviving in the wilderness? You’d be surprised just how well the action pairs with surprisingly emotional storytelling in audiobook format.
If you want a story filled with puzzles, humor, and twists, this clever adventure kept my children on their toes from page one to the end, making it a great choice for audiobook listeners.
Another talented modern author, Rundell, kept us entertained from the moment we pressed play on a page-turning, riveting adventure. I highly recommend her other books, too.
What to look for in the best audiobooks for children
I could easily list another 50 audiobooks for kids. When choosing one for your family, look for an engaging narrator who brings the characters to life and a story that keeps everyone listening. Sound effects and music can add fun, but ultimately, the magic of a great audiobook comes down to storytelling. Press play on the right book, and suddenly, chores, car rides, and quiet afternoons turn into adventures.
Kris Ann Valdez, Contributing Writer
Kris Ann Valdez is a mom and freelance journalist who covers parenting, lifestyle, and science-based topics. Beyond The Everymom, Kris Ann contributes to national outlets such as Good Housekeeping, Parents, and Scary Mommy. She’s also the creator of “The Guide Girl,” a Substack dedicated to inspiring writers to pursue publication.
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