Ages 4–7Free
Short Stories for Kids: Read Aloud, Then Answer
- Ages 4–11
- Free to print
- Many play on screen
These are short stories children can finish in one sitting: a robot who wants to help, a rainy day turned into a band, a lopsided roti that turns out just fine, children building a bridge together. They are set in many places and feature children from many backgrounds, and each one ends with a few questions to check understanding.
What’s inside
Choose an age to see only the sheets that fit.
Our picks
Popular sheets first. Every one can be printed; most can also be played on screen with instant marking.
Ages 4–7Free
Ages 4–7Free
Ages 6–9Free
Ages 6–9Free
Ages 6–9Free
Ages 7–10Free
Ages 7–10Free
Ages 7–10Free
Ages 5–7Free
Ages 5–7Free
Ages 5–7Free
Ages 5–7Free
Ages 5–7Free
Ages 8–11Free
Ages 8–11Free
Ages 8–11Free
Ages 8–11Free
Ages 6–8Free
Ages 6–8Free
Ages 6–8Free
Ages 6–8Free
Ages 4–6Free
Ages 4–6Free
Ages 4–6Free
Ages 4–6Free
Ages 8–11Free
Ages 8–11Free
Ages 8–11Free
Ages 8–11Free
Ages 6–8Free
Ages 6–8Free
Ages 6–8Free
Ages 6–8Free
Ages 4–6Free
Ages 4–6Free
Ages 4–6Free
Ages 4–6Free
Activity books
Themed workbooks that collect many pages in one printable book.
Picture books to read together
More about this collection
Read the first story aloud together, then let your child read the next one to you. Talk about the characters: why did they do that, what would you have done? Questions like these build comprehension better than any worksheet, and the printed questions at the end give a gentle check.
Stories are grouped by reading age, from simple sentences for 6-year-olds to longer stories with more complex plots for 9- to 11-year-olds. Use the age filter to find the right level, and the reading comprehension collection for more practice with questions.
How to use these
- Take turns reading a page each.
- Predict what happens next before turning the page.
- Answer the questions out loud before writing them down.
Related collections
Worksheet topics
Questions and answers
How long are the stories?
Most take five to ten minutes to read aloud, which suits one bedtime or a short lesson.
Can the stories be read aloud by the site?
Yes. Most stories can be listened to with the read-aloud button, which helps early readers follow the words.
Are these printables free?
Yes. Every sheet marked Free can be printed or played as often as you like, at home or in class. Premium activity books are marked.
How do I print a sheet?
Open a sheet and choose Print. It fits A4 and US Letter paper. Most sheets can also print with an answer key on a separate page.
Can children do them on a tablet?
Most can: press Play to answer on screen with instant marking and stars. Colouring and drawing pages can be done with a finger or stylus too.