With these free children's audiobooks, your kids' imaginations will run wild
20 Best Free Children’s Audiobooks—and Where to Find Them
Listen to these free children’s audiobooks today
Reading is a fun and magical experience for kids, but the pull of their screens—whether computers, phones, tablets or video games—can mean less time for reading. Enter: audiobooks. They’re not just perfect for long car trips. Audiobooks can keep kids occupied while you make dinner, give you a reason to spend time and snuggle before bed and even make chores like cleaning their rooms more fun. Best of all, there are plenty of free children’s audiobooks that offer storytime fun without draining your funds.
While Audible no longer offers free children’s audiobooks, you can use a public library card and apps like Libby and Hoopla to access tons of free audiobooks and e-books for both kids and adults. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of other places to find freebies.
Not sure what to listen to? We picked the best books from a range of sites and platforms that offer free children’s audiobooks, so you’ll learn not only the top titles but also the best places to find more children’s audiobooks for free. Here are 20 we know your kids will love. Happy listening!
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Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
Where to find it: KidsRead2Kids and Spotify
Genre: Science fiction
Though this sci-fi classic was first published in 1894, it’s captured children’s imaginations for generations. So who better to introduce your child to the story of the eccentric German scientist who believes there are tubes that will take him to the Earth’s center than another child? That’s what you’ll get with this KidsRead2Kids version. In fact, all of the books featured on KidsRead2Kids are narrated by—you guessed it—kids! The YouTube channel and website have even more classic read-alouds for kids and have been lauded for helping inspire confidence in kids who may be struggling with reading.
If you’re on the go—or just like to keep your audiobooks in one place, you’ll also find Journey to the Center of the Earth on Spotify. It’s totally free—no special subscription required.
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Where to find it: Loyal Books
Genre: Fantasy adventure
Get ready to giggle! This classic tale, originally published in 1948, follows young Elmer Elevator as he travels to Wild Island and faces a variety of challenges to rescue a trapped baby dragon. Come for the hilarious hijinks, stay for the wonderful lessons about courage and helping others.
I read this book aloud to all four of my children when they were young, and I’ll never forget their peals of laughter and how rapt they were, wanting to know how Elmer was going to get out of the sticky situations he finds himself in. This is my No. 1 recommendation for introducing young kids to the love of reading.
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Where to find it: Spotify
Genres: Adventure/short stories
If your kids like The Jungle Book movie, then they’ll love the audiobook version of Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 collection of short stories, told from the perspective of a boy named Mowgli as he sets out on a journey of self-discovery—with the help of his animal friends in the jungle. Your kids will listen along to Mowgli’s adventures, and the vivid details of the jungle will come alive in their minds.
Katie and the Magical Deer by Bertie Fraser
Where to find it: Storynory
Genre: Fantasy/short story
Katie is just like any other kid—with one catch. She’s a witch. That can lead to some wild situations, like finding a deer with golden antlers in her garden. That’s the setup for the delightful 2021 short story Katie and the Magical Deer. Follow along as Katie plays with the deer for a day and discovers why it showed up in the first place. At 21 minutes, it’s the perfect diversion for quick car rides (think: dragging the kids along on a few errands). If your kids love it, you’re in luck: Storynory has a handful of other tales featuring Katie.
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Where to find it: LibriVox
Genre: Fantasy
Your kids may have watched the movie version of The Wizard of Oz, but listening to the book—which was published in 1900—is a totally different experience, as the plot isn’t exactly the same. See if they can spot the differences in this version read by J. Hall. All of your favorite moments are there: Dorothy is whisked away from her home in Kansas to the magical land of Oz. She must make her way to the Emerald City and ask the Wizard to help get her home. She meets the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion along the way, and they join her on her quest to the Emerald City. Your children will love listening to Dorothy’s unforgettable adventures in Oz!
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The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
Where to find it: LibriVox
Genre: Adventure/fantasy
This classic book, first published in 1883, inspired the Disney animated movie Pinocchio. And this free reading by Sherry Crowther allows your kids to follow the mischievous adventures of the lively marionette Pinocchio as he goes through everyday life with his father, Geppetto. If they listen closely, they may even hear Pinocchio’s nose grow as he tells a lie!
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Where to find it: Spotify
Genre: Animal fiction
If you have a horse-loving kid, you don’t want to miss Black Beauty, first published in 1870 by Anna Sewell and now available for free as an audiobook on Spotify. Told from the perspective of a highbred horse named Black Beauty, the story gives kids an inside look at the colt’s life, from his early days on an English farm to his life pulling cabs in London. Even though it’s about a horse, the story teaches kids a lot of lessons about humanity along the way, including the importance of kindness and sympathy.
The Strangest Flight by Bertie Fraser
Where to find it: Storynory
Genre: Mystery
If your kids like a good mystery, this is the audiobook for them. Clocking in at just 27 minutes (perfect for short car rides or the pre-bedtime routine), The Strangest Flight is the story of a family that takes a flight from London to New York. When they board the plane, they notice some … odd things about it. Your kids will be on the edge of their seats as they listen to the story of this peculiar flight. Be sure to bookmark this one for Halloween!
There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
Where to find it: PBS Kids
Genre: Adventure/humor
Published in 2018, this story is a fan favorite by Children’s Choice Award winner Tom Fletcher, who also wrote There’s a Monster in Your Book. The hardcover version of this story will set you back only about $8, but the audio recording is free—and even more fun. With the PBS Kids Read Along with Me series, you’ll have plenty of audiobooks to choose from, including Fletcher’s adorable story. And you can either listen or watch as celebrities read beloved kids’ books aloud on their YouTube channel.
Narrated by former first lady Michelle Obama, There’s a Dragon in Your Book lets kids interact with the story as they try to stamp, blow and sneeze to save their book from a baby dragon’s fiery sneezes. Fletcher’s adorable story isn’t part of the playlist, but we’ve got you covered: You’ll find Obama’s full reading on YouTube.
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne
Where to find it: Live Library
Genre: Fantasy adventure/historical fiction
If your children love history and geography, Magic Tree House is the series for them. The Magic Tree House series, which began in 1992, follows siblings Jack and Annie, who are ordinary kids with an extraordinary secret: They’ve discovered a magic tree house that travels through time. In this free collection of audiobooks, they use the tree house to visit dinosaurs, treasure-seeking pirates, a ninja master in ancient Japan and other unforgettable characters in history. Not only are the adventures fun, but they also teach kids in the process.
“Over my decade in the book world, I’ve seen so many kids become readers specifically because of this series,” says Rachel Strolle, a children’s librarian in the Chicago area and organizer of book festivals for teens. “With so many adventures to choose from, it’s no real surprise that its legacy has continued for so long, but it continues to be such a wonderful, reliable mainstay that bridges kids into chapter books in a fun and inventive way.”
The Frog Prince and Other Stories by the Brothers Grimm
Where to find it: Spotify and Storynory
Genre: Fairy tale
Before Disney’s classic The Princess and the Frog, there was the German fairy tale The Frog Prince, written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812 and popularized in a children’s book illustrated by Walter Crane in 1874. You’ll find a free audio version on both Spotify and Storynory. And if the tale of a spoiled princess learning the true meaning of beauty from an ugly frog excites your littles ones, you’ll definitely want to check out the other fairy tales in Storynory’s audio collection. All are perfect to listen to in short bursts of time.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Where to find it: Live Library
Genre: Science fiction
Can a robot survive in the wild? That’s the question The Wild Robot, published in 2016, seeks to answer. Your kids will follow the story of Roz, a robot who wakes up on a remote island—and has no idea how she got there. She must befriend the animals, learn the ins and outs of the island and figure out how to survive on her own. It’s an action-packed and heartfelt story about what happens when technology meets nature.
“One of the things I love most about The Wild Robot is that it feels like it could have been from decades ago while also feeling like it’s brand new,” says Strolle. “There’s almost a fairy tale quality to this series starter, which is likely what has made it such a perfect book to listen to or use for family storytime!”
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Where to find it: Soundcloud
Genre: Fable
The Velveteen Rabbit has been a favorite children’s book since it was published in 1922. The story chronicles the journey of a stuffed rabbit who longs to become real with the help (and love) of his owner. Read by Meghan Cook in a soothing, perfect-for-bedtime voice, this audio version is a real treat for adults and kids alike.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Where to find it: Spotify and LibriVox
Genre: Fantasy
Your children’s imaginations will soar as they listen to the classic story of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland—from meeting the White Rabbit to facing the Queen of Hearts. First published by Lewis Carroll in 1865, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has had plenty of on-screen adaptations, but nothing beats the original story, which is available to listen to for free on Spotify. (Psst! LibriVox also has a free audio version.)
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
Where to find it: Live Libary
Genre: Mystery
Kids who get a kick out of mystery and puzzle-driven stories (think: The Westing Game) will thoroughly enjoy Chris Grabenstein’s middle-grade novel. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, published in 2013, follows the adventure of Kyle Keeley as he and 11 other children spend the night in the new town library, built by Luigi Lemoncello, a notorious and creative game maker. When they wake up, they realize the doors are locked—and the only way out is to solve riddles and puzzles. Will they escape? Listen on Live Library to find out!
“Sometimes you just need something really fun, and as a game lover and a book lover, there’s nothing more fun than Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library,” says Strolle. “I’ve said to kids before, when talking to them about this book, that it’s the book world I’d most like to get sucked into.”
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Where to find it: Loyal Books podcast
Genre: Coming-of-age
This charming tale of four sisters growing up during the American Civil War has it all: sibling rivalry, the bond of sisterhood, the nostalgia of childhood, first love, coming-of-age and even the death of a loved one. Little Women packs a punch of emotions, but it’s a classic for a reason. This story is beloved by generations of young girls and boys, and it has spawned a number of movie adaptations since its first publication in 1868.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Where to find it: Spotify
Genre: Coming-of-age
A classic fish-out-of-water tale, Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908, follows young orphan Anne Shirley as she’s mistakenly sent to be a farmhand for the Cuthberts—a middle-aged brother and sister who were expecting a boy. The outspoken Anne finds herself in various entertaining predicaments, but kids will mostly find themselves drawn to the heart and pluck of one of literature’s most beloved heroines.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Where to find it: Harper Kids
Genre: Ghost story
Perfect for Halloween or any time your kids want a spooky tale, 2008’s The Graveyard Book tells the tale of Nobody Owens, an orphan who’s adopted by ghosts in a graveyard. What makes the audio so special? It’s read by the author himself: Neil Gaiman. If your kids love this one and are begging for more, Harper Kids offers a large selection of free children’s audiobooks.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Where to find it: Storyline Online
Genre: Sports fiction
At just eight minutes long, Jabari Jumps is the perfect read-aloud before bedtime. This heartwarming 2017 tale of a young boy getting up the nerve to jump off the diving board is one all young listeners will relate to. Bonus: It’s told superbly by the soothing voice of actress Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Where to find it: LibriVox
Genre: Fantasy adventure
What young child hasn’t dreamed of flying? Or never growing up? The imaginative 1911 novel Peter Pan comes to life on LibriVox and will mesmerize children and adults alike with the tale of a young boy who whisks siblings Wendy, John and Michael away from their bedroom one night to fly to Neverland for an adventure they’ll never forget.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on free children’s audiobooks, Colleen Oakley tapped her experience as a longtime journalist, parent and author of five novels. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- Rachel Strolle, children’s librarian in the Chicago area and organizer of book festivals for teens; email interview, May 21, 2024
