Bedtime stories for ages 6 to 8

7 short, calm stories to read aloud. Each one takes 3 to 4 minutes and ends in sleep.

The Lighthouse Keeper's CatOn a rock at the edge of the sea stood a white lighthouse, and in the lighthouse lived a keeper named Mr D'Souza and a grey cat named Sardine.Ages 6 to 8 · 4 minutes
The Night Watchman's WhistleIn the lanes of the old town, everyone knew the sound. Two notes on a whistle, one high and one low. Phee-phoo. It meant that Bahadur, the night...Ages 6 to 8 · 4 minutes
Counting WindowsFrom her bed, Zara could see the tall building across the road. It had many windows, and at night every window was a small yellow square.Ages 6 to 8 · 3 minutes
The Last Kite of the EveningAll afternoon the sky over the rooftops had been full of kites. Red ones, green ones, kites with long tails, kites that dived and fought. Now the...Ages 6 to 8 · 4 minutes
The Library After ClosingAt seven o'clock, Mrs Iyer the librarian stamped the last book, put on her shawl and locked the big wooden door. Click. The town library was closed...Ages 6 to 8 · 4 minutes
The River That Never HurriedDev had had a rushing sort of day. He had rushed to school and rushed through his lunch. He had rushed his homework and been told to do it again. Now...Ages 6 to 8 · 4 minutes
Goodnight from the HillsAnu was spending her first night at her grandparents' house in the hills. Everything was different. The bed was high and the quilt was heavy. The...Ages 6 to 8 · 3 minutes

What suits this age

Older children can read to themselves, and it is tempting to stop reading to them. Do not stop yet. A six-year-old still loves being read to, and bedtime is often when the worries of the day come out. These stories are a little longer and have real places in them: a lighthouse, a library, a lane with a night watchman, a house in the hills.

How to read them

They take four to five minutes. Several of them are about one comforting idea: that while you sleep, someone is awake and looking after things, and the world goes on gently without you. That thought helps children who lie awake thinking. After the story, do not ask questions. If your child wants to talk, listen; if not, say goodnight and go.

Other ages

For the whole evening, from bath to lights out, see a simple bedtime routine.