Creating a calm evening routine is one of the best gifts you can give your little one. Reading bedtime stories for babies isn’t just about the words; it’s about the sound of your voice, the steady rhythm, and the feeling of safety it creates.
These five original short stories are written specifically for infants and younger babies. They use soft imagery, repetition, and gentle sounds to help signal that the day is done and it is time to rest.
Snuggle up, lower the lights, and enjoy these sleepy tales together.
1. The Sleepy Little Star
High above in the soft, velvet sky, a little star is ready for bed. All night long, he has twinkled brightly, watching over the world below. But now, the moon is whispering a gentle lullaby.
“Twinkle, twinkle, time to rest,” whispers the Moon. “Close your eyes, my little guest.”
The little star yawns a big, sparkly yawn. He stretches his points and looks for his favorite cloud. It is a big, fluffy white cloud that looks just like a soft pillow. The little star snuggles deep into the fluff. It feels warm and cozy.
Below him, the world is becoming very quiet. The birds are sleeping in their nests. The cars have stopped their vroom-vrooming. Even the wind has slowed down to a soft breeze.
“Goodnight, world,” whispers the little star. His light grows soft and dim. Blink… blink… sleep. The little star closes his eyes and drifts into a sweet, warm dream, safe in the night sky.
2. Benny the Bunny’s Soft Pillow
Benny the Bunny has had a very long day of hopping. Hop, hop, hop through the garden. Hop, hop, hop through the meadow. But now, the sun is setting, painting the sky in shades of purple and gold.
Benny finds his favorite spot under the big, strong oak tree. The moss here is thick and green, perfect for a tired little bunny. Benny fluffs his little white tail and wiggles his pink nose. Sniff, sniff. The air smells like sweet clover and fresh dew.
“Time for sleep,” says Mama Bunny gently. She strokes his long, soft ears. One ear, two ears. They feel heavy now.
Benny rests his head on his paws. His eyelids feel so heavy, like they are made of sleepy dust. He takes a deep breath. In… and out. His little whiskers stop twitching. He listens to the leaves rustling above him. Shhh, shhh. Benny is safe. Benny is warm. Fast asleep in the soft green grass.
3. The Ocean’s Lullaby
Deep, deep down in the blue ocean, everything is moving in slow motion. The water is warm and gentle, like a nice bath. Whoosh, shhh. Whoosh, shhh. The waves above are singing a song to the fish below.
The little seahorse finds a sturdy piece of coral. He wraps his tail around it tight so he won’t float away. He sways gently back and forth. Back and forth. Like a baby in a rocking chair. A big, wise whale swims by slowly. Huuuum, huuuum. Her song is low and deep, vibrating through the water. It sounds like a giant purr.
The little starfish settles into the soft sand at the bottom of the sea. He relaxes all five of his arms. One, two, three, four, five. The ocean is calm. The bubbles float up, up, up. Everything is floating. Everything is peaceful. Drift away on the gentle blue waves.
4. The Cloud Train
Imagine you are looking up at the sky. Do you see the white, fluffy clouds floating by? One of them is coming down, just for you. It is the Cloud Train. It lands softly, without making a sound. The cloud feels softer than your favorite blanket and lighter than a feather.
You climb aboard and snuggle in. The Cloud Train starts to move, very slowly. It floats up, over your house, over the trees, and into the starlit sky. Looking down, the world looks like a toy set. The lights in the houses go out, one by one. Click, click.
There is no noise up here. Just the soft wind blowing. Whoooo. You are floating on air. Rocking gently to the left, and then to the right. The movement makes your eyes close. The Cloud Train carries you to the land of dreams. Soft, white, and safe. You are riding on a cloud, drifting into sleep.
5. The Owl’s Goodnight
In the tallest pine tree of the forest, Oliver Owl is awake. He is the guardian of the night. He wants to make sure everyone is tucked in before he goes to sleep too. “Hoo-hoo,” he calls softly. “Is everyone asleep?”
He looks down at the fox’s den. The baby foxes are curled up in a ball, tails covering their noses. Check. He looks at the pond. The frogs are quiet on their lily pads, perfectly still. Check. He looks at the bear cave. He can hear a deep, rumbly snore. Zzzzzz.
The forest is safe. The night is friendly. The moonlight shines on the leaves like silver dust. Oliver Owl ruffles his feathers. He feels very sleepy now. He tucks his head under his warm wing. The forest is still. Everything is resting. Goodnight, Oliver. Goodnight, forest. Goodnight, baby.
Enjoyed these tales? If you are looking for even softer and simpler stories specifically designed for newborns and very young babies, check out our dedicated collection of Bedtime Stories for Infants.
