Best Audiobooks for Kids in 2025
Table of Contents
- How to pick the right audiobook for the right age?
- Best audiobooks for small kids (Ages 2-5)
- Best audiobooks for elementary kids (Ages 6-10)
- Best audiobooks for tweens and early teens (Ages 11-15)
- Tips to get kids interested in audiobooks
- How to create custom audiobooks that kids like?
- Best AI audiobook creator for kids
Transcribe, Translate & Summarize in Seconds
Table of Contents
- How to pick the right audiobook for the right age?
- Best audiobooks for small kids (Ages 2-5)
- Best audiobooks for elementary kids (Ages 6-10)
- Best audiobooks for tweens and early teens (Ages 11-15)
- Tips to get kids interested in audiobooks
- How to create custom audiobooks that kids like?
- Best AI audiobook creator for kids
Transcribe, Translate & Summarize in Seconds
TL;DR:
The best audiobooks for kids capture their attention and entertain their little worlds. Our top picks are:
Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise
Matilda
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
…to mention a few. Read on to find out the whole list!
Speaktor lets you create lifelike audiobooks from any text of your choice, so your kid can enjoy the story they like.
It’s not easy to find activities that keep kids engaged and help them grow, but audiobooks can do both! Listening to stories is one of the smartest ways to spark their imagination, boost their vocabulary, and reduce screen time.
Thanks to AI-powered voiceovers and music, kids' audiobooks have come a long way in 2025. These have given parents and teachers the freedom to create custom audiobooks by adding voices and styles that suit each child.
Before we dive into the best audiobooks for kids in 2025, here's how you narrow down your options:
How to pick the right audiobook for the right age?
Not every audiobook will suit every child. Consider these age-specific factors when making your selection:
- For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2-5): Stick with short, repetitive stories with simple language. Rhyming books and sing-alongs work best for this age group
- For early readers and elementary kids (ages 6-10): Look for audiobooks with clear narration, simple plots, and lots of humor. Animal stories, gentle mysteries, and beginner fantasy are great choices
- For tweens and teens (ages 11-15): Choose longer, more layered stories with relatable characters. Adventure, friendship, and age-appropriate challenges will keep them hooked
- Match attention spans to story length: Toddlers need 15-30 minute stories, while school-age kids can handle 2-3 hour adventures. Choose chapter books with natural stopping points for older children who might not finish in one sitting
- Consider vocabulary and concept complexity: Pick stories that introduce new words without overwhelming your child. Books slightly above their reading level work well for audio since narration helps with pronunciation and context clues
- Think about emotional readiness: Younger kids need happy endings and gentle conflicts, while tweens can handle more complex themes like friendship challenges or family changes. Avoid content that might create bedtime anxieties
Now that you have a fair idea of how to pick the right audiobook for kids, it’s time to find out the best ones for each age group.
After going through Amazon, Goodreads, Audible, and Spotify, we’ve picked the best audiobooks for small kids to early teens.
Best audiobooks for small kids (Ages 2-5)
1. Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise by Ms. Rachel
Narrator: Ms. Rachel | Duration: ~9 minutes
This gentle, song-forward story is the go-to audiobook for the youngest listeners. Ms. Rachel uses warm delivery, repetition, simple phrases, and short stretches of call-and-response so toddlers can join in, even if it’s just clapping or repeating a word. The plot is small and comforting (a lost toy, a surprise party, or a helpful friend), which makes it perfect for short attention spans and pre-bed routines.
Parents love the overt learning moments. Counting, colors, and emotion words are woven into the narrative, and teachers appreciate the built-in prompts they can use as quick activities. In newer editions, you’ll often find light sound design and a sing-along track that reinforces language and melody without overstimulating little listeners.
2. When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left by Marc Colagiovanni
Narrator: Peter H. Reynolds (creator/illustrator) | Duration: ~13 minutes
In moments when your child feels frustrated or discouraged, this story gently reframes problems as new paths to explore. Illustrator Peter H. Reynolds narrates his own work in a steady, reassuring tone that helps kids process big emotions. The pacing is slow, the language lyrical, and phrases like “nothing was going right” followed by “I decided to go left” give your child an avenue to deal with frustration.
It’s a great choice when little ones need emotional grounding. You’ll find yourself reaching for this after tough days or tantrums. The metaphor is simple enough for preschoolers to grasp but thoughtful enough to spark conversation.
👉Also read: Best Audiobooks for Road Trips
3. Peppa Pig: Story Collections by Ladybird
Narrator: Full cast / John Sparkes | Duration: 5-10 minutes (for each short episode within a collection)
For busy days or bedtime routines, you can always count on the collection of short Peppa Pig episodes. With each story lasting just 5-10 minutes, you can play one or two at a time or let the full collection run when you need a longer stretch of calm engagement. The familiar voices, cheerful music, and light humor make it easy for toddlers to follow and enjoy.
What makes this so parent-friendly is the flexibility. You can play it during car rides, while prepping dinner, or as a quiet-time filler, knowing each episode ends on a happy, gentle note. The 2025 editions even include small musical interludes and fun prompts to try at home.
Bonus listening: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (19 minutes), PictureFace Lizzy by Josh Gad (12 minutes)
Best audiobooks for elementary kids (Ages 6-10)
4. Matilda by Roald Dahl
Narrator: Kate Winslet | Duration: 4 hours 18 minutes
Roald Dahl’s Matilda still hooks elementary readers with its mix of mischief, cleverness, and big feelings. Kate Winslet brings Dahl’s witty voice to life, highlighting the humor, the sly observations, and the small victories that keep kids turning chapters. You’ll notice your child laughing at the same lines and rooting for Matilda when she outsmarts grown-ups, which makes this one great for shared listening or solo enjoyment.
If you want to make it a learning moment, pause after a chapter to ask what Matilda might do next, or let your child predict an outcome. The pacing and chapter breaks make it easy to stop and start, so it fits homework breaks, car rides, and bedtime routines.
5. Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Narrator: Samuel West | Duration: ~9 hours
If you have a curious kid at home, this inventive adventure will draw them right in. Rundell mixes fast action with quiet, strange moments as characters encounter odd animals and moral choices. West’s lively narration carries the book’s energy, making the creatures vivid and the setting feel wild and new. You’ll find this one sparks questions about bravery, curiosity, and the natural world, so it’s perfect for kids who love both science and fantasy.
Bring this audiobook into your routine when you want to stretch listening stamina. It rewards attention with layered descriptions and surprising turns, so encourage your child to talk about favorite creatures and scenes.
6. The Witching Wind by Natalie Lloyd
Narrator: Natalie Lloyd and Noah Wall | Duration: 8 hours 18 minutes (unabridged)
If your child leans toward cozy fantasy with heart, this title blends gentle magic, quirky characters, and emotional stakes in a way that feels safe but exciting. Natalie Lloyd’s storytelling tends to favor lyrical language and warm humor, and the dual-narrator approach emphasizes the relationships at its center. You’ll hear scenes that invite imagination, from secret gardens to family legends brought to life.
It’s an excellent pick for evening listening or weekend stretches when your child can settle in. After a chapter, ask your child which moment felt most like magic and why, or invite them to imagine a different ending. That kind of follow up deepens comprehension and keeps the story alive beyond the earphones.
Bonus listening: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (~4 hours), Evergreen by Matthew Cordell (15 minutes)
Best audiobooks for tweens and early teens (Ages 11-15)
7. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Narrator: Ruth Wilson (single-voice editions) or Philip Pullman with full cast (original Listening Library edition) | Duration: ~ 11 hours
If your child loves big, imaginative worlds, this one is a perfect next step. Ruth Wilson’s single-voice narration gives Lyra a clear, layered presence and pulls listeners straight into the story’s strange landscapes and moral puzzles. Alternatively, the original full-cast performance lends rich voices and a cinematic feel to the fantasy.
The worldbuilding is vivid, and the stakes feel real, so your tween will be drawn into longer-form listening and more complex plotting than elementary titles typically offer.
Be aware that the story raises mature questions about authority, courage, and choice. You can listen together and pause to unpack a scene or ask what your child would do in Lyra’s place. That follow-up turns a great listen into a meaningful discussion.
8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Narrator: Jim Dale (US edition) or Stephen Fry (UK edition) | Duration: ~ 8 hours 20 minutes (unabridged)
Even years later, Harry's first year at Hogwarts continues to engage young readers with its blend of mystery, warmth, and adventure. Jim Dale’s energetic performance enlivens each character with distinctive voices, while Stephen Fry brings a calm, articulate charm to the same material. Both editions invite kids to continue listening and help build longer attention spans.
Harry Potter is perfect for car rides, weekend marathons, or bedtime chapters that become family rituals. You can pause between chapters to ask what might happen next or explore themes like friendship and bravery, making the audiobook both fun and enriching.
9. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess by Jeff Kinney
Narrator: Dan Russell | Duration: ~2 hours
Short, punchy, and hilarious, this new entry in the Wimpy Kid series is a win for reluctant listeners and fans of first-person comedy. Dan Russell’s lively narration nails Greg Heffley’s sarcastic tone and timing, so your tween hears the jokes the way the author intended. The diary format and quick chapters make it easy to consume in small bursts or during a single outing.
Play this one when you need something light and immediately rewarding. It’s great for car trips, short homework breaks, or as a bridge from illustrated books to longer novels. After listening, ask your child which scene made them laugh the most to keep the conversation rolling.
10. A Plate of Hope by Erin Frankel
Narrator: Luis Carlos de La Lombana| Duration: 14 minutes
Want a small dose of inspiration without a big time investment? At just a few minutes long, this micro-audiobook is ideal for introducing tweens to short fiction that still carries a meaningful message. The narrator takes listeners to the world of chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen. It's concise, it’s expressive, and the sound design creates a warm experience that sticks.
Use it as a prompt for discussion or a creative exercise. After the track, ask your child what they would cook or what small hope they’d put on their own plate.
Bonus listening: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (10 hours 25 minutes), Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor by Alan Gratz (9 hours 35 minutes)
👉Looking for more audiobook recommendations? Check out our curated list of best audiobooks for 2025.
Tips to get kids interested in audiobooks
Not every child takes to audiobooks right away, but with the right approach, you can turn listening time into a favorite daily habit. Here are a few ways to ease them in:
- Start with familiar favorites: Begin with audiobook versions of books your child already loves or stories from their favorite TV shows and movies. The familiar characters and plots from Peppa Pig, Ms. Rachel, and Harry Potter help them feel comfortable with the audio format while they adjust to listening without pictures
- Make it a shared experience: Listen together during car rides, while doing puzzles, or as part of your bedtime routine. Your enthusiasm and reactions will model good listening habits and turn audiobook time into quality bonding moments
- Let them control the experience: Give kids the power to pause, rewind, or skip to different chapters when they want to revisit favorite parts. This sense of control helps them stay engaged and teaches them that audiobooks can be interactive, not just passive entertainment
- Consider creating personalized stories: Use AI tools like Speaktor to create custom audiobooks featuring your child's name, interests, or even their pets as characters. When kids hear stories made just for them, they become much more invested in the listening experience
How to create custom audiobooks that kids like?
Creating custom audiobooks from stories can be a rewarding experience for parents and kids. You can teach them to add their ideas and characters and help them choose narrator voices and pacing.
If your child loves a story that's not available as an audiobook, now you can create audiobooks from any PDF, TXT, or DOC file.
Here’s how to create an audiobook for kids:
1. Sign up to Speaktor
2. Select the Convert TXT, PDF, DOCX Files into Voiceovers menu from the dashboard
3. Upload your file
4. Edit the text for smooth narration and pick the language and voice
5. Play the audio to test the results, and if you’re satisfied, download the WAV or MP3 file.
Within minutes, you have your custom audiobook ready for your little one.
Best AI audiobook creator for kids
Speaktor turns stories and audiobooks into shared memories for parents and kids. Children get to nurture their creativity and give voice to their ideas, while parents can craft personalized tales that match their child's developmental needs. The AI voiceovers bring lifelike narrations that families own and control, creating truly unique listening experiences.
To create your personalized audiobook for kids, sign up to Speaktor today. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
For ages 2-5, try Ms. Rachel and Peppa Pig collections (15-30 minutes). Elementary kids (6-10) love funny hits like Matilda and Charlotte's Web. Middle school students and tweens enjoy The Golden Compass and Harry Potter for longer listening sessions that help with school comprehension.
Start with interesting stories slightly above their reading level. Boys often pop with adventure tales like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, while siblings can discover favorites together. Audiobooks help kids figure out pronunciation and build vocabulary for school success, especially during night routines.
Yes! Audiobooks are excellent study tools that complement traditional reading. Students can listen while following along with the text, which improves comprehension and helps them tackle challenging assignments. Many teachers now recognize audiobooks as valuable learning aids.
Audiobooks tell complete stories from a good book source, while podcasts are episodic. Both can be interesting, but audiobooks offer deeper character development. If you can't find a specific title, tools like Speaktor let you create custom audiobooks from any text, turning any story into personalized listening experiences.
Make it a shared family experience where each member can participate. Start with familiar stories, let kids control playback, and choose funny or adventurous content that matches their interests. Creating custom audiobooks with Speaktor featuring your child's name or pets as characters often sparks immediate engagement.
Libraries offer free access to popular titles, and many platforms provide family member discounts. You can also discover new favorites through samples before purchasing. For ultimate savings, create personalized audiobooks from any story using Speaktor, turning household books into custom listening experiences at a fraction of traditional audiobook costs.