10+ Best Audio Books for 5-Year-Old Free w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime or playtime companion for your little one? Look no further than "Audio Books for 5-Year-Old Free"! This treasure trove of engaging and delightful stories is just a click away and absolutely free. Whether you're looking to ignite a love for storytelling or just need a new way to entertain your energetic five-year-old, these audio books are a fantastic resource. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of audio books that promise to captivate and educate without costing a dime.

Fun Audio Books for 5-Year-Old Free

• Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, Illustrated by E.H. Shepard
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Join Winnie-the-Pooh, a lovable bear, and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood as they embark on various adventures and misadventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with humor and heartwarming tales that teach lessons on friendship, patience, and curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Young listeners who enjoy stories of adventure and friendships.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, leading to a series of charming escapades.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the thrill of adventure and the consequences of mischief, all wrapped up in beautifully illustrated scenes.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and outdoor adventures.

• Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Short Stories
  • Synopsis: This collection of stories explores the friendship between Frog and Toad through their everyday adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the value of true friendship and supports early reading development with its simple yet engaging narrative.
  • Perfect for: Children beginning to read on their own and those who appreciate stories about friendship.

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Young Max, dressed in his wolf costume, creates his own world of wild creatures who crown him as their ruler.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids the power of their own minds to craft entire worlds.
  • Perfect for: Imaginative children who enjoy tales of adventure and fantasy.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime Stories, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, a young bunny says goodnight to all the familiar things in the softly lit room.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle text and comforting plot make it perfect for bedtime, helping children wind down.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need a soothing story to help them relax at bedtime.

Educational Audio Books for 5-Year-Old Free

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This classic picture book tells the story of a caterpillar who eats his way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, days of the week, food knowledge, natural science (life cycle of a butterfly)
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines delightful illustrations with educational themes, making learning fun and visually engaging.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are learning to count and who have an interest in nature.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Pattern Recognition
  • Synopsis: A teacher and her students explore the colors and creatures they encounter, with a repetitive structure that encourages prediction and participation.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, animal identification, rhythmic pattern recognition
  • Why we recommend this book: Its repetitive and predictable text makes it ideal for early readers to gain confidence in reading aloud.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are beginning to learn colors and animals, and those who enjoy reading along with others.

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Alphabet, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh no - Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Alphabet recognition, rhythm and rhyme, storytelling
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic story that helps children remember the alphabet in a playful way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are learning their ABCs and enjoy vibrant, energetic stories.

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book captures the adventures of a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Weather knowledge, exploration, sensory experiences
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the wonder and possibilities of a snowy day through the eyes of a child.
  • Perfect for: Young listeners who delight in snow play and exploring the world around them.

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, Illustrated by Anita Jeram
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Family
  • Synopsis: This gentle story features Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare, who express their love for each other in increasingly large and imaginative measures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, measuring concepts, parent-child bonding
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming tale that beautifully conveys the limitless nature of parental love.
  • Perfect for: Children and parents looking for a bedtime story that celebrates affection and family ties.

Challenging Audio Books for 5-Year-Old Free

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows Matilda, a brilliant and sensitive child unappreciated by her crude, distant parents. Using her intelligence and telekinetic powers, she overcomes obstacles and stands up to adults, including the tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex vocabulary and themes of justice and individuality that are advanced for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates the power of reading and the resilience of children, encouraging young listeners to believe in their own abilities.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about triumph over adversity and those who love a touch of magic.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This tale recounts the journey of a clever mouse through the woods. Encountering predators, the mouse invents an imaginary monster — the Gruffalo — to scare them off, only to meet the real Gruffalo later on.
  • Why this book is challenging: The playful use of rhyme and sophisticated plot structure provide a complex narrative that challenges young listeners.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a masterful blend of suspense, humor, and clever problem-solving that captivates and entertains.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and enjoy stories that involve cleverness and wit.

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Charlie Bucket wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. The visit turns into an enchanting adventure as Charlie and other children discover Wonka's magical world.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of moral lessons and consequences through a fantastical narrative, which requires a deeper level of comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks imagination with its creative setting and eccentric characters while teaching important lessons about greed, patience, and kindness.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who enjoy magical stories with a moral.

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Environmental Science
  • Synopsis: The Lorax speaks for the trees, warning of the dangers of disrespecting the environment. This tale explores the consequences of greed and the importance of conservation.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with environmental issues and ethical dilemmas, encouraging young listeners to think about sustainability.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes environmental awareness and responsibility in a way that is accessible and engaging for young children.
  • Perfect for: Eco-conscious young readers and those interested in stories with a strong moral message.

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where she encounters peculiar creatures and experiences a series of surreal and often challenging adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The play on logic and the complex wordplay provide a rich, intellectually stimulating experience for advanced young listeners.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and curiosity, offering a unique narrative that challenges conventional storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Children who delight in puzzles and whimsical tales that twist the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

If you're looking to introduce your 5-year-old to the wonderful world of audiobooks, here are some engaging exercises that can help develop their reading habits while making the most of the audiobook experience. These activities are designed to be fun and educational, enhancing your child's listening and comprehension skills.

• Echo Reading
  • What it is: You play a short section of the audiobook, then pause and have your child repeat what they just heard.
  • How it helps: This exercise improves memory and helps with language development by mimicking rhythms and intonations.
  • Tips: Keep the sections short to maintain your child's attention and ensure they can remember what was said.

• Character Play
  • What it is: After listening to a part of the story, ask your child to act out what happened from a character's perspective.
  • How it helps: Encourages deep listening and understanding of the narrative and characters.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the activity more engaging and fun.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Pause the audiobook at key moments and ask your child what they think will happen next.
  • How it helps: Enhances predictive thinking and keeps them engaged with the storyline.
  • Tips: Praise their efforts whether their predictions are right or wrong to encourage active participation.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Provide your child with drawing materials to illustrate scenes or characters described in the audiobook.
  • How it helps: Helps with visualization and memory recall, plus it's a creative outlet.
  • Tips: Discuss the illustrations with your child to understand their perspective and interpretation of the story.

• Discussion Time
  • What it is: After listening to a chapter, have a brief discussion about what happened in the story.
  • How it helps: Promotes comprehension and verbal expression.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to think and express themselves freely.

These exercises are not just about listening to the story, but making it a multi-sensory and interactive experience that can significantly benefit your child's early reading and listening skills. Enjoy exploring the world of audiobooks together, and watch as your little one's imagination and love for stories flourish!