Sheep aren’t the only type of animal you can associate with going to bed! There are stories on the BetterSleep app you can listen to about our friends from the animal kingdom that will help you drift off into slumber. It may even give you a new appreciation for that story’s animal, too!

Animal stories have been popular for centuries. The Ugly Duckling, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Jungle Book, and The Three Little Pigs are some of the most well-known short stories.

Storytelling is a way for kids to learn about the world, relax after a long day at school and spend bonding time with a caregiver before bed.

And bedtime stories are not just for kids! Short stories can benefit adults by becoming part of a healthy bedtime routine, helping to distract from racing thoughts, and encouraging you to drift off into a deep sleep.

Here are a collection of animal stories to help you and your kids get a peaceful night’s sleep.

Gizmo the House Cat

You can't go wrong with bedtime stories about cats. Gizmo, the house cat, doesn't usually venture outside much. However, on one moonlit night, his belly yearns for adventure, and he sneaks out to explore his neighborhood. Listen in to hear about his night full of surprises!

Udo's Long Walk

Udos long walk is one of the short animal stories that'll have you drifting off into a peaceful sleep in no time. This cute pooch is a scruffy Yorkie who lives on a beautiful sub-tropical South Korean island. Tag along for his relaxing walk and see what he gets up to.

The Emperor's Lion

You probably already know The Lion King, but here’s a story with a distinctly Ancient European twist. After his most prized lion escapes the Colosseum, Cicero—the Emperor of Rome—has to jump across The Eternal City to try to bring him back.

Pleeo the Sandpipers Murmurations

Long ago, a curious young shorebird took off with her flock on a Northward journey. Take flight with them up into the sky, through mountain ranges, and over the ocean. While they are great friends, the journey doesn't always go as planned. Start to doze off as the flock reaches their destination - but does everyone make it?

Let your mind be soothed with humming jungle sounds as you drift off into a deep, peaceful slumber.

The Camel, the Fennec & the Sand Cat

If you don’t know where you are or where you’re going, it’s always best not to stray too far from the pack. Unfortunately for this story’s protagonist, camel, that’s the mistake he makes here. Leaving his camp only to find himself lost within the vast Sahara Desert, our two-humped hero meets a fennec and a sand cat, who accompany him on his journey.

A Penguins Voyage

If you love short stories about marine life, the tale of A Penguin's voyage is a must-listen. Adera is a curious Gentoo penguin who loves to swim around off the waters of Australia. Let your eyelids become heavy while discovering who she meets and what she learns along the way.

The Velveteen Rabbit

The Velveteen Rabbit is a timeless tale written by _Margery William_s in 1922. The story revolves around a young boy who receives a stuffed rabbit as a Christmas gift. This story shows how the rabbit meets other nursery toys, sparking a desire to become real.

Mel & Odies

How about falling asleep to a love story based entirely around owls? In this tale, we see a barn owl named Odies who suddenly has to find his beloved Mel, a snowy owl suffering from an injury. Over 35 minutes, you’ll drift off into a slumber while finding out how Odies tries to rescue her.

The Phoenix and the Raven

What happens when a happy raven and a young pensive phoenix get together? They go on an adventure! Let your mind relax, and body unwind while following along with their journey to view a fire ritual of a century-old phoenix.

The Wild Swans

From the world of legendary Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen comes this classic tale about the young princess Elisa’s journey toward rescuing her 11 brothers, each under a spell turning them into swans. Since she’s been kicked out of her father’s castle, she’ll have even more adversity to face along the way.

Underwater City Part IV: Bertha the Snail

One of the best short stories for sea creature lovers, Bertha The Snail, lulls you to sleep while you learn about the world of marine biology. Gemi Surhato is a marine biologist introducing a sea snail to the area. She hopes it will help clean the dome's exterior that protects Krymenos.

The Busy Blue Jay

Though this is much shorter than the typical BetterSleep bedtime story, at only 12 minutes, it’s worth the quick listen. In it, we hear about the everyday life of a blue jay named Jakie and the shenanigans he pulls around his caregiver.

A Crypotzoologist Dream

Ever been fascinated by legendary or extinct animals whose existence is disputed or unknown? If yes, this bedtime story will open up this world to you.

Drop into snooze-land while you follow a cryptozoologist deep into a mysterious cavern, where he hopes to find an ancient, mythical vine whale.

Benefits of Animal Stories for Kids

Reading animal stories to kids is a way to teach valuable lessons about life in a way a young mind can understand. Little by little, their vocabulary will expand, along with their creativity.

Short stories teach kids about staying calm when facing adversity and how animals and nature should be treated with kindness.

Through adventurous animal stories, parents have the chance to pass on their traditional values and cultures in a fun way.

Why Do Kids Love Animal Stories?

Kids bond with animals, which can be a key factor in developing sensitivity to others. Child-animal relationships are a chance to practice caregiving, hone social skills and enjoy having close friendships.

Kids, like adults, enjoy associating with other living creatures. Pets become part of the family; children love telling stories about their experiences with animals at home and while playing outside.

This is why animal stories for kids are much loved. Whether it's a foolish lion, a clever monkey, two cats on an adventure, or any other animals, bedtime stories are comforting and teach important life lessons.