Audiobooks for Kids: Benefits, Free Downloads, and More 

Summary: Learn about the benefits of audiobooks for kids, where to find free audiobooks, and how listening to stories can support your child’s development.

Stories have the enchanting ability to whisk readers away to fantastical lands and moments in history. As we delve into a book, the setting and characters’ appearances take shape in our minds, driven by each descriptive and imaginative word. Audiobooks enhance this experience by adding an auditory element, enriching the story with captivating sounds, effects, and vocal variations. Through unique voices, tones, and dialects, narrators bring each character to life, conveying their emotions and experiences.

The Benefits of Audiobooks for Kids

The benefits of listening to audiobooks go far beyond the excitement of getting lost in a good book. In fact, there are many advantages to audiobooks, particularly for children—no matter their level of reading. Whether you have a bookworm, or your child is a struggling, reluctant, or developing reader, here are some the benefits of introducing them to audiobooks:

• Provides access to books to readers at any level
• Supports the development of language comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation
• Supports emotional intelligence through strong emotional or empathetic responses when listening to a human voice
• Expands children’s access to books with audiobook availability on many different home devices
• Strengthens pronunciation and vocabulary
• Deepens understanding of different accents, dialects, and tone
• Strengthens the ability to interpret and retain information
• Promotes imagination and creativity
• Improves reading fluency as children hear the rhythm of fluent reading
• Develops critical listening skills including the ability to follow along a narrative or complex story
• Introduces children to new genres
• Provides parents an opportunity to broach important topics for discussion when families listen to books together
• Promotes a lifelong passion for books

Plus, incorporating audiobooks into your child’s reading routine offers a practical way to engage in books while you commute, cook, or perform other household tasks together. While audiobooks should not replace traditional reading, they serve as an excellent tool to maintain your child’s interest in books and can help capture the attention of even the wiggliest child!

Where to Find Free Audiobooks for Kids

Finding Audiobooks is easy now that different platforms offer extensive collections of books for readers of all ages. Here are some of our top picks for listening to audiobooks:

Audible

Audible boasts a vast library of audiobooks and podcasts, curated just for kids. With over 58,000 children’s audiobooks to choose from, your child can explore an exciting range of genres from action, adventure, and humor to biographies and nature. Choose from a paid subscription plan that includes free credits for purchasing books or browse a selection of free audiobooks with no subscription or payment required.

LibriVox

This platform provides access to audiobooks that are in the public domain. All audiobooks available on LibriVox are read by volunteers and are free to listen to. Due to the nature of copyright laws, narrators can only record work published prior to 1923, as they have entered the public domain. Luckily, there are many beloved children’s classics to choose from. You can find a range of exciting titles, including “Black Beauty,” “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” “Treasure Island,” and “Tales of King Arthur and the Round Table.”

Spotify

Spotify is well-known for its selection of music and curated playlists, but did you know this platform also features a wide range of children’s audiobooks? With a premium subscription, users can enjoy up to 15 hours of audiobook listening time each month, or you can listen to free audiobooks in the public domain, like “The Secret Garden” and “Peter Pan.” Spotify makes it easy to find just what you’re looking for with categories tailored to specific audiences, such as young listeners, new and trending releases, middle school listeners, and book to movie adaptations.

Libby

You can enjoy audiobooks from your local library with this unique app, powered by Overdrive. To get started, all you need is a library card. If you don’t have one, some libraries allow you to sign up directly inside the Libby app using just your phone number. Once you’re connected to your library, you can browse and borrow audiobook titles for free.

Storynory

Created specifically for kids and families, Storynory features a rich variety of children’s stories and educational content, from stories about mythical creatures to classic short stories like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and “The Frog Prince.” Browse their extensive library of audiobooks, including many original titles exclusive to Storynory. Many audiobooks are accompanied by transcripts that allow children to read along and educational quizzes and activities that help engage young listeners and encourage critical thinking. Best of all, every book on Storynory is free to enjoy!

How to Discuss Audiobooks With Your Kids

Enhance the listening experience by discussing the story’s themes, characters, and lessons.  After significant moments or chapters, pause the audiobook to talk about what just happened. You can ask questions such as, “What do you think will happen next?” or “If you were the character, how would you react?” Once the book is finished, ask about their favorite parts and what they learned from the story. Connect the themes and lessons from the book to real-life situations your child can relate to. Other questions to ask include:

• Who was your favorite character and why?
• How would you have written the ending to the book?
• What was the most interesting thing you learned?
• What do you think happened next after the story ended?

Encourage your child to express their imagination even further by asking them to draw how they envisioned the story’s setting. Engaging in activities that require them to think critically about a book can help deepen their understanding and encourage creativity.

When is the best time to listen to audiobooks?

Audiobooks are a great resource for a busy, modern family looking to incorporate more reading in their daily lives. You can listen to an audiobook during car rides, while preparing dinner, as your kids wind down for bed, or while relaxing together over a weekend. For instance, on a recent road trip to Atlanta, my car was filled with giggles as my kids enjoyed “Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Trinkletrousers.” Because of audiobooks, your family can turn just about any moment into an opportunity to enjoy a good book.

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