The Top 10 Funny Bedtime Stories for Kids

Everyone’s favorite Pigeon is back for this interactive bedtime romp, in which he tries to escape his inevitable bedtime. Youngsters are thrust into the role of caregiver, as the pigeon attempts to talk his way out of the inevitable bedtime. Coming up with requests that range from manipulative (I hear there’s a good show about birds on TV tonight. Should be very educational.) to cajoling (Y’know, we never get to talk anymore. Tell me about your day!) to the classic (Can I have a glass of water?). Defying drowsiness to the last, he finally falls asleep, clutching his stuffed bunny tightly under his wing. Children will be charmed by this bedtime treat, which will have them (and you) laughing out loud at the pigeon – and at themselves. Mo Willems has written and illustrated a one of the best laugh-out-loud funny bedtime stories for kids – a delightfully amusing book that will have you laughing all the way to bedtime.

Mothers love their children and this unconditional love is truly tested in I Love You, Stinky Face. Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore beautifully weave a reassuring tale of the love and affection of a parent. The imaginative son turns himself into a meat-eating dinosaur, a swamp creature and much, much more… before being satisfied with the fact that no matter how stinky he is or how slimy of a creature he could possibly be, he is loved and nothing will change that. A lovely – and highly amusing – addition to your night-time ritual and one of  the very funny bedtime stories for kids aged 3-5.

In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! The simple rhymes call out for repeating, and the whimsical illustrations cleverly dramatize the increasing panic. Key worry words, such as fret, are highlighted, and for extra humor, Baby Llama’s toy llama mimics his every expression. A real charmer among bedtime stories that will leave preschoolers giggling – and parents appreciating the familiar scenario. Funny bedtime stories for kids don’t come much better than this!

How can it be that a book with only one word – hug- repeated throughout, can be so good? The proof is in the pudding (or the wilds of Africa) in Jez Alborough’s picture book Hug, a delightful mini odyssey of a baby chimpanzee on the hunt for his mum and a cuddle.

Our little friend wanders through the trees, witnessing many other animals from chameleons to giraffes as they snuggle together. “Hug,” he says, happily, at first, but then with growing despair as he sees there are no hugs for him. The story is told purely by the expression on the little chimp’s face as his hopes are built up and dashed again and again… until eventually, with a huge smile, he finds his mum and reaps the reward.

Hug is a clever, unusual book that portrays the art of children’s illustration at its very best: a story brought to life with the stroke of a brush through facial expressions and body language that kids will immediately understand. Setting the standard for funny bedtime stories for kids.

“I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there’s gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.“

So begins the trials and tribulations of the irascible Alexander, who has been earning the sympathy of readers since 1972. People of all ages have terrible, horrible days, and Alexander offers us the cranky commiseration we crave as well as a reminder that things may not be all that bad. As Alexander’s day progresses, he faces a barrage of bummers worthy of a country-western song: getting smushed in the middle seat of the car, a dessertless lunch sack, a cavity at the dentist’s office, stripeless sneakers, witnessing kissing on television, and being forced to sleep in railroad-train pajamas. He even resolves several times to move to Australia!

Judith Viorst flawlessly and humorously captures a child’s testy temperament, rendering Alexander sympathetic rather than whiny. Our hero’s gum-styled hair and peevish countenance are artfully depicted by Ray Cruz’s illustrations. This is for older readers (5-8), but children and adults alike will delight in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - one of the very funny bedtime stories.

It seems like Bear can sleep through anything. As a succession of animals enter his cave to escape the fierce storm, he continues to snore. Mouse makes a nice warm fire, Hare cooks popcorn and Badger brings treats…They are having a great time. But when Bear wakes up and realises he’s missed out on the fun, his visitors fear the worst. Can Bear be persuaded to join the party? This read-aloud rhyming story has fun, suspense and a happy ending – with Jane Chapman’s beautiful, captivating illustrations and Karma Wilson’s absorbing, lyrical words perfectly depicting the companionship of the warm, cosy cave and the contrast with the wild storm outside. If you’re looking for some funny bedtime stories, then Bear Snores On is a worthy addition to your bookshelf.

“Good night, Gorilla,” says the weary watchman as he walks by the gorilla cage on his nightly rounds at the zoo. Universally understandable subject matter – and a narrative conveyed almost entirely through pictures – mark this as an ideal title for beginners. Author and illustrator Peggy Rathmann (creator of the Caldecott-winning Officer Buckle and Gloria) relies more on the nuances of her jewel-toned pictures, than on words to pace this giggly bedtime story – making it perfect for observant preschoolers and one of the really funny bedtime stories for kids aged 3-5.

Getting ready for sleep is tons of fun in this Sandra Boynton classic, perfect to wind down the day. A joyful, silly group of animals, illustrated in Boynton’s distinctive, exuberant style, scrub scrub scrub in the tub, brush and brush and brush their teeth, and finally rock and rock and rock to sleep. You’ll find yourself reading this one over and over and over again – so luckily it’s just as appealing for parents & carers as it is for young minds. One of our favorite funny bedtime stories for younger kids.

When Bonnie and Ben’s favorite baby sitter, Skinny Doug, offers a bedtime salute of  “Good night, sleep tight. / Hope the fleas don’t bite!” he embarks on a command performance of seven traditional rhymes. Good Night, Sleep Tight reunites bestselling picture book author Mem Fox with illustrator Judy Horacek, following their collaboration on Where is the Green Sheep? No doubt you’ll wish you had a baby sitter just like Skinny Doug, in this warm hearted tale that’s just perfect for bedtime reading. Funny bedtime stories for kids don’t come much more delightful than this.

Gerald would love to join in with the other animals at the Jungle Dance, but everyone knows that giraffes can’t dance …or can they? Giraffes Can’t Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.

With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness. The perfect way to end the day and one of our favorite funny bedtime stories for kids.