On the hunt for the best audiobooks for kids? This is our morning audiobooks routine, along with our list of the books we are working our way through!
Let’s talk audiobooks. We recently started a new morning routine, and I’m SO GLAD we did. Each morning after I work out, Lydia and I go on a walk and listen to a chapter from a kids’ audiobook. Not gonna lie, she was apprehensive at first and so was I. Would she really be engaged when it was only audio? Would we get bored?
By the end of our first day of listening and walking…..I realized it was going to be a new family routine. We walked, we listened, I paused the audiobook (we started with Ramona and Beezus) to discuss. For us? We walk for about 25 to 30 minutes and we usually finish a chapter each time we walk. It’s fun, I love that we are sharing a book in a new way, and most of the audiobooks are narrated by the author or someone that we know and recognize so it’s pretty fun. Chapter books have been the perfect size for us. We break them down into listenable chunks, but I love that we can get engrossed in the story for days or weeks.
Best Audiobooks for Kids
- The Ramona Quimby Audio Collection: This is the audiobook we started with. It’s actually a collection of 8 books from the Ramona series, and we’re really enjoying it. These stories of Ramona and her sister Beezus are totally timeless!
- The Harry Potter Series: Who doesn’t love Harry Potter? In my opinion, one of the best audiobooks for kids. They’re engaging, exciting and so much fun to listen to! Bonus, you can watch the movies AFTER listening to the books!
- A Wrinkle in Time: This classic story is a combo of imaginative fantasy and science fiction. It’s a GREAT listen, and tells the story the Wallace family and their experiences traveling through time. Complete with some pretty amazing characters, you can listen to the audiobook then watch the movie version directed by Ava DuVernay.
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Did you read the Chronicles of Narnia as a kid? I did. Multiple times. I love these stories of the four siblings who walk through a wardrobe to adventures in the magical land of Narnia. Lydia is really into these lately, and they’re on our list of the must listens this summer.
- Elijah of Buxton: This award winning book is next up for us to listen to. It tells the story of Elijah, an 11 year old born into freedom in Canada. He travels to the United States to help a friend buy his family out of captivity in the South and shares the journey.
- The Roald Dahl Audio Collection: Roald Dahl is a master of fantasy, and his books have an magical quality. They’re amazing to read and amazing to listen to. This collection houses Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Enormous Crocodile, and The Magic Finger.
- The Watsons Go to Birmingham — 1963: This Newbury Award winning book is a must read or must listen. It tells the story of the Watson family from Michigan who travels to Birmingham to visit their grandmother. On the trip, they witness an event that changes their perspective.
- The Wizard of Oz: This classic story is a favorite in our household, and I love love love this audiobook version read by Anne Hathaway. This is a great one to listen to before rewatching the movie.
- Charlotte’s Web: This audiobook version of the classic book is read by a full cast, including Meryl Streep. It’s a GREAT listen and super entertaining. Plus, you can watch the classic animated film after.
- Rick Riordan: The Percy Jackson Series: Percy Jackson somehow is constantly getting trouble at school. But the reasons why? You wouldn’t believe. Percy’s life is pretty much Greek mythology come to life. In the first book? He’s trying to prove he didn’t steal lightening from Zeus.
- Anne of Green Gables: This book was one of my favorites growing up. And this audiobook version? Is read by Rachel McAdams and it’s lovely. This classic will be as fun for you to listen to as the kids!
- The Magic Treehouse (books 1 – 8): These books are always a HUGE hit with elementary school aged kids. And an audiobook version is the perfect way to introduce newly independent readers to the series. These books tell the story of Jack and Annie ( a brother and sister). They discover a Magic Treehouse that takes them on adventures beyond their wildest dreams!
- Winnie the Pooh: Can you believe this classic is almost 100 years old? This version is a fully dramatized reading and has a great cast. It’s a GREAT listen!
- How to Train Your Dragon:Did your kids watch the How to Train Your Dragon movie? Lydia LOVED IT. And the book? Even better.
- Ghost:This book has won award after award from every possible organization. It’s the story of four children on an elite middle school track team, their coach and how their lives intertwine.
How to Listen
There are two options for listening to audiobooks that we have tried, both of which I’d recommend.
Audible:
Audible is the audiobook option that is attached to Amazon. If you already are an avid Amazon user (especially if you buy a ton of e-books for a kindle) this is an option to buy the audiobook and kindle version and to switch back and forth. Amazon has something called Whispersync which lets readers switch between a kindle book and an Audible version while keeping your place.
Membership Prices:
Gold Monthly: $14.95 per month with One Audiobook download a month
Platinum Monthly: $22.95 per month with Two Audiobook downloads a month
Gold Annual: $149.50 per year with Twelve Audiobook downloads per year
Platinum Annual: $229.50 per year with Twenty Four Audiobook downloads per year
Sign Up For a Trial Month of Audible and get One Free Audiobook
Libro.Fm:
Libro.fm helps you make a difference while you listen to the best audiobooks for kids or adults. This amazing platform supports a local bookstore with every membership. They have over 150,000 audiobooks in the platform, and have great recommendations for all genres.
Monthly Membership Price : $14.99 (includes one Audiobook download a month)
Sign Up for a Month of Libro.Fm and get Three Audiobooks for the Price of One (use code LIPGLOSS)
