Bible Stories for Kids: 63 Short Stories from the Old & New Testament

This page lists 63 Bible stories for kids, retold in simple words and listed in Bible order, from Creation and Noah’s Ark through to Easter and the early church. Every story has a picture, its Bible reference, a suggested age range and one lesson to talk about together.

Most stories take 5 to 8 minutes to read aloud, so they work for bedtime, Sunday school, homeschool or family devotions. If you’re new to Bible stories, start with the ten below and then work through the Old and New Testament lists.

Top 10 Bible stories to start with

1. Noah's Ark: God saves Noah, his family and two of every animal from the great flood.
2. David and Goliath: A shepherd boy with a sling faces a giant soldier.
3. Jonah and the Whale: Jonah runs from God, ends up inside a huge fish and gets a second chance.
4. Daniel in the Lions' Den: Daniel keeps praying even when it's against the law, and God shuts the lions' mouths.
5. Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors: Joseph's jealous brothers sell him, and years later he forgives them.
6. Parting of the Red Sea: God opens a path through the sea so Moses can lead His people out of Egypt.
7. The Nativity Story: Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.
8. Jesus Calms the Storm: Jesus tells the wind and waves to be still, and they obey.
9. The Good Samaritan: A stranger stops to help an injured man that others walked past.
10. The Prodigal Son: A son wastes everything, comes home, and his father runs to welcome him.

Bible stories by age

Ages 3 to 5 (preschool)

Little ones do best with short stories, big pictures and one simple idea, such as “God made everything” or “God keeps us safe.” Try God's Amazing Creation, Noah's Ark, Jonah and the Whale, The Nativity Story, Jesus Calms the Storm or Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand.

Let your child point to things in the picture, then ask them to tell the story back to you in their own words.

Ages 6 to 8 (early readers)

At this age children can follow longer stories with several scenes, and many can read parts aloud themselves. Try Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors, Parting of the Red Sea, David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lions' Den, The Good Samaritan or The Prodigal Son.

After each story, ask: “What would you have done?”

Ages 9 to 10 and up (confident readers)

Older kids like stories with real tension and big questions about courage, suffering, forgiveness and change. Try Queen Esther, Job's Faithfulness, Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, Nehemiah Rebuilds the Wall, Peter Denies Jesus or Paul's Conversion.

Read the Bible passage together after the story and talk about what’s the same and what’s different.

Old Testament Bible stories for kids (29 stories)

These stories come from the first part of the Bible. They start with the creation of the world and end with the prophets, long before Jesus was born.

New Testament Bible stories for kids (34 stories)

These stories are about Jesus: His birth, His miracles and parables, His death and resurrection, and how His friends went on to share the good news.

Bible verses and prayers for kids

• Learn a verse to go with each story: 100 Must-Know Bible Verses for Kids.
• End story time with a short prayer: Christmas Prayers for Kids.

How to read Bible stories with your child

1. Pick a regular time, like bedtime or Sunday morning. Five minutes a day is plenty.
2. Read in Bible order so your child sees how the stories connect.
3. Ask one question at the end, such as “Who was brave?” or “How did God help?”
4. Say a one-sentence prayer about the story’s lesson.
5. Color the picture, act the story out, or draw your favorite part.

What’s the difference between the Old and New Testament?

The Bible has two parts. The Old Testament is the older and longer part. It tells how God created the world and chose Abraham’s family, and it follows His people through Moses, the kings and the prophets, all before Jesus was born.

The New Testament begins with the birth of Jesus. It tells about His life, His teaching and miracles, His death and His resurrection, and then how His followers started the first churches. Children usually meet Old Testament heroes like Noah, Moses and David first, then the stories of Jesus.

Frequently asked questions about Bible stories for kids

What are the best Bible stories for kids?

Good ones to start with are Noah's Ark, David and Goliath, Jonah and the Whale, Daniel in the Lions' Den, the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son and the Nativity. They are short, easy to picture, and each one has a single lesson children remember.

What age are these Bible stories for?

They are written for children aged about 3 to 10, and each story in the lists above has a suggested age range. Short stories with lots of pictures, like Noah's Ark, suit ages 3 to 5. Longer ones, like Esther, Job or Paul's journeys, work best for ages 8 to 10.

What are some short Bible stories for kids?

Jesus Calms the Storm, Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand, the Good Samaritan, Jonah and the Whale and the Walls of Jericho are all short. Each takes about five minutes to read aloud, so they fit easily into bedtime.

Are these Bible stories accurate to the Bible?

Yes. Each story is retold in simple words for children and follows the Bible account. We give the Bible reference for every story so you can read the original passage with your child.

What is the difference between Old Testament and New Testament stories?

Old Testament stories happen before Jesus was born, from Creation to the prophets, and show how God cared for His people. New Testament stories are about Jesus' birth, life, miracles, death and resurrection, and about the early church.

In what order should I read Bible stories to my child?

Start with Creation and read in Bible order through Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and David. Then move on to Jesus' birth, His life and Easter. Reading in order helps children see the Bible as one long story of God's love.

Are these Bible stories free?

Yes. Every Bible story on Kidsgraphy is free to read online, and you don't need an account.