37 Parent-Recommended Audiobooks for Kids

Kelly R.:  Start from the beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and rediscover (or introduce your kids to) the magic of Harry's world through all 7 books. They truly shine in this format and are some of the best audiobooks for kids. The US version is read by Jim Dale (our favorite), but note that there is also a UK edition narrated by Stephen Fry. Which version is better depends on who you ask, so listen to a few clips and decide for yourself before embarking on the adventure.

Kelly R.:  David Tennant (of Doctor Who fame) tells the story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as he tries to pass the initiation test into his Viking clan by catching and training a dragon. We loved this audiobook for the vibrant reading and the larger-than-life character voices - complete with Scottish accents. While different from the movies, the whole series is wonderful in its own right, especially as audiobooks the family can listen to together.

Kelly R.:  My fifth grader and I downloaded the first A Series of Unfortunate Events audiobook on a whim, got immediately hooked, and proceeded to tear through the rest of the 13 book series. The wickedly ironic tales of Count Olaf and the unlucky Baudelaire siblings are so well-suited for this format, they are the all-time best audiobooks for kids that we've listened to! The narration varies by the book: the first is Tim Curry with a full cast of voices and sound effects, a few are read by the author, and the remainder are read by Tim Curry alone (by FAR our favorite ones).

Jennifer Torres:  A story of “science and fantasy, darkness and light, fear and friendship”. This is a must for adventurers of all ages!

Lisa R:  This ridiculously funny British sci-fi series, by Douglas Adams, follows the sole survivor of Earth on his interplanetary adventures to discover the true meaning of "Life the Universe and Everything". The book tackles big questions in a light hearted way that touches readers of all ages. Narrated by Stephen Fry.

Kelly R.:  

Anne Hathaway does a phenomenal job of transporting listeners to the land of Oz as she brings life to the colorful cast of characters in this classic audiobook for kids.

Kelly R.:  

The lovable residents of the Hundred Acre Wood are voiced by a variety of readers including Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, and Geoffrey Palmer. The audiobook story is supported by delightful background music.

Kelly R.:  

Kate Winslet and a colorful cast of characters do a fabulous job of bringing life to the spunky heroine of Roald Dahl's beloved classic in the audiobook for kids.

Kelly R.:  This family audiobook captures the suspense and magic of the story of Hugo Cabret, orphan and clock-keeper who lives within the walls of a Paris train station, as he attempts to discover the secrets of an old man.

Erynn:  This book was my boys' very first audio book, and they loved it! The recommended age is 5-7 but I think all ages will love it- from the engaging story line (who doesn't love a mouse who rides a tiny motorcycle!) to the neat sound effects, the entire production is well-done. Plus, it's an intriguing introduction to Beverly Cleary for kids who are unfamiliar! Read by B.D. Wong.

Kelly R.:  

Hank the Cowdog stars in this fun and hilarious tale of his adventures as Head of Ranch Security. Hank's story is perfectly brought to life by the author John R. Erickson, who will have your family laughing out loud at the crazy antics. If you like this one, there are many more audiobooks to check out in the series.

Kelly R.:  It's not surprising that one of the best read-aloud books of all time is also one of the best children's audiobooks! Meryl Streep narrates the story of a humble pig who befriends a spider, with a full cast giving voice to the various characters.

Erynn:  This classic tale was new to our family when I downloaded the audiobook on a whim, and we were pleasantly surprised! The story is set in the 1920s and features four siblings who find a magic coin that takes them on adventures they could never have imagined. The best part of this family-friendly book is its innocence and the recurring themes of family bonds, honesty, and always doing the right thing. PS - there is an entire series featuring the kids' families when they're adults, too.

Kelly R.:  

This wonderful little trilogy tells the story of Elmer Elevator and a flying dragon, and serves as a great introduction to audiobooks for kids.

Erynn:  My favorite thing about this family friendly audiobook (and the rest of the series) is the way the sounds are "narrated" just like the dialog is. The titular character, Frank Einstein, is a boy genius- and the books all discuss real scientific concepts under the guise of Frank creating some not-so-realistic inventions. Younger kids will like the characters and the sound effects, but around age 7 or so they're more likely to get a bit out of the math and science discussions. Check out the entire series for more of the best audiobooks for kids!