Yes, as little ones know, it's that special time of the year! Whether they celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, every kid is counting down the days from now until the holiday celebrations commence. If you want to help the children in your life get even more excited about the approaching holiday season, give them the gift of these entertaining and educational holiday audiobooks—adding even more fun and meaning to celebrating with your children.
Best Christmas Audiobooks for Kids
Academy Award-winning actress and bestselling author Reese Witherspoon returns to her Busy Betty world with Busy Betty & The Perfect Christmas Present, a sweet story pitch-perfect for this time of year. Witherspoon narrates, bringing to life Betty and her very busy Christmas schedule. Though Christmas is the busiest time of the year for many, you won't regret making a little time for sharing this charming, lighthearted story with your little ones.
Who better to celebrate Christmas with than Mickey and his friends? In this Audible exclusive, Mickey has a chance encounter with a prince, which kickstarts a story of mistaken identities, understanding, and friendship. Featuring the voices of iconic Disney characters we love alongside Mickey Mouse, this all-time classic is perfect for kids of every age during the holidays.
Magic is everywhere, especially during this holly jolly season! Santa in the City is a charming tale about a little girl named Deja who is worried Santa won't be able to find her because she lives in the hustle and bustle of the city. Beautifully narrated by Keylor Leigh, the story easily captures the magic of Santa's gift delivery, the joyfulness of Christmas, and the love that your community will always have for you.
In The Real Santa, Nancy Redd balances questions of identity, representation, and family by asking the question "What does Santa really look like?" Paired perfectly with the performance of Torian Brackett, this heartwarming audiobook will pull at your heartstrings as soon as you start listening to it.
Nutcracked is a magical story about dancing, friendship, and the joy of the holidays following a little girl named Georgie as she preps for her Christmas ballet. Performed by Georgia Garrison, this magical holiday adventure will enchant your kids until the very last word. Along the way, little listeners will learn the importance of self-confidence and believing in their dreams.
A holiday book about holiday books—what could be better? Whether you're a self-identified bibliophile or you just love hearing a good story, chances are you'll appreciate this exciting Christmas tale based on the real Icelandic tradition of sharing stories around the fire. Celebrate the holidays while reveling in the joy of reading and listening with this magical story that takes place on one of children's most anticipated days of the year—Christmas Eve!
From the powerhouse creative mind of super-selling author J.K. Rowling, The Christmas Pig is an immersive Christmas audio experience that kids will adore. Jack's favorite toy is Dur Pig; DP has always been there for Jack, through the good and the bad. So naturally, when DP goes missing, Jack is devastated. Thankfully, DP's replacement, the Christmas Pig, has a plan to find DP and bring the pair back together. And so, the Christmas Pig and Jack embark on an exciting journey to rescue Jack's best friend. This charming story is narrated by Amaka Okafor, with characters voiced by Rocco Padden, Gerran Howell, and many others, plus music and sound effects to make the story really come alive.
Who doesn't love this Dr. Seuss classic? Kids of all ages (and grown-ups too) delight in the tale of the Grinch, a cold-hearted creature who hates the holiday hoopla and joy of Who-Ville and vows to steal all the presents to prevent the arrival of Christmas. But when Christmas comes all the same, the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday season. This audiobook version of the enduring favorite is narrated by the late great Walter Matthau.
From Dorena Williamson, the bestselling author of seven children’s books including the acclaimed Crowned with Glory, comes a unique retelling of the classic Nativity story. Written with gentle, lyrical prose and narrated by the soft and soothing Karen Murray, this short and sweet listen is sure to be a new holiday favorite.
If your kids are counting down the days until Christmas, let them count down alongside Beatrix Potter's beloved Peter Rabbit. Join Peter and his friends every day in December as they count down to Christmas and have plenty adventures along the way. Peter Rabbit: Christmas Is Coming features fun stories and activities to enjoy throughout the Advent season.
How Winston Delivered Christmas is another Christmas audiobook kids will love for its fun stories and activities. It's all about Winston, a mouse on a most important mission. On Christmas Eve, Winston finds a letter that has gotten lost on its way to Father Christmas. So, the little mouse sets out to deliver the letter in time for Christmas Day. Kids will thrill to following Winston's adventures and participating in festive traditions, like making their own Christmas cards and decorations, along the way.
Best Hanukkah Audiobooks for Kids
Fans of The Parent Trap will immediately fall in love with Let It Go, a whimsical holiday gem. Narrators Gabi Epstein and Rebecca Soler do a fantastic job of portraying and performing the voices of adopted twins Aviva and Holly. The pair celebrates different winter holidays, and when they have the opportunity to experience the other's treats and traditions, they decide to secretly swap places.
Bonnie Bader's Hanukkah collaborates with narrator Emily Lawrence, a performer who always captures the sentiments of powerful stories that stay with you long after you finish listening to them. Celebrate Hanukkah by tuning in to this gentle audiobook, as charming a holiday story as it is an informative listen about tradition and faith.
Charley Chipmunk and Seymour Squirrel are best pals who want to plan the greatest Hanukkah celebration ever. But when Hanukkah arrives, Charley has forgotten what he was meant to bring! Was it the menorah? The candles? The carrots? An engaging, interactive listen, this book invites young listeners to help him find the missing items and bring the celebration to life.
Emily Lawrence expertly narrates Eight Sweet Nights, a warm and cozy story about the significance of traditions and sharing them across generations. Delightful and informative, Charlotte Offsay's audiobook is perfect for kids interested in the celebration of Hanukkah, its history, and its meaning.
Centering a diverse cast of characters, this engaging and unique story teaches little ones about the root of holiday and family traditions in a fun way. Every December, a little girl in Virginia can't wait to receive a crate of juicy oranges from her grandparents. This year, she and her family will be traveling to Miami to celebrate with Nonna and Nonno. Hannukah in Little Havana captures a child's joy in helping to make latkes, dancing the salsa, and spending eight days full of light and love.
In Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, a weary traveler named Hershel of Ostropol comes to a village. Since it's the night before Hanukkah, Hershel expects latkes and general holiday merriment to be awaiting him. However, when Hershel gets there, he is surprised by what he sees. The village is dark, and a group of goblins has taken over the synagogue, keeping the villagers from celebrating. Now it's up to Hershel to help the village and save Hanukkah.
Hanukkah Bear is an endearing holiday story about a bear who wakes up to wonderful smells and, following its nose, steps right into the house of Bubba Brayna. At 97, Bubba Brayna still makes the latkes for the village, but she doesn't hear or see so well. So, when the bear walks in the door, she believes it's her rabbi. Together, Bubba Brayna and the bear light the menorah, play the dreidel game, and eat all the latkes. Delightfully narrated by Laural Merlington, this audiobook features cheerful background music to help your kids get in the holiday spirit.
So many kids come from families who celebrate multiple holidays, and Nonna's Hanukkah Surprise is the perfect story for them. Rachel's Italian grandmother celebrates Christmas, but Rachel and her parents celebrate Hanukkah. Rachel wants to share the celebration of Hanukkah with her entire family, but then her menorah goes missing. Thankfully, her Nonna steps in to save the holiday's festivities and reinforce its meaning .
This charming holiday tale adds mythology and magic to the traditions of Hanukkah. This is the story of Nate Gadol, a spirit who embodies Hanukkah, with eyes as shiny as golden coins and a smile as bright as a lantern. Nate has the ability to make anything last as long as needed, whether it's a tiny bit of oil that has to last for eight nights, a flower that needs to stay fresh, or a piece of chocolate that must last for the children over the holidays. Jay Ben Markson's joyful narration brings the spirit and magic of Nate Gadol to life.
A Hanukkah with Mazel tells the heartwarming story of an unlikely friendship. A lonely artist, Misha has no one to celebrate Hanukkah with this year—until he discovers a hungry cat in his barn. Misha names the cat Mazel, and together they celebrate Hanukkah, in spite of the fact that he's too poor to afford Hanukkah candles. Instead, Misha uses his artistic skills to create a beautiful Hanukkah for himself and Mazel.
Best Kwanzaa Audiobooks for Kids
Juwanda G. Ford's Together for Kwanzaa follows young Kayla who is excited that Kwanzaa has finally arrived. But when a snowstorm threatens the return of her big brother, Kayla has to figure out how they'll be able to spend the holiday together. Joined by Yinka Ladeinde's captivating narration, kids can enjoy a heartwarming story about love, family, and connection while also learning about the joyous holiday and its traditions.
Seven Candles for Kwanzaa explains the principles of the African American holiday of Kwanzaa—strength of family ties, respect for ancestors, and gratitude for life's bounties among them—in a way that's both entertaining and informative for kids. Emmy Award-winning actress and social activist Alfre Woodard narrates the story of Kwanzaa's meaningful seven-day celebration, which lasts from December 26 to January 1.
From award-winning and bestselling author Ibi Zoboi comes a children's book that looks at African American history through the lens of Kwanzaa's principles. Kids will quickly become engaged in listening to their ancestors' story of hardship, oppression, resilience, and triumph, but The People Remember is also an important book to hear as a family. This audiobook includes a supplemental PDF to help further children's understanding of historic struggles and their relation to current social justice movements as they listen.
For something a little bit different, try Kwanzaa Time! with Auntie Oni, a podcast for kids that explores the roots and celebration of this African American holiday. Hosted by Oni Lasana, aka Aunti Oni, this podcast features a collection of stories that speak to the diverse traditions of Kwanzaa passed down through communities and generations. Each cherished tale is told with a new twist to bring fresh lift and insight. A gifted storyteller and performer, Oni Lasana is great at connecting with kids and bringing joy and energy to every story she relates.
