Laughter is a wonderful way to engage children, making reading a fun and joyful experience. Here are the top 12 short funny stories in English for your little ones in 2024, each one guaranteed to bring giggles and wonder. These funny stories for kids are all published and readily available for purchase.
Also read: 330 Short Stories with Moral Lessons for Kids
- “The Book with No Pictures” by B.J. Novak
- “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems
- “Interrupting Chicken” by David Ezra Stein
- “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
- “Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
- “I Want My Hat Back” by Jon Klassen
- “Elephant & Piggie: We Are in a Book!” by Mo Willems
- “The Paper Bag Princess” by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko
- “Pigeon Needs a Bath!” by Mo Willems
- “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean
- “The Bad Seed” by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald
- “Mother Bruce” by Ryan T. Higgins
This innovative book flips the script on traditional picture books by having no illustrations. Instead, it relies entirely on the text to create humour, making the reader say silly, nonsensical words and sounds aloud.
In this hilarious story, a pigeon desperately wants to drive a bus and tries every trick in the book to convince the reader to let him. This creates a dynamic interaction where kids actively participate by saying “No” to the pigeon’s increasingly ridiculous requests.
Little Red Chicken loves bedtime stories but can’t help interrupting them with her own endings, much to her Papa’s exasperation. Each time she interrupts, she inserts herself into the tale, changing the story and leading to humorous results.
Duncan’s crayons have had enough and decide to go on strike. Each crayon writes a letter to Duncan explaining their grievances, from being overworked to feeling neglected. The story is told through these humorous and imaginative letters, bringing the crayons’ personalities to life.
Dragons absolutely love tacos, but they must avoid spicy salsa at all costs. This funny tale follows the chaos that ensues when dragons accidentally consume spicy salsa at a taco party!
A bear searches for his missing hat, politely asking various animals if they have seen it. The story unfolds with dry humour and clever dialogue, leading to a surprising and funny conclusion.
Elephant and Piggie discover that they are characters in a book and playfully interact with the reader. Their realisation leads to a series of funny moments, as they revel in the idea of altering the narrative to their advantage.
Princess Elizabeth outsmarts a dragon to rescue her prince, only to discover he is ungrateful and vain. She decides she is better off without him, ending the story with an empowering and humorous twist!
The Pigeon is filthy and in desperate need of a bath, but he vehemently disagrees. His hilarious excuses and stubbornness make for a funny and relatable story as he tries to avoid getting clean!
Pete the Cat is having a great day in his white shoes, singing a catchy song as he goes along. Even when his shoes get dirty, he stays positive and keeps singing. The repetitive, sing-along text and Pete’s upbeat attitude make this a fun and engaging read.
This story follows a ‘bad’ seed who decides to change his ways and become better. The engaging narrative and quirky illustrations depict his journey from being naughty to nice, teaching a valuable lesson about self-improvement.
Bruce, a grumpy bear who loves to cook gourmet meals, inadvertently becomes the mother to a group of goslings who mistake him for their mother. The humorous contrast between Bruce’s grumpiness and the goslings’ cuteness leads to many funny situations.
Also read: Bedtime Stories for Kids: Importance & Top 10 Picks
How to Make Storytime More Fun
Here are some tips to enhance the experience of reading a short funny story in English:
- Use Funny Voices and Expressions
- Ask Questions
- Create a Cozy Reading Nook
- Involve Children in the Story
- Make it a Routine
- Relate Stories to Real Life
- Use Technology Wisely
- Be Enthusiastic
Bring characters to life by using different voices and facial expressions. This makes the story more entertaining and memorable.
Engage children by asking questions about the story. Ask them what they think will happen next or how they feel about the characters. This encourages critical thinking and involvement.
A cosy environment makes storytime more appealing and helps children associate reading with comfort and relaxation.
Let kids choose the story or create their own endings. This gives them a sense of ownership and makes the experience more personal and enjoyable.
Establish a regular storytime routine. Consistency helps children look forward to the activity and develop a habit of reading.
Connect elements of the story to the child’s own experiences to help them understand the narrative better.
Audiobooks or story apps can be a great supplement but should not replace traditional reading.
Show your excitement about the story. Your enthusiasm will be contagious and will encourage children to be more interested in reading.
At EuroSchool, we love it when you and your little ones enjoy these funny short stories as much as we do. They are perfect for bedtime, storytime or any time you need a good laugh. Remember, the best part about funny stories is that they not only entertain but also teach valuable lessons and create lasting memories.
