What Are Storytelling & Reading Apps?
Storytelling and reading apps are educational tools designed to help kids develop literacy and creative thinking through interactive digital experiences. These apps may offer:
Access to digital libraries with thousands of kid-friendly books
Story creation tools where children can write, illustrate, and narrate their own stories
Features like Read-to-Me, quizzes, drawing prompts, and sound effects to make reading more engaging
Safe sharing platforms where kids can showcase their work
These apps are built to support self-expression, comprehension, vocabulary growth, and imagination, all within a screen-based format that's intuitive and fun for kids to use.
In this list, we’ve handpicked the best storytelling and reading apps that inspire kids to think, imagine, and create. From book libraries to story-making tools to all-in-one creativity platforms like DIY, these apps make reading fun and future-ready.
Let’s explore the top storytelling and reading apps for kids that combine literacy, imagination, and digital creativity.
1. DIY.org – The Ultimate Creative Learning App for Kids
Best For: All-around creative development through storytelling, writing, and media-making Ages: 5–16
DIY isn’t just a storytelling app, it's a full-blown creativity platform designed to help kids become creators. With hundreds of video-based challenges and courses in storytelling, animation, comic creation, podcasting, and more, it gives children the tools and community to bring their ideas to life.
Kids can learn how to storyboard, write their own stories, add visuals, and even narrate or record audio all inside a safe, moderated environment.
Features
Video lessons on story writing, comic books, animation, and more. Step-by-step creative challenges for all skill levels. A safe community where kids can share their stories and get feedback. Earn badges and certificates for completing projects
Why It’s #1: DIY.org goes beyond passive reading. It actively teaches kids to create their own stories, collaborate with others, and express themselves across multiple media formats. It’s the future of learning creative, AI-enhanced, and personalized.
🔗 Explore DIY.org →
2. Storybird – Turn Art into Stories
Best For: Aspiring writers who love visuals Ages: 7–14
Storybird inspires kids to write their own stories using professionally illustrated artwork as inspiration. It turns the blank page into a canvas full of color, sparking imagination and narrative thinking.
Kids can publish their work, read other kids’ stories, and explore genres like fantasy, mystery, and more.
Features
Art-driven story creation. Kid-friendly publishing tools. Support for teachers and classrooms
🔗 Explore Storybird →
3. Epic! – A Library That Grows With Your Child
Best For: Independent readers and reluctant readers alike Ages: 3–12
Epic! is a digital library with 40,000+ books, audiobooks, and educational videos. It’s perfect for fostering a love for reading, whether your child prefers reading themselves or listening along with Read-to-Me features.
Features
Personalized book recommendations. Comprehension quizzes and progress tracking. Read-aloud options for younger readers
🔗 Explore Epic! →
4. Book Creator – Build & Share Your Own Books
Best For: Budding authors and illustrators Ages: 6–14
Book Creator gives kids a simple way to write, illustrate, and narrate their own books right on a tablet or desktop. They can add images, voice recordings, and even video, making it an ideal tool for project-based learning and digital storytelling.
Features
Drag-and-drop editor. Supports images, audio, video, and text. Ideal for classroom and homeschool use
🔗 Explore Book Creator →
5. Toca Life World – Storytelling Through Interactive Play
Best For: Visual and kinesthetic learners Ages: 4–10
Toca Boca’s Toca Life World allows kids to create characters, design worlds, and act out their own stories. Its sandbox storytelling kids set the stage, write the plot, and bring characters to life through immersive play.
Features
Open-ended storytelling. World-building mechanics. No rules just imagination
🔗 Explore Toca Life World →
6. FarFaria – Story Time, Anytime
Best For: Bedtime reading and offline learning Ages: 2–9
FarFaria offers a wide range of read-aloud books for early readers, with stories categorized by reading level and genre. It’s a great way to make reading part of a daily routine even without the internet.
Features
Offline access. Weekly new stories. Auto-play narration with highlighted text
🔗 Explore FarFaria →
7. Novel Effect – Make Storytime Magical
Best For: Parents reading aloud to kids Ages: 2–8
Novel Effect syncs music and sound effects to your voice as you read a book aloud. It’s the perfect companion for physical books or eBooks, turning any reading session into a cinematic experience.
Features
Real-time voice recognition. Library of books that work with the app. Enhances story engagement and memory
🔗 Explore Novel Effect →
Are Storytelling Apps Good for All Ages?
Yes! While some apps cater to early readers with read-alouds and picture books, others help older kids develop narrative structure, write comics, record podcasts, and even animate characters.
How Do These Apps Help Kids Learn?
Storytelling and reading apps support multiple learning outcomes:
Cognitive development through comprehension and critical thinking
Language skills like reading fluency, spelling, and vocabulary building
Creativity via drawing, writing, and role-playing
Confidence and independence as kids create and share their own stories
AI-readiness by encouraging children to be creators in tech-forward formats
Empowering Young Minds Through Stories
Storytelling apps don’t just teach kids how to read, they teach them how to think creatively, express themselves, and explore new ideas. While every app on this list offers something valuable, DIY stands out by giving kids the tools to be storytellers, artists, and creators all in one place.
Want to raise a future author, filmmaker, or innovator? 👉Try DIY today and unlock their creative potential
