First off, I struggle with finding fun Bible stories for kids. Sometimes I get new children’s Bible story books home and find out it’s not theologically sound, or it’s totally watered down. I’ve gotten a few that had me itching to throw them away, and if you know me and books, that’s just not normal!

I Love Books.

I can rarely stop in the middle of a book, and won’t unless it hits my 3-strike tolerance for inappropriate content. Poor writing or typos don’t usually phase me. Theological issues, well, that’s the only other thing that can stop me. Especially if it is something I want to read to my sons.

Also, finding the balance between teaching our little ones TRUTH, and being too graphic or explicit, can be tricky. We don’t want to water it down, because they can understand a lot more than we give them credit for, but we also don’t want to overwhelm them unnecessarily. So lets dive into these fun Bible stories!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may make a small commission. I only recommend books and resources that I’ve enjoyed personally, or believe that you would like. You can read my full disclosure here. You will also find information on Scripture translations there.

Sharing the Truth With Fun Bible Stories for Children

Having read so many fun Bible Stories for children in the last 5 years, I’d like to share the good ones I’ve found. If you’re looking for children’s Bible story books to give as a gift at the next Baby Shower or birthday party you’re invited to, or for something to read with your own kids, I have a few suggestions of quality Bible story books for kids.

If you need some tips and inspiration for reading with your child, check out this post!

Preschool Bible Story Books

This type of children’s Bible stories are designed for the first couple of years, but would also make good ‘beginning reader’ level books, with easy rhymes and simple stories. Honestly, my little guy didn’t seem to mind hearing whatever novel I was reading, as long as he thought I was talking to him, that first year or so. But as he was 1-2.5, they were just the right style for his attention. Yes, we often read the whole 1-inch book through in one sitting, particularly during a storm!

Our favorite Preschool Bible Story collection still is the Rhyme Bible Storybook for Toddlers. Fun Bible stories like Samuel and Daniel are both memorized and still quoted at bedtime frequently. I found a damaged copy at church one day, and though the first 30 pages were badly torn, I was still able to quote the stories for the little ones, from memory. They are accurate and well-told.

The only one I tried to skip on a regular basis was the Jonah story. I just didn’t like how it flowed. It is accurate, and there’s nothing wrong with it, it just didn’t connect with me.

New Favorite Children’s Bible Story Books for Toddlers

First Bible Basics: A Counting Primer recently crossed my path, and I was very impressed! The author gave me a copy, and I chose to share my thoughts here with you.

This contains some fairly complex truths, in a basic ‘count to ten’ format. The Primer is a beautifully illustrated board book, with pictures that explain each number perfectly.

Six days of Creation was probably my favorite illustration, the way several pictures naturally led into their neighbors. The Seven I AM statements was a close second! Basic numerical Bible facts, presented in a simple format, great for little learners.

I recently discovered this Say and Pray Bible, a Baby First Bible story book I think you’ll like, too! I wasn’t really expecting to find a set of fun Bible stories for babies to be necessary, but I was wrong.

This set of Baby’s first Bible stories is so cool! I will admit that at first, I thought it was oversimplified. I was skeptical, and if I needed to actually buy a copy at full price, I probably wouldn’t have, before actually having hands-on time with this book of Bible stories for babies. But my 2-year-old son LOVED IT. He sat with me for 12 stories (of the 20) and would have continued if his big brother hadn’t walked in and started playing, distracting him…

It’s a sturdy board book with simple illustrations and easy font. I would say anyone able to read level 2 beginning readers could handle reading this with their younger siblings, if they chose to.

There’s only a sentence or two of the story, keeping things brief and simple, perfect for a baby first Bible. Various items on the page are labeled, which prompts the reader to engage with the pictures and the child you’re reading to. The ‘Say and Pray’ part is a Bible verse that applies well, often from a different part of the Bible than the story. That’s cool, because it reminds us as parents that God’s word is consistent and He keeps His promises. And I like the one-sentence prayer the page closes with. It really makes this baby first Bible extra special.

It’s a great start for hiding God’s Word, and His truths in the hearts of the very young. I would definitely recommend this collection of Baby First Bible Stories! I would buy it myself, if I hadn’t received it for the tour.

Fun Bible Stories for Preschool-Early Elementary

God Gave us the Bible by Lisa Tawn Bergen is a fun collection of Bible stories told by Mama Bear, with Little Cub and friends chiming in with questions, just like our kids do. And Mama points them back to the Bible with her answers, which is great. I enjoy the God Gave us series, and so do my kids.

God’s Word to Dream On stays very close to the Bible narrative, and has some great illustrations. Plus, there’s a bedtime blessing and bedtime prayer with each story. The stories aren’t long, and I especially like the way the focus lays. For example, it’s not the story of the Prodigal Son. It’s the Story of the Forgiving Father. Which, if you read your Bible, that’s the main point of that Parable.

The Jesus Storybook Bible follows the HIS-Story style of connecting all things to God’s Love and Jesus’ Mission. I learned a few things while we read this one together. Or at least had things pointed out and connected the dots that I had missed. And they don’t stick to the top 25 fun Bible stories everyone knows. There are several less “common” stories, too.

The Jesus Storybook Bible is very specific in things that happened, and I know some will find it too intense. It also seems to cherry-pick a “God is Love” theme, to the neglect of his other attributes, and doesn’t make a distinction between ‘the whole world’ and those who follow Jesus. There are also a few stories (such as Naaman’s, and Leah) that add to scripture things that aren’t there.

So this one gets mixed reviews from me. There are things I like, but definitely some things I hold against it. Even with how popular it is.

*Here’s another option for some really wonderful Bedtime Bible Stories, perfect for younger elementary age!

*If you are looking for some children’s Bible story books that share the Real Easter story, click here.

Popular Children’s Bible Stories from Arch Books

The Arch Books line is filled with fun Bible stories for kids. The first of these children’s Bible storybooks I received, was a Baby shower gift from my awesome friend Shannon. Jonah and the Very Big Fish. Catchy, rhyming, and detailed. It portrays Jonah so accurately, the good and the bad, and has a note in the back about teaching your kids the lessons in the book.

I’ve since purchased a Treasury of children’s Bible story books from Arch Books, of the first 10 stories they wrote. It has popular children’s Bible stories like Zacchaeus, the Rich Fool, The Good Samaritan, a couple of stories about the first Christmas, Eight Bags of Gold, The Prodigal Son, Noah, Creation, The Parable of the Lost sheep (Wow) and The Little Boat that almost sank. An Incredible collection!

Many of the Arch books children’s Bible stories were written in the 1960s-70s and there was a different mindset then. There was less ‘sheltering’ of the kids, so they have more details than many are comfortable with these days. I think that’s a good thing. Jesus’ lessons weren’t COMFORTABLE, so giving the kids a good foundation while they are young, wait, what’s the verse? They won’t depart from it? Proverbs 22.6. Worth a try!!! One real (age appropriate) Bible story for kids can go a long way towards a solid foundation.

HelloBible has a Subscription box for kids ages 3-10, that includes an Arch Book Bible Story, with fun crafts and activities that go along with the story and a parent guide with teaching suggestions. Looks really neat, I think!

Short Biblical Stories for Kids: Preschool-Elementary

“Can we read the next chapter in Caravan Bear?” My kindergartener asks several times every day. *We received a copy of The Animals’ Caravan: The Journey Begins from NetGalley, and what a privilege! This book is so much fun!

Animals on vacation and Christopher Rabbit has a Bible. He reads stories from it in the evening, and though somewhat abridged, they are accurate. And usually applicable to something else happening in the story.  

 I don’t know what reading a book or watching a movie is like at your house, but around here there is frequent interruption with questions and wondering why. In the Animal Caravan, the animals will connect random truths and ask and answer many of the questions that you or your family may be asking. For example:  

“So why didn’t God choose Aaron instead of Moses?” asked Whitby. Hector suddenly looked up.” it’s a bit like Jonah, isn’t it? He didn’t want to do what God asked him either.” “Did Moses end up in a big fish too?” asked Whitby eagerly. “No, Moses didn’t run away like Jonah did…”  

The animals ask all kinds of things and Caravan Bear usually has a good answer, while Whitby the dog and Hector the Horse are more creative. Then Christopher Rabbit either has a Biblical answer or says “I’m sure God had his reasons” then continues to tell the story.

*Note, there is occasional name-calling between the animals (stupid being the worst), which I didn’t care for, but its easy to skip.  

The Journey Begins includes these Fun Bible Stories:

• Adam and Eve and the serpent
• Cain & Abel (very well done, including God’s protection of Cain)
• Jonah
• Tower of Babel
• Noah and the Flood
• Joseph and his brothers
• Crossing the Red Sea
• Ruth’s New Home

 I’m excited to purchase the Animal Caravan book 2, and hoping for book 3 soon!

God’s Words to Dream On is a beautiful storybook Bible, one with more in-depth stories and not just the typical top stories that kids already have memorized.

A Few Other Great Children’s Books and Resources

• Christian Children’s Books for Growing Faith
• Christian Children’s Christmas Books that Inspire Faith
• Life Lessons from Books for the Whole Family
• Christian Cartoons for Kids
• Sunday School Songs that Still Comfort 
• Fun and Educational Preschool Apps and Games

Short Biblical Stories for Kids Ages 6+

The Bible Story Book by Bethann Van Ness is AMAZING! I recently inherited a beloved copy of this book, and while I miss the giver, I’m so grateful to have it. The preface explains that the purpose is to take the deep and wonderful stories of the Bible and make them accessible to kids.

It does a remarkable job of sticking to the Bible, while making it PG, with short and fun Bible stories. We’ve made it to King David’s section, and I can say that it skipped a few of the worst parts of Judges, while not neglecting the message.

Untold Bible Stories for Kids: This book of fun bible stories is designed for elementary school kids and covers some of the less common stories, which makes it stand out. I think that we focus on certain great stories so much that we forget (or don’t even know about) some of the other fantastic stories in the Bible.  

*I did receive a copy of this book from the author, however, all thoughts are my own.  

My son loved the story of the Talking Donkey, and God telling Ezekiel to command Bones to rise up. That one, we had to go get my Bible out to see what happened to the people who were raised (couldn’t find an answer, but it was fun to look together!).

Conveniently, the Scriptures are listed at the start of each story, so it’s easy to find.   The one about the bears chasing kids who were making fun of Elijah was good, though I admit I may have skipped a sentence, choosing to emphasize the bear chasing the kids, not his successes, with my very sensitive kindergartener.   All told, these fun Bible stories will stick with you for a while!

Other “Untold Bible Stories for Kids” include:

• Ezekiel cooking over poop
• Solomon choosing the correct mother of the baby
• The fat King
• Jael and Sisera
• The Worst Hair Day Ever (Absalom)
• Paul’s Long Sermon
• Strangest Wrestling Match

*Note: you might like to see what made the list of Best Middle Grade Books Of All Time!

The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New is a beautiful book. This is one of those children’s Bible storybooks full of easily understood theology, broken down into bite-sized pieces, in eleven categories (71 lessons) including:

• “The Ology of GOD” which has lessons covering God’s existence, trinity, power, control…
• In “Theology of the Promise and the Law” there are chapters about God keeping his promises, us breaking the law, and Jesus’ Sacrifice…
• “The Ology of Adoption into God’s Family” has lessons like Chosen, Called, Born Again, etc.
• “The Ology of God’s Word” has how God wrote the Bible, The Bible as food, Talking to God…
• And so much more!

The Ology starts with a parent guide filled with instructions on using this book with 6-9 year-olds, 10-12 year-olds, and how Teens and Adults can even use it as well. It works as a family devotional, or Bible class material, etc. I’m looking forward to using this one in our house in a couple of years! And again a few years after that…

**Here are some of the Best Study Bibles for Youth!

Choosing Fun Bible Stories for Your Family

I hope this helps you to choose the best fun Bible Stories for your household. Or if you need some children’s Bible story books for your next Baby Shower or Birthday party, Easter or Christmas gift idea! I know it’s hard to pick sometimes, for so many reasons.

You might also want consider something from this collection of unique Bookish gifts for bookworm kids!

A few other gift suggestions can be found here and here. Please share this list with anyone who you know is looking for great children’s Bible story books!

Until Next Time, Love God, Love Books, Shine The Light!!