How to Get Kids Hooked on Bedtime Stories with Amazon Echo

I have the remarkable Echo Show 5 device positioned on my office desk, and I am keen to begin utilizing it so my kids can enjoy bedtime stories through the Amazon Echo.

Should you run out of bedtime stories or simply feel exhausted, consider having the Amazon Echo handle the storytelling for you.

I was browsing Amazon’s Blog for inspiration, and the first item that appeared was Disney Stories. It’s now officially referred to as the Disney Stories Skill, which requires the Amazon Alexa App on your smartphone to enable it.

I’m going to walk you through the steps. Keep reading!

Alexa Skill: Alexa, Open Disney Stories

I thought it was as easy as asking Alexa to Open Disney Stories as it said in the Amazon Blog. No, there are a few steps in between.

I’m going to walk you through them. This is the first Alexa Skill that I have added and I’m excited.

• First, you need to get the Amazon Alexa App installed on your device before requesting your Echo Show or Echo Dot to use Disney Stories. Go to Google Play or your Apple Store to install it. I recommend using your Amazon store account so everything will sync properly.
• Once you’ve installed the Amazon Alexa App, you can be ready to say to your Echo Device: “Alexa, open Disney Stories.” Alexa will then prompt you to check out your Alexa App.
• Open the Alexa App, and you will have to scroll down to the card: “Permission Requested: Disney Stories…” Touch “ALLOW“
• Amazon will take you to your Amazon login account on your default browser. It will say: “Your permission will apply to the following profiles:” You will need to ‘Continue‘
• Sign-In using your Amazon account credentials. You will be taken to the skills-store.amazon.com webpage, which will tell you that your parental consent has been saved.
• Then you will be asked to verify (if this is your first time) that it is you. You can send a code using SMS. Press “Send code”
• The Alexa App will show that it’s an “Enabling Skill.” It should only take a minute or so.
• Now you can, say “Alexa, open Disney Stories.” Alexa will now take you to Disney Stories and begin reading the first Disney Story. We were taken to Cinderella first!

Can Alexa read kids’ bedtime stories?

Yes, Alexa can read kids’ bedtime stories.

Amazon Alexa offers over 1000 hours of bedtime stories. Plus, the Bedtime Story Skill has up to 7 different genres designed to make your kids relax and fall asleep.

Alexa is also compatible with Amazon Echo and other devices with voice commands. It’s definitely going to help your kids get comfortable and take longer naps. You can also choose a shorter story when it’s time to put your kids to bed.

Download the Bedtime Stories Skill now!

How do I get Alexa to read my kids’ books?

You can get Alexa to read books to your kids through Reading Sidekick which requires an Amazon Kids + subscription.

It’s easy to use Sidekick and these are the steps that you should follow:

1. Check if your kid is using an Echo Kids device or an Echo device with Amazon kids enabled.
2. Select a supported book.
3. When ready, tell your kid to say “Alexa, let’s read!” or “Alexa, open reading Reading Sidekick.”

I have added a video below featuring other devices that you can pair with Amazon Alexa. Check it out!

Wrap Up

You should try Amazon Echo if you want to get your kids to read bedtime stories. It’s a cool tool featuring many stories of different genres. Kids will love it!