Bedtime History: Inspirational Stories for Kids and Families

Bedtime History: Inspirational Stories for Kids and Families

Bedtime History is a series of educational, relaxing stories for kids and families. Learn about inspirational characters such as Jackie Robinson, Sacajawea, Neil Armstrong, and Maya Angelou. Other topics include space exploration, current events, and great feats of engineering such as The Transcontinental Railroad.

Episodes

The Adventures of Davy Crockett

December 12, 2025 • 6 mins
Davy Crockett was a famous frontiersman, hunter, and storyteller who became an American legend. Born in Tennessee in 1786, he grew up exploring the wilderness and learning to survive off the land. Crockett later served in Congress, where he spoke out for ordinary people. His adventures made him a folk hero known as the “King of the Wild Frontier.” He died fighting at the Alamo in 1836, becoming a symbol of bravery and independence....
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Colorful History of Crayons

December 10, 2025 • 6 mins
Crayons have helped kids make colorful drawings for more than 100 years. Early crayons were made from simple wax and pigments, but they broke easily and weren’t very safe. In 1903, the Crayola company created the first safe, long-lasting crayons for children, starting with only eight colors. Schools quickly adopted them because they were clean, easy to use, and fun! Over the years, Crayola added hundreds of new colors with creative...
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Sleeping Through the Winter: Hibernation

December 8, 2025 • 8 mins
When winter arrives, many animals enter a deep sleep called hibernation to survive the cold. During hibernation, their heartbeat and breathing slow down, and they use very little energy. Bears, bats, and groundhogs are famous hibernators, but even some frogs and snakes do it too! Before winter, they eat lots of food to build fat that keeps them warm. Learn how animals prepare for hibernation, what happens to their bodies while they...
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The Story of Pizza

December 2, 2025 • 6 mins
Pizza is one of the world’s favorite foods, but it has a long history. Long ago, ancient Greeks and Romans ate flatbreads topped with oil and herbs. The modern pizza began in Naples, Italy, where people added tomatoes—once thought to be poisonous! By the 1800s, pizza was a popular street food for workers. When Italian immigrants came to the United States, they brought pizza with them. Soon, pizzerias opened in big cities, and pizza...
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All About Crocodiles and Alligators

December 1, 2025 • 10 mins
Crocodiles and alligators are large reptiles that have lived on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs. They both have tough, scaly skin, sharp teeth, and strong jaws for catching food like fish, birds, and mammals. Crocodiles and alligators are excellent swimmers and can hide in the water with only their eyes and nostrils showing. Even though they look alike, they are not the same animal. Alligators usually live in freshwater, whil...
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Women of Ancient Greece

November 28, 2025 • 6 mins
In ancient Greece, women played important roles in their families and communities. They were in charge of managing the household and taking care of children. Some women, like those in Sparta, even received physical training and could own property. In Athens, women were expected to stay at home, but they still influenced society through their family connections. There were also famous women like Sappho, a great poet, whose works are...
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Hagia Sophia's Amazing History

November 26, 2025 • 8 mins
Step into the world of the Hagia Sophia, a building full of history and wonder. Once a grand church, then a beautiful mosque, and now a famous museum, it has seen many changes over the centuries. Its huge dome is a marvel, looking like it touches the sky. Inside, colorful mosaics and stunning decorations tell stories from long ago. People from all over the world visit to admire its beauty and learn about its past. The Hagia Sophia ...
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Painting the Desert: Georgia O’Keeffe

November 24, 2025 • 6 mins
Georgia O’Keeffe was an American artist known for her bold and colorful paintings. She loved painting things from nature, like giant close-up flowers, desert rocks, and animal bones she found in the Southwest. O’Keeffe spent many years living in New Mexico, where the bright skies and mountains inspired her artwork. She became one of the most important women in modern art, breaking old art rules and creating a style all her own. Tod...
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The Origin of American Football

November 21, 2025 • 9 mins
American football is one of the most popular sports in the United States. Two teams try to move the football down the field by running or passing it, aiming to score touchdowns in the end zone. Players wear helmets and pads to stay safe because the game involves a lot of contact. Football requires teamwork, strategy, and skill—different players have special jobs like quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. Every fall, fans ga...
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The Wampanoag and the First Thanksgiving

November 19, 2025 • 6 mins
The Wampanoag were the Native American people who lived along the coast of what is now Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived from England and built a colony called Plymouth. The Wampanoag helped them survive by teaching them how to grow corn, catch fish, and live through the harsh winters. In 1621, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag shared a harvest meal that many people later called the First Thanksgiving. 💵 Get ...
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Sputnik: A Beep That Changed the World

November 17, 2025 • 10 mins
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. About the size of a beach ball, Sputnik sent out radio signals that could be heard around the world. Its launch shocked the United States and began the Space Race—a competition to explore space. This video tells the story of how Sputnik changed history, inspired new inventions, and led to humans traveling to space. It marked the moment when...
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The Voyage of the Mayflower (Re-release)

November 15, 2025 • 12 mins
Learn all about the pilgrims and their voyage on the Mayflower from England to the New World. 💵 Get a free month of Acorns Early: ⁠⁠⁠acornsearly.com/bedtimehistory⁠⁠ Try Cocomelon Sing & Play for Free on your smart TV Volley App 📖 We published our first book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explorer Society: World's Fair Conspiracy⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎉 Check out our new show, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bedtime Safari⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 📢 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a shout-out! ⁠⁠⁠⁠...
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The Life and Art of Claude Monet

November 13, 2025 • 5 mins
Claude Monet was a famous artist who loved to paint beautiful scenes from nature. He was born in France in 1840 and is known for his unique style called Impressionism. Monet loved to capture the way light changed the colors of the things he painted, like gardens, water, and skies. One of his most famous paintings shows water lilies floating on a pond. People all over the world admire his work because it looks so bright and full of ...
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Empire State Building (Re-release)

November 10, 2025 • 9 mins
Join us as we dive into the fascinating history of the Empire State Building, one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks. From its rapid construction during the Great Depression to its legacy as a beacon of American engineering, the Empire State Building has captivated millions around the world. We'll explore the technical marvels behind its design, the cultural significance of its ever-changing lights, and the role it plays in b...
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What is Veteran's Day?

November 10, 2025 • 11 mins
Veterans Day is a holiday in the United States that honors the brave men and women who have served in the military. It is celebrated every year on November 11th. The date marks the end of World War I and reminds us of the importance of peace. On Veterans Day, we thank those who protected our country—whether they served long ago or are serving now. Schools, communities, and families celebrate with ceremonies, parades, and flags to s...
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Totems, Canoes, and Culture: Native Peoples of the Pacific Northwest

November 7, 2025 • 10 mins
The Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest, including groups like the Tlingit, Haida, Makah, and Chinook, lived along the coast from northern California to Alaska. They built strong cedar plank houses, carved beautiful totem poles, and traveled in wooden canoes. The ocean and forests provided salmon, shellfish, berries, and tall trees for tools and shelter. They held potlatches, special gatherings with storytelling, feasts, and gi...
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Pirates of the Caribbean: Fact vs. Fiction

November 4, 2025 • 8 mins
The real Pirates of the Caribbean were far more complex—and sometimes more brutal—than the swashbuckling legends in movies. From the late 1600s to the early 1700s, this region was a hotspot for piracy, where sailors turned outlaw raided ships for gold, goods, and freedom. Figures like Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack were real people who navigated a dangerous world shaped by colonial powers, naval warfare, and trade routes. ...
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Why Leaves Change Color: The Science of Fall

November 3, 2025 • 10 mins
Fall is the season when leaves turn bright shades of red, orange, and yellow before they drop to the ground. But why does this happen? During spring and summer, leaves are full of chlorophyll, the chemical that makes them green and helps trees make food from sunlight. When fall arrives and the weather gets cooler, trees slow down food-making, and the green color fades away. That’s when the other colors—reds, yellows, and oranges—ap...
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The Story of Halloween Pumpkins

October 27, 2025 • 11 mins
Pumpkins are one of fall’s most famous symbols—and they have a long history! Native Americans were among the first to grow pumpkins, using them for food long before they became decorations. When European settlers arrived, they learned to cook and bake with pumpkins, helping them survive tough winters. Over time, pumpkins became a fall favorite, especially at harvest festivals and Halloween. Today, people carve pumpkins into glowing...
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Australia’s Most Famous Building: Sydney Opera House

October 23, 2025 • 12 mins
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in the world and a symbol of Australia. Located on the harbor in Sydney, it looks like a group of giant white sails floating on the water. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, it opened in 1973 and became a center for music, theater, and dance. This video explores how the Opera House was built, what makes its design so unique, and why it’s loved by people around the wor...
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