Last Updated on April 15, 2026
Some of my favorite memories as a mom involve being snuggled up with my son and daughter at bedtime, reading to them their favorite stories from The Beginner’s Bible… again and again and again.
It’s still a beloved bible picture book in our house that gets frequent use. But now that our kids are reading on their own and starting to face some of life’s bigger questions like, “Who am I?” What am I made for?” and “What is sin?”
I knew it was time to start looking at Bibles that can continue growing with them as they grow in their walk with God.
But what actually is the best Bible version for kids as they learn and grow in their faith?
After tons of research, talking with other moms, and hours spent strolling bookstore aisles, these are the best bibles for kids on the market right now, with a few great picks for every age and stage of your child’s spiritual journey.
In this post
How to Find the Best Children’s Bible for Your Family
Of course every family’s needs will be a little different when it comes to picking the best children’s Bible for your child or grandchild. Some Bibles are great for coyzing up during story time together. Others have more of a devotional element, or are designed for digging into the history and facts behind God’s Word.
Here are five things to consider before you shop:
1. Age and reading level. The best children’s Bibles come in a wide range of formats — from board books for toddlers to full-text Bibles for tweens. I highly recommend finding a Bible that meets your child where they are developmentally so that reading God’s Word feels accessible and engaging.
2. Illustrations and design. With our younger kids, artwork matters a lot. Look for illustrations that draw your child in and reflect your family’s values. For older children, additional features like maps and infographics may help give them context during their Bible reading.
3. Theological alignment. Here’s the truth – Not all children’s Bibles emphasize the same things. Some focus heavily on moral lessons. Others center the gospel and God’s redemptive story throughout. Flip through the content to make sure the theological tone matches what you want to teach your kids.
4. Features and extras. Want to encourage your teen to read their Bible daily with the help of devotionals or a reading plan? Planning to use your story Bible as bedtime reading? Think through your actual goals for the Bible so you can find one that includes the features you’d love to share with your kids.
Okay, let’s dive into the list of best Bibles for kids!
Best Bibles for Beginners
These are some of the best Bibles available right now for babies through early elementary age kids.
Great for ages: 0-5
This one has been the longstanding champion in our house (I think we have at least 3 copies). I’ve also given this Bible as baby shower, birthday and Christmas gifts again and again. It does a great job of summarizing the most important stories of the Bible with full color illustration and easy text that kids can understand. I would say the sweet spot for age is preschoolers. The pictures are engaging and inclusive and helps kids grow to love reading God’s Word at a young age.
2. The Jesus Storybook Bible – Sally Lloyd Jones
Great for ages: 2-6
The Jesus Storybook Bible stands out because it doesn’t just tell individual Bible stories. Instead, it weaves them all together to show Jesus as the thread running through the whole Bible. Written by beloved author Sally Lloyd-Jones, it’s a staple on Christian bookshelves for a reason.
It’s a great pick for families with young children up through 3rd of 4th grade who aren’t looking for a word-for-word Bible yet, but want one that keeps the gospel front and center.
3. The Big Picture Story Bible
Great for ages: 2-5
Looking for something different with a whole line of resources to help your family grow spiritually? The Big Picture Story Bible is a beautiful gift for the littlest ones in your life, written specifically for children ages 2 to 6. It uses simple words and bright illustrations to walk toddlers and preschoolers through key Bible lessons from God’s Word.
They also have a family devotional and Bible verse resources available! If you’re looking for the perfect baby shower gift or a first Bible for a young child, this one is a wonderful choice.
Find more great gift ideas: The Ultimate Guide to Christian Gifts for Kids
Best Bible for Ages 9-12
Have an elementary age child? These favorite kids’ Bibles are great for children anywhere from age 8-12.
4 & 5. NIV Adventure Bible & Adventure Bible for Early Readers (NIrV)
When your child is ready to move away from picture Bibles and start reading full text Bible passages themselves, the Adventure Bible is a great place to head next! I love that this Bible for young readers makes reading scripture feel like an exciting journey.
With lots of colorful pictures and fun facts, this Bible is a great fit for school-age kids who are ready for their own Bible and love learning through visuals and exploration.
The original Adventure Bible features the text in the NIV, but hey also recently released the Adventure Bible in NIrV for early readers, definitely worth checking out for kids 5-8!
6. The Biggest Story Bible Storybook
If your child still wants pictures, but they’re ready for text that is a little more in depth, this one is a great pick! The Biggest Story Bible Storybook takes kids through 104 Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation, helping them see how it all connects into one big, beautiful story about God.
With unique, full-color art on every page, it’s an easy, engaging read for the whole family. Whether it’s used for bedtime reading, Sunday school classes or independent reading for your child, this Bible storybook feels both theologically rich and genuinely fun to read.
7. CSB Explorer Bible for Kids
If you’re looking for a word for word scripture text that’s also easily readable for kids, you may check out the Explorer Bible! Written in the CSB translation, this Bible is highly readable and includes fun call outs and easy memory verses for kids.
QR codes throughout the Bible lead to videos and activity ideas based on your reading, and each book includes key truths, takeaways, and highlights of the characters inside. If your child is a strong reader, this Bible is a great choice!
What is a Good Bible for a Teenager?
Have a kid 13 and up that you’d like to get a Bible for? These Bibles are great for teenagers and young adults, pointing to the truth and encouragement found in God’s Word while still meeting them right where they are.
Have a pre-teen or teen that loves comic books? The Action Bible offers such a cool take on the old and new testaments of the Bible, with 230 of it’s most powerful stories converted into comic book form.
Although the Action Bible doesn’t include all of the exact biblical text, the stories, illustrations and important historical details included make for such a great way to get your kids reading about God’s story of redemption. This one is also an excellent gift!
Looking for a more classic Bible text to share with your teen? The ESV Teen Study Bible is well loved, and for good reason! It comes in a slew of cool colors for guys and girls and 365 short daily devotionals from Jon Nielson’s book, God’s Great Story.
This makes it an all-in-one resource for helping your teen grow spiritually. Inside you’ll also find maps, illustrations and helpful topical guides that will help teens understand God’s love for them in a whole new way.
10. ESV Single Column Journaling Bible (For teen girls)
This Bible is such a thoughtful gift at any age, but especially in the teen years! The ESV Journaling Bible features covers from a slew of talented artists. It’s small enough to fit in your bag, but every page includes space to journal, write out prayers, and jot down anything you’re learning from God’s Word.
It also includes a Bible reading plan at the back to guide her through a year of reading. This is the kind of Bible she can cherish and keep with her for years to come!
This Bible was put together specifically for guys in that age 13-18 range, and it’s a best selling Bible for good reason! Along with the Bible text, you’ll find challenging and encouraging devotionals sprinkled throughout the Bible on the real issues teen guys are facing everyday. Each page offers an encouragement for them to become the kind of man God calls them to be.
Our Favorite Kids Bible app options
When you’re on the go or just want to make screen-time a chance for your kids to grow spiritually, these favorite kids bible app options can help! Here are 3 great apps based on scripture, specifically for young kids, elementary kids, and teens.
1. Superbook Bible App for Kids (FREE)
My kids love the show Superbook, which is about kids who travel back in time to relive some of the most popular Bible stories. The Superbook app includes 50+ free episodes of the show, a full kids Bible that can be read out loud, more than 20 fun Bible games, daily memory verses and more. I’d say this one is great for kids 6-12.
2. YouVersion Bible App for Kids (FREE)
This game has gotten a lot of mileage in our house over the years. Designed for kids 4-8, the YouVersion kids app is available in 60+ languages, and turns exploring the Bible into a fun, interactive game for kids. There are featured Bible story retellings with a simple quiz and activity after each. This app inspires creativity in your kids while helping them to fall in love with the Bible at the same time.
3. Bible Coloring Book for Kids (FREE)
For little ones who aren’t able to read or fully engage yet, this is such a cute little app to pass the time! (Especially on planes, trains and long car rides!) Kids can color photos from their favorite Bible stories and complete little Bible-based activities, totally for free.
4. YouVersion
Definitely one of the most popular Bible app options, YouVersion actually has a ton of content specifically designed for teenagers. You can find a whole list of devotionals available for preteens in their app right here, and a list of devotionals for teens in their app right here.
What’s the Best Bible Version for Kids?
There are so many different translations of the Bible now, that it can be hard which one is the best fit for our kids!
Some children’s Bibles use a simplified retelling of stories, while others use an actual Bible translation (like the NIrV or NLT) written for younger readers. Consider whether you want your child reading Scripture word-for-word or a story-based version that captures the heart of the text in a more narrative way.
As far as translations for word-for-word Bible reading, the NIV, NLT and CSB version of the Bible are all straightforward and easy to understand.
Some families really enjoy the NKJV version since it is closer to the more traditional King James translation.
Finally, the MSG translation of the Bible can speak to our teens especially in a really cool way. Take a look at the different Bible texts to get an idea of what’s the best fit for you and your family!
Looking for the best Bible scriptures for kids? Check out this post!
Do you know of another great bible for kids that we haven’t included here? Let us know about them in the comments so we can check them out!