We were on Hour 6 of a 15-hour road trip when I decided to break out my kids’ first ever podcast. I had doubts that it would work, so was stunned when they stopped arguing long enough to listen intently to a But Why podcast. The episode that gripped their attention? “Why We Poop and Fart”. Of course.
A year later, podcasts have become part of our family life, teaching and entertaining my sons as we drive to school, play dates and Grandma’s house. Now that we’re in self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, they’ve become an important (chill-out) part of our daily routine.
Why not do the same for your kiddos? Here are 15 of the best podcasts for kids, broken down by age. You’re sure to find something that’ll grab their attention. And if you listen together, this could well end up being one of your family’s favorite memories of this challenging time.
Podcasts for kids, 3 years+
Stories Podcast:
Ideal for younger children, Stories features a new episode every week, each ranging from between 10 to 20 minutes long. There’s a great variety of content, from classic fairytales and folk tales to original works and adaptations of fables.
Find it at:
Storynory
Myths, fairytales, audiobooks, and historical, educational and original stories come alive with this long-running podcast, with each episode read by professional actors. There’s even a section dedicated to poems and music, so with more than 600 episodes to choose from, your little one will be spoilt for choice.
Find it at:
Ear Snacks
Andrew and Polly of Ear Snacks also happen to be award-winning musicians who’ve created songs for Sesame Studios and Wallykazam!, so they really do know their audience! Their super-fun, engaging podcast (new episodes twice a month) is truly enjoyable for kids, and they mix catchy music in with kids’ and guests’ comments. Music, art, science and culture for ages 2-5… We love!
Find it at:
Little Stories for Tiny People
Rhea Pechter’s totally original, quality stories use characters like robots, baby hedgehogs and bears to introduce early childhood themes, like developing empathy, how to manage friendships, and the importance of respecting differences. Each episode is crafted with music and sound effects, but it’s all soothing enough to be played just before bedtime, when your little one is winding down for the day. New episodes every second week.
Find it at:
Little Stories for Tiny People website
Podcasts for kids, 4 years+
Story Pirates
Winner of the 2020 IHeartRadio award for Best Kids and Family Podcast, Story Pirates is now on season 3 of mixing up songs and stories, with a group of actors turning stories written by kids into shows. Special guest voices include John Oliver and Dax Shepard. One of our family’s faves.
Find it at:
The Story Pirates website, which also includes bonus content, and has a section for kids to submit their own stories for consideration.
Podcasts for kids, 6 years+
Brains On!
Hugely popular, the Brains On! podcast has a fresh science-oriented episode every week, and they’re always interesting, even for us parents. One of our kids’ favorites recently was ‘Canine club: From wolves to dogs’, which included a howling lesson.
Find it at:
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Like Brains On!, But Why is another fun Q&A-type podcast that answers kids’ questions on every possible topic, from politics and science, to the animal world and the human body – all in an engaging, kid-friendly way. There are new episodes every week, so it’ll be easy to find loads that’ll appeal to your child.
Find it at:
The Vermont Public Radio website
Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls
Based on the bestselling, award-winning books, this super-popular podcast details the stories of amazing women and their achievements, from Harriet Tubman and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, to Frida Kahlo and Billie Jean King. Definitely not just for girls, this series will empower any child to reach for their dreams!
Find it at:
The Rebel Girls website which includes a host of free activities, such as step-by-step how-to’s and journaling activities.
Wow In The World
This NPR podcast features weekly episodes that are each around 25 minutes long. Focused on science and recent discoveries, it’s a quirky and funny show that answers questions about topics that fascinate kids, like why do we get brain freeze and how can we slow ice cream from melting. The playful hosts (including klutzy Mindy with her time machine), great sound effects and relaxed, chatty vibe keep kids hooked.
Find it at:
Podcasts for kids, 7 years+
Aaron’s World
If your kid has a hankering for dinosaurs, time travel, adventures and robots, this is the podcast to check out! This 50-episode drama was originally created by a 6-year-old, and it follows young Aaron and his computer sidekick as they explore the prehistoric world of dinosaurs.
Find it at:
Short & Curly
This is a really interesting podcast series from Australia that focuses on ethical questions. Beautifully done and thought-provoking, each episode features real kids’ feedback on subjects like when you should end a friendship, teasing on the sports field, and if it’s ever okay to lie.
Find it at:
What If World
What if people sneezed pickles? What if Ninjago Legos came to life? Dr Eric takes kids’ questions and turns them into entertaining stories that your little one will love. Using silly voices and crazy characters, he imaginatively weaves the outlandish into tales that are thoroughly gripping. A firm favorite in our home!
Find it at:
Podcasts for kids, 8 years+
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
The Mars Patel podcast is a Peabody Award-winning scripted serial mystery acted out by middle grade kids. Smart and courageous Mars leads his group of friends in finding out why kids are disappearing, and whether a billionaire inventor may be involved. Totally reminiscent of Stranger Things and The Goonies!
Find it at:
Pinna – Sign up at Pinna for a free listening account. Their usual 30-day free trial has been extended to 60 days as a result of the pandemic – use the promo code PINNA4KIDS in step 2 of the sign-up process to access.
The Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified
Clever, witty, plucky journalist, Eleanor, finds herself on one adventure after the next as she seeks out her next big scoop. This long-running podcast is hugely popular, with a heroine who is daring enough to foil the plots of devious bad guys. Inspired by old-timey radio shows, every episode is fast-paced with plenty of sound effects and oodles of entertainment. Start at Episode 1 and enjoy the ride!
Find it at:
Book Club for Kids
Though accessing public libraries is impossible for most of the world right now, this biweekly book club podcast will nevertheless introduce your tween to new titles to look forward to. In each 20-minute episode, kids discuss a book, an excerpt is read by a celebrity guest, and there is often an interview with the author.
Find it at:
The Book Club For Kids website
