As
screen time concerns are on the rise, many parents are turning to
podcasts as a fun (and often educational) way to engage kids —
without the screen. But as children’s audio content has flooded the
airwaves, it can be a challenge to find the good stuff that’s also
appropriate. Luckily we’ve discovered some excellent kid-friendly
podcasts that you and your family will love listening to. (For more
age-targeted picks, try these podcasts for little kids or these favorites with tweens and teens.) If you’re not super familiar with how to “do” podcasts, check out this guide which has everything you need to get started, including a list of podcast players.
Check out these 25 awesome picks for kids — including perfect bedtime stories, science exploration, cool news and more.
For the whole family
Kids
are always asking seemingly simple questions that have surprisingly
complex answers, such as “Why is the sky blue?” and “Who invented
words?” This cute biweekly radio show/podcast takes on answering them.
Each episode features several kid-submitted questions, usually on a
single theme. With the help of experts, it gives clear, interesting
answers. Best for: All ages
This
fun and fast-moving spin-off of the popular Brains On! podcast is a
family-friendly debate podcast. A kid judge listens to and scores the
rousing, fact-based arguments of two contestants. With episodes like
“Dragons versus Unicorns” and “Pizza versus Tacos,” kids will be hooked,
and they won’t even notice that they’re learning how to defend their
ideas along the way. Best for: Big kids
This
charming fantasy adventure will have listeners of all ages glued to the
speakers until the very end. Two young princes seek to save their
kingdoms and in the process face villainy, dragons, romance and a
magical forest full of danger. Though kissing happens, it is treated
with sweetness and humor. A fairy tale for our times, this audio drama
is a great introduction to the world of fiction podcasts. Best for: Tweens
This popular NPR radio show
is now also the most downloaded podcast in the country. It combines
personal stories, journalism and even stand-up comedy for an enthralling
hour of content. Host Ira Glass does a masterful job of drawing in
listeners and weaving together several “acts” or segments on a big,
relatable theme. Teens can get easily hooked along with their parents,
but keep in mind that many episodes have mature concepts and frequent
swearing. Best for: Teens
Great for learning
The
catchy soundtrack is the star in this delightful podcast from
children’s music duo Andrew & Polly (not surprising since the hosts
have created songs for Wallykazam! and Sesame Studios).
But this funny program also covers a range of topics by talking to
actual kids as well as experts, providing thoughtful fun for young ones
and their grown-ups. Best for: Preschoolers and little kids
Kids like to be informed and engaged, but talking to kids about the news
can be a challenge. This podcast, created by moms who are broadcast
journalists, offers young listeners five minutes of kid-friendly news
(followed by a quick quiz) each day, five days a week. Perfectly timed
for waking up, KiDNuz lets you start the day off on a worldy note. Best for: All ages
Reminiscent of the TV show Drunk History
(minus the alcohol), this amusing podcast features people telling
interesting, little-known stories from history with an emphasis on fun
and humor. Although it’s not specifically a music podcast, each episode
contains an often-silly song that’s sure to get stuck in your head.
There’s even a quiz segment, so kids will learn something, too. Best for: All ages
This
excellent biweekly podcast features middle schoolers talking about a
popular middle-grade or YA book as well as sharing their favorite book
recommendations. Public radio figure Kitty Felde runs the discussion,
and each episode includes a passage of that week’s book read by a
celebrity guest. Best for: Tweens and teens
Best bedtime podcasts
These
10- to 15-minute stories are a perfect way to lull your little one to
sleep. The podcast is updated every other week, and each episode
contains a kid-friendly story, read by a soothing narrator. Short and
sweet, it’s as comforting as listening to your favorite picture book
read aloud. Best for: Preschoolers and little kids
Thanks
to the hosts’ soothing voices and a pre-story meditation, your kid
might fall asleep to this podcast before the story even gets underway.
But if not, the gentle adventures on Ahway Island will also sweep them
off to dreamland. This podcast teaches kid-friendly mindfulness
practices like “deep dragon breaths” that can be carried into waking
life as well. Best for: All ages
With
wacky episode titles such as “What if Legos were alive?” and “What if
sharks had legs?,” this series takes ridiculous “what if” questions
submitted by young listeners and turns them into a new story every two
weeks. Host Eric O’Keefe uses silly voices and crazy characters to
capture the imaginations of young listeners with a Mad Libs-like randomness. Best for: Kids
One
of the first kids’ podcasts to grasp podcasts’ storytelling
capabilities, this podcast is still going strong with kid-friendly
renditions of classic stories, fairy tales, and original works. These
longer stories with a vivid vocabulary are great for bigger kids past
the age for picture books but who still love a good bedtime story. Best for: Big kids
Best podcasts for road trips
This
serialized podcast tells the story of an 8-year-old boy living on an
interplanetary space station who explores the galaxy and solves
mysteries with his friends. With no violence or edgy content and with
two seasons totaling over 13 hours of content, this sci-fi adventure is
perfect for long car rides. Best for: Kids and tweens
In the tradition of The NeverEnding Story,
this original fable centers on a magical book that takes its readers to
a world where they find the strength to overcome any obstacle. The
writing itself is beautiful, and the stories are immersive. Themes can
be serious (bullying, homelessness) but are handled with sensitivity and
remain appropriate for kids. These powerful, modern stories are sure to
entertain and provoke meaningful family conversations. Best for: Big kids and tweens
Inspired by old-timey radio shows —
complete with over-the-top sound effects ― this exciting serial podcast
follows a plucky journalist who goes on adventures looking for her big
scoop. Tweens will love Eleanor’s wit and daring and might even pick up
some great messages along the way. There’s even a “Road Trip Edition”
episode with the entire first season in a single audio file. Best for: Tweens
This Peabody Award-winning scripted mystery series has been called a Stranger Things
for tweens. With a voice cast of actual middle schoolers, a gripping,
suspenseful plot, and interactive tie-ins, this story about an
11-year-old searching for his missing friends will keep tweens hooked to
the speakers for hours — more than five, to be exact. Best for: Tweens
Structured
like a community radio show for the fictional desert town of Night
Vale, the mysterious is ordinary and vice versa in this delightfully
eerie series. Both the clever concept and the smooth voice of narrator
Cecil Baldwin have helped the show develop a cult-like following. It’s a
bit creepy and dark for kids, but older listeners will find it perfect
for a nighttime drive along a deserted highway. Best for: Teens
Best podcasts for science lovers
NPR’s
first show for kids is exactly the sort of engaging, well-produced
content you would expect from the leaders in radio and audio series.
Hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas exude joy and curiosity while discussing
the latest news in science and technology in a way that’s enjoyable for
kids and informative for grown-ups. Best for: All ages
Similar
to But Why, this is another radio show/podcast that takes kid-submitted
science questions and answers them with the help of experts. What makes
this one different is it tends to skew a bit older, both in its
questions and answers, and it has a different kid co-host each week. The
result is a fun show that’s as silly as it is educational. Best for: Kids and tweens
Often
compared to a kid-friendly Radiolab, this podcast not only addresses
fascinating topics but also tries to foster a love of science itself by
interviewing scientists about their process and discoveries. The hosts
don’t assume that listeners have a science background — but even kids who think they don’t like science may change their minds after listening to this podcast. Best for: Kids and tweens
From the people behind the award-winning website HowStuffWorks,
this frequently updated podcast explains the ins and outs of everyday
things from the major (“How Free Speech Works”) to the mundane (“How
Itching Works”). Longer episodes and occasional adult topics such as
alcohol, war, and politics make this a better choice for older
listeners, but hosts Josh and Chuck keep things engaging and manage to
make even complex topics relatable. And with over 1,000 episodes in its
archive, you might never run out of new things to learn. Best for: Teens
Best podcasts for music fans
A
delightful offering from a music education specialist and his co-host
daughter will get kids of all ages singing, rhyming, moving and engaging
in all kinds of musical games. The segments, games, and songs are so
silly and upbeat that the whole family will enjoy participating. Little
listeners can even add their voice to the theme song in the podcast’s
electronically compiled kid’s choir! Best for: All ages
Kids’
music can be … well, annoying. But “kindie rock” (aka, indie rock for
kids) is here to help. This two-hour podcast styled like a DJ radio show
features new and old songs that kids will love, many by parents’
favorite musicians. Selections are generally high-energy rock, folk, or
even punk-inspired songs, but listeners will also hear mellower tunes,
as well as bilingual (English/Spanish) songs and hip-hop hits for a
well-rounded musical experience. Best for: All ages
Families
can enjoy rock and roll without the downsides with this fun radio
show/podcast. Each week there’s a new playlist combining kids’ music
from artists such as They Might Be Giants, with kid-appropriate songs from artists that grown-ups will recognize, such as Elvis Costello, The Ramones and John Legend. It’s a perfect compromise for parents tired of cheesy kids’ music. Best for: Kids
This
weekly podcast from NPR covers the latest and greatest in new music
with a particular focus on emerging artists and indie musicians. It
covers a wide range of genres and even includes artist interviews and
live performances. Some songs contain adult themes and explicit
language, but teens will love discovering a new favorite that you’ve
probably never heard of. Best for: Teens
Common Sense Media editorial intern Mandie Caroll contributed to this article.
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