Podcasts are amazing! Together with audiobooks they offer you the world knowledge to listen to and enjoy anytime, anywhere. Podcasts are also perfect for kids and young learners. They can keep them engaged for hours on end.
There are tons of kids-focused podcasts out there, so I rounded up some of the best ones to try out. I know it can be overwhelming trying to choose the right podcast for your kids, but don’t worry! Some of the options listed in this collection will definitely be right up your alley! To learn more about how to use podcasts with your kids and students, check out Podcasting in Education: Teacher’s Guide.
1. But Why: A Podcast For Curious KidsBut Why is a popular podcast that educates and entertains kids by sharing answers to their questions. Earlier episodes covered questions such as Why do bison run fast but walk slowly? How do boats float? Who invented emoji? How did dinosaurs leave tracks? How is cheese made? Why do sharks have so many teeth? How do popcorn kernels pop? and many more.
2. Wow in the WorldAnother excellent podcast for kids and young learners. In Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz “share stories about the latest news in science, technology, and innovation. Stories that give kids hope, agency and make us all say “WOW”!”
3. Brains onBrains On is a podcast dedicated specifically towards kids. it is “a science podcast for curious kids and adults from American Public Media. Each week, a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom to find answers to fascinating questions about the world sent in by listeners. Like, do dogs know they re dogs? Or, why do feet stink? Plus, we have mystery sounds for you to guess, songs for you to dance to, and lots of facts — all checked by experts.”
4. Ear SnacksEar Snacks is an educational podcast for kids. The podcast is hosted by award-winning music makers Andrew and Polly and covers various topics related to kids interests in areas of art, technology, music, science, and culture. Previous episodes include: Unlocking What Makes Us Who We Are, Songs of Light, Juneteenth Mixtape: All One Tribe, Great New Grammy- Nominated Music for Kids, and many more.
5. Short CurlyShort Curly is a kids podcast hosted by Carl Smith, Molly Daniels, and Dr. Matt Beard. The podcast is “a fast-paced fun-filled ethics podcast for kids and their parents, with questions and ideas to really get you thinking. It asks curly questions about animals, technology, school, pop culture and the future.”
6. Smithsonian PodcastsSmithsonian offers a wide range of podcasts ideal for kids and young learners. Topics covered range from art and history to humanities and space. Smithsonian podcasts include:
Airspace: Features stories of success and failure underlying popular air and spacecraft of the world.American History Explorer: American History Museum staff discuss their work with accompanying materials for classroom use.Slidedoor: Features stories about science, art, history, and humanity.Hirshhorn Podcast: Features artist interviews, lectures, and curatorial tours of the Hishhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.Asian Art Podcasts: Features concerts, lectures, and storytelling from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art.
7. The Past and The CuriousThe Past and The Curious is a history podcast for kids featuring stories of spies, funny foods, George Washington’s foibles, early advancements in cartooning and ballooning, and many more. Episodes are enriched with music and songs.
8. Calm Kids PodcastCalm Kids Podcast features bedtime stories by sisters Lucie and Charlotte. Previous episodes include the Magical Seal Island, Switcheroo Sunday, Cabbie the Camel, The Space Mermaid, Eloise and the Veggies, Pegasus Problems, What’s That Snore, and many more.
9. Smash Boom BestSmash Boom Best is “a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best”.
10. Noodle LoafNoodle Loaf “is an interactive podcast born from the brain of a music education specialist father and his goofball kids. For about 10 minutes at a time, host Dan Saks invites the family to join together for some creative fun. The show is tuned for kids 3-9 years old.”
11. The Music BoxThe Music Box is “an interactive music education podcast for kids, exploring fundamental music concepts through performing, responding and connecting. The current season is hosted by music educators Kiana Del and Fiona Palensky. Each episode gets listeners involved in making music!”
12. Circle RoundCircle Round is another good kids podcast that “adapts folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for kids ages 3 to 103. Each episode explores universal themes like friendship, persistence, creativity and generosity, and ends with an activity that inspires a deeper conversation between children and grown-ups.”
13. Animal Sound SafariAnimal Sound Safari is a kids podcast that introduces you to the world’s weirdest and amazing sounds of animals. “From camel beauty queens in Saudi Arabia to cooked roosters who save lives in Portugal. Each episode is jam-packed with cool stories, kooky facts and ‘pawsome’ puns.”
14. YourClassicalYourClassical is a podcast for kids from American Public Media. It features “classic stories with a classic twist. Each episode features our storytellers recounting childhood favorites along with related classical music.”
15. The Alien Adventures of Finn CaspianThe Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian is “a serialized science-fiction story for kids (start with Episode 1), told in 15-20 minute episodes for parents to put on when driving around town, or to marathon on road trips, or to bond over before bed. The story centers on Finn Caspian, an 8-year-old boy aboard The Famous Marlowe 280 Interplanetary Exploratory Space Station. He and his friends Abigail, Elias and Vale are Explorers Troop 301, taking off from the Marlowe to explore uncharted planets, help the occasional alien, and solve a mystery that threatens to destroy the Marlowe. When pressed, we describe it as a “mystery gang” story, sort of like Scooby-Doo in space.”
