7 Great Podcasts for Kids

I’ve written before about how to get your kids to pick up a book and seven great audiobooks for kids, but another favorite pastime for our story-obsessed family is listening to podcasts. I blame it on public radio. I’ve been an avid NPR listener since I was a kid, and continued as an adult listening to my favorite shows—To the Best of Our Knowledge, TED Radio Hour, and RadioLab—back to back on Sundays. And my kids were usually in the car listening right along with me. When I first discovered podcasts, I fell in love with the ability to browse through shows to listen to whenever I wanted. Inspiration was at my eartips whenever I needed, while washing dishes, folding laundry, going for walks.

I think it was during an epic road trip with my kids last summer that I discovered that kids’ podcasts are now a thing. With 38 hours of driving, I didn’t want to spend all of my money on audiobooks, so I bookmarked as many podcasts as I could. And we’ve discovered even more since. Here are seven great podcasts for kids that I think you’ll enjoy listening to with your family.

WOW in the World

An NPR production hosted by Guy Raz (also host of TED Radio Hour and How I Built This), WOW in the World is an exploration of all things wondrous. From exploding ants, to the science of knuckle cracking, to everything you ever wanted to know about the solar eclipse, this is a show that combines quirky characters, humor, and science that I love listening to just as much as my kids.

Story Pirates

Story Pirates is a podcast performed by a group of world-class actors, comedians, improvisors, and musicians who turn stories written by kids into sketch comedy and musical theater. My favorite recent episode? “Fart Out Loud Day” (Season 2, Episode 17). Yes, it was admittedly enjoyable laughing out loud about farts with my kids.

The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian

An episodic science-fiction tale centered around the adventures of an eight-year-old boy living in outer space. This was a favorite on our epic road trip—and one my kids still listen to today.

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

Also a serialized podcast, this one is also a science fiction/mystery series—performed by kids. This was our first intro to kids’ podcasts, and I enjoyed listening to it just as much as my kids. The website describes the show as Goonies meets Spy Kids meets Stranger Things for eight- to 12-year-olds.

Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls

Based on the best-selling book series, Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls features the stories of extraordinary women throughout history. Inspire your girls (and your boys) with the stories of Ada Lovelace, Harriet Tubman, Frida Kahlo, and more.  

TED Radio Hour

A weekly roundup of TEDTalks woven together in fascinating narrative themes, this isn’t a podcast produced for kids, but it’s what first started us on listening to podcasts as a family. As with any adult podcast, you’ll want to monitor the topics and stories told. But this is a perfect show to listen to with older kids and teens.

TED Talks Kids + Family

If your kids aren’t quite ready for TED Radio Hour, TED Talks Kids + Family is a series of TEDTalks curated especially for kids and explores a number of fascinating topics. Each episode is also a video you can watch together, too.

Do you have any favorite kid-friendly podcasts? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Amy
Amy Lynn is a divorced mama of four kids and dog mom to two. She’s lived in San Antonio for over 20 years and has a degree in English from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Previously a program director at a local literary arts nonprofit, she began blogging as a creative outlet when she became a stay-at-home mom. Now a digital media consultant and writer, Amy is the founder of The Dog Guide and The Dog Guide San Antonio. Favorite Restaurant: Clementine Favorite Landmark: Hays Street Bridge Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Cascarones

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