The combination of content makes for a podcast that should satisfy even the most demanding listeners. New episodes arrive every two weeks. Transcriptions are also available so your children can read while listening to improve literacy.
Seeds of stories
Courtesy of The Story Seeds Podcast
Seeds of stories It’s a relatively new podcast and a little different from the others; Instead of a story, it is a meta-view of how create a story.
Each episode pairs a child (ages 6-12) with a children’s book author. They meet in person and collaborate to write original stories that begin with the child’s idea (the “seed” of the name). It’s not updated as frequently as the rest, but there are over two dozen episodes available.
fierce girls
Courtesy of the Fierce Girls podcast
This Australian podcast is dedicated to showcasing real stories from Australian women. From athletes to spies, fierce girls often promotes a unifying theme of adventurous girls with “guts and spirit.” While all stories are kid-appropriate and non-graphic, the hosts don’t shy away from telling stories as they happen. In some cases, you may want to listen first to make sure the story is appropriate for your children’s maturity level. That being said, our 9 year old twins love them.
Bedtime stories with lights out for children
Courtesy of Spotify
This podcast is episodic readings of classic children’s books, which puts it somewhere between a podcast and an audiobook. It covers a variety of books, from shorter, single-episode stories for younger children to longer, multi-episode reads. The great thing about this one is that there is something for almost everyone. My only complaint is that some of them are very short, most lasting less than 5 minutes. All episodes are ad-free, but you’ll need a Spotify account to listen to them.
planet story time
Courtesy of Planet Storytime
Offering a mix of classic stories like those of Beatrix Potter and lesser-known content, planet story time points to that blend of entertainment and education that Fred Rogers perfected. Releases new episodes every Thursday.
A really cool feature that sets this podcast apart is that at the end of each month, there is a long episode with an entire month’s worth of content, perfect for having an hour or so to yourself.
Brains on
Apple, Google, Seamstress, NPR
Courtesy of NPR
This science podcast is aimed at kids, although to be honest, I’ve learned a lot from it too. Brains on It’s educational, but don’t tell your kids. They’ll love learning how bugs walk on walls, how to find their way without a compass, and even where poop and pee go when you flush the toilet.
There is a series called “Smash Boom Best” where two things are pitted against each other and your child can choose their favorite. For example, Loki recently confronted Athena. This podcast is probably best suited for slightly older kids.
Warrior Boy Podcast
Courtesy of the Defcor network
He Warrior Boy Podcast It’s not for everyone, but my kids really like the question-and-answer format of this podcast, which is based on the books of the same name. The author of the books and host of the show is Jocko Willink, a decorated retired Navy SEAL officer and leadership guru. Here Willink replaces the character of Uncle Jake at Willink’s. warrior boy book series, which answers kids’ questions about everything from how to avoid eating candy to what it takes to be a Navy Seal.
Willink places valuable emphasis on physical activity, mental acuity, diet (encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits), and hard work. The latter forms the core of this podcast’s message: work hard, train in jiujitsu and eventually you will succeed. This one is aimed at slightly older kids, probably best for ages 8 and up. A special note: Willink has another podcast, Jocko PodcastThat’s definitely not for kids.
Anorak: the happy podcast for children
Courtesy of Apple Podcasts
A production of Children’s Anorak Magazine, The happy podcast for kids It is educational and entertaining, and works well for the whole family, as there are many stories that will entertain both adults and children. Much of the content explores similar themes to Anorak magazines, so if something really piques your child’s interest, you can order the corresponding issue. Topics include everything from marine life to imagination and linguistics. Guests cover an equally broad spectrum with everything from divers to ice cream makers. While this one is fine for the whole family, given the level of detail and length of the episode (about 30 minutes), you may need to take breaks with younger children with shorter attention spans.
But why
Apple, Google, Seamstress, NPR
Courtesy of But Why
Another NPR podcast, But why aims to answer children’s questions about everything from nature, politics, culture, science, and even the end of the world. Your children can also submit their own questions; The instructions are on the website.
Because But why It covers a wide range of topics, I tend to help out more with that. Many episodes are better suited for slightly older children. My kids (ages 7 and 5) weren’t up for watching an episode about what happens when a president is impeached, for example, but they did enjoy an episode about how we taste food.
Aaron’s world
Courtesy of Aaron’s World
One of the few podcasts on this list created by a child, Aaron’s world is a 50-episode audio drama that follows the adventures of a boy (Aaron) and his faithful computer companion (INO) as they explore the prehistoric world of dinosaurs. Episodes focus on single themes (e.g. iguanodont, microraptor, sharks), but over the course of five years, some fun, larger story arcs emerged that create an ongoing plot. It all came from the mind of Aaron, who was initially 6 years old, and who continued doing it for five years. Highly recommended for any child interested in dinosaurs.
Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl
Courtesy of the Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl
Okay, this isn’t really a podcast, more of a radio show, but long before my kids liked storytelling podcasts, they loved this weekly two-hour music show that launches every Saturday. And I know what you’re thinking: children’s music. But it’s not really music for kids, it’s just music that kids will enjoy. This is also a great way to discover music that your kids love and that won’t drive you crazy. Did you know that Walkmen co-writer Walter Martin has a fantastic album for children? What if The Verve pipe? Johnny Cash? I have discovered all this and more through Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl.
Do you really like podcasts? Get a Wondery+ kids subscription
There are quite a few podcast platforms that make it easy to subscribe to many of our favorites and listen to them ad-free (as well as supporting the creators). Some of these are available through Amazon Music if you’re a Prime subscriber, but my favorite way to ditch the ads and get access to a ton of great shows is a Wondery+ Kids subscription. You get access to programs like Whose amazing life, wow in the world, and who when wow, among others, all for the same price. If your kids really like podcasts, this is the way to go.
Other Great Podcasts and Audio Shows
The internet is flooded with podcasts, too many to mention in detail. That being said, here are a few others that your kids may like.
- Earth Ranger: This podcast has a biological focus, but is a good choice for any child interested in digging in the dirt, learning about animals, or hearing stories about ecosystems in faraway lands. There are episodes about the jungle, the Arctic, and just about everything else. Episodes typically last about 15 minutes each and typically cover a single animal or environment. Earth Ranger It’s probably better suited for slightly more mature kids.
- Denali Molly: This eight-episode podcast establishes the backstory of the PBS cartoon of the same name. Each episode is approximately 10 minutes long and sequential, telling the backstory of Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native who grew up with her parents, family and friends in Alaska.
- Eleanor amplified: This long-running adventure series features an intrepid reporter named Eleanor amplified. He specializes in thwarting the devious plots of villains. He is sometimes a bit pro-journalist, in a kind of rah-rah that is not for everyone, but the stories are fast-paced, entertaining and in the spirit of the radio programs of yesteryear.
- Live from Mount Olympus: My kids were reading the Percy Jackson book series when this arrived, so this podcast focused on Olympic athletes was an instant hit. It follows the adventures of a young Perseus, who seeks to save his mother from an evil king. Live from Mount Olympus It mainly sticks to the Greek stories as you remember them, although there are some additional characters. Live from Mount Olympus is part of the Trax network, which also hosts other kids’ podcasts.