Christine Hernandez
Early childhood educator, writer, and mother. Your friendly neighborhood guide to all things parenting.
Podcasts are a fantastic way to entertain and educate children, providing screen-free fun while also encouraging learning. Whether your child is into science, stories, or fun facts, there's a podcast for every age group. Here’s a list of the top kids’ podcasts, broken down by age, to keep them engaged and learning.
Preschool (Ages 2-5)
1. Wow in the World
Introduce your preschooler to science, technology, and wonder. This upbeat podcast takes children on imaginary adventures to explore topics like space, animals, and the environment in an entertaining, easy-to-understand way.
2. Circle Round
Perfect for younger children, this podcast features carefully crafted folktales from around the world that teach lessons about kindness, empathy, and friendship. Each story is around 20 minutes, making it a great listen for preschool-aged kids.
3. Little Stories for Tiny People
Filled with original stories for younger audiences, this podcast sparks imagination and encourages curiosity. With calming narration and fun characters, it's ideal for bedtime or quiet time listening.
4. Storynory
This long-running podcast shares classic fairy tales, fables, and original stories with whimsical narration that will enchant your little ones.
Elementary (Ages 6-9)
1. Brains On!
A science podcast that answers the kinds of curious questions kids love to ask, like “Why is the sky blue?” and “How do volcanoes erupt?” Hosted by a kid and an adult, it makes learning about the world around them fun and accessible.
2. Story Pirates
Story Pirates is a fun and creative podcast where real kids' stories are transformed into hilarious and engaging performances by professional actors, comedians, and musicians. Perfect for kids of all ages, this podcast encourages creativity and imagination, making it a hit for families who love humor and adventure. Each episode is filled with laughter and surprises, making it great for car rides or family listening time.
3. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Answering questions sent in by kids, this engaging podcast covers topics from animals to space, making it a favorite for children with endless curiosity.
4. Ear Snacks
A podcast that blends music, science, art, and culture, perfect for kids who love a mix of sounds and stories. It encourages critical thinking and creativity while keeping children entertained.
5. Smash Boom Best
This debate-style podcast pits two things against each other, like cats vs. dogs or pizza vs. tacos, encouraging kids to think critically and make their own arguments.
Tweens (Ages 10-12)
1. The Past and the Curious
History comes alive with this fun podcast that tells fascinating stories about lesser-known moments and figures from history. It's a great way to get tweens excited about learning without feeling like they’re in school.
2. Smash Boom Best
This show brings a debate-style competition where topics like “Dragons vs. Unicorns” are debated. It’s fun and interactive, letting listeners weigh in on who should win.
3. Story Seeds
This podcast takes ideas from kids and pairs them with authors to turn them into full-fledged stories. It’s perfect for creative tweens who are budding writers or simply love a good tale.
4. Rebel Girls
Highlighting the stories of incredible women throughout history, this inspiring podcast encourages young girls to think big and dream bigger. With stories of athletes, scientists, artists, and more, it offers a great introduction to influential female role models.
Teens (Ages 13+)
1. Stuff You Should Know
This popular podcast for older kids explores a wide range of topics, from science and history to pop culture and current events. It’s informative, engaging, and perfect for teens who love trivia and learning new things.
2. Science Vs
For teens who enjoy critical thinking and science, this podcast takes common myths, trends, and debates and breaks them down with scientific evidence. It encourages listeners to think deeply and question the information they encounter.
3. Radiolab
A thought-provoking podcast that explores deep topics related to science, philosophy, and culture. Its creative storytelling and complex subjects make it ideal for older kids interested in the world around them.
4. Six Minutes
A serialized podcast that combines action, mystery, and suspense, perfect for teens who enjoy narrative-driven shows. With short episodes, it’s easy to follow and binge-worthy.
Final Thoughts
Podcasts offer an excellent way for children of all ages to engage with new ideas, learn about the world, and get their imaginations going—all while being entertained. Whether your child is curious about science, loves a good story, or just wants to learn something new, there’s a podcast out there that’s perfect for them.
