Podcasts and audiobooks are a fantastic way to explore the vast universe of knowledge, entertainment, and creativity, offering an enriching experience that you can enjoy regardless of where you are or what you’re doing. This is especially true for children, who can greatly benefit from the engaging and educational content these audio formats provide. Podcasts, in particular, are perfect for keeping young minds active and curious, presenting information in a format that’s both fun and accessible.
Educational Podcasts for Kids
To help you navigate the myriad of options, I’ve curated a list of top kids-focused podcasts that are sure to captivate and educate young listeners.
1. But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids
But 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 World
Another 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 on
Brains 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 Snacks
Ear 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 & Curly
Short & 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 Podcasts
Smithsonian 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 Curious
The 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 Podcast
Calm 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 Best
Smash 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 Loaf
Noodle 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 Box
The 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 Round
Circle 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 Safari
Animal 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. YourClassical
YourClassical 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 Caspian
The 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.”
Related: Podcasting in Education: Teacher’s Guide.
Final thoughts
I hope this list helps you discover some exciting new podcasts for the young learners in your life. Each of these podcasts offers something unique, from solving mysteries and exploring science to delving into history and ethics. They’re not just about filling time; they’re about expanding horizons and sparking curiosity. Whether you’re a parent looking to enrich your child’s downtime, a teacher seeking new resources, or simply someone who loves to see young minds blossom, these podcasts are valuable tools to engage and educate.
