Grown-ups have a deep archive of podcasts from which to select when they want to laugh, learn, feel seen or just zone out. And although kids might sooner be inclined to turn toward a screen if given the option, there’s a wide array of great podcasts made just for their ears, too.
Our list of popular podcasts for kids includes storytelling, advice, cooking, science education (masquerading as entertainment) and more. Find a podcast for kids as young as toddlers or podcasts for teens that are truly relatable and thought provoking (enough so, in fact, to keep parents riveted).
So whether you’re off for a family road trip, searching for a good downtime activity or the kids just say “I’m bored” for the billionth time, find a kids podcast guaranteed to entertain and inspire.
Podcasts for toddlers/preschoolers
1. Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages
With this pod, kids get a new story every week. (And there’s plenty to binge, with more than 400 already in the archive). Episodes range from retellings of fairy tales (like Snow White) to classics (like Peter Rabbit). And you’ll even hear some original tales, too. With this pod, you can bet that everything is safe for ears of all ages. Amanda Weldon hosts.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
2. Story Pirates
This award-winning pod transforms stories written by kids into sketch comedy and songs, with a roster of talented comedians, songwriters and celeb guests (think Lin-Manuel Miranda). Story Pirates brings laughter and fun across a range of genres.
Listen on: Spotify.
3. The Big Life Kids Podcast
This popular podcast is all about helping kids develop a growth mindset. Hosts Leo and Zara explore the world, gathering real stories of inspiring people who have overcome real challenges. And you can play this for young kids with confidence: Each episode is reviewed by a child development expert to make sure it offers psychology-backed lessons and strategies (while being entertaining, too).
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Stitcher.
Podcasts for school-age kids
4. Wow in the World
Grown-ups will want to listen right alongside kids: On top-ranked podcast Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz deliver the latest news from the realms of science, tech and innovation. New episodes come out every Monday (available a week early with a Wondery+ Kids subscription) — and there are nearly 500 already in the archives, so you’ve got plenty on deck for your binging pleasure.
Listen on: NPR One, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
5. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
On this public radio show, kids lead the discussion by providing the questions. Each episode tackles answers, from “Wwhy are pandas black and white?”, to “Wwhat is climate change?”. Show creator Jane Lindholm also hosts. (Certain special episodes are meant just for grownup ears, like a recent show covering how to talk to kids about violence in the news).
Listen on: Apple Podcasts.
6. Greeking Out
Ancient mythology positively comes alive in this National Geographic Kids podcast. Each episode gets into kid-friendly retellings of classic Greek mythology — from gods and goddesses to heroes, villains, monsters, war and treasure. Kenny Curtis hosts this pod, which has new episodes coming up in October.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.
Podcasts for tweens
7. Brains On!
This science podcast from American Public Media is gripping enough to keep adults’ attention, and an engaging and exciting learning tool for kids, too. In each episode, a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom as they investigate answers to science-related questions sent by listeners. Think: Why do we like sugar so much? Why do feet stink?
Listen on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
8. Mystery Recipe
If you’re a family of foodies, you’ll all love this podcast that digs into the fascinating, weird and fun aspects of food. Each episode focuses on a single ingredient, and the show builds to a finale: a mystery recipe cook-along. Molly Birnbaum is the show’s host and the editor-in-chief of America’s Test Kitchen Kids, which produces the pod.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.
9. Smash Boom Best
This podcast (also from the makers of Brains On!) is a show made to get kids and families really thinking. It’s all about triggering debate around opinions, with each episode tackling two cool topics (Godzilla versus King Kong, or Legos versus Minecraft, for instance) and gathering debaters who use both facts and enthusiasm to make a case for which one is the winner. Along the way, listeners will learn tools for defending their own opinions. Molly Bloom hosts. Season 5 is on deck: Look for new episodes in July.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Podcasts for teens
10. Dear Hank & John
Authors and brothers John and Hank Green co-host this show. In it, they offer advice on life’s pressing questions — whether it’s a more mundane matter (Do we really need leap days? How much of a dollar do you need to actually spend it?) or a more profound one (How much of the sky can we actually see?).
Listen on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
11. Stuff You Should Know
This iHeartRadio podcast hosted by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant is a treasure trove of data about, well, stuff you should know. Topics are diverse and sophisticated enough for teens (not to mention their parents and caregivers), covering everything from freedom of the press to how wind works.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, iHeart and Stitcher.
12. Teenager Therapy
This show for teens comes straight from their own mouths. In it, five stressed and sleep-deprived but motivated teens come together to talk about the challenges that come with the phase of life. And it’s a reminder, though the struggle may be so real, that no teen is alone in it.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
