There are so many ways to bring stories into your lives, and podcasts offer a great way to listen, learn, enjoy, and grow anytime, anywhere—at home and on-the-go!
Kidcasts are podcasts created especially for kids, and we’ve gathered together a list of our favorites recommended by NPR, Kids Listen, and American Public Media for you to explore.
And don’t forget: All reading is good reading! Make sure to include your podcast listening in your kids summer reading tracking!
New to podcasts? Check out Podcasts 101 below for information on how to get started.
Recommended kidcasts
Discover the world around you
Brains on!, hosted by Molly Bloom, asks fascinating questions about science—like why cats purr or why humans sneeze—and then go wherever the answers take them.
For kids in grade school and middle school; fans of curiosities, inspiring science
Wow in the World is a NPR podcast and a new way for families to connect, look up, and discover the wonders of the world around them. Through a combination of careful scientific research and fun, you’ll go inside your brains, out into space, and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology.
For kids in kindergarten through grade school; fans of current events, science
Meet cool people
The Past and the Curious, hosted by professional museum educator Mick Sullivan, along with his friends for a journey through unusual and unsung tales from the past, Quiz-Time!, musical performances and more.
For kids in grade school; fans of famous people and history
Pickle grapples with a big question or ethical dilemma, with adventures to places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
For kids in grade schools and middle school; fans of tough questions
Jump into adventure
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian is a serialized science-fiction story for kids told in 15-20-minute episodes that parents can put on when driving around town with their kids or bonding with them before bed. The story centers on Finn Caspian, an 8-year-old boy aboard The Famous Marlowe 280 Interplanetary Exploratory Space Station.
For kids in grade school; fans of adventure, science-fiction
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is a scripted podcast for kids in middle school, performed by kids in middle school. It is a fun, high-quality, serial mystery that can be described as Goonies meets Spy Kids meets Stranger Things.
For kids in grade school and middle school; fans of mysteries
Launch your imagination
Ear Snacks: Kids around the world + awesome grown-up experts + occasional giraffes + a genre-busting soundtrack = a radical podcast for kids. Award-winning children’s music duo Andrew & Polly connect ordinary things with extraordinary ideas.
For toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners; fans of music
Noodle Loaf, created by an early music education specialist dad invites the family to join together for some creative fun.
For kids in preschool; kindergarten; fans of games, music
Dive into the world of books
Reading Bug Adventures Let’s fly! Every episode is a new adventure. Hop into the Reading Bug’s magic book bag, and we’ll be transported to whatever time or place is in the books inside!
For kids in kindergarten and grade school; fans of adventure and books
Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids, parents, educators, librarians, and anyone who values nonsense. Buttons & Figs podcasts are designed to introduce kids to the world of nonsense literature. Nonsense plays an important part in helping to, well, oddly enough, make sense of the world.
For kids in grade school; fans of humor
Book Club for Kids is hosted and produced by award-winning public radio journalist Kitty Felde, who features readers in middle school who meet to talk about books they love. The show often includes a celebrity reading from the book and authors joining in to answer kids’ questions.
For kids in middle school; fans of book discussions
Podcasts 101
What is a podcast?
A podcast is a treat for your ears and your brain. Podcasts are audio on demand, so you can listen whenever and wherever you want. Podcasts are audio files made available on the internet for downloading to a computer or touch-screen device.
Why listen?
Because listening “tunes the brain.” Podcasts are a great way to improve attention. . .on the go! Listen while you’re getting ready for dinner, commuting, running errands, or just hanging out. They are a great alternative to screens too.
How much does it cost?
Most are free. Some have ads, and some require you to pay and subscribe.
How do I listen?
You can listen directly from your favorite podcast’s website or on your mobile device. For Apple iOS touch-screen
devices, search in the Podcast app. For Android devices, search in the Google Play Music app.
What app do I use?
There are many apps available for listening to podcasts. Two free choices are Stitcher (iOS & Android) or Overcast (iOS only).
Where do I find kidcasts?
You can find new kidcasts on Kidslisten.org, a grassroots organization that advocates for high-quality audio for kids. Check out their app and other kid-specific apps.
- Kids Listen app (iOS & Android): free
- Pinna: Audio Stories for Kids app by Panoply (iOS & Android): $7.99/month and $79.99/annually for subscription
- Leela Kids app (iOS & Android): free
Where do I find reviews?
Zooglobble helps you find “kindie” music (indie music for kids) news, videos, mp3s, and reviews for your whole family. Read reviews »
