Little learners make perfect little listeners!
Whether you’re looking to decrease screen time or find new ways to entertain and educate the children in your life, introducing them to podcasts is an incredible asset. In fact, while adults often listen to their favorite shows themselves, the podcast market has popular content that is not only appropriate for, but rather, is specifically created for preschoolers, little kids, big kids, tweens and teens!
Benefits of Podcasts for Children
Podcasts provide kids with access to a robust and diverse amount of topics and perspectives, and they also help to improve listening skills and comprehension, encourage imagination, increase vocabulary, encourage active listening and help them explore their own creativity! According to the Kids Podcast Listener Report from Edison Research, almost half of all kids (49%) listen to podcasts for the fun and entertainment value, while 33% tune in for education and 25% look to them as something to do in the car.
There are loads of podcasts out there for children and teens, so to help you dip your toes in, we’ve rounded up a dynamic list of 10 top rated shows for you to check out with your family.
Imagination & Storytelling
#1 Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages
Ages: 2+, Episode Length: 20 Minutes
The stories range from retellings of fairytales like Snow White to classic stories like Peter Rabbit and even completely original works. Everything is G rated and safe for all ages. The perfect kids podcast for imaginative families.
#2 StorySeeds
Ages: 6-12, Episode Length: 35 Minutes
We capture the magic that happens when kids meet and collaborate with beloved storytellers who grow original short stories inspired by their story ideas! A great choice for kids and families for its engaging stories, valuable content and diverse voices, characters and messages.
#3 Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
Ages: 7+, Episode Length: 20 Minutes
A fairytale podcast for kids about real life extraordinary women from all over the world. Based on the bestselling series “Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls,” each episode explores the lives of women from the books, encouraging young listeners to ask questions and explore their interests.
Encouragement & Wellness
#4 Rise Little Earthling: A Series of Sweet Affirmations
Ages: 2+, Episode Length: 5 Minutes
A weekly series of sweet affirmations narrated by award-winning musician Lights. The affirmations are customized for two different age groups; Tiny Ones for families to engage with their newborns and Little Ones for independent listeners. Each episode falls within one of four categories to ensure your Star Child is covered throughout all their daily activities; Play, Splash, Party and Dream.
#5 Charm Words: Daily Affirmations for Kids
Ages: 3+, Episode Length: 5 Minutes
Charm Words is a daily affirmations podcast for children of diverse backgrounds that will help to inspire and bring self worth to the forefront of young minds at the start and end of their days.
Nature & Science
#6 Deep Blue Sea
Ages: 3-5, Episode Length: 10 Minutes
Climb aboard submarine Sea Lab Alpha to join underwater explorers Marina and Reef on awesome adventures in the magical oceans covering our planet. Meet amazing sea creatures, learn tons of fun facts and discover ways to protect the oceans these creatures call home.
#7 Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids
Ages: 8+, Episode Length: 21 minutes
Hosted by Molly Bloom and a rotating cast of kids, every episode answers questions from listeners like “Why do feet stink?” “What did dinosaurs sound like?” and “What is ADHD?”
#8 But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Ages: 7-14, Episode Length: 10-20 minutes
But Why is a show led by you, kids! You ask the questions, and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. On But Why, we tackle topics large and small about nature, words and even the end of the world.
Sports & Games
#9 In The Game – A Kids Sports Podcast
Ages: 8+, Episode Length: 20 minutes
We’re interviewing Olympians and Paralympians! From canoeing and windsurfing, to wheelchair basketball and tennis, we’re chatting all about sports, training, balancing friendships and school, go-to dance party songs and life beyond the game.
#10 In The Game – A Kids Sports Podcast
Ages: 5-8, Episode Length: 16 minutes
Level up with an exciting game show podcast called Wheel of Games featuring the PAW Patrol pups, Dora and her friend Boots, and so many more friends! Josh and Blue will lead listeners through a series of guessing games to figure out the identity of a new mystery guest in every episode.
Start Listening Now
If you’re ready to dive into some of these incredible shows, you can find these podcasts and more across most popular podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also listen through your local library or the Libby app!
