Last updated on February 23rd, 2022
This podcast list has everything for young listeners and their guardians, from podcasts for kids to pre-teens and formats like audio dramas to news podcasts. And if you’re looking for the best podcasts to help prepare your kids and young adults for the future, Discover Pods has you covered. Just like last time, I want to provide young listeners with engaging, inclusive, and diverse podcasts to help them learn, grow, and stay entertained. I hope you’re able to find at least some new podcasts for kids that the whole family can enjoy.
But I’m pretty confident you will.
A bilingual audio fiction podcast for toddlers, Tiny Toreros Story Time is an excellent choice for quiet moments or nap times. Mixing stories read in Spanish with those read in English, Tiny Toreros Story Time is more than just a story podcast. Tiny Toreros Story Time features historical and cultural episodes surrounding topics like Hanukkah, water protectors, and currently, they are running Black History Month special episodes covering important members of the Black and African American community. Put out by the University of San Diego, Tiny Toreros Story Time is released in bite-sized episodes, a majority of which aren’t longer than 5 or 6 minutes. Tiny Toreros Story Time is a great podcast for guardians who want their toddlers to experience and learn about different cultures, practices, and people.
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Circle Round is a children’s audio fiction anthology podcast aimed at listeners between the ages four and ten. Listening through several episodes gave me the impression that Circle Round would be better for toddlers than older children. Voice actors, music, and sound effects bring each story to life for young listeners. It also makes Circle Round not great for bedtime or nap time. However, I thought it was a great story time or drive time podcast for toddlers. Since Circle Round is produced and made by parents of young listeners, the episodes are thematically appropriate and engaging for children and toddlers. Each short episode comes with an activity for listeners to further explore the events and themes.
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If you liked the audio drama anthology format of Circle Round, Story Time offers original short stories packed with creative storytelling to entertain the whole family in a similar vein. Listening to Story Time, and I know this sounds obvious, but it does feel like listening to a story time session like at a library or a bookstore. Story Time features heart-warming, humorous, and, sometimes, thrilling stories without being heavy-handed about the moral teachings. And there are lessons to be found in the engaging and thought-provoking tales aimed at kids between the ages of 2–13. Unlike Circle Round, I think these stories are great for that full age range.
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All right, if you’re a parent or guardian in search of a great bedtime or naptime podcast for toddlers, look no further than Sleep Tight Stories – Bedtime Stories for Kids. Like the name suggests, Sleep Tight Stories – Bedtime Stories for Kids is designed explicitly for sleepy time storytelling. Soft music accompanies soft voice acting sure to put your little ones to sleep. Some are great for pre-sleep time or bedtime moments, too. Sleep Tight Stories – Bedtime Stories for Kids offers young listeners touching stories about family and friendships. Though I filed Sleep Tight Stories – Bedtime Stories for Kids under toddlers on this kids’ podcast roundup list, I did think a few episodes would work for older kids under the age of ten.
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Starting with the simple question of what if, What if World – Stories for Kids builds imaginative and wonderous worlds for their young listeners. Each episode is led by different questions: what if it started raining elephants, what if a donut had abs and liked to work out, what if snakes had feathers and birds had scales. With those wild and unusual questions, What if World – Stories for Kids provides kids with stories that push the boundaries of their imaginations and ask them to think outside the box. The funny acting paired with these stories adds an entertaining layer to the already captivating pieces. What if World – Stories for Kids has been around since 2016, so there are tons of episodes to explore for new listeners.
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Produced by the American Public Media, Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids is a nonfiction podcast aimed at inquisitive young listeners. Though I am putting Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids under the toddler category, many of the episodes are suited for older kids and even some adults who are fans of interesting science, unusual questions, and strange facts. One of the February episodes explores multiverses and provides kids with a comprehensive and easy-to-understand beginner’s guide to that advanced theory. Different segments of the podcast keep the show exciting and engaging. Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids invites young listeners to join in the discussion with the host in tackling audience questions and their own curiosities.
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Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages is a long-running children’s audio fiction anthology podcast. Though the podcast is billed as a bedtime show, there is a lot of energy to the voice acting that may distract some young listeners trying to rest. That being said, the voice acting is excellent, creating an engaging and energetic listening experience for young audiences. Like a few other kids’ podcasts on this list, Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages features a wide range of cultures and storytelling practices on the show. So, kids can learn Latin American folktales and tales from ancient Greece. With as many episodes as Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages has, parents and kids won’t have a hard time finding episodes and stories to amuse and entertain.
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This month, one of my favorite new finds is Noodle Load – Music Education Podcast for Kids. This extremely fun and informative kids’ podcast is great for toddlers and their parents to get them active and moving around music. And Noodle Load – Music Education Podcast for Kids doesn’t just encourage dancing but offers musical facts and history. The host gives an energetic performance and makes sure to show the intersections of music, race, and politics. Personally, it created an added appeal. There are also lots of songs for kids who love singing and music. And listeners are encouraged to submit their own songs. I really loved the made-up music, games, and activities for the whole family. Be warned, though, many songs on Noodle Load – Music Education Podcast for Kids are super catchy.
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Kids Short Stories offers young listeners lively emotion-packed reading with a lot of excitement. But honestly, what I love about Kids Short Stories is the original stories featured! They are stories written or inspired by kids from around the world that the host performs on the show. Since kids are the creators of the short stories, all the stories are wildly imaginative similar to What if World – Stories for Kids. Sometimes the host’s acting gets energized, so it may be a bit much for some listeners. There are not a lot of audio fiction or audio drama podcasts that publish kids’ stories, so this one holds a special place in my heart. If you’ve got a kid in your life who loves writing or coming up with stories, consider listening to Kids Short Stories and encouraging them to submit their tales and ideas to the show.
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My other favorite kid podcast discovery this month was History Storytime – For Kids. For young listeners who want a bit more nonfiction, History Storytime – For Kids is an entertaining and informative listen for young children. Be warned, though, if you think kids shouldn’t hear the bloody and darker side of history, then this podcast will not be your favorite. History Storytime – For Kids is all about the bloody, gross, and sometimes disgusting sides of history. I loved that History Storytime – For Kids is hosted by two young children and supervised by their father. While not all the information shared on History Storytime – For Kids was as inclusive as I would have liked, I think it is a great starting point for having deeper conversations with kids about colonization, history, and racism.
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Beloved Children’s Books is an audio fiction podcast that reads children’s books on air. The storytelling and reading on the children’s podcast are not overstimulating or distracting. It made me think Beloved Children’s Books would be an excellent podcast for quiet times for young listeners. Personally, I could listen to the host read for hours. While most of the books read are fiction, some are based on actual events—like February’s episode featuring a reading of the biography of Wilma Rudolph from Little People, Big Dreams. Even though Beloved Children’s Books only started at the end of 2020, there’s been a new episode every week, so are tons of stories to choose from.
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Stoopkid Stories is a collection of connected stories surrounding a group of Black kids. Aimed at young listeners around the age of five, Stoopkid Stories offers age-appropriate looks at social topics such as discrimination, racism, and more. But the young Black protagonists face other issues, too, surrounding friendship, family, and self. Like Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages, the host and writer of the show, Melissa Victor, brings a lot of energy to the podcast to create an engaging show for kids. Victor’s energy has led to a vibrant community of listeners, and with the sixth season on the way, now is the perfect time to join in the community of fans and follow these young characters, their world, and friends.
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Girl Tales features reimagined stories of classic tales like Rapunzel, except this Rapunzel is a young Black girl with curly hair. Using fairytales and fantasy, Girl Tales offers young listeners easy ways of confronting heavy topics like bullying, sexism, and discrimination. The children’s audio fiction podcast also gives listeners inclusive storytelling from diverse writers. A lot of the stories are heartwarming, dramatic, and touching. Since many of the stories deal with real-world issues, it’s easy to feel for the characters in the fantastical stories. I’ve talked about this podcast in other roundups because I sincerely recommend it to people with children in their lives. Too often, we hear the same misogynistic and troubling tales from the same perspectives. Girl Tales rockets listeners away from those narratives and into new and better ones.
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Storynory – Audio Stories for Kids takes stories from around the world and crafts original stories around them with new characters and themes. But Storynory – Audio Stories for Kids goes further than that. This children’s audio fiction podcast presents traditional folktales, classic short stories, songs, history accounts, and more. A lot of the stories have a moral lean or lesson great for teaching young audiences virtues and how to treat others. The audio readings of the stories, while voice acted, aren’t overly bombastic like a few other podcasts on this list. The stories read on Storynory – Audio Stories for Kids are beautifully told and in a soft enough tone that makes Storynory – Audio Stories for Kids perfect for moments when young listeners want quiet time to themselves with a good story.
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Transcripts available on each episode’s page
I know I seem to have a lot of favorites on this kids and pre-teens podcast list, but that’s because there are some great podcasts out there for young listeners. And KidNuz is one of them! KidNuz is precisely what it sounds like, too. A funny, informative, and interesting world news podcast appropriate for children. I’m sure you’re curious what type of stories they focus on in today’s chaotic world. And honestly, a lot of it is centered around strange or wacky nature and science news. There are also some mentions of politics without being controversial. They also share sports news for the young athlete and enthusiast. With the broad sampling of topics and stories, KidNuz has something for all young listeners. One of my favorite parts of KidNuz is the fun quizzes about the news shared to keep kids engaged and listening.
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Transcripts available on each episode’s page
Tales of the Text audio drama centers on the voices and experiences of Black youth today. Some episodes deal with love, abuse, sticky or horrific texting situations, and more. I will note Tales of the Text is geared more toward older or more mature pre-teens since many of the stories feature high school or college-bound characters. I wanted to recommend it, though, because Tales of the Text does something unique and worthwhile. Tales of the Text features stories written by teens for teens performed by teens about teen culture. This podcast offers young listeners unique insight into handling problems related to family, relationships, and life in general while still presenting an entertaining listen.
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Aimed at younger pre-teens, The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families is another excellent history pick for young listeners. For people who weren’t into History Storytime – For Kids, The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families still provides fun, informative history without all the blood and guts and war. It does offer a bit more inclusive history facts than History Storytime – For Kids, too! I had a lot of fun listening through the episodes for The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families because I learned a lot of historical tidbits I never knew. The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families is a history podcast geared toward pre-teens and younger listeners focused on curious inventions, world-changing historical figures, and exciting moments and events throughout history, like the history of putty.
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Smash Boom Best is another favorite pick of mine on this kids and pre-teens podcast list. A debate podcast for pre-teens and judged by pre-teens, Smash Boom Best pits two things against each other. Comedians and actors debate each side while a pre-teen judges and decides which side won. And the topics are wild and imaginative. The funny arguments on Smash Boom Best cover viewpoints related to mythology, horror, nature, sports, and so much more, all while offering interesting factoids and stories. Smash Boom Best was definitely one of the most unique pre-teen podcasts I discovered. I loved Smash Boom Best because it teaches young listeners to debate and argue using history, culture, stats, and more. There are also debate tips for young teens interested in debate club or understanding the framework of making certain arguments work.
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While I love and recommend Teenager Therapy, I also want to note as a content warning that Teenager Therapy does have a fair amount of cursing and, I believe, is unsupervised. Teenager Therapy is a teenage-hosted show about problems facing teenagers today and how they are dealing with them. The discussions are candid, current, and vulnerable, so yeah, cursing and topics that some parents may not approve of coming up, but sometimes honest real talk is what’s helpful. Like a few podcasts on this list, I cannot recommend Teenager Therapy enough. There aren’t a lot of teenage run podcasts centering teens and pre-teens in the discussions and issues going on today. Hearing these three hosts exchange stories and experiences was refreshing and insightful.
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I hope this list finds everyone in your family, big or small, well and opens up doorways to new worlds and learning. Take your children on an adventure with one or all these podcasts geared toward entertainment, education, and bringing families closer.
These podcasts for kids come from versions of this article past. We still recommend them! They remain some of the best podcasts for kids.
Ever wonder what a podcast run by a dog would sound like? What about a cat? Look no further than This Podcast has Fleas. Originally released in 2017, This Podcast has Fleas features well-known actors and a hilarious storyline to boot. Nice compact episodes of hilarious pet antics are what you get with This Podcast has Fleas. What makes a great kids podcast is the ability to bring to life the characters and story in a simple way that helps keep children focused and engaged. That is what This Podcast has Fleas does so well. Follow Waffles, the dog, and Jones, the cat, as they wage podcast war over your ears and attention. This Podcast has Fleas is perfect for younger listeners because of their use of sound effects and superb voice acting, featuring Jay Pharoah, Alex Baldwin, and Eugene Mirman.
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There is a prevailing dominance of English language stories and podcasts available to kids which can be frustrating. Tiny Toreros Story Time is not one of those podcasts and offers toddlers the chance to hear stories in Spanish. A bilingual audio fiction podcast for young ones, Tiny Toreros Story Time is designed for easy listening during nap or bedtime. Each story is read and narrated by Claudia I Gonzales in a calm and relaxing fashion perfect for the quiet moments in your toddlers day-to-day. Gonzales reads popular children’s stories like Hanukkah Bear, P is for Pinata, and Dr. Seuss books along with many more. There’s really a wide range of stories and episodes in English, Spanish, or both. Put out by the University of San Diego, Tiny Toreros Story Time is released in bite-sized episodes, a majority of which aren’t longer than 5 or 6 minutes.
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Going out into nature and learning about the world around us is one of the funnest things you can do with a child. With the pandemic making outings not so safe, turn to Animal Sound Safari to get your animal and nature fix. Animal Sound Safari is a toddler podcast that is reminiscent of the Magic School Bus. Join the hosts as they board a magical safari truck that takes children into the outback and other kingdoms to learn about different animals and ecosystems. Very much like PBS shows from the 90s, Animal Sound Safari has sound bites from children, experts, and special guests that deliver a fun listening experience sure to keep your toddler entertained and interested. Though this show ended in 2019, the backlog of shows are still available for free and are ideal for short car rides and bath time.
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Not every child learns the same. Children’s podcasts like Ear Snacks sounds like they take that into account when designing their episodes. Ear Snacks is perfect for the contemporary parent that realizes they aren’t raising their kids in the 50s or 90s, but in an ever-changing world. A world that they want to prepare their kids for so that they grow into kind, mindful, and happy teens and young adults. Parents who are fans of tUnE-yArDs or The Books will find the musical podcast Ear Snacks catchy, endearing, and a new shared interest with their children. Ear Snacks makes songs and episodes exploring our world through interviews with experts, families, and children. There’s an episode specially for parents about anti-racist parenting that is worth several listens.
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Read more: 10 Offbeat Podcasts for Music Lovers
Being a child is a curious case of trial and error, of learning from those around you, and questioning the world. Science, experiments, and answers to children’s questions, Brains On podcast invites parents and children to learn together. From American Public Media, Brains On invites children listeners to join its host Molly Bloom in tackling audience questions. Like great science shows before it, Brains On let’s children guide the direction of the show. There’s a wide array of topics that the science podcast Brains On covers like animals breathing underwater, cats, and myths. Started back in 2013, Brains On has a HUGE backlog of episodes to dive in and jump around. Maybe your kid has a question that you don’t know the answer to. Turn to Brains On and join in the learning together.
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There’s something endearing and enjoyable about listening to children tell their own stories. Not many podcasts on this list are completely voiced by children, but Aaron’s World is one of those unique shows. The audio drama podcast let’s children join in the dino-adventures of the host, Aaron, as he adventures through time and space. Aaron’s World is a science fiction audio drama for kids featuring kids. Aaron leads kids down a path of adventure, science, and dinosaurs that is packed filled with age-appropriate thrills and content. I recommend this show for parents who have a dino-lover in their family. Though the show ended back in 2018, listeners can still catch the old episodes wherever they listen to podcasts.
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Story Pirates is one of my favorite audio fiction podcasts for children on this list because they accept stories from the children in their audience! That’s right, if your child is a budding writer who wants to have their story potentially featured on the show, you can help them submit it for a chance to have it performed by professional voice actors and musicians. Not only that, but the Story Pirates have educational resources for their listeners to help add an extra layer to their stories. Because many of the stories on the podcast were written by children, they feature very relatable and age-appropriate content. Story Pirates is an all-around great hub for children and parents to find wonderful stories, creative resources, and more.
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The world is a dark place and sometimes it feels like it grows darker each day. This type of darkness calls for stories that remind us of the hope and promise in all of us and in each day. Flyest Fables audio fiction podcast brings hopepunk stories to young audiences. The last episode was released back in 2020, but the eight-episode podcast is something that young audiences need right now. Hopepunk is not a popular genre for young or adult audiences but it is one that is relevant and necessary during a time of coups, lynchings, and containment camps. Hopepunk is all about the joy and growth that happens during dark times. The stories featured in the anthology podcast Flyest Fables are centered around children making their way through the world with confidence and kindness. These are fables, however, so no matter how great the characters are there are still lessons learned throughout these stories.
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Unlike the other podcasts on this list, Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child is unique in that it is more of a radio than a podcast—more of a playlist than a radio. Indie music for indie kids. That’s what you get with the music podcast/radio/weekly playlist Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. The hosts gather children friendly and appropriate indie songs from indie music favorites like They Might Be Giants, Matt and Kim, and countless others that millennial parents will remember and enjoy sharing with their young ones. Each week Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child releases a new playlist of original music, new songs, and old favs to share with the whole family. This podcast is perfect for homework sessions, playtime, and rides in the car.
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Does your child love to read and often show an interest in writing? Displaying a curiosity about the author and how the story came to be? Book Club for Kids is the one stop shop for your little book lovers. The podcast is a mixture of a discussion show, author interview, and audio fiction. Host and special children guest stars team up to deliver weekly 20-minute episodes where they discuss a book and interview the author. A few of the episodes are broken into two parts where the discussion and reading happen in one and the author interview happens in the other. Like The Story Seeds Podcast, Book Club for Kids bridges the gap between children’s book authors and the actual children. There’s even an episode about teaching kids to write for the young author in your family.
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is a mystery-based podcast for children performed by children. Surrounding a group of kids searching for their missing friends, Mars Patel truly earns its comp titles of The Goonies and Stranger Things. Yes, the story is a mystery, but there are also science fiction elements and thriller vibes throughout the series. This show is best for middle grade students or children between the ages of 8 and 12 due to the sometimes hair-raising nature and content of the show. Originally released in 2016, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is a great podcast for marathon listening while cooking, eating, or going on a walk around the yard.
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Read more: 5 Out-of-this-World Space Science Fiction Podcasts
I hope this list finds everyone in your family, big or small, well and opens up doorways to new worlds and learning. Take your children on an adventure with one or all of these podcasts geared toward entertainment, education, and bringing families closer.
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