Best podcasts for kids and families

Screen time battles are real, and podcasts offer a rare win: entertainment that's engaging, educational, and doesn't involve staring at a device. The kids' podcast category has grown significantly since 2020, and the quality of shows available now is genuinely impressive. From science explainers to narrative adventures, there are podcasts that hold kids' attention while giving parents a break from "can I watch something?"

TL;DR

Best for curious kids (ages 5-10): Wow in the World (science + wonder)
Best for science questions: Brains On! (listener questions, real answers)
Best for storytelling: Story Pirates (kids' stories turned into audio plays)
Best for bedtime: Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls (short, calming biographical stories)
Best for debates and critical thinking: Smash Boom Best (funny debate show)
Best for young readers: The Story Seeds Podcast (kids co-create stories with authors)
Best for tweens: Radiolab for Kids (adapted segments from the adult show)

Wow in the World

Ages: 5-10
Format: Weekly science episodes, 20-30 minutes
Why kids love it: Wild experiments, funny hosts, mind-blowing facts

Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz (of NPR's "How I Built This") take scientific discoveries and make them accessible and hilarious. Each episode starts with a weird question or a recent science headline, then turns it into an adventure that five-year-olds and ten-year-olds both enjoy.

The production quality is high. Sound effects, original music, and a recurring cast of characters give the show a Saturday-morning-cartoon energy, just without the screen. Parents frequently report that this is the one podcast their kids ask for by name.

Brains On!

Ages: 5-12
Format: Weekly, 25-35 minutes
Why kids love it: Their questions get answered by real scientists

Every episode of Brains On! starts with a question submitted by a young listener: "Why do cats purr?" "How does gravity work?" "What makes slime slimy?" A different kid co-hosts each episode alongside Molly Bloom, and the answers are thorough without being over their heads.

The show does a good job of validating curiosity. Kids hear other kids asking questions, which makes it feel safe to wonder about things. The humor is dorky in the best way (lots of puns and silly sound effects), and the science is accurate. This is one of the few kids' podcasts that adults can listen to without zoning out.

Story Pirates

Ages: 4-10
Format: Weekly, 30-45 minutes
Why kids love it: Their stories become real productions

Story Pirates takes stories written by children and turns them into fully produced audio plays with professional actors, original songs, and sound design. The results are unpredictable and funny because kids' imaginations go places adult writers wouldn't dare.

The show also teaches storytelling skills between segments, breaking down what makes a story work and encouraging kids to write their own. If your child likes creative writing (or needs encouragement to start), this show is both inspiration and proof that their ideas matter.

Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls

Ages: 5-10
Format: Weekly, 10-15 minutes
Why kids love it: Short, calming stories about real women who did extraordinary things

Based on the bestselling book series, this podcast tells the stories of remarkable women from history and the present day. Episodes are short (10-15 minutes), use a calm narration style, and work well as a bedtime listen.

Each story follows a simple arc: who this person was, what obstacles they faced, and what they accomplished. The storytelling avoids talking down to kids while keeping the language accessible. It's a good counterpart to more high-energy shows. For other wind-down options, see our list of the best podcasts for sleep.

Smash Boom Best

Ages: 7-12
Format: Weekly, 25-30 minutes
Why kids love it: Arguments about fun things, with a kid judge

From the creators of Brains On!, Smash Boom Best is a debate show where two opponents argue for their side (dogs vs. cats, pizza vs. tacos, volcanoes vs. tornadoes) and a kid judge picks the winner. The format teaches critical thinking, persuasion, and how to evaluate arguments, all wrapped in something that feels like a game.

Kids get invested in the outcomes and often pause to argue their own case before the judge rules. It's a great show for car rides because the whole family ends up debating along with the episode.

The Story Seeds Podcast

Ages: 6-12
Format: Biweekly, 20-25 minutes
Why kids love it: They co-create stories with published authors

Each episode pairs a young listener's story idea (the "seed") with a professional children's author who grows it into a complete short story. The episode then features both the kid explaining their idea and the finished story read aloud.

The format is unique and encouraging. Kids hear that their raw ideas, no matter how wild, can become real stories. The author interviews also give a behind-the-scenes look at how professional writers work, which is educational without feeling like homework.

Radiolab for Kids

Ages: 10-14
Format: Selected episodes, 20-40 minutes
Why tweens love it: Sophisticated topics treated with respect for younger audiences

Radiolab for Kids curates and occasionally adapts episodes from the award-winning adult show for a younger audience. The topics range from science and philosophy to human stories and historical events, presented with Radiolab's signature layered audio style.

This is the pick for older kids who've outgrown the younger-skewing shows. The content is intellectually stimulating without being inappropriate, and the production quality sets a high bar. It's also a good bridge to the full Radiolab show once they're ready.

How to get started with podcasts for kids

If your kids are new to podcasts, a few tips to make it stick:

Start during car rides. Captive audiences are the best audiences. Play an episode instead of music on a short drive and see how they respond.
Let them choose. Give them 2-3 options and let them pick. Autonomy increases engagement.
Use a speaker, not headphones (for younger kids). Listening together turns it into shared time. You can pause and discuss what you're hearing.
Set up a playlist. Most podcast apps let you queue episodes in advance. Build a playlist of age-appropriate episodes so there's always something ready.
Don't force it. If a show doesn't click, try another one. There's enough variety in kids' podcasts now that you'll find the right fit.

Frequently asked questions

Are podcasts safe for kids?

The shows on this list are all produced for children and reviewed for age-appropriate content. For additional vetting, Common Sense Media reviews kids' podcasts and provides age ratings. Most podcast apps don't have parental controls, so building a curated playlist is the best way to manage what your kids hear.

What age can kids start listening to podcasts?

Most kids can engage with podcasts starting around age 3-4, though the experience is different from older kids. Toddlers respond to songs, sound effects, and short stories. By age 5-6, kids can follow narrative shows. By 8-10, they're ready for more complex content like debates and science explainers.

How do I play podcasts for my kids without ads?

Many kids' podcasts include ads, which can be confusing or inappropriate for young listeners. You have a few options: subscribe to ad-free versions if the show offers them (some are on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions), use a podcast app like Podtastic that skips ads automatically, or pre-screen episodes and skip past ads manually before handing the device to your child.

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Best Podcasts for Kids and Families