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Pods for Kids
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Best podcasts for kids

Eight we would hand any parent, and the shows parents rate most. Both lists come from what parents say in their reviews and ratings, and each show page shows the reviews behind it.

Our picks, by what you need

Chosen by us for different situations, not ranked by a score.

  1. 1. A first proper story podcast

    Circle Round4.5Ages 4–10

    Folktales from around the world performed by real actors, in 15–25 minute episodes. The production is good enough that adults stop pretending to listen and actually listen.

  2. 2. The kid who asks why about everything

    Wow in the World4.6Ages 5–10

    Science, delivered at full volume by two hosts who commit completely. Energetic rather than calming β€” better for a car than for bedtime.

  3. 3. Toddlers and preschoolers

    Little Stories for Tiny People: Anytime and bedtime stories for kids4.6Ages 2–6

    Short, gentle, calmly told. The one to start with if your kids are two to five and have never sat still for audio before.

  4. 4. Backseat giggles on a long drive

    Story Pirates4.5Ages 5–12

    Kids send in story ideas and a comedy crew turns them into sketches and songs. Reliably silly, and the songs are genuinely good.

  5. 5. Six to twelves who like a proper saga

    Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids4.7Ages 6–12

    Greek myths retold by National Geographic Kids β€” monsters and heroes handled with enough grit to hold an older kid, without nightmares.

  6. 6. Actually getting them to sleep

    Bedtime Stories by Koala Moon4.5Ages 3–9

    Slow, quiet, and built to end in sleep rather than a second wind. Nearly 500 episodes, so you will not run out.

  7. 7. Older kids who love to argue

    Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family4.6Ages 6–12

    A debate show where two things go head to head and kids judge the winner. Turns the arguing instinct into something structured.

  8. 8. Curious kids, calmer than Wow

    Brains On! Science podcast for kids4.5Ages 5–12

    Science questions from real kids, answered properly with scientists. Covers similar ground to Wow in the World at a lower temperature.

The most-rated kids podcasts

The general-audience shows that the most parents have rated, with an average of 4.3 or more. Faith-based shows have their own pages.

Find the best one for your kid

By age

Or by range: toddlers, preschoolers, ages 5-7, ages 6-9, ages 8-12, tweens.

By situation

Questions parents ask

What are the best podcasts for kids?

We would start with Circle Round, Wow in the World, Little Stories for Tiny People and Story Pirates. The shows parents rate most are also well liked: Wow in the World, Greeking Out and Story Pirates. The best one for your family depends on your child's age and where you will listen, so use the age pages and collections.

Are podcasts good for kids?

Parents who review them say yes. Across the 165 general-audience kids podcasts we cover, parents have left 348,981 ratings averaging 4.5 out of 5. In their written reviews the reasons they give most often are β€œworks at bedtime” (1,114 reviews), β€œgreat voices & acting” (825 reviews) and β€œgreat for car rides” (679 reviews). Podcasts are audio only, so they are a screen-free way to keep kids entertained. Public ratings tend to skew positive, so read what parents say about a particular show as well as its stars, and check its age range first.

Are podcasts good for toddlers?

Some are made for them. 25 general-audience shows state or imply an age range that includes 2 year olds, and the top-rated include Little Sleepers, Big Dreamers; Super Simple Imagination Time With Caitie!; and Little Stories for Tiny People. Look for short, gentle episodes with a calm pace.

Are podcasts good for learning?

Many are built for it. 27 shows get described as educational by a good share of the parents who review them, and the most rated are Who Smarted?, Bedtime History and Weird But True. The best ones fold science, history and big ideas into stories and jokes.

What are the best podcasts for kids in the car?

24 shows get named for car rides by parents, and the most rated are Family Road Trip Trivia Podcast, Short Stories for Kids and The Reading Bug Podcast. Check the episode length: shorter episodes suit a school run, and longer ones suit a road trip.

Are there good free podcasts for kids?

Yes. Podcasts are free to listen to in apps such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Some shows also sell a paid membership with extras, so check before you subscribe.