Parents who want to give their K-8 children interesting history, compelling stories, strange science, and good old-fashioned fun may go beyond the screen to an increasing universe of podcasts for kids that inspire curiosity and tuck in essential takeaways. “Kids podcasts, like adult podcasts, cover a wide range of topics, from storytelling to learning and education,” says Jill Murphy, vice president and editor-in-chief of Common Sense Media, a California-based source of family-friendly technology and entertainment suggestions. “Podcasts are an excellent approach to bring diverse areas of study or things that your children may be afraid to discuss to life in an entertaining narrative with music and sound effects.”
What Makes a Good Kids Podcast?
According to Jerry Kolber, executive producer and CEO of New York-based Atomic Entertainment, which created the popular science TV show “Brain Games” and Netflix’s “Brainchild,” the best podcasts for kids “light up a child’s imagination and cause a child to lean in and use their own cognitive abilities to create a world in their heads.”
Interactive storytelling, startling and possibly contagious sound effects and engaging music are all features of interesting podcasts. “You don’t have the visuals with podcasts,” Kolber adds, “so you really have to search for podcasts that have great storytelling and are well-produced in terms of having good flow and structure for kids to follow.”
“Who was smart?” – Kolber’s podcast for kids ages 6 to 10 – delves into science and history, taking an A-to-Z approach to themes while having “episodes that are pure stuff kids adore,” according to Kolber, such as gummy bears, skateboards, and pizza. “We take enjoyment very seriously. We regard the world as a fish bowl full of wonder, and we talk to kids all the time, therefore our topics are inspired by those interactions.”
Podcasts can open up topics that a youngster may find boring and introduce material in a new and fascinating way. “We did an outstanding program on galaxies and how they work,” Kolber explains. “The key to making learning stick is to make it enjoyable,” Murphy advises parents to start with their children’s interests and work their way up, keeping in mind their children’s sensitivity to sound and content. “Listen ahead of time or read reviews to understand what your children will be exposed to,” she suggests.
Kolber suggests looking for suggestions from organizations such as Common Sense Media, Parents’ Choice Foundation, and KidSafe Foundation. “You’ll know the podcasts have been checked because they’ll inform you if the content is appropriate for a certain age group.”
Podcasts for Kids Provide Off-Screen Family Entertainment
Podcasts appeal to parents because they provide an audible alternative to screen time, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, when more children are looking at screens for school. “Not only do parents want to get their children off screens, but youngsters become bored of being on screens as well,” Murphy adds. She compares podcasts to audiobooks or radio broadcasts in terms of portability. “You can go for a stroll while listening to podcasts,” she says, adding that “kids can listen together with a smart speaker in the home.”
Podcasts for kids span from five-minute segments to half-hour segments and more. Murphy advises starting small. “Also, shop around. There is a very low barrier to entry, with many free podcasts making it appealing and egalitarian for all types of families.”
The kids’ podcast field is expanding and “still very new,” according to Kolber, who notes that most fall into the history/science or storytelling/entertainment categories. “There is plenty of potential for new podcasts that bring the imaginative, entertaining narrative into the worlds of science, history, and facts.”
Here are some podcasts highly recommended by experts for kids in grades K-8:
- Opal Watson, Private Eye
- The Story Store
- Have I Got a Story for You!
- Hero Hotel
- Flyest Fables
- Don’t Break the Rules!
- HiL-LaRRy-uS
- Emma-Made Lemonade
- Anytime Art
- Quentin & Alphie’s ABC Adventures
- Smash Boom Best
- Ear Snacks
- But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
- KidNuz
- Book Club for Kids
Storytelling and Entertainment Podcasts
Opal Watson, Private Eye. Solve mysteries with Opal, an 11-year-old sight-challenged girl who assists her diverse family, friends, and neighbors. Opal sits on her Chicago apartment balcony to listen in on her neighbors’ conversations.
The Story Store. Mr. Orlando the Moose and his sidekick, Gary the Unicorn, narrate “ear books” based on “story orders” from youngsters across Canada. The length of the stories ranges from four to thirty minutes.
Have I Got a Story for You! Listen to PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, present classic Jewish folktales with a modern spin, including seasonal tales.
Hero Hotel. Based on Yehudi Mercado’s comic graphic novel, kids may immerse themselves in superhero parodies starring Chet Zebrowski, who works at his grandmother’s heroic hotel. Expect a lot of story twists and outlandish humor.
Flyest Fables. Investigate contemporary fables that teach lessons for today. For example, the first episode describes how a mistreated youngster is taken to a mythical place where he can be a hero and save a kingdom.
Don’t Break the Rules! This weekly comic improv game show podcast features four cartoon voice actors who improvise scenarios and storylines based on requests from children.
HiL-LaRRy-uS. Listeners are entertained by gags, puns, one-liners, and jokes. For example, consider the show’s first joke: “Are monsters intelligent? That is, unless you are Count Dracula!”