Don’t Miss These Podcasts for Curious Kids and Teens (and Their Parents)

Podcasts are the perfect way to pass the time. They require little effort to listen to, and the right host makes listeners feel like part of the conversation. With so many to choose from, you can tune in on any topic from gardening to science, and even ancient history or true crime. And there's more good news: your kids can listen in, too!

There are many kid and family-friendly podcasts out there, and choosing one can be a challenge. Whether you're listening in the car or playing an episode after dinner, we've got the best podcasts for you and your family to enjoy.

Circle Round

Circle Round is an award-winning podcast that features a retelling of popular folklore. The stories come from all over the world and are told with a delightful blend of voices. This adds an authenticity and level of excitement to every tale. Each episode features its own soundtrack, incorporating unique folklore music. As the story unfolds, there's always a unique lesson, from genuine kindness to learning the value of patience.

This podcast is a must-listen for kids who love storytime, as well as parents who love it too! Each episode is under 30 minutes, making it ideal for those with short attention spans or quick drives. With almost 300 episodes currently available, there's no shortage of bedtime stories, early-morning tales, and afternoon entertainment.

• Available Platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, RadioPublic, RSS, TuneIn, Amazon Music
• Age Groups: 3-103

Fun Kids Story Quest

This UK-based podcast is an adventure for kids and families. It's also an engaging, interactive way to get your children involved in the stories they hear! Each story is based on a suggestion from fellow listeners, who include kids just like yours. Every week, a story is created with colorful imagery and dynamic characters, all based on an original tale.

The best part is that each episode is under 15 minutes long. This makes it a quick and easy-to-listen-to story that can be played at any time. This podcast is ideal for bedtime or as a replacement for your kid's favorite TV show. You can even watch a loop of Story Quest episodes here! If you want to get your kids even more involved, consider listening to the Activity Quest podcast. This interactive podcast gets listeners involved with unique activities during every episode, turning listening into a playful (and educational) game.

• Available Platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Player FM, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Castbox, RSS
• Age Groups: All ages

Brains On!

This one's for all the science whizzes out there! Brains On! is an award-winning podcast that Molly Bloom, the co-creator of Smash Boom Best, leads. A rotating kid cast joins her each week to delve into unique topics, encouraging kids to think outside the box. With episodes like “Why is Jupiter Called Earth's Bodyguard?” and “Tree, Myself, and I: All About Our Leafy Green Friends,” there's no shortage of learning opportunities.

The podcast even focuses on real-life events, such as the episode titled “Understanding Big Fires and Big Feelings,” which was recorded following the L.A. wildfires. AMP Studios also has three other podcasts for science-loving kids: Forever Ago, Smash Boom Best, and Moment of Um.

• Available Platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart, TuneIn, YouTube, RSS
• Age Groups: All ages

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

You're never too young to feel inspired, and that's the goal of the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls podcast. Each episode is dedicated to an accomplished woman throughout history. The podcast is led by Rebel Girls, which is a global empowerment brand. According to their mission statement, they're “dedicated to raising the most inspired and confident generation of girls.” The podcast has been recognized by The New York Times, the Webby People's Choice Awards, and Common Sense Media for thought-provoking and inspiring episodes.

Recent episodes explored the lives of Molly Yeh, Faith Kipyegon, and Roxanne Gay, and how they inspire young girls worldwide. Downloading the Rebel Girls app gives you access to more than 350 podcast episodes, as well as the ability to create custom playlists and add favorites. The good news is it's now completely free to download!

• Available Platforms: Rebel Girls App, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube
• Age Groups: 8 and up

The Creeping Hour

The Creeping Hour takes kids on a spooky adventure through tales of the dark side. Don't worry, though, they're not too scary! This podcast explores a horror anthology led by a host team known as the Creeps. According to the podcast, they are “three friends who listened to so many scary stories that they turned into monsters themselves.”

This one is perfect for kids who love horror books, spooky TV shows, and are fans of all things creepy. Each episode tells a different spooky story with unique characters, all lasting anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes. Something to note is that this anthology is only a five-episode series, which makes it the perfect October podcast. Whether you save it for a spooky Halloween treat or listen to it in the middle of summer, it's sure to send a chill down your — and your kid's — spines.

• Available Platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
• Age Groups: 8-12 and up

The Past and the Curious

A clever play on The Fast and the Furious, The Past and the Curious is a great way to make kids excited about history. Writer, musician, and museum educator and curator Mick Sullivan hosts this podcast, priding himself on unusual history. For nearly a decade, this podcast has been delivering stories that both educate and entertain kids of all ages in an easy-to-listen-to format.

This podcast has something for the entire family, from dangerous expeditions to monumental discoveries and everything in between. If you don't know where to start, consider checking out Mick's Picks and listening to a curated playlist. Many episodes are grouped by theme, making it easy to navigate and select the best ones for your kids.

• Available Platforms: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify
• Age Groups: 6 and up

Bedtime History

Looking for a low-key, late-night podcast for bedtime? Look no further than Bedtime History! This podcast is just laid-back enough to be perfect for nighttime listening. However, it certainly doesn't lack excitement. Each episode is designed to help wind down your day, featuring stories of historic figures, moments, and feats for your bedtime listening routine.

Episodes are organized by topic, with hundreds to choose from. You'll easily have an episode for each night of the year and then some. It's the perfect way to end a busy day while teaching your kids something new. The best part? This podcast was created by a parent, for parents — so you know it's kid-approved.

• Available Platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube
• Age Groups: 5 and up

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

We all know how curious kids can be, and now, there's a podcast for that. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids is perfect for all those questions we don't know how to answer. This podcast is great for the whole family, with tons of information packed into each 10 to 35-minute episode. Kids can have their pick of questions to be answered, such as, “Why do walruses look so weird?”, “Do atoms ever touch?”, and even, “Who invented tacos?”

The podcast also addresses modern-day questions, with a recent episode titled “What are taxes and tariffs?”. A podcast that answers real-world questions in an easily digestible format is rare. Journalist Jane Lindholm began this podcast at Vermont Public, and it has become a fast favorite for both kids and adults.

• Available Platforms: Spotify, iHeart, Apple Podcasts, Smalltalk.fm, PBS Learning Media
• Age Groups: 4 and up

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