Podcasts for Kids: Storytelling, Music, & Mindfulness

A few months ago, I shared my podcast playlist. Since then, I have added new favorites. Over the past year, we’ve also discovered these amazing kid-centered podcasts—quality episodes filled with storytelling, music, STEM, and mindfulness.

Get ready for podcasts that will educate, entertain, and spark curiosity. Genres vary, and most episodes are, on average, 20 minutes.

One of my daughter’s favorites is Circle Round. We listen in the car and at home. We often pair it with their free printable coloring pages. Wow in the World makes her laugh; Peace Out is a lovely asset when it’s time to wind down. Kids curious about STEM or random facts will enjoy the podcasts But Why? or Brains On!. Girl Tales is perfect for your budding feminist – sharing stories of girls in control and saving themselves. The Music Box and Noodle Loaf produce fun interactive music podcasts – encouraging kids to play, perform, and sing along.

Find Your Podcast

Most of these kid-friendly podcasts are produced by public radio affiliates, and all are available at no cost. We listen using Apple’s podcast app. They can also be found on Google Podcasts and Spotify. Be sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes automatically.

Podcasts for Kids

1. Noodle Loaf – “An interactive music-themed podcast for kids ages 3-9, created by a music-ed specialist dad to help bring learning and laughter to your downtime with singing, dancing, and lots of play.  Noodle Loaf brings families together to learn music fundamentals through play, laughter, and lots of singing.”
2. Smash Boom Best – “Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together, and lets you decide which is best. Our debaters use facts and passion to make their case — teaching listeners how to defend their own opinions along the way.” 
3. Girl Tales – “Girl Tales is a podcast featuring reimagined fairytales. Damsels in distress? Princesses in need of protection? You won’t find those here. The girls in our stories take control of their own destinies, turning your favorite fairytales into exciting new adventures.”
4. Julie’s Library – “Join the beloved icon, Julie Andrews, for storytime! Julie and her daughter, children’s author and educator Emma Walton Hamilton, invite you into their library to read their favorite children’s books. Every story comes to life with sound, music, and activities. Authors, kids, and other special guests chime in, too! It’s a show that will inspire lively conversations and a lifelong love of reading.”
5. Brains On! – “Brains On! is a science podcast for curious kids and adults from American Public Media. Each week, a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom to find answers to fascinating questions about the world sent in by listeners. Like, do dogs know they’re dogs? Or, why do feet stink?”
6. The Music Box – “The Music Box is an interactive music education podcast for kids, exploring fundamental music concepts through performing, responding, and connecting. Each episode gets listeners involved in making music! Short episodes are perfect for a car ride or just hanging out at home. Get printable lesson plans and ideas for extending the learning at musicboxpod.org.”
7. Ear Snacks – “Ear Snacks is a musical podcast for kids about the world. Andrew & Polly and their friends consider music, science, art, and culture in a fun-filled podcast that parents enjoy and younger kids eat right up.”
8. Circle Round – “Created and produced by parents of young children, WBUR’s Circle Round adapts carefully-selected folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for kids ages 4 to 10. Each 10- to 20-minute episode explores important issues like kindness, persistence, and generosity. And each episode ends with an activity that inspires a deeper conversation between children and grown-ups.”
9. But Why? – “A show led by kids! You ask the questions, and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there.  They tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world.”
10. Peace Out – “Short stories that help children calm down and relax by guiding them through visualization and breathing exercises. Perfect for parents or teachers who want to teach mindfulness and self-regulation.”
11. Wow in the World – “Join hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas on a journey away from your screens, inside your brain, out into space, and deep into the coolest new stories in science, technology, and innovation.”