30+ Best Educational Podcasts for Kids to Inspire, Inform, and Entertain

1. But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids

This popular podcast educates and entertains kids by answering their questions, such as why bison run fast but walk slowly, how boats float, and much more.

For Whom: Ideal for kids aged 5 and up.

For What It Can Be Used: It serves as an invaluable resource for parents and educators looking to stimulate a child’s thirst for knowledge. It can be used as a tool to reinforce the importance of asking questions and exploring the world around them.

Best for: This podcast is perfect for nurturing the intellectual growth of inquisitive young minds, helping them become lifelong learners.

2. Wow in the World

Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz share stories about the latest news in science, technology, and innovation, delivering hope, agency, and plenty of “WOW” moments.

For Whom: Suitable for elementary school kids.

For What It Can Be Used: It is an excellent resource for inspiring scientific curiosity and sparking a lifelong passion for exploring the mysteries of the universe.

Best for: Wow in the World is best suited for families and children who want to experience the joy of scientific discovery and innovation.

3. Story Seeds

Kids collaborate with famous authors to grow story ideas, and then the author writes an original story for the show.

For Whom: Kids interested in storytelling and creative writing.

For What It Can Be Used: This podcast can be used to motivate and inspire young writers, encouraging them to develop their own stories and unique voices.

Best for: Aspiring authors and young storytellers looking to unlock their imaginative potential.

4. Story Pirates

This show encourages kids to submit their story ideas, which are then transformed into songs and sketch comedy.

For Whom: Kids with vivid imaginations.

For What It Can Be Used: It is a fantastic resource for nurturing creativity and teamwork, providing an avenue for kids to see their ideas come to life in a playful and engaging way.

Best for: Young creatives with vivid imaginations, and those who enjoy collaborative storytelling.

5. Circle Round

This podcast adapts folktales from around the world into music-rich radio plays for kids, exploring themes like friendship, persistence, and generosity.

For Whom: Perfect for family listening.

For What It Can Be Used: It is an excellent tool for parents and caregivers to foster a love for global stories and instill important values in their children.

Best for: Families seeking to connect with diverse cultures and cultivate empathy and moral understanding in their children.

6. Ear Snacks

Hosted by award-winning music makers Andrew and Polly, this educational podcast for kids explores topics related to art, technology, music, science, and culture.

For Whom: Suitable for curious kids of all ages.

For What It Can Be Used: It is the perfect platform for young minds eager to broaden their horizons and delve into a multitude of topics, potentially sparking new passions.

Best for: Children and families interested in exploring diverse interests and developing a well-rounded understanding of the world.

7. Five Minutes with Dad

This family podcast features two kids, Pavlos and Angela, sharing meaningful conversations with their father, Nick Pavlidis, aiming to foster personal growth and leadership in young children.

For Whom: Great for family listening and reflection.

For What It Can Be Used: It is a valuable resource for families seeking to strengthen their relationships, nurture character development in children, and create lasting memories together.

Best for: Families looking to learn, bond, and grow together while instilling valuable life skills in their children.

8. The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian

A serialized science fiction podcast for kids, revolving around Finn Caspian, an 8-year-old boy on a space station, caught in the world of science and mystery.

For Whom: Ideal for young adventurers.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s an excellent choice for engaging children in imaginative storytelling, helping them develop a love for science fiction and exploration.

Best for: Young science fiction enthusiasts eager to dive into captivating, otherworldly narratives.

9. Grammar Girl

Grammar Girl features Mignon Fogarty, a grammar expert who guides students through intricate grammar rules, punctuation, verbs, and models.

For Whom: Suitable for students looking to enhance their language skills.

For What It Can Be Used: It serves as a valuable tool for students and language enthusiasts looking to improve their language skills and become better communicators.

Best for: Language enthusiasts and aspiring writers who want to excel in grammar and writing.

10. Saturday Morning, Cereal Bowl

This musical podcast offers a collection of the grooviest new and old children’s songs, creating a lively start to your kid’s Saturday morning.

For Whom: Suitable for all ages, including parents.

For What It Can Be Used: It is a perfect choice for families who want to infuse their Saturday mornings with lively, energetic routines and create lasting memories.

Best for: Families who enjoy the combined pleasures of music, dancing, and quality time together.

11. Earth Rangers

For kids curious about animals, Earth Rangers is an ideal source of knowledge. It delves into topics ranging from mythological creatures to fascinating facts about wild animals.

For Whom: Perfect for young animal enthusiasts.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s a fantastic resource for inspiring a lifelong love for wildlife, instilling conservation values, and motivating young listeners to protect the environment.

Best for: Budding animal lovers passionate about wildlife conservation.

12. Short & Curly

Hosted by Carl Smith, Molly Daniels, and Dr. Matt Beard, Short & Curly is a kids’ podcast that poses challenging ethical questions, encouraging critical thinking.

For Whom: Ideal for kids and their parents.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s an ideal resource for families who want to engage in meaningful conversations about moral issues and guide their children in making ethical decisions.

Best for: Families interested in ethical dilemmas, promoting critical thinking, and fostering empathy.

13. Smithsonian Podcasts

The Smithsonian offers a wide range of podcasts, covering topics from art and history to humanities and space. Options include Airspace, American History Explorer, Slidedoor, Hirshhorn Podcast, Asian Art Podcasts, and more.

For Whom: Suitable for all ages, depending on the podcast.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s perfect for families interested in delving deep into various subjects, fostering a love for culture and history, and promoting lifelong learning.

Best for: Families seeking rich, diverse insights into the world’s cultural, scientific, and historical tapestry.

14. Calm Kids Podcast

Hosted by sisters Lucie and Charlotte, this podcast offers bedtime stories that incorporate positive reinforcement and mindfulness practices.

For Whom: Ideal for bedtime routines.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s an excellent tool for parents and caregivers looking to create a tranquil bedtime routine, instill mindfulness in their children, and promote personal growth.

Best for: Families seeking a peaceful and positive bedtime experience that encourages emotional well-being.

15. Smash Boom Best

Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families, where two cool things are pitted against each other, and you decide which is best.

For Whom: Suitable for kids and their parents.

For What It Can Be Used: It is an ideal platform for families to foster discussion, hone decision-making skills, and promote open-mindedness and respectful debate.

Best for: Families who enjoy constructive, lively debates and aim to nurture critical thinking.

16. Little Stories for Tiny People

Little Stories for Tiny People offers original audio stories filled with whimsy and wonder for young listeners and their families.

For Whom: Ideal for preschool and early elementary kids.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s perfect for parents and caregivers seeking to provide imaginative and creative stories for their children, nurturing storytelling skills and sparking creativity.

Best for: Families who appreciate imaginative stories and want to inspire creativity in their little ones.

17. The Big Fib

In an era of fake news, The Big Fib is a game show that helps kids determine what’s true and what’s false. It features insightful questions, evidence weighing, and trust in one’s judgment.

For Whom: Suitable for inquisitive kids.

For What It Can Be Used: It is an entertaining and educational resource for families who enjoy game shows and want to promote critical thinking, fact-checking, and information evaluation.

Best for: Families who enjoy entertaining and educational game shows that emphasize the importance of discerning truth from falsehood.

18. Noodle Loaf

Noodle Loaf is an interactive podcast for the whole family. Hosted by Dan Saks, it offers creative fun for about 10 minutes at a time.

For Whom: Suitable for kids aged 3-9.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s an ideal choice for families looking to engage in creative, musical activities that foster collaboration and shared enjoyment.

Best for: Families who appreciate musical and interactive learning experiences that bring them closer together.

19. Animal Sound Safari

Animal Sound Safari is a kids’ podcast that introduces listeners to the world’s weirdest and most amazing animal sounds.

For Whom: Ideal for young animal enthusiasts.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s a wonderful resource for families who want to learn about and appreciate the diversity of wildlife and animal sounds around the globe.

Best for: Budding wildlife enthusiasts eager to explore the natural world and its remarkable inhabitants.

20. Tumble

Tumble tells stories about science discoveries with the help of actual scientists, exploring topics like why cats always seem to land on their feet and what a journey to the center of the Earth would look like.

For Whom: Ideal for young scientists.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s an excellent tool for sparking scientific curiosity, inspiring future scientists, and instilling a love for inquiry and exploration.

Best for: Families who love science and want to nurture young scientists and explorers.

21. The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd

This podcast follows the ongoing battle between Dr. Floyd and the evil mastermind Dr. Steve. During their escapades, Dr. Floyd learns about history.

For Whom: Suitable for young history enthusiasts.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s ideal for families who want to make history lessons enjoyable and memorable while fostering a love for the past.

Best for: Young history buffs who enjoy exciting historical narratives.

22. Storynory

Description: Storynory is an online treasure trove of free audio stories. It offers a mixture of original stories, fairy tales, and specially adapted myths and histories.

For Whom: Suitable for children of all ages.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s perfect for families who appreciate classic and imaginative stories and want to introduce their children to the world of literature and storytelling.

Best for: Families who love to explore the beauty of classic and timeless tales.

23. The Rez

The Rez focuses on kindness activities for kids and the importance of sticking to values in a tech-savvy world. The narration revolves around two friends and their adventures against the wicked AI.

For Whom: Suitable for kids and families.

For What It Can Be Used: It serves as a valuable resource for families seeking to discuss the ethical implications of technology, instill kindness and empathy in their children, and encourage discussions about personal values.

Best for: Families interested in exploring the intersection of ethics and technology and nurturing personal values in their children.

24. Be Calm on Ahway Island

Be Calm on Ahway Island offers a perfect bedtime podcast, with soothing voices and soft music to calm children.

For Whom: Ideal for winding down before sleep.

For What It Can Be Used: It is the perfect choice for families seeking a tranquil bedtime routine that calms children before sleep and fosters a sense of inner peace.

Best for: Families seeking a peaceful, restful bedtime experience that encourages emotional well-being.

25. Sesame Street

Featuring Muppets from Sesame Street, this podcast conveys lessons on friendships, patience, and sharing through dance and music.

For Whom: Suitable for children aged 3-8.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s an ideal choice for families who want to entertain and educate their children while instilling essential life values and promoting character development.

Best for: Families who have a special place in their hearts for the timeless, educational magic of Sesame Street.

26. Greeking Out

Greeking Out, a National Geographic production, is based on the famous Nat Geo Kids book Zeus the Mighty. It delves into ancient Greek myths and characters.

For Whom: Suitable for history and mythology enthusiasts.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s a great resource for history and mythology enthusiasts, encouraging them to explore the rich world of ancient Greek mythology.

Best for: History and mythology lovers who have a fascination for the classical world.

27. Purple Rocket Podcast

Purple Rocket features twins Sawyer and Suzie, who explore the world with magic, fun, and learning in this award-winning podcast.

For Whom: Ideal for elementary-aged children.

For What It Can Be Used: It is an excellent choice for families with elementary-aged children who seek to ignite their curiosity and creativity, fostering a love for adventure and storytelling.

Best for: Families who value imaginative adventures and joyful storytelling.

28. Book Club for Kids

In each episode, real middle school students team up to talk about their favorite books. Episodes also include interviews with authors and celebrity readings.

For Whom: Suitable for young readers.

For What It Can Be Used: It is a perfect tool for families who want to instill a lifelong love of reading and encourage their children to explore and discuss literature.

Best for: Families who enjoy discussing books and nurturing a passion for reading.

29. Flyest Fables

Flyest Fables is for tweens who are into hip-hop. It follows Antoine, a boy who is bullied and finds a magical book that transports him to another world.

For Whom: Ideal for middle schoolers.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s an ideal choice for middle schoolers who want to cultivate their creative side and engage in meaningful conversations about personal development and storytelling.

Best for: Tweens with a love for storytelling and an affinity for hip-hop culture.

30. StarTalk Radio

Famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson talks about all things space, including stars, planets, humans in space, and interviews with amazing people.

For Whom: Suitable for budding astronomers.

For What It Can Be Used: It’s a perfect resource for families who want to explore the wonders of space and inspire future astronomers and scientists.

Best for: Families who share a passion for the mysteries of the cosmos and the excitement of scientific discovery.

31. The Allusionist

The Allusionist explores the oddities of the English language, offering good humor and levity while explaining the roots of words and phrases we use daily.

For Whom: Ideal for budding linguists.

For What It Can Be Used: It is an excellent choice for budding linguists and language enthusiasts who want to delve into the fascinating world of words, idioms, and language evolution.

Best for: Families who appreciate the beauty and complexity of language and enjoy playful word exploration.

32. Stuff You Missed in History Class

Stuff You Missed in History Class speaks for itself, delving into people and events often overlooked in traditional history classes.

For Whom: Suitable for history enthusiasts.

For What It Can Be Used: It is an ideal resource for history enthusiasts who want to dive deep into historical anecdotes and learn about the fascinating, untold stories of the past.

Best for: Families who love history and enjoy discovering the untold tales of the past.