Our family are avid podcast listeners and we listen to them everywhere – in the car on a long trip, when we’re sitting in waiting rooms and even in the dentist chair!
Over the years we have enthusiastically ripped through many podcasts series. Because we tend to prefer reading fiction books I try to balance that out with listening to non-fiction podcasts. I’ve found them even better than music or an audiobook because I have learnt many things along the way too. For instance, listening to the kid’s history podcast ‘Forever Ago‘ helped my school trivia table win the top prize!
Here are our favourite kids’ podcasts that both adults and kids enjoy, in no particular order. Note my kids are 7yo and 9yo and some of the podcasts are aimed at a younger preschooler audience, like Imagine This.
1. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
Our first foray into podcasts was thanks to the best-selling book Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.
In the podcast they bring some of the book’s stories to life with music, dialogue and cliffhangers. Sometimes the stories are so powerful they bring tears to my eyes while I’m driving.
Our favourite episodes: Ruth Bader Ginsburg narrated by Priscilla Chan and Virginia Hall read by S. Mitra Kalita
Download Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls via Apple Store
Download Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls via Google Play
2. Fierce Girls
Fierce Girls is an Australian version of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls featuring amazing Australian women and girls. I’m ashamed to say that many of these women I’d never heard of before listening to the podcast!
The stories are inspirational and educational, for boys AND girls.
Our favourite episodes: Julia Gillard — the girl who became Australian Prime Minister and Cathy Freeman — the girl who ran fast
Download Fierce Girls via Apple Podcasts
Download Fierce Girls via Google Play
3. Short & Curly
Short & Curly is an Australian ABC podcast is all about ethics and covers topics that are interesting and relevant to kids.
We also have the book The Short & Curly Guide to Life which is a great read for mid-upper primary school kids.
Our favourite episodes: Is it ever okay to be a cannibal? and Should grown-ups lie to you?
Download Short & Curly via Apple Podcasts
Download Short & Curly via Google Play
4. Wow in the World
This American science and technology podcast explores amazing facts and stories from around the world.
The production is sometimes a bit hyper/high-energy for me so it’s not always on high rotation depending on my mood. There’s also a lot of play-acting/storytelling before you get to main science sometimes.
Our favourite episodes: G-Force Vs. Wasabi: How The Brain Registers Pain and Dinosaurs Take Flight! How Birds Evolved To Fly
Download Wow in the World via Apple Podcasts
Download Wow in the World via Google Play
5. But Why?
But Why? is a podcast for curious kids…and the reason my kids keep nagging me to take them to holiday in Vermont (forests, lakes, maple syrup, cheese, ice cream)!
Parents record their kids asking questions about science, history, and other topics, and the podcast uses experts to answer the questions. It’s always thrilling when we hear a kid from Australia submit a question during a podcast episode!
Our favourite episodes: Why is Sugar Bad for You? and Who Makes the Laws?
Download But Why via Apple Podcasts
Download But Why via Google Play
6. Brains On!
This is probably our favourite science podcast. Brains On! from American Public Radio tackles some tricky scientific questions with cool production features such as the ‘Mystery Sound’, the ‘Moment of Um’ and comedic role-acting.
I have a particular affection for the dulcet tones of Molly Bloom. She just seems like the kind of person I’d like as a friend!
Our favourite episodes: Why are Smartphones So Hard to Put Down? and Are We Still Evolving?
Download Brains On! via Apple Podcasts
Download Brains On! via Google Play
7. Forever Ago
Thanks to our addiction to Brains On! we jumped across to their spinoff history podcast Forever Ago. This podcast is awesome for brushing up on your Trivial Pursuit skills and for wowing friends with your historical knowledge. Forever Ago is why our household now refers to sandwiches as ‘hillels’.
We really hope that they add new episodes soon, as we listened to all available episodes back to back while touring the Great Ocean Road.
Our favourite episodes: Emojis: The :-) That Changed Everything and Skateboards: When Roller Skates Met Surfboards
Download Forever Ago via Apple Podcasts
Download Forever Ago via Google Play
8. Smash Boom Best
Another spinoff from the Brains On! crew is Smash Boom Best. It’s a hilarious debate club podcast where adults are tasked with arguing their case for and against two awesome things in order to find out which one is best.
It’s creative and silly with a dose of general knowledge thrown in. Also they teach kids debating skills such as how to use expert opinions and statistics to back up your claims.
Our favourite episodes: Bermuda Triangle vs Loch Ness and Pizza vs Tacos
Download Smash Boom Best via Apple Podcasts
Download Smash Boom Best via Google Play
9. Gotta Be Done! Bluey Podcast
Gotta Be Done! is a podcast by two Bluey obsessed ex-journalist Melbourne mums – Kate McMahon and Mary Bolling. They examine Bluey, episode by episode, and draw comparisons to pop culture and other media. It’s more of a podcast for adults than kids, but it is still amusing for older kids!
Each Gotta Be Done! podcast is approximately 30 minutes in length, and covers one Bluey episode (as well as chatting about life, childhood and whatever else comes up).
Download Gotta Be Done! on Apple Podcasts
Download Gotta Be Done! on Stitcher
10. The Past & The Curious
I just love the name of The Past & The Curious! It’s a history kids podcast with a strong US focus, which made it a great learning tool for our New York City trip.
Our favourite episodes: The Statue of Liberty and Bridges – Emily Roebling, Sonny Rollins and more!
Download The Past & The Curious via Apple Podcasts
Download The Past & The Curious via Google Play
11. Imagine This
Imagine This is an Australian podcast that’s similar to But Why? where kids submit science-related questions and the answers are revealed in a fun and engaging way by Australian academics. We got quite a thrill when we heard Dr Tanya Hill of Melbourne Planetarium speak on the podcast!
Our favourite episodes: Does Space Go On Forever and How Do Echnidnas Breathe Underground?
Download Imagine This via Apple Podcasts
Download Imagine This via Google Play
12. Animal Sound Safari
In Animal Sound Safari learn about animal stories from around the world interspersed with cool facts and bad puns.
Our favourite episodes: The Luckiest Cat in the World and How Did Dogs Become Man’s Best Friend?
Download Animal Sound Safari via Apple Podcasts
Download Animal Sound Safari via Google Play
13. Tumble
Tumble explores stories of science discovery. Hosted by a science journalist and a teacher, this podcast focuses on how scientists make their discoveries in a fun storytelling format.
Our favourite episodes: Hamster vs Bacteria and The Voyage of the Ocean Trash
Download Tumble via Apple Podcasts
Download Tumble via Google Play
14. The Big Fib
Liar liar pants on fire! Pants on Fire is a game show where a kid interviews two experts in a particular topic, one of which is a genuine expert and the other is a liar. Can you tell the difference?
Pants on Fire is now The Big Fib! Why? Well, because Disney+ made a TV show of the podcast! The podcast is still the same show, still the same awesome hosts, still the same amazing game, with one new name.
After some episodes there’s an ‘Extinguished’ episode where you get to learn more about the truth from the expert.
Our favourite episodes: Toilets and Bicycles
Download Pants on Fire via Apple Podcasts
Download Pants on Fire via Google Play
Related: Best educational Disney+ shows for kids
15. Chompers
Tell me I’m not the only parent in the world who has to nag their kids to brush their teeth??
Chompers makes this chore a little bit more enjoyable with daily morning and night 4 minute episodes that combines jokes, riddles, stories, fun facts, silly songs with reminders to keep brushing the full two minutes that dentists recommend
Our favourite episodes: Snacks Weeks Morning Riddles and Snacks Week Night Quiz
Download Chompers via Apple Podcasts
Download Chompers via Google Play
16. Science VS
Science VS is not actually a children’s podcast. It is a science podcasts aimed at adults that sorts fact from fiction. Some of the content is suitable for older kids and I think the (Australian) host does a great job in discussing hard-hitting topics in a relatable and easily digestible format.
As a family, we have learnt facts and research about sharks, how vaccines work, the science of being transgender, climate change.
Just vet the topics before you download – you and your kids may not be ready for discussions relating to abortion, police shootings or vaping yet.
Our favourite episodes: Do immigrants take people’s jobs and cause more crime? and Can we see race in our DNA?
Download Science VS via Apple Podcasts
Download Science VS via Google Play
17. Squiz Kids
A quick daily news podcasts for kids, sort of like a podcast version of BTN Behind the News.
Brought to you by the same team behind The Squiz Today and Squiz Shortcuts podcasts, Squiz Kids drops at 7.00am each weekday with an easy-to-digest snapshot of the news designed for 8-12yos.
Download Squiz Kids via Apple Podcasts
Download Squiz Kids via Google Play
18. The Fact Detectives
Museums Victoria has partnered with Kinderling Kids Radio to produce a podcast series titled The Fact Detectives.
The Fact Detectives brings Museums Victoria’s research and collections to life as the hosts chat to museum experts about the coolest things about their areas of expertise.
Are there really killer butterflies? Did monster kangaroos once roam the land? And what exactly is a fossil?
It’s on Kinderling Kids Radio on weekdays at 7am or weekends at 1pm or you can listen anytime on the Kinderling app. There’s a new episode every fortnight.
Download The Fact Detectives via Apple Podcasts
Download The Fact Detectives via Google Play
19. Big Life Kids Podcast
Listen to the Big Life Journal Podcast to hear how Big Life Kids have applied their skills to everyday adventures.
Join Zara and Leo in each podcast episode, where Big Life Kids (listeners) call in and chat about their adventures. The 7 minute episodes highlight how Big Life Journal ideas can be applied to everyday situations and to strengthen the use of Big Life Journal products in your home.
Download The Big Life Kids Podcast via Apple Podcasts
Download The Big Life Kids Podcast via Google Play
Related: Big Life Journal Review
20. Earth Rangers
Hi kids, if you think that animals are amazing, this is the show for you! Join host Earth Ranger Emma as she travels the world to discover the wildest animal facts out there and solve nature’s biggest mysteries.
With top ten countdowns, an animal guessing game, conservation conversations, and epic animal showdowns, this is a journey you won’t want to miss!
Download Earth Rangers Podcast via Apple Podcasts
Download Earth Rangers Podcast via Google Play
21. Dream Big
The Dream Big Podcast is a family-friendly podcast inspiring kids (and adults!) to pursue their passions in life and take action to make their dreams a reality. Your hosts Eva Karpman (currently 10-years-old in the 5th grade) and mom Olga Karpman interview world-class performers who do what they love and live their dreams each and every day. Eva also does solo episode where she answers questions from our audience and discusses personal development principles.
The Dream Big Podcast’s short 15-20 minute format makes for the perfect length to listen to an episode in the car with your kids.
Download Dream Big Podcast via Apple Podcasts
Download Dream Big Podcast via Stitcher
22. Sesame Street
Download and subscribe to the Sesame Street video podcast featuring the furry and loveable Muppets of Sesame Street. Sing songs with Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster and Grover.
Learn about friendship, patience and sharing with Bert and Ernie. Celebrate sunny days with all of your favorite Muppets with new episodes every Monday!
Download Sesame Street Podcast via Apple Podcasts
Download Sesame Street Podcast via Stitcher
23. 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.
Download Ear Snacks Podcast via Apple Podcasts
Download Ear Snacks Podcast via Google Play
23. KiDNuZ
Kids deserve a daily newscast all their own. Kickstart your morning with 5 minutes of timely, unbiased, and age-appropriate stories from politics, entertainment, science, health, and sports. It is US based with a sprinkling of world politics.
It is professionally written and professionally delivered by 4 Emmy winning journalists who also happen to be moms.
Download KiDNuZ Podcast via Apple Podcasts
Download KiDNuZ Podcast via Stitcher
24. The Music Box
The Music Box is an interactive music education podcast for kids, exploring fundamental music concepts through performing, responding and connecting.
The current season is hosted by music educator Faith Murphy. Each episode gets listeners involved in making music! Short episodes are perfect for a car ride or just hanging out at home.
Download The Music Box Podcast via Apple Podcasts
Download The Music Box Podcast via Google Play
25. Million Bazillion
Million Bazillion is a podcast about money for kids and their families from Marketplace, in collaboration with Brains On! Hosted by Jed Kim, we answer the awkward, uncomfortable, and sometimes surprising questions that kids have about money.
Download Million Bazillion Podcast via Apple Podcasts
Download Million Bazillion Podcast via Google Play
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I hope this post has helped or inspired you! Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to find out more ways for your family to have fun together!
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