Looking for something to supplement your child’s learning without more screentime? Give Educational Podcasts a try!
Some links mentioned on this blog are affiliate links for your convenience. For more information, read my complete disclosure policy
Kickin it (really) old school – back to the days where family entertainment consisted of sitting around the radio, podcasts for young listeners are a great way to engage the other senses (without screens!). Sounds like such a dream. Amiright!? They will encourage kids to experience entertainment and education in a new way.
We love listening to audio books! I got hooked when I snagged the 30 day free trial of Audible! Nothing better than finding your next read aloud on audio book. I love it when I can give my vocal chords a break and just relax and listen with the kids. So the obvious next step was podcasts (and they’re free!).
Just like we like a break the kids will love a break from the normal daily work! Delight your kids’ ears with these entertaining and educational podcasts for young listeners.
Educational podcasts are a great way to make learning fun for your kids.
So, where do you begin? Well, we researched and found 15 awesomely entertaining and educational podcasts you and your kids will enjoy.
Educational Podcasts for Kids
(Disclaimer – Screen all podcasts to assure they align with your beliefs, I am not sure of the complete content of these podcasts and cannot endorse them.)
- Bedtime History
- The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd
- Stuff You Missed in History Class
- The Past and the Curious
- Shabam
- Wow in the World
- But Why?
- Brains On
- Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
- The Show About Science
- Adventures in Odyssey
- Eleanor Amplified
- The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian
- Book Club For Kids
- Story Nory
Kids History Podcasts
This is a series of educational, relaxing stories for kids. Learn about inspirational characters such as Neil Armstrong, Sacajawea, George Lucas and J.K. Rowling. Other topics include space exploration, current events, and great feats of engineering such as The Transcontinental Railroad.
2- The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd
The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd is a short audio and video series distributed via podcasting. It’s a family friendly show in the style of old-time radio. The show also draws much inspiration from The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show.
As kids listen to the ongoing story of Dr. Floyd fighting the evil mastermind Dr. Steve, they’ll travel through history. There are over 400 episodes to listen to.
3- Stuff You Missed in History Class
Join Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class in this podcast by HowStuffWorks.com. NOTE: Even though this is not a kids’ podcast, this podcast that explores little known historical information about people and events is family friendly and always gives a warning if the show is going to have any possible objectionable content.
This podcast takes a look at historical characters from all over the world. Take a journey through unusual and unsung tales from the past.
Science Podcasts for Kids
Shabam! is a new type of science show that blends fictional stories with real science. If you love science but hate those awkward scientist interviews that involve graphs and confusing metaphors, you’re in luck.
Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them. They go inside our brains, out into space and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology.
But Why is a show led by kids. They ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. On But Why, they tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world.
Brains On! is an award-winning audio show for kids and families. Each week, a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom to find answers to fascinating questions about the world. Their mission is to encourage kids’ natural curiosity and wonder using science and history…but there’s no age limit on curiosity, and episodes of Brains On can be enjoyed by anyone.
9- Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
Tumble is a science podcast for kids, to be enjoyed by the entire family. They tell stories about science discoveries, with the help of scientists! Join Lindsay and Marshall as they ask questions, share mysteries, and share what science is all about.
Nate began hosting this conversational science podcast with the help of his dad when he was 5. He interviews a different scientist every episode, and his delightful curiosity about the world around him is infectious. — The New York Times
PIN IT FOR LATER —>
Audio Drama Stories and More
It began as an experiment. In 1986 Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family wanted to produce a high-quality drama series for the radio. He hoped that it would appeal to Christians looking for alternatives to Saturday morning cartoons or simply families in search of wholesome entertainment.
Steve Harris and Phil Lollar, the show’s creators, brainstormed what the series could be. They decided that it should be set in a small town (called Odyssey) somewhere in the Midwest and hearken to the golden age of radio without sounding dated.
In 1987, a 13-week test series was aired on the Focus on the Family broadcast. It was called Family Portraits and chronicled the lives and times of Odyssey residents – including John Whittaker and a special “soda shop and discovery emporium” called Whit’s End.
Audience response was so favorable that Focus went one step further and created the weekly radio program that would eventually be called Adventures in Odyssey.
Join the club!
Pursue the truth with Eleanor, a world-famous radio reporter!
In each episode a world-famous radio reporter, encounters new villains who try to spin stories and spread dishonesty while she stops at nothing to foil their crafty yet humorous plans by pursuing the truth.
Eleanor takes her listeners from sea to space as she tackles new challenges, sometimes with the help of zany friends.
Eleanor Amplified is an adventure series for the whole family. Listen together as the world-famous radio reporter Eleanor Amplified, foils devious plots and outwits crafty villains, all in pursuit of the big story… Like all the public media shows you love, Eleanor Amplified is entertaining and informative.
Eleanor will spark laughter and conversation the whole family will enjoy, while preparing kids to appreciate journalism and make smart media choices in the future.
13- The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian
This is a serialized science-fiction podcast for kids, published by Gen-Z Kids, a division of Gen-Z media.
Free, 20-minute podcast devoted to middle grade books and readers. Each show features a trio of students discussing a favorite book, an interview with the author, and a celebrity reading.
An online treasure-trove of free audio stories. You can listen to a mixture of original stories, fairy tales, and specially adapted myths and histories. Storynory has been publishing a new episode weekly since 2005, so there is plenty to love and something for everyone.
I am definitely not against screentime by any means, but I am all for mixing it up and challenging the other senses no matter your child’s learning style. So give educational podcasts or audiobooks a try! You won’t be disappointed!
For more homeschooling inspiration, tips and encouragement, make sure to follow KFH on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to our Newsletter for some FREE GOODIES!
Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, & Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!
Hi, this is such a great list of podcasts! I would include Newsy Pooloozi Podcast in this list too! It’s a critically acclaimed kids news podcast & has thousands of kids tune in every Wednesday to know what’s happening around the world. They break down complex concepts & help learn new words, & break down cultural complexities in a very easy to understand manner. Highly recommended for kids who would like to have an empathetic worldview!