Kid-Friendly Podcasts for Road Trips
We love a good road trip around here, but much like many families we get two main questions from the boys when they are in the car for more than 20 minutes - “how much longer until we get there?” and “can I play on my _________________ (tablet, Switch, etc.).”
Although we loosen the boys’ “screen time limits” when we are traveling, we still try not to let the boys just be on screens the whole time. As many parents know, this requires planning and creativity. One of the things that our whole family enjoys is listening to family-friendly podcasts along the way.
You are going to want to bookmark this post for this list of several that are popular not only with our family, but with many other families as well!
Are We There Yet? Quizshow Extravaganza Family Fun - We love trivia in our family, so this is a favorite of ours. This podcast is formatted like a radio-style interactive gameshow featuring family-friendly trivia to be used in a parents versus kids competition. The family is from Australia, so it also gives us an opportunity to learn some things about another continent which is fun! (best for ages 5+)
Wow in the World - Described as a “cartoon-for-the-ear adventure,” this podcast uses humor, storytelling and music to teach STEM based lessons in a fun way. With weekly episodes, Wow in the World has been ranked as the #1 podcast for “kids and their grown-ups.” (best for ages 5+)
Girl Tales - This monthly podcast is sharing fairy tales in a new way. Gone are the “damsels in distress” and the “princesses who need protection”. The girls are writing their own stories and taking control. (best for ages 5+)
Brains On! - This award-winning podcast focuses on science and history for curious kids and adults. Host, Molly Bloom, is joined by a different kid co-host each week to answer intriguing questions concerning our world. (best for ages 8+)
Story Pirates -Designed to encourage imagination and creativity, this award-winning family podcast turns stories sent in by kids into songs and skits. The episodes are often performed by famous artists such as Kristen Bell, John Oliver, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sara Bareilles, Seth Myers and many more. (best for ages 3+)
Circle Round - Developed by parents of young children, this weekly podcast takes stories and tales from around the world and uses enticing music and sound-effects to explore social topics such as kindness, generosity and resilience. (best for ages 3+)
Unspookable - If your kids likes to add the spooky factor into an adventure, this podcast is the one to try. It provides a family-friendly take on scary stories and urban legends. This one is especially fun with Halloween right around the corner. (best for ages 8+)
Smash Boom Best - Ever wonder which is better - Spider-Man or Batman? Narwhals or Jellyfish? Pizza or Tacos? This podcast takes two objects, conducts a debate and lets you decide which is best. Using proven facts and passionate opinions the hosts teach listeners how to defend their own thoughts and ideas. From the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! (best for ages 8+)
Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child - This podcast provides a kid-friendly soundtrack that even parents can enjoy. Hosted by a dad and his two kids, they highlight “indie music for indie kids,” with tracks from artists and bands such as They Might Be Giants, The Ramones, Mike Doughty, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more. (best for ages 2+)
Book Club For Kids - This 20-minute podcast features three students, usually 3rd-6th grade, discussing their favorite books. There are also author interviews and celebrity readings. (best for ages 8+)
Tumble - Another podcast that makes science a fun adventure for kids and families alike. The hosts bring science to life by engaging real scientists in telling stories about science discoveries! (best for ages 8+)
Storynory - With nearly 20 years of experience, this podcast has hundreds of original and reimagined stories. These stories can be shared with kids of many ages. (best for ages 7+)
Five Minutes with Dad - This podcast is hosted by a dad and his two kids. It gives a hilarious and heartwarming look at their relationships while answering some age-old kid to parent questions. (best for ages 4+)
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian - Follow Finn Caspian, 8-year-old boy, on his adventures aboard a space station on this podcast. Finn and his friends explore undiscovered planets, meet needy aliens, and unravel a mystery to save their space station. (best for ages 5+)
What If World - This podcast takes all the questions from your wildest imagination and poses questions. “What if a dragon lived in my closet? What if there were a never-ending bowl of ice cream?” With a little help from his friends, the host keeps kids laughing and curious in these 20 minute episodes. (best for ages 8+)
Ear Snacks - Winner of the Parent’s Choice Gold-medal winning podcast for kids, this podcast combines kids voices and ideas with experts, songs, and jokes for an interactive experience for kids and by kids. (best for ages 7+)
Short & Curly- This podcast will really get your family thinking about ethical questions facing our world today. Using plenty of humor and wit, the hosts cover a number of topics such as technology, school, pop culture and the future. (best for ages 6+)
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids - By kids and for kids, this podcast asks questions and then finds the answers to many of the questions kids ask that parents don’t always know how to answer. Why don't bicycles fall over? Why do we have blood and what does it do? How do boats float? Who invented emoji? They even ask their listeners to send in their questions to be answered in future episodes. (best for ages 5+)
Professor Theo's Mystery Lab - The podcast follows Professor Theo and the mysteries of his lab. The story is packed with kid superheroes, time travel, giant bugs and other fun surprises. This podcast is full of imagination that your whole family will love. (best for ages 5+)
Dr. Gameshow - The hosts of this podcast play games created by listeners from around the world! The fun comes as they scramble in an attempt to figure out how to play these hilarious games. (best for ages 7+)
I have tried to capture a variety of podcasts for different ages and interests, but there are literally dozens of kid and family-friendly podcasts out there on nearly any topic or genre you can think of. With a little research, you can easily find something that will work for your crew on your next road trip! Happy fun-venturing!
