As your child heads back to school, you may be looking for appropriate ways to bolster the education they're getting in the classroom. But how do you determine what's suitable for their grade level while remaining inclusive and entertaining enough that they won't be bored to tears? Answer: Try podcasts.
There are many child-friendly podcasts out there that explore topics that aren't often included in traditional curricula. You can listen to them in the car on the way to school or sports practices, and they can spark questions around difficult topics like racism or identity — in an age-appropriate way.
Christine Elgersma, senior editor at Common Sense, a nonprofit that provides media resources for families and schools, can attest to this personally. She and her daughter often listen to podcasts together and discuss the issues they bring up. "The nice thing about podcasts is it's often a joint activity, so often parents and kids are listening together," Elgersma said.
Mashable spoke with Elgersma and scoured Common Sense Media's review guides to get the top recommendations for child-friendly and thought-provoking podcasts that cover a range of topics from history to politics to identity.
1. Flyest Fables, ages 7-12
This modern take on classic tales is structured as an interconnected fiction anthology. It explores a variety of characters, identities, and experiences, including that of a young boy who is being bullied and a military vet experiencing homelessness. Each episode sounds like a bedtime story, with colorful descriptions and a multitude of characters (all voiced by the host, Morgan Givens, who, in addition to being a writer and audio producer, is a voice actor). He approaches each episode in a sensitive, age-appropriate way, without downplaying serious topics.
Givens describes his podcast as "hopepunk," a term coined in 2017 by fantasy author Alexandra Rowland. Characters who embody hopepunk stand up for their convictions, support others, and work toward a kinder and more equitable world. Givens drops a big dose of hopepunk into each of his protagonists' hearts and minds.
The episodes range from about 10 to 25 minutes, perfect for your child to listen to before they fall asleep.
2. So Get Me, ages 9+
The 2019 podcast So Get Me explores a variety of identities and stories from real people, from 11-year-old Michaella, who is transgender, to Innosanto Nagara, who is a children's author and activist. Each episode is empowering, encouraging listeners to embrace different identities without any apologies. Like the podcast's title states, each person featured on the episodes tells the world to accept them for who they are.
The podcast is brought to you by the music group the Alphabet Rockers, a duo who attempts to create a just world through empowering hip-hop. Their Grammy-nominated album Rise Shine #Woke was "created to interrupt racial bias" and includes song titles like "Stand Up For You" and "I'm Proud."
One of the co-hosts, Kaitlin McGaw, has a degree in African American Studies from Harvard. Her musical partner, Tommy Shepherd, is an actor, composer, rapper, music producer, and more. The host, hip-hop dance teacher Samara Atkins, takes the listener on an engrossing and entertaining ride with McGaw, Shepherd, and the episodes' guests.
3. KidNuz, ages 8-14
Adults aren't the only ones who feel overwhelmed by the hectic and sobering news cycle. Kids feel it too. This podcast, chosen as a Common Sense Selection for families by Common Sense Media, breaks down the news in a kid-appropriate way through episodes that are under 10 minutes long. Past episodes have explored topics from climate change to sports to the presidential debates. Though it focuses heavily on American news, global news is included, too.
"It's a nice entry point if you're trying to discuss what's happening in the world, without exposing your kids to some of the tougher topics in a way that might be traumatizing or not kid-appropriate," Elgersma told Mashable. If you want your child to be informed about the news but not overwhelmed, try this podcast.
4. The Past and the Curious, ages 8-14
This podcast is a quirky and fun take on often-concealed pieces of history. Past episodes have delved into the story of the little-known prairie dog that accompanied Lewis and Clark; Emily Roebling, who unexpectedly became the Brooklyn Bridge's chief engineer; and the history of the hot dog.
Some episodes also tell the stories of women who have taken a backseat in history books, such as Maria Mitchell, the first American to discover a new comet. And to bring the story alive, historical figures are sometimes voiced by guests, who really take their voice acting seriously.
The podcast's host, professional museum educator Mick Sullivan, intersperses quizzes throughout some episodes to ensure kids are paying attention.
And along with Elgersma's suggestions, Mashable's offering a few more. The podcasts below have all received Common Sense recommendations. The shows dive into a wide array of stories and topics for kids of all ages.
5. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, all ages
But Why is a podcast designed to answer kids' most pressing questions, asked directly by kids themselves. Experts respond to kids' calls to address some of life's biggest questions of diversity, the environment, and the world at large.
The show, hosted by Vermont Public Radio, tackles just about everything a curious kid could ask their caregivers — questions like: Where does money come from? How does soap work? Why do we have to go to school? And even bigger topics that, OK, maybe not every kid is asking, but are still important: Why is there a big patch of garbage in the Pacific Ocean? Who makes the laws? Why can't kids vote? With the help of expert voices, the show answers the simple and the complex in kid-friendly terms.
Common Sense listed But Why among its Best Podcasts for Kids and recommended the show's quick biweekly episodes for all ages, parents included.
6. Brains On!, ages 7-12
Similar to But Why, this podcast by American Public Media answers kid-submitted science questions in an engaging, hands-on way. The show is co-hosted by a new kid each week. Brains On! even has subject-specific episode playlists covering big, complicated topics, like public health and COVID, and the environment and water. There's an "Exploration and Adventure" playlist featuring the stories of Australia's youngest female pilot, an investigation into underground cities, and interviews with kids who are exploring science in unique ways.
Common Sense named Brains On! one of the best podcasts for tackling the "summer slide" (a decline in academic proficiency during the school break). The organization describes the show as a successfully silly and entertaining science education for slightly older kids and tweens.
7. Stuff You Missed in History Class, ages 13+
iHeart Radio's Stuff You Missed in History Class highlights the weird, overlooked, and intentionally left-out history lessons from mainstream classrooms.
The stories cover complex and relevant science facts, like how smallpox was eradicated, and shares histories lost or manipulated over time, including the tale of Mildred Fish-Harnack, a Wisconsin-born resistance fighter against the Nazis, and the story of the Kerner Commission Report, presented to President Lyndon Johnson outlining reforms to achieve racial justice (he refused to accept it). Featured names span politics, science, and art.
Hosts Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey pay special attention to the histories of underrepresented groups, like the lives of artists Jo Nivison — an established painter whose story was second to her famous husband, Edward Hopper — and Berthe Morisot, a talented impressionist and close friend of famous artist Edouard Manet.
The show, which Common Sense says is best for "tweens and teens," dives into just about everything. During 2020's galvanized racial justice movement, Stuff You Missed in History Class also created a Twitter thread of every episode featuring important Black history.
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8. The best Code Switch episodes for kids, no age specified (up to parents' discretion)
NPR's Code Switch is an award-winning podcast that discusses race and racism through the voices of journalists of color — it's an honest, open look at how race affects every part of American life. In 2020, amid national conversations about racial justice and the struggle of pandemic at-home education, Code Switch created a playlist of kid-appropriate episodes to help parents start (and expand) the conversation. The list includes history lessons, current events, and even personal stories.
The episode "On the Shoulders of Giants" outlines a history of activism among Black athletes, from Olympic champion sprinter Wilma Rudolph to football player Colin Kaepernick's protests. In "Word Up", Code Switch explores a 1992 University of Kansas study that concluded children who grow up in poverty hear 30 million fewer words than children living in more affluent homes. The study is still cited in education years later, but it's misleading, maybe even just wrong. It was based on only 42 families, the numbers are approximations, and some researchers say it has inherent racial biases.
Important for kids transitioning out of elementary school, "Dispatches From the Schoolyard" shares stories from real middle and high schoolers about the struggles and triumphs of everyday life, including "periods, Deaf culture, juvenile detention, and being transgender."
The list was highlighted in Common Sense's Wide Open School curriculum, a program designed to help connect families, kids, and educators with additional education resources. Code Switch says every episode is "free of profanity, graphic references, and other adult content" and hopes the playlist encourages "bright young minds...just waiting to learn how to fight the power and advance racial justice."
9. Newsy Pooloozi, ages 7+
Newsy Pooloozi was created by mother-daughter podcasting duo Lyndee Prickitt and Leela Sivasankar Prickitt. The elder Prickitt is a journalist who started the show with her curious young daughter to encourage people of all ages to become more aware of current affairs. It's also been featured by Common Sense Media in its Common Sense Selections for children's podcasts.
This podcast is a great introductory source for children interested in international current events, or for parents seeking conversational entry points to talk to their kids about politics, science, and other newsworthy topics. The show doesn't skip over the big topics, either, with episodes focused on things like gun control treated in thoughtful, delicate ways for its young audience. For parents, the episodes also come with timestamp warnings for those who may want to skip certain news. Each episode also features both a child correspondent and an advising adult, who helps both listener and host better understand what's going on.
10. The Ten News, ages 8+
The Ten News podcast takes a succinct, but informative, route to sharing news, producing fast-paced 10-minute episodes that include rapid-fire questions, trivia, and other interactive moments created for kids to process what they're learning. The podcast's latest season is co-hosted by journalist Pamela Kirkland and filmmaker and writer Ryan Willard, who converse with kid reporters, experts, and other correspondents about what's going on in the world that day.
Common Sense Media describes the show as a news source that doesn't provoke fear for kids and their families, while still discussing important subjects like LGBTQ rights, environmental justice, and even global conflict. The review also notes a diversity of contributors and children's voices, and commends the show's ability to relate major social issues to the everyday lives of kids by highlighting young activists and positive role models.
11. A Kids Book About: The Podcast, ages 8+ (with some episodes recommended for 10+)
Based on the "A Kids Book About" book series, which offers kid-friendly explainers on big issues like systemic racism and mental health, this podcast chooses to address children directly about sensitive, important topics, in ways that foster empathy, communication, compassion, courage, and curiosity, according to Common Sense Media's 5-star review.
The episodes covers issues that children face both in personal life, on the screen, and in the news, things like body image, racism, gender equality, sexuality, and even specific current and historical events, like anti-Asian racism, the climate crisis, and the Tulsa Race Massacre. The episodes are guided by kids and adults who have lived experiences with each topic, and the hosts invite listeners to send follow-up questions.
12. Mija Podcast, ages 8+
Mija Podcast was created by Lory Martinez, a daughter of Colombian immigrant parents who grew up in Queens, New York, and features fictionalized stories intended to highlight universalize experiences of multicultural and immigrant families. It was featured in Common Sense Media's Common Sense Selections, which awarded the podcast 5 stars across the board, noting for parents that the show includes descriptions of perilous experiences and racism.
The show is a multilingual podcast (available also in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Arabic) focused on exploring identity through intergenerational family stories. Each podcast season focuses on the members and experiences of a different immigrant family, and in each episode, Martinez enlists the voice of a daughter ("mija" in Spanish) to tell her family's story. A follow-up season, Mija Música, features the single story of Mexican American immigrant and music lover Gavilán. There's also a spin-off, Mija on the Mike, a weekly talk show featuring the reflections of daughters of immigrants. It's great listening for children and families interesting in exposing themselves to diverse human experiences.
13. Forever Ago, ages 5+
From American Public Media's Brains On! Universe collection, Forever Ago is a quirky and entertaining podcast that teaches listeners about everyday history, focusing on topics, objects, and cultural trends that children are likely to come across.
Another Common Sense Selection, the show received a glowing review for highlighting educational topics "in a way that will likely excite kids, without making learning seem like a chore." The show's host, Joy Dolo, is joined by child co-hosts, and Common Sense Media specifically notes the podcast's intentional diversity and inclusivity in the topics it covers.
Episodes range from the history of Black cowboys and the rainbow Pride flag to curiosities like the origin of " the weekend."
14. Culture Kids Podcast, ages 5+
Culture Kids Podcast is a multicultural journey through diverse cultures and locales around the world, co-hosted by Kristen Kim and her curious 6-year-old son Asher. Webby-nominated and rated 5 stars by Common Sense Media, the show features international foods, holiday celebrations, famous landmarks, and more, while centering topics that children will find most interesting.
Episodes span topics like the cuisine of Prague and Cantonese culture; sites like New York City's financial district and Pittsburgh's rich history; and fun music moments, like the discovery of hip-hop and the foundations of K-Pop.
UPDATE: Aug. 11, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EDT An original version of this story was published in August 2019 and has since been updated with additional reporting by Chase DiBenedetto.
Topics Small Humans Social Good
