Want to get your kids fired up about subjects that matter? Have a child who is a bit too introverted or shy about talking? Then consider podcasts. Turns out, kids not only listen intently to these programs, they also are likely to talk about what they’ve learned and share that information with others. Yes mom and dad, podcasts are good for kids.
There’s little secret that the business of podcasts for adults is booming. Commuters in cars and on trains, travelers on airplanes, and even folks at home are all gobbling up podcasts at astounding rates.
And while there remains something of a dearth of good podcasts for kids, that trend is starting to change. One small poll of more than 400 families found that kids will listen to the same podcast multiple times, will reenact parts of episodes, and ask for more information on topics of particular interest.
While this list is by no means exhaustive, we’ve taken a look at some podcasts that you might want to consider introducing your kids to.
Brains On! – A science podcast for kids and adults alike produced by the American Public Media company. Each week’s edition is co-hosted by kid scientists and reporters from public radio. Topics range from why we sneeze to translating a cat’s purr.
Flyest Fables – Advertised as “an interconnected fiction anthology,” this program explores topics like bullying, through a clever admixture of characters and scenarios voiced by the podcast’s creator and host, Morgan Givens. Though slated for young black kids (ages 7 – 12), the program has found a wide following with kids and parents of all races, largely (we suspect) because of its ultimate message of being kind and helpful to others.
But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids – When I was a boy, my all-time favorite book was “Still More, Tell Me Why,” because it shed light into an diverse array of topics I found fascinating. This is the mission powering But Why, a podcasts by and for kids that goes out in search of answers and explanations on topics of interest to its listeners.
KiDNuZ – Like the sponges that they are, your kids are picking up on the news even if they don’t talk about it. Which can make the news (and the world it represents) both intimidating and fascinating. KiDNuZ was created by moms as an easy-to-digest news briefing for kids and parents on topics that would likely be of interest to both. A recent edition has the story of a Tulsa boy who saved the life of a child strapped in a hot car.
The Past and the Curious – This clever podcast tackles noteworthy historical topics, but through the use of lesser-known players or subjects that were on the periphery of the story. Topics have included the history of the hot dog, the curious tale of a prairie dog that accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition across the U.S., and teenager Jackie Mitchell, a female baseball pitcher who struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
We hope this admittedly brief list gets you started into the wonderful world of podcasts for kids. Got one you recommend? We’d love to hear about it.
