Top 10 Podcasts for Children Ages 5-12
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Glenard Patnelli
25 November 2024
🕓 5 min
Every parent wants their child to thrive academically, but for many children, learning can feel like a chore or even an impossible challenge. To address these struggles, it’s essential to understand why they occur and how to help children overcome them. Whether it’s due to a lack of interest, undiagnosed learning challenges, or other underlying factors, every difficulty can be addressed with the right strategies.
1. Wow in the World
Host: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Wow in the World is a highly popular podcast that brings children into the world of science with a sense of wonder and fun. Hosted by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, this podcast explores fascinating topics in science, technology, and space. With engaging storytelling and humour, Wow in the World encourages children to think critically and be curious about the world around them.
Why it’s great: The fun storytelling, sound effects, and quirky characters make complex topics entertaining and accessible for younger listeners.
2. Brains On!
Host: Molly Bloom
Brains On! is a science podcast that answers all of those burning questions kids have about the world. Whether it’s “Why do we sneeze?” or “How do airplanes fly?” the podcast provides answers to scientific questions in a way that children can understand and enjoy. With each episode, kids can learn about a new topic, presented with fun facts and experiments.
Why it’s great: It invites children to submit their own questions, fostering their curiosity and sense of exploration in science.
3. StoryCorps: Kids Edition
Host: Various Storytellers
StoryCorps: Kids Edition is an inspiring podcast that shares stories of children and young people around the world. These stories are full of heart and life lessons, offering young listeners a chance to reflect on experiences they may relate to or learn from. It’s a great way to engage kids with emotional intelligence and cultural understanding.
Why it’s great: It teaches kids empathy and the importance of storytelling through real-life experiences.
4. The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
Host: Whetstone Media
This thrilling, serialized mystery podcast follows a young boy, Mars Patel, as he searches for his missing friends in a world filled with strange occurrences. It combines adventure, science fiction, and a little bit of mystery, which keeps children hooked throughout the episodes. It’s an exciting option for kids who love a good story.
Why it’s great: The story’s suspense and adventure encourage kids to think critically and pay attention to clues as the mystery unfolds.
5. Circle Round
Host: Rebecca Sheir
Circle Round adapts classic and new stories from around the world, reimagining them into engaging audio experiences for children. With captivating narration and sound design, the podcast introduces children to diverse cultures and timeless lessons. It’s perfect for kids who enjoy listening to stories with moral lessons.
Why it’s great: It teaches kids valuable lessons about empathy, kindness, and social responsibility through culturally diverse storytelling.
6. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Children exposed to excessive screen time often struggle to concentrate on tasks that don’t provide instant gratification. The fast-paced, high-stimulus environment of screens can make traditional learning feel slow or dull by comparison.
Why This Happens: Activities like playing video games or watching videos activate the brain’s reward system in ways that structured learning does not. Over time, children may develop a preference for high-intensity stimulation, making focus and patience difficult to sustain.
How to Help: Establish screen time limits and encourage balanced activities such as reading, outdoor play, or art projects. Consider incorporating educational apps sparingly, ensuring they align with your child’s learning goals rather than replacing active engagement.
7. Tumble
Host: Lindsay and Marshall
Tumble is a science podcast that tells captivating stories about scientific discoveries, all while encouraging kids to learn through exploration and experimentation. It covers a wide range of topics from space to biology, providing children with insight into the processes behind scientific breakthroughs.
Why it’s great: The fun format and real-life scientists make it a great way to get kids excited about science and learning.
8. Short & Curly
Host: ABC Radio
Short & Curly is an ethics podcast for kids, tackling big moral questions that kids often face. The hosts discuss dilemmas, such as whether it’s ever okay to break the rules, and let kids weigh in on these thought-provoking topics. It’s a great podcast for building critical thinking skills and sparking conversations about right and wrong.
Why it’s great: It encourages children to think deeply about ethics, making them more aware of the world around them.
9. The Imagine Neighborhood
Host: Eric Newsom and Kristen Bell
The Imagine Neighborhood is a podcast that uses imaginative storytelling to teach kids important life skills. It addresses themes such as kindness, resilience, and teamwork, using a mix of fun characters and scenarios to help children understand complex social concepts.
Why it’s great: The stories are relatable, and the characters help children understand how to navigate challenging situations in a positive way.
10. The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian
Host: Jonathan Messinger\
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian is a sci-fi podcast that follows a young boy, Finn, on his intergalactic adventures aboard a space station. With exciting episodes that involve alien encounters, mysterious planets, and thrilling escapades, this podcast is perfect for kids who are interested in space and science fiction.
Why it’s great: It sparks imagination and teaches kids about space, teamwork, and problem-solving through fun and engaging storytelling.
Final Thoughts
Podcasts are a fantastic way to engage children with stories, science, and real-world learning while nurturing their curiosity. Whether your child is passionate about learning, storytelling, or solving mysteries, there’s a podcast for every interest. By introducing kids to podcasts that entertain and educate, you can help them develop valuable listening skills, enhance their imagination, and foster a lifelong love for learning.
At Science of Sound (SOS), we celebrate the wonders of science and encourage curiosity and learning in young minds. If you’re interested in exploring more about sound, science, and other fascinating topics, consider joining our Science of Sound holiday camps for engaging activities and experiments. Let’s embark on a journey of discovery together!
