Turn it up! Best podcasts for kids
From car rides to bedtime, quality audio content can engage children's minds and hearts, teach important facts and lessons, and begin conversations. Here are some of the best podcasts for children of all ages.
Quality audio content for children is a wonderful way to help them grow in curiosity and to serve as conversation starters for family connection. Podcasts have become one of the more popular mediums for audio material, and thankfully content creators have not left out children!
There are a plethora of podcasts available to children that are faith-filled, fact-filled, and adventure-filled. Read along for some recommendations.
Podcasts for under 6
The Heart of a Story: Saint Stories and Classic Tales for Tender Minds
This podcast is filled with short stories from the lives of the saints and historic moments in the Church. One episode not to miss is the Children's Stations of the Cross. Disclaimer, the episode does discuss purgatory, hell, and the Passion, but in a child-appropriate and theologically rich way. It is a powerful way to bring children into Christ’s passion and death during Lent and Holy Week.
Lamplighter Kids Stories
Rebecca and her squirrel friend Momo tell delightful and engaging stories to bring virtues to life. Bravery, compassion, fortitude, and kindness are all virtues that the characters struggle through and ultimately grow in as the story ends. While not explicitly Christian, this podcast is a great launch point for parents to begin discussing virtues with their children and to bring in Scripture at their own pace.
Ms. Adventure's Treehouse: Christian Stories for Kids
Lighthearted, silly, and fun stories with the Gospel at the root of each one. Ms. Adventure knows how to make kids laugh and always is eager to teach them that Jesus is the way to live a happy and joy-filled life. The seven-part episode called Elo’s Story is a stunning allegorical look at the creation story and a truly captivating tale about redemption for children.
Deep Blue Sea
Aboard the Sea Lab Alpha submarine children will learn all about the great ocean and its animals and habitats. Preview this before sharing with your family as this is not a Christian podcast but is enjoyed and recommended by Christian families.
Podcasts for 6-12
Merry Beggars: On the Night Train, The Saints, and A Christmas Carol
The Merry Beggars are a talented crew and any of their podcasts and retellings are worthwhile listening. “On the Night Train” is a great road-trip listen for all ages (including adults) and listening to their retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol might become a family tradition each Advent. “The Saints” podcast is an in-depth look into the life and legacy of a saint each week and the perfect way to inspire young hearts to live a life for Jesus.
Saints Alive
Bringing the lives of the saints to life through masterful storytelling is the bread and butter of the “Saints Alive” podcast. Each month they come out with a new saint story and their library is filled with a collection of amazing tales. Don’t miss the coloring sheets on their website!
Greeking Out
Made by National Geographic Kids, this podcast retells stories of Ancient Greece with facts about the time period interspersed. Filled with adventure and stories of monsters and heroes, kids won’t be able to get enough history! Preview this before sharing with your family as this is not a Christian podcast but is enjoyed and recommended by many Christian families.
StoryLight Podcast
While the podcast has ended, StoryLight has a library filled with beautifully narrated classic novels to enjoy with the entire family.
Podcasts for 12 and up
Past and the Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families
History and humor combined make for a wonderful podcast. Don’t limit to teens, the Past and the Curious podcast could be great for children starting around age 8. Preview this before sharing with your family as this is not a Christian podcast but is enjoyed by many Christian families.
Saint Faustina’s Diary in a Year
For anyone who thinks St. Faustina’s diary is too much to conquer on their own, try this podcast. Rev. Roesch, MIC, reads an excerpt each day and offers commentary to make this great spiritual classic accessible to anyone who wants to grow in the sacramental life with the help of a great saint and friend in Heaven. This podcast could be a really special way for a parent or godparent to grow in holiness alongside a teenager.
Fr. Mike Schmitz’s The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year
Topping the charts, either of these podcasts would be a great way to dive deeper into Scripture and the faith with teenagers.
Brains On!
This is a fun and engaging podcast about science and the world. It is not a Christian podcast, so preview the content before listening with children (for example, they cover puberty). This is a good podcast for everyone and anyone who is curious about the world, adults and younger children alike!
