Summer break is here, which means it’s the perfect time to pop a pair of headphones on your kids or plug in your favorite smart home device and listen to a family-friendly podcast to fill your time. These podcasts aren’t just a bunch of fun — they’re also incredible opportunities to diversify your child’s entertainment and supplement their education before the school year picks back up.
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“It’s very clear the podcast world is growing, but what’s less obvious is how impactful and innovative kids and family podcasts are and will continue to be as they expand and evolve,” said Laura Ordoñez, head of podcast ratings and reviews for Common Sense Media, a nonprofit advocacy group providing expert technology and entertainment recommendations to families and teachers.
In 2022, the organization announced a new podcast-centered expansion of its Selection Seal, which recognizes media with significant quality and impact on families and society at large. Earlier that year, the organization launched its first podcast rating and review site, which informs listeners about each show’s educational value, its co-listening ability for parents and children, the show’s diversity and authenticity, and the quality of audio. The Selection Seal pulls from that in-depth review list of more than 70 child-friendly podcasts, singling out the best of the best for families and kids. Each Common Sense Selection meets the highest editorial standards for overall quality based on diversity, impactful themes, and positive messages and role models.
Resources like these aid parents and kids in their search for educational, creative shows and help more families see the “incredibly diverse and dynamic media format as both an educational and entertainment resource for kids and families,” says Common Sense Media.
Each piece of media on Common Sense’s site is reviewed according to specific child development best practices and displays the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate, the organization explains. Caregivers and educators can search the site and set preferences based on the listener’s age, specific content limits, genre, and character strengths. Common Sense also includes a star rating that reflects overall quality and learning potential. Find out more about the ratings system on the Common Sense Media website.
Check out a few notable selections below, and then visit CommonSense’s website for the full list of approved and reviewed Common Sense Selections when searching for your family’s next audio adventure.
For younger kids and storytelling
Circle Round, 5 stars (ages 2+)
Circle Round shares 15-to-20-minute adaptations of famous folk tales from around the world, narrated by big names across stage and screen, like broadway actress Phillipa Soo and chef and TV personality Samin Nosrat. Each episode is accompanied by original music to creatively connect the cultural tales with its overarching themes and celebrity guest, engaging even the youngest audience. In Common Sense’s 5-star review, the organization points out the podcast’s additional web activities, including printable illustrations and coloring pages, and notes the show’s central themes of courage, compassion, empathy, and self-control.
Girl Tales, 5 stars (ages 4+)
This podcast reimagines traditional fairy tales and history in a way that centers and empowers female protagonists, part of its mission to create “feminist stories for a new generation.” The immersive show chooses a new fable each week, incorporating lessons on friendship, identity, girlhood, and emotional processing into the fun tales of adventure. “Girl Tales gives fairy tales new meaning, while also giving young girls refreshing and empowering reflections of themselves in the stories they hear,” Common Sense wrote in its 5-star review.
The Story Seeds Podcast, 5 stars (ages 6+)
The Story Seeds Podcast is a perfect show for book lovers of all ages, as young aspiring writers team up with established children’s authors like Katherine Applegate and Dan Gutman to outline and write their own books. Each episode follows the process of turning one child’s “story seeds” into a full-fledged narrative, with listeners walking through the storytelling along with both adult and child authors. Common Sense Media notes that the episodes specifically emphasize representation, and foster a sense of empowerment for children who come with ideas from a variety of backgrounds. The organization rates the show 5 stars for the presence of positive role models and diverse representation, and recommends the show’s bonus Q&A with each author as additional material for interested families.
Newsy Pooloozi, 5 stars (ages 7+)
This podcast is a great entry point for children interested in current events or for parents seeking a way into big conversations about international politics, science, and other newsworthy topics. Episodes about heavy issues, like gun control, are treated delicately for a young audience — the episodes also come with timestamp warnings for those who may want to skip certain news — and each is accompanied by a child correspondent in conversation with an adult in order to better understand what’s going on. Common Sense Media highlights this podcast for its notable educational content and positive effect on media literacy.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, 5 stars (ages 7+)
The Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls podcast is inspired by the book of the same name, part of the Rebel Girls series, which shares the real-life stories of notable women around the world and throughout history. In this audio version, inspirational women and nonbinary leaders take on the role of narrator to bring these stories (and their own) to young listeners, which Common Sense Media notes as exemplifying positive role modeling and messaging for children. The podcast is also available on the Rebel Girls App, which offers the same positive podcast content, as well as additional playlists, sleep stories, and soundscapes for listeners of all ages.
Forever Ago, 5 stars (ages 5+)
Forever Ago, a quirky history show from American Public Media’s Brains On! Universe collection, covers the history behind the everyday, with a focus on topics, objects, and cultural trends that children are most likely to be exposed to. Episodes include the invention of the microwave, the history of the Happy Birthday song, and even stories of diversity like Black cowboys and the rainbow Pride flag. Common Sense says the podcast is notable for its diverse and inclusive topics and “all ages” production.
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For kids exploring bigger topics
Stoopkid Stories, 4 stars (ages 8+)
Stoopkid Stories, narrated by creator Melissa Victor, tells the story of a diverse group of children and their families navigating daily life in a fictional neighborhood, all based on her own experiences growing up in Baltimore. Interwoven with the relatable stories of early childhood, in which kids learn how to process experiences like school drama and braces, are universal lessons and heavier discussions about social activism, racial justice, addiction, and grief. The episodes span the realities of various communities of color, and their histories, in a way that’s easy for young children to understand, which Common Sense Media says can help spark important conversations between parents and their children.
The Activators!, 5 stars (ages 8+)
This podcast spotlights the work of successful young activists working to enact change for environmental and racial justice, food security, gender equity, and other forms of compassionate social activism. Hosted by kid activist and Disney+ actor Leo Abelo Perry, each young leader participates in a Q&A session all about themselves and their work. Many of the kid leaders run full-fledged nonprofits helping in-need communities — like Blankies 4 My Buddies and Khloe Kares — and they hope to inspire fellow listeners to get involved or start their own movement for social change. Common Sense Media notes the way that Perry succinctly communicates the institutional context behind each movement, all while emphasizing a hope for the future.
Mija Podcast, 5 stars (ages 8+)
Mija Podcast is a multilingual podcast (available in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Arabic) about intergenerational family stories, with each of the first three seasons focused on the members and experiences of a different immigrant family. The show was created by Lory Martinez, a daughter of Colombian immigrant parents who grew up in Queens, New York. In each episode, Martinez enlists the voice of a daughter (“mija” in Spanish) to tell her family’s story. The podcast also released a season known as Mija Música, which features the single story of Mexican American immigrant and music lover Gavilán, and Mija on the Mike, a weekly talk show featuring the reflections of daughters of immigrants. Common Sense Media awarded the podcast 5 stars across the board, with a note for parents that the show includes descriptions of perilous experiences and racism.
A Kids Book About: The Podcast, 5 stars (ages 8+, some recommend 10+)
Based on the A Kids Book About book series, this podcast tackles sensitive, important topics for families and children in ways that foster empathy, communication, compassion, courage, and curiosity, according to Common Sense Media. The episodes covers real-world issues 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 in follow-up questions.
Young & Indigenous, 5 stars (ages 8+)
From Indigenous culture and environment keepers Children of the Setting Sun Productions, the Young & Indigenous podcast is an Indigenous youth-led show that seeks to carry out the oral traditions of the Lummi Nation and other Native communities. The show is hosted by youth advocates Michelle and Isabella, who bring on others to speak on mental health, organizing, and cultural and environmental preservation. According to Common Sense Media’s review, the show “can inspire children and parents of all cultures to learn about where they come from and gain knowledge about the importance of passing down authentic culture and tradition.”
For the preteen and teen audiophiles
Lost Women of Science, 5 stars (ages 12+)
This educational show is part of the The Lost Women of Science Initiative, a nonprofit organization with the mission of shedding light on forgotten women scientists and encouraging diversity in STEM fields, produced in partnership with Scientific American. The podcast dives deep into the story of a different scientific pioneer each episode, with discussion and commentary from modern women in STEM. Common Sense Media notes that the show is best for older tweens and teens due to its scientific concepts and language, but also recommends the show for young listeners, parents, and classrooms.
This Teenage Life, 5 stars (ages 13+)
This Teenage Life is hosted by and created for teens, covering the personal and universal. Moderated by adult educator Molly Josephs, the show dives into things like social anxiety and mental health, school topics like academic pressure and dress codes, and even cultural touchstones like playlists and the popularity of Taylor Swift. Episodes also frequently cover more serious topics, like eating disorders, coming out, and living with invisible disabilities, so each episode also comes with appropriate content warnings. Common Sense notes that the show is great for teens and parents alike, emphasizing “healthy communication strategies, compassion towards self and others through self care and understanding, and perseverance in the face of difficulties and adversities teenagers experience.”
The Two Princes, 5 stars (ages 8+)
For fictional podcast lovers: The Two Princes podcast takes on a classic fantasy tale of mythical beasts and star-crossed lovers. In this version, however, the romance centers on two rival princes as they defeat evil and meet a diverse cast of characters during their cross-kingdom travels. The story features queer and racially diverse characters, as well as explorations of sexuality and young love. It also has an impressive celebrity cast, including actresses Christine Baranski and Samira Wiley, so parents might be just as delighted to listen to this fantasy story about LGBTQ identity as their kids are.
Hold Me Back, 4 stars (ages 13+)
Hosted by father and son duo Aidan and Ash ElDifrawi, this conversational podcast tackles subjects that parents and their teens encounter daily, from grades to swearing to heartfelt conversations about mental health. The two engage in healthy debates — the elder ElDifrawi is a clinical psychologist and the younger will graduate high school next year — sharing both generational perspectives, and invite special guests on the show to add an outside perspective. Episodes go over personal experiences, as well as relatable, societal struggles like social media use and the college admissions process. Common Sense Media gives the show high marks for positive messaging, role models, and education.
Song Exploder, 5 stars (ages 14+)
This well-known and highly popular podcast gives a behind-the-scenes look at how our favorite songs were created, with special guests and experts highlighting a variety of music genres and aspects of the art of music-making. While the show is a fun listen for the musically-inclined family, Common Sense Media also points out overarching themes of collaboration, creativity, and even diversity, as each episode highlights artists of different backgrounds. “Some episodes may be suitable for listeners of all ages, while others (which have content warnings) may have strong language or contain references to substance abuse or thoughts of self-harm. This is a great show for adults and kids to listen to together,” the organization writes.
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