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Podcasts, YouTube Channels, and Educational Video Sites
Podcasts, YouTube Channels, and Educational Video Sites
We know how hard it is to find entertainment for your kids that's educational but not preachy or too "teachy." Podcasts offer a fun, unique perspective on learning, often teaching about things kids may not hear about in the classroom. From preschoolers to teenagers, kids of all ages will be engaged and learning while listening to the podcasts on this list. Think of it like sneaking veggies into their favorite smoothie: They get all the good stuff -- from language and finance to music and cooking -- without complaining. The best part? Adults might learn something new, too.
Do you have a kid who loves to ask "why?" whenever they're presented with a new fact? Do they love experiments and testing limits? Are they always wondering how things work and where things come from? Well, do we have the best podcasts for you! The entries on this list encourage kids to keep exploring, searching, and pondering (and give you a break from all of the interrogation). They'll be engaged by interactive questions, hilarious hosts, and awe-inspiring subjects. And who knows? Maybe you'll learn something, too!
One of the best things about podcasts is that anyone can make one, even kids! These shows feature kid, tween, and teen hosts and main characters, which means that kids who listen will hear themselves reflected in the entertainment they enjoy. Not only does that let kids of all ages relate to what they're listening to, but it also empowers them to use their voice to tell their own stories. (They may even be inspired to create their own podcast.)
Have you ever wondered what classic tales like Treasure Island would be like if set in modern times? Or how R.L. Stine's goosebump-worthy stories could possibly offer up more bizarre spooks and suspense? Maybe your kids have become attached to a character in a book and want to dive deeper into their story. Well, then, this list of book-inspired podcasts is just the ticket you need.
Perfect for literature lovers, this fun list of podcasts features some of kids' (and adults') favorite characters, authors, and stories they know and love. But these aren't just cut-and-paste audio versions of books—they're immersive reimaginings, epic expansions, and unique new journeys inspired by many of the titles you'll find on the shelves of your local library or in our very own book reviews.
Don't be fooled, not all of these podcasts started off as books. Make sure you check out the reviews for each to see which of these titles started off as podcasts that eventually inspired books.
Kids need to see -- and hear -- themselves reflected in the media they consume. These bilingual and Spanish-language podcasts give both native Spanish speakers and kids learning Español a chance to enjoy an immersive audio experience. Younger kids will enjoy the variety of story podcasts that are full of fun, adventure, and familiar characters. Older kids will find shows that celebrate music and culture, or that help support what they're learning in school. Tweens and teens can dive deeper into Latino and Hispanic history, literature, and current events. With podcasts that offer episodes in both Spanish and English, as well as Spanish only, this list provides options for different types of kids, families, and classrooms.
Have you ever wondered what classic tales like Treasure Island would be like if set in modern times? Or how R.L. Stine's goosebump-worthy stories could possibly offer up more bizarre spooks and suspense? Maybe your kids have become attached to a character in a book and want to dive deeper into their story. Well, then, this list of book-inspired podcasts is just the ticket you need.
Perfect for literature lovers, this fun list of podcasts features some of kids' (and adults') favorite characters, authors, and stories they know and love. But these aren't just cut-and-paste audio versions of books—they're immersive reimaginings, epic expansions, and unique new journeys inspired by many of the titles you'll find on the shelves of your local library or in our very own book reviews.
Don't be fooled, not all of these podcasts started off as books. Make sure you check out the reviews for each to see which of these titles started off as podcasts that eventually inspired books.
Apps can make great tools: From playing games to time management and homework help, young people use them to do more than just connect with their peers. And since many young people are now using apps to look up mental health information, it's important for the resources they find to be of high quality and easily accessible. To help, we've created this list of the best mindfulness and meditation apps out there to help young people get the support they need. While it can be a great starting point for learning how to regulate feelings and emotions, the resources here shouldn't be used as replacements for seeking help from a mental health professional.
Educational Music Parodies
Finding Stuff Out is a lively science-oriented series which, instead of imposing adult notions on kids about what they should know, gives them what they want: answers to the questions that matter to them the most!
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning and Daytime Emmy-nominated children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams imaginatively produced videos featuring celebrated actors including Viola Davis, Allison Janney, Chris Pine, Wanda Sykes, Justin Theroux, and Betty White reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations, helping to inspire a love of reading in children. Also available on YouTube
FreeSchool is a safe and friendly place to expose children to famous art, classical music, children's literature, and natural science in an age-appropriate and kid-accessible way.
The Brain Scoop was developed by the Chief Curiosity Correspondent at the Field Museum, a natural history museum in Chicago.
CrashCourse and CrashCourseKids were created by John and Hank Green. They offer video courses on a variety of topics--from astronomy to U.S. history to mythology.
The Great Courses (and their streaming service, The Great Courses Plus) offers lectures series on a variety of topics, including fine arts, mathematics, and history.
Inkshed is a resource created by Dottie Shayegan, a Young Scholar, along with a group of students from Harvard-Westlake School. The Inkshed team creates art, writing, music, and theater video lessons to share their love and passion for the arts with elementary school students.
Numberphile is a channel about the many things that make numbers and related concepts intriguing.
It’s Okay to Be Smart explores the scientific world, including physics, food science, earth science, and more.
SciShow and SciShow Kids are channels where students can quench their curiosity about science and more. There are also two more specialized channels: SciShow Space and SciShow Psych.
Talks at Google is a channel curated by Google. As they say, this is where great minds meet.
TED is home to the popular and inspiring TED Talks. There’s a talk on almost any topic you could think of.
TED-Ed is an interdisciplinary educational website that offers video-based lessons organized by age and subject.
Podcasts
Podcasts
A group of people who love and make podcasts for kids. We have 28 member podcasts, representing the best podcasts for kids. Our goals are to raise awareness of podcasts for kids, build community, and set standards and best practices for the medium.
Each Book Club for Kids episode gives a different group of kids the chance to discuss a young adult book. Each episode also features a celebrity reader and an interview with the book’s author (ages 9-14).
Brains On! is for curious families. Each week, a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom to find answers to fascinating questions about the world. The mission is to encourage kids’ natural curiosity and wonder using science and history.
BrainStuff seeks to explore--and explain--the everyday science in the world around us.
The History of the World in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by the director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, who narrates 100 programs that retell humanity's history through the objects we have made.
Myths and Legends talks about how folklore has shaped the world. There are stories of kings, Vikings, dragons, wizards, and more!
The Past & The Curious shares little-known stories from history, often humorously relayed.
Short & Curly is an ethics podcast from Australia. The hosts investigate dilemmas relevant to kids, like whether you have to love your sibling or whether Pokemon Go is actually playing you (ages 7-12).
Science Friday discusses everything from the outer reaches of space to the tiniest microbes in our bodies. Students can listen to the podcast live on Fridays from 2:00pm-4:00pm Eastern Time.
Stuff You Missed in History Class has some of the greatest and strangest stories from the annals of history.
The Torch is a podcast created by The Great Courses professors and experts. There are 70 episodes in total ranging in topics from the American West, Spanish History, birding, and so much more.
Tumble is a science podcast that shares the stories behind science discovery. It explores how science actually works as a process. It’s co-hosted by a science journalist and a teacher (ages 6-12).
"The world needs neurodiversity. The gifted brains, unusual talents, and fresh perspective of neurodivergent people drive innovation and change things for the better. The Neurodiversity Podcast introduces you to these brilliant, quirky, amazing people, and brings you thought-provoking conversations with leaders in psychology, education, and technology, as we work to broaden the definition of normal."
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