Story podcast for children
A selection of podcasts from Fun Kids to keep the children entertained.
Expand little ones' imaginations and broaden their listening skills with a trip into the broadcaster's sonic universe. Molly and Mack, Enna Gee and Dukulele are among the CBeebies' favourites that appear in this daily podcast for pre-school children.
Floella Benjamin is a household favourite for many adults who spent their early years watching her on Playschool in the 1970s & 80’s. Now their children can have the same joyful experience and listen to Floella bring favourite nursery rhymes to life. Each episode features a unique look at the story and music behind the the classic rhymes with exclusive interviews with the nursery rhyme stars!
Aimed at children aged 8 to 14 years, this show breaks down the biggest stories for enquiring minds. Host Bex Lindsay and The Week Junior team talk through the top stories, their favourite facts and select a topic for the 'Gig Debate'. The 'Real or Rubbish' segment helps listeners sort fact from fiction.
Hunker down and tune in to fairy tales based on some of the most fearless and inspiring women in history. Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, paralympic champion wheelchair fencer Beatrice Vio and painter Frida Kahlo have all featured. And despite the title, boys are very much invited to listen!
Tumble is a science podcast for kids, to be enjoyed by the entire family. We tell stories about science discoveries, with the help of scientists! Join Lindsay and Marshall as they ask questions, solve mysteries, and share what science is all about.
In this fun and engaging new series, hosts Ayo Akinwolere and Chanel Kakareko share ideas to keep youngsters active at home. The pair also interview personalities about their roads to sporting success. Guests inclune Tennis coach Judy Murray, Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and hockey star Maddie Hinch, who recalls the nail-biting shootout at the 2016 Rio games.
TV historian Greg Jenner brings his trademark enthusiasm to this 12-part series of history lessons for primary school ages and upwards. Bursting with facts and plenty of jokes, early episodes explain The Restoration the space race and the life and times of Mary Queen of Scots.
Add a word (or two) a day to your vocabulary by tuning into this long-running series Here, presenter Jan Folmer shares two words, their dictioary definition and examples of how to use them in everyday speech. Episodes are five minutes long and there are more than 700 in its archive!
The global youth climate strikes inspired a generation of young people to pressure governments on the future of the planet. Now discover more about how the environment copes with our existence in this deeply-reported series. Previous episodes have looked into eco homes and how the music industry can reduce its carbon footprint.
Kids are always asking seemingly simple questions that have surprisingly complex answers, such as "Why is the sky blue?" and "Who invented words?" This cute biweekly radio show/podcast takes on answering them. Each episode features several child-submitted questions, usually on a single theme, and with the help of experts, it gives clear, interesting answers. Best for: All ages
The catchy soundtrack is the star in this delightful podcast from children's music duo Andrew & Polly (not surprising since the hosts have created songs for Wallykazam! and Sesame Studios). But this funny program also covers a range of topics by talking to actual kids as well as experts, providing thoughtful fun for young ones and their grown-ups. Best for: EYFS and KS1
This fun and fast-moving spin-off of the popular Brains On! podcast is a family-friendly debate podcast. A child judge listens to and scores the rousing, fact-based arguments of two contestants. With episodes like "Dragons versus Unicorns" and "Pizza versus Tacos," kids will be hooked, and they won't even notice that they're learning how to defend their ideas along the way. Best for: KS2
Kids like to be informed and engaged, but talking to kids about the news can be a challenge. This podcast, created by mums who are broadcast journalists, offers young listeners five minutes of kid-friendly news (followed by a quick quiz) each day, five days a week. Perfectly timed for waking up, KiDNuz lets you start the day off on a worldly note. Best for: All ages
This amusing podcast features people telling interesting, little-known stories from history with an emphasis on fun and humour. Although it's not specifically a music podcast, each episode contains an often-silly song that's sure to get stuck in your head. There's even a quiz segment, so kids will learn something, too. Best for: All ages
This excellent biweekly podcast features children talking about a popular books as well as sharing their favourite book recommendations. Public radio figure Kitty Felde runs the discussion, and each episode includes a passage of that week's book read by a celebrity guest. Best for: children aged 9 years and over
These 10- to 15-minute stories are a perfect way to lull your little one to sleep. The podcast is updated every other week, and each episode contains a kid-friendly story, read by a soothing narrator. Short and sweet, it's as comforting as listening to your favourite picture book read aloud. Best for: EYFS and KS1
Thanks to the hosts' soothing voices and a pre-story meditation, your child might fall asleep to this podcast before the story even gets underway. But if not, the gentle adventures on Ahway Island will also sweep them off to dreamland. This podcast teaches child-friendly mindfulness practices like "deep dragon breaths" that can be carried into waking life as well. Best for: All ages
With wacky episode titles such as "What if Legos were alive?" and "What if sharks had legs?," this series takes ridiculous "what if" questions submitted by young listeners and turns them into a new story every two weeks. Host Eric O'Keefe uses silly voices and crazy characters to capture the imaginations of young listeners with a Mad Libs-like randomness. Best for: Kids
In the tradition of The Never Ending Story, this original fable centres on a magical book that takes its readers to a world where they find the strength to overcome any obstacle. The writing itself is beautiful, and the stories are immersive. Themes can be serious (bullying, homelessness) but are handled with sensitivity and remain appropriate for kids. These powerful, modern stories are sure to entertain and provoke meaningful family conversations. Best for: KS2
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian
This serialised podcast tells the story of an 8-year-old boy living on an interplanetary space station who explores the galaxy and solves mysteries with his friends. With no violence or edgy content and with two seasons totalling over 13 hours of content, this sci-fi adventure is a perfect way to keep the kids entertained. Best for: KS2
One of the first kids' podcasts to grasp podcasts' storytelling capabilities, this podcast is still going strong with child-friendly renditions of classic stories, fairy tales, and original works. These longer stories with a vivid vocabulary are great for children past the age for picture books but who still love a good bedtime story. Best for: KS1
Inspired by old-timey radio shows, complete with over-the-top sound effects, this exciting serial podcast follows a plucky journalist who goes on adventures looking for her big scoop. Children will love Eleanor's wit and daring and might even pick up some great messages along the way. There's even a "Road Trip Edition" episode with the entire first season in a single audio file. Best for: children aged 9 years and over
This Peabody Award-winning scripted mystery series has been called a Stranger Things for 8 to 12 year-olds. With a voice cast of children, a gripping, suspenseful plot, and interactive tie-ins, this story about an 11-year-old searching for his missing friends will keep children hooked to the speakers for hours -- more than five, to be exact. Best for: KS2
This is another radio show/podcast that takes child-submitted science questions and answers them with the help of experts. What makes this one different is it tends to skew a bit older, both in its questions and answers, and it has a different child co-host each week. The result is a fun show that's as silly as it is educational. Best for: KS2
NPR's first show for kids is exactly the sort of engaging, well-produced content you would expect from the leaders in radio and audio series. Hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas exude joy and curiosity while discussing the latest news in science and technology in a way that's enjoyable for kids and informative for grown-ups. Best for: All ages
A delightful offering from a music education specialist and his co-host daughter will get kids of all ages singing, rhyming, moving, and engaging in all kinds of musical games. The segments, games, and songs are so silly and upbeat that the whole family will enjoy participating. Little listeners can even add their voice to the theme song in the podcast's electronically compiled kid's choir! Best for: All ages
Kids' music can be … well, annoying. But "kindie rock" (aka, indie rock for kids) is here to help. This two-hour podcast styled like a DJ radio show features new and old songs that kids will love, many by parents' favourite musicians. Selections are generally high-energy rock, folk, or even punk-inspired songs, but listeners will also hear mellower tunes, as well as bilingual (English/Spanish) songs and hip-hop hits for a well-rounded musical experience. Best for: All ages
Families can enjoy rock and roll without the downsides with this fun radio show/podcast. Each week there's a new playlist combining kids' music from artists such as They Might Be Giants, with child-appropriate songs from artists that grown-ups will recognize, such as Elvis Costello, The Ramones, and John Legend. It's a perfect compromise for parents tired of cheesy kids' music. Best for: KS1 and KS2