Worth a Listen: 10 Podcasts to Help Keep Kids Busy This Summer
By Joshua Smith
Summer is here, and parents everywhere are looking for that sweet spot between letting kids relax and keeping their brains from turning completely into melted popsicles. The good news is that podcasts can be a handy, screen-free way to keep kids curious, laughing, thinking, and learning on car rides, rainy afternoons, quiet time, or while helping around the house. Common Sense Media notes that podcasts can help keep kids listening and learning without needing another screen.
1. Wow in the World
A fun science podcast from NPR and Tinkercast, perfect for curious kids who are always asking “why?”
2. Brains On!
A smart, kid-friendly science show that answers questions about animals, space, bodies, weather, and the world around us.
3. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Produced by Vermont Public, this is a great local-ish pick. Kids send in questions, and the show finds experts to answer them.
4. Story Pirates
This one turns stories written by kids into funny, musical adventures. Great for encouraging creativity and writing.
5. Circle Round
A gentle storytelling podcast that adapts folktales from around the world, often with a lesson tucked inside.
6. Greeking Out
A lively National Geographic Kids podcast that introduces mythology in a fun and age-appropriate way.
7. Forever Ago
A history show for kids that explains where everyday things came from, from ice cream to video games.
8. Smash Boom Best
A debate show for kids that asks big silly questions, like cats versus dogs or pizza versus tacos. It helps kids think through arguments while having fun.
9. The Past and the Curious
A history podcast full of unusual stories, forgotten figures, and fun facts kids can bring up at the dinner table.
10. Short & Curly
A kid-friendly ethics podcast that gets families talking about fairness, choices, and tricky questions.
Summer learning does not have to feel like homework. Reading Rockets recommends daily reading, library visits, scavenger hunts, maker labs, and other hands-on activities to help prevent summer reading loss. Podcasts can fit right into that mix: listen to a science episode, then try a backyard experiment; hear a story, then write one; learn some history, then visit a local museum.
And for families looking for a little local outdoor inspiration, The St. Johnsbury Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Outdoor Edge, hosted by Gary Moore, often includes a Backyard Report, where we talk about outdoor projects, nature, seasonal chores, and family-friendly ideas for getting outside. Find Outdoor Edge wherever you get podcasts and on the WYKR app.