Got kids at home suddenly and need some screen-free entertainment? Here's a list of some of our favorite podcasts:
We have to start with our all-time fave: @storypirates. Kids write stories and they turn them into amazing sketch comedy and songs. Their website (storypirates.com/podcast) has bonus content and you can get your kid writing stories to send in! 
For science, and @Brains_On is a great place to start. It's a fun mix of silly and serious, and my kids love trying to guess the mystery sound. Their recent episode on COVID is excellent. Their website is brainson.org
Skew more towards the silly? @wowintheworld is going to be your jam. Mindy and Guy Raz fly around on a giant pigeon or in a rickety wow machine learning about everything from shrimp to supernovas. Website: tinkercast.com/shows/wow-in-t…
If you want science that's a little less stimulating, try @ButWhyKids. It's calm, non-pandering, and great for kids who can concentrate without needing to be overly distracted. Website: npr.org/podcasts/47437…
Let's move into educational storytelling shall we? For kids 5-12, try The Purple Rocket Podcast. They have a number of serial adventures; my kids are currently loving the Grandpa's Globe series, which teaches them about all different countries. Website: purplerocketpodcast.com/podcast/
We LOVE Reading Bug Adventures from @thereadingbug. Each adventure takes you to a different time or place to learn about history or geography, and they include your kids in each story as 'Reader.' Check out their Ireland adventure for St. Patrick's Day! thereadingbug.com/adventures
For more geography learning coupled with character development stories that are really engaging and not at all preachy, check out @GoopTales (nothing to do with THAT goop, never fear). Their website has a fun map to explore. gooptales.com
"What about other subjects?" you ask? For history, we love @pastandcurious. Each episode delves into a couple stories about a historical happening and then you get to quiz yourself. It's quiz time! It's quiz time! Website: thepastandthecurious.com
Got any grammar nerds out there? Let me introduce you to @ButtonsandFigs. Spoonerisms, idioms, and onomatopoeia, oh my! Their website has downloadable activities, so it's a win all around. buttonsandfigs.com
Music education for little ones? Got you covered. @NoodleLoafShow is awesome, especially if you've got room to move and groove along with the different games. I typically have one of their jams echoing around in my head. noodleloafshow.com
Not trying to tell you what to do with your life, but if you want to raise your kids to be able to debate using facts instead of shouting, you should probably check out @smashboombest. I can think of a few adults who would benefit too... brainson.org/pages/smashboo…
One more history pod from the crew at Brains On: @foreveragoshow. We actually haven't listened to it before, but I'm planning on righting that wrong very soon. (Especially since their description says they're teaching critical thinking. Yes please!) brainson.org/pages/forevera…
Enough with that learning; what if you just need the kids to listen to a story while you make dinner (or kill a pint of Talenti; no judgement here)? Here are some of our most-loved storytelling podcasts:
Let's start with the little ones. Little Stories For Tiny People is full of original sweetness mixed in with lessons about bravery and cooperation and being yourself. Your littles can send in sound effects that @littletinystory might use! Website: littlestoriestinypeople.com
April Eight Songs & Stories is another enchanting original fairy tale podcast. If @AprilEightMusic would like to sing me to sleep every night I'd be more than okay with it. Bonus: her website has fun activity posts, so make sure to check it out! aprileight.com
They say @ComeCircleRound is geared for ages 4-10, but I don't let my kids listen without me because I don't want to miss an episode! They're wonderfully produced folktales and each episode ends with a discussion question to spark more dialogue. npr.org/podcasts/53278…
Stories Podcast is a fun mix of folktales and original stories; my kids love when they have a story that we've heard before on Circle Round and they get to compare the versions. For slightly older kids, their Firefly series is really great superhero stuff. storiespodcast.com
For slightly older kids, The Alien Adventures of Finn Capsian (@FinnCaspian) is a thrilling space serial featuring an 8 year old and his intrepid crew of friends. Some of the episodes can be a little scary, but there's always some humor to balance it out. finncaspian.com
Another great serial (read: lots and lots of episodes to keep them occupied) is Eleanor Amplified. She's a brave reporter taking on evil all around the world and being awesome while she does it. whyy.org/programs/elean…
I almost can't bear to post this one since I'm still in denial that it's over, but Six Minutes (@sixminutespod) is incredible. Start at the beginning and I dare you not to listen to all of it at once. The story is SO good, all the way through. app.kidslisten.org/pod/Six-Minutes
From @Gimletmedia, The Two Princes is an awesome LGBTQ+ fairy tale featuring, well, everything. Princes, dragons, lady knights, and a curse that gets broken in an unexpected way. The story is wonderful & the production value is 🔥. Season 2 is on Spotify. gimletmedia.com/shows/the-two-…
Now, you've made it to the end of the day & need to calm down the stir-crazy children before bed. May I suggest the @ahwayisland podcast? Each one starts with a guided mediation and includes a calm little story. Zoe asks for episodes if she can't sleep. ahwayisland.com
I know there are lots more that I'm forgetting, so let me know what your favorites are and I'll add them to the thread! Happy handwashing, and may your children be kind and your coffee strong.
Here's another list from a kid podcast themselves:
More more more!
How did I forget Pants on Fire and Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls?!
