50 Best Podcasts for Kids in Elementary, Middle, and High School

Podcasts are an excellent educating instrument for children, particularly for language studying. A 2024 examine revealed in the Worldwide Journal of English Language Research checked out almost a decade of classroom analysis and discovered that podcasts assist college students enhance listening comprehension, vocabulary, pronunciation, and motivation. This makes them particularly useful for multilingual learners and for college students who perceive content material higher after they hear it relatively than learn it. Offering college students with the choice of utilizing podcasts as a approach to entry info additionally aligns with Common Design for Studying by giving college students versatile, accessible methods to have interaction with content material.

Try our favourite classroom-ready podcasts under. We’ve divided the checklist by grade degree as a result of some is likely to be extra intense or cowl extra mature subjects than is acceptable for youthful college students. You’re the finest decide for your individual children or college students, although, so we suggest vetting all materials earlier than sharing it to ensure it’s a superb match for your college students and college context.

Soar to podcasts for the grade you educate:

FREE PRINTABLE

Podcast Reflection Sheet

When you have a podcast-listening station or ask college students to hearken to podcasts in class or for homework, this reflection sheet is an ideal follow-up task. Simply comply with the hyperlink under and fill out the shape to get yours.

Under are some sensible ideas for utilizing podcasts with college students from Hannah Irion‑Frake, a literacy coach and former elementary classroom instructor. Go to her web site Studying With Mrs. IF.

Hannah has used podcasts often along with her personal college students and usually shares how she integrates child‑pleasant podcasts into comprehension classes, vocabulary constructing, and background‑information work, significantly as a approach to make content material accessible for college students who wrestle with decoding. Her method connects listening comprehension on to studying comprehension, making podcasts a significant literacy instrument relatively than a passive exercise.

Hannah’s classroom‑examined podcast ideas embody:

• Preteach any difficult vocabulary earlier than listening. 
• Construct needed background information earlier than listening. Exhibiting photos or quick movies can assist college students higher visualize what they’re listening to. 
• Present college students with one thing concrete to do after they hear. This can be a nice alternative to include writing (or drawing for nonreaders) as a approach to display comprehension. You can provide college students prompts, sentence starters, or questions to assist them focus their responses. 
• Create a routine for listening to podcasts together with your college students and pre-teach hearken to a podcast. This may repay in the long term as a result of college students will know what they’re anticipated to do when listening. 
• Transcend listening by creating your individual podcasts. Try these 10 podcasting tasks you are able to do in your classroom.

Try Hannah’s high podcast picks for elementary college under and comply with her on Instagram at @readingwithmrsif.

Podcasts for elementary schoolers have to be snappy, entertaining, and jam-packed with info that younger children can perceive. These podcasts are an effective way to carry every thing from tales to science into your classroom.

High 5 Podcast Picks From Studying With Mrs. IF

Brains On

This question-driven podcast is for older college students with questions which might be relevant to science (How does coral talk? Why is Jupiter Earth’s physique guard?) and well being class (Why do we have now crushes?).

Study extra: Brains On!

Smash Growth Best

Every episode of this podcast takes two concepts and smashes them collectively right into a debate. For instance, which is best: ketchup or ranch? Clowns or magicians? The subjects could also be humorous, however the debate strategies and communication expertise children be taught aren’t.

Study extra: Smash Growth Best

The Who Was? Podcast

As children study historic figures, the Who Was? podcast is an ideal approach to introduce college students to a brand new determine every unit and even every week.

Study extra: The Who Was? Podcast

Newsy Pooloozi

This instructional information podcast speaks on to children about present occasions. It’s an effective way to introduce older elementary college students to present occasions in a manner that’s kid-friendly.

Study extra: Newsy Pooloozi

Storytime With Okay

Hearken to your favourite storybooks with this podcast. Let the podcast select a ebook, or scroll by the archive to search out your favorites.

Study extra: Storytime With Okay

Best Storytime Podcasts

Story Seeds

The premise of this podcast is so cool! Bestselling authors pair up with children ages 6 to 12 to generate and brainstorm an thought right into a full story. I really like to make use of this podcast to show the writing course of and encourage college students to listen to how mentor authors deal with the methods of the commerce. This can be a excellent podcast to hearken to throughout a story writing unit.

Study extra: Story Seeds

Story Pirates

This award-winning podcast has hosted some massive names in storytelling, together with Julie Andrews, Kristin Bell, Lin-Manuel Miranda … the checklist goes on. Every podcast is a brand new story constructed round a theme. An ideal complement to narrative writing items or if you discover a fantastic story to debate alongside what you’re studying. For instance, hearken to a narrative written by an 11-year-old, the Legendary Hotdog Custom, whereas studying or writing origin tales.

Study extra: Story Pirates

Circle Spherical

Every 15-to-25-minute episode of this podcast encompasses a folktale from world wide. Sure, it’s nice for a folktale unit, however I prefer to carry it into studying in basic, letting college students select a narrative to hearken to throughout silent studying or after they’re completed with impartial work.

Study extra: Circle Spherical

Little Tales for Tiny Individuals

This podcast is simply what the title says: quick tales for children. Use the themes to determine tales which you can carry into your class, like massive emotions, friendship, creativity, or life classes.

Study extra: Little Tales for Tiny Individuals

The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd

That is the longest-running drama podcast for children. Suppose old style radio performs however for at present’s children. It’s all in regards to the adventures of the world’s most sensible scientist, Dr. Floyd. Carve out a while every week to hearken to the adventures of Dr. Floyd, and college students can even learn to comply with a narrative over time, the identical as they do throughout a novel read-aloud.

Study extra: The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd

Storynory

A podcast of tales which might be instructed with out bells and whistles, simply good-old storytelling utilizing voice and narrative. The straightforward format is nice for youthful listeners and college students who’re studying English.

Study extra: Storynory

Best Social-Emotional Studying Podcasts

Peace Out

This mindfulness podcast has 15-minute guided rest tales that every have a socio-emotional focus. I exploit this for an end-of-the-week assembly or to bolster social-emotional expertise college students are engaged on.

Study extra: Peace Out

The Rez

On this story, two unlikely heroes tackle an AI villain and study old style expertise like kindness alongside the way in which. I really like this podcast for children in grades 4 and up who’re studying be digital residents. The plot makes the problem of AI extra relatable to children.

Study extra: The Rez

Best Science and Nature Podcasts

Radiolab for Kids

On this science and nature podcast, Lulu Miller takes us on a nature stroll every week, exploring a stunning subject like what if the moon disappeared, or lies and truths about stars. I look for episodes that should do with what we’re already studying, and use them to increase children’ background information or stretch their enthusiastic about the subject.

Study extra: Radiolab for Kids

Wow in the World

Man Raz and Mindy Thomas discover science subjects and different questions that children have. Search for an episode that may fulfill the curious children in your class. For instance, after a unit on sea animals, try the episode about swimming with sea lions. I additionally love the supplies that include every episode—dialogue questions and articles to assist every subject.

Study extra: Wow in the World

Tumble

This science podcast makes use of tales about science to reply questions like “What if timber didn’t exist?” and “How does imaginative and prescient work?” Select an episode to both construct information firstly of a unit or lengthen information on the finish of 1.

Study extra: Tumble

Best Normal Curiosity and Information Podcasts

However Why

This podcast from Vermont Public Radio all the time begins with children asking questions: What are taxes and tariffs? Who invented tacos? Then, the hosts interview specialists and clarify the ideas in kid-friendly language. Search for the subjects you’re learning and use this podcast to actually reply college students’ questions.

Study extra: However Why

The Large Fib

On this game-show-style podcast, children have to determine who’s mendacity and who’s the professional on a subject. I really like this podcast for higher elementary schoolers who’re studying about media expertise, particularly what makes sources dependable and spot “pretend” information.

Study extra: The Large Fib

KidNuz

This can be a information podcast in a kid-friendly format. You may have college students hearken to the every day information and interact in dialogue or writing assignments with out worrying in regards to the vocabulary or content material.

Study extra: KidNuz

Quick & Curly

This ethics-based podcast poses moral questions like “Do we’d like a rule to be a superb particular person?” or “Ought to we pay individuals to be form?” Then, the hosts debate the query. Use this podcast along with Smash Growth Best to develop college students’ crucial pondering and debate expertise.

Study extra: Quick & Curly

What If World

Every episode explores one “what if” query, like “What if children dominated the world?” and “What if sweet had been good for you?” Take one query, let college students reply it, then hearken to the What If World podcast to see how Mr. Eric tackles it.

Study extra: What If World

Who Smarted?

This can be a nice podcast for higher elementary college students. Every episode is quarter-hour lengthy and has tons of knowledge introduced in a humorous manner. This is able to make for an excellent Enjoyable Friday custom.

Study extra: Who Smarted?

Best Historical past Podcasts for Elementary Schoolers

Ceaselessly In the past

This podcast from Brains On offers tales about historic occasions in a manner that children cannot solely perceive however interact with. I’ll assign this podcast to increase children’ information about every thing from gladiators to the historical past of hip-hop.

Study extra: Ceaselessly In the past

Who, When, Wow!

One other historical past podcast that brings occasions and inquiries to life for children. Who, When, Wow has episodes about historic historical past that make the content material, which might appear a bit of irrelevant for at present’s children, amusing and attention-grabbing.

Study extra: Who, When, Wow!

Best Music Podcast for Elementary Schoolers

Noodle Loaf

A music training podcast for children, Noodle Loaf explores musical expertise children want and songs for early elementary schoolers. Sure, that is nice for music class, but it surely’s additionally good for morning assembly or mind breaks.

Study extra: Noodle Loaf

Need podcasts for lecturers? Try these training podcasts lecturers swear by.

To be trustworthy, a bunch of the podcasts for elementary schoolers would work for center schoolers too. However listed here are podcasts that particularly cater to the center college set.

Best Podcasts About Books and Tales

E-book Membership for Kids

Actual children speaking about actual books. This podcast is an ideal approach to introduce your readers to a brand new ebook and drum up pleasure for a brand new launch or ebook you’re about to assign.

Study extra: E-book Membership for Kids

Eleanor Amplified

This old-time-style radio program presents an informative journey in every episode. Eleanor is a hero that outsmarts villains, foils devious plots, and makes use of her wits to determine the massive story. I really like this podcast for enjoyment, listening to an episode every week as a approach to wind down and simply share a narrative collectively.

Study extra: Eleanor Amplified

Flyest Fables

On this fiction anthology, Antoine, the principle character, is transported to a world with princesses and princes. It takes place in a quest to avoid wasting the queen. Episodes are launched each different week, and the web site contains transcripts so college students can learn alongside.

Study extra: Flyest Fables

Cupid and the Reaper

On this narrative collection, center schoolers Marcus Aronson and Mondo Ramirez (Cupid and the Grim Reaper) work collectively to harness the powers of life, dying, and love. This collection has every thing center schoolers love in narrative, together with superpowers and, nicely, the grim reaper.

Study extra: Cupid and the Reaper

Best Normal Curiosity and Information Podcasts

Tai Asks Why

This podcast is hosted by 15-year-old Tai Poole, who asks and delves into questions that center schoolers are prepared to consider like “Can their technology make Earth Day cool once more?” and “Are we alone in the universe?”

Study extra: Tai Asks Why

The Center School Thoughts

This podcast offers children’ views on every thing from media to high school and life. It’s nice for including to discussions that college students are already having.

Study extra: The Center School Thoughts

This Teenage Life

As center schoolers flip into youngsters, they could wish to hear from precise teenagers. This Teenage Life offers youngsters’ views on subjects from tutorial strain to tooth to connecting with nature.

Study extra: This Teenage Life

Best Science and Nature Podcasts

StarTalk

Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts this podcast that “brings the universe right down to Earth.” Episodes are additionally hosted by massive names in science and science fiction, like William Shatner and Charles Liu.

Study extra: StarTalk

Tumble

This science podcast made each the elementary and center college lists as a result of it’s so nice at answering science questions in kid-friendly phrases. Even center schoolers are constructing background information, so Tumble speaks on to them.

Study extra: Tumble

Quick Wave

Quick Wave explains science ideas in 10 to fifteen minutes, the right period of time for a pupil to work in impartial follow or as a warm-up or cool-down.

Study extra: Quick Wave

Best Vocabulary Podcast

The Allusionist

This vocabulary-focused podcast discusses new phrases every week. I really like this as an introduction to an ELA lesson as a result of it will get children enthusiastic about phrases and studying new ones.

Study extra: The Allusionist

Best Historical past Podcast

The Previous & the Curious

This historical past podcast approaches historical past with storytelling and curiosity. Search previous episodes to discover a podcast that pertains to what you’re educating, like Episode 104 about two hoaxes that occurred in 1917. The humor and enjoyable details attraction to center schoolers and assist them join with bigger historic occasions and context.

Study extra: The Previous & the Curious

For secondary school rooms, podcast selection actually issues, says Betsy Potash, former highschool English instructor, veteran podcaster, and founding father of Spark Creativity. As well as, by her free workshop, Camp Inventive, she helps educators use podcasts each as content material‑wealthy texts and as mentor fashions for pupil pondering and artistic work.

Try Besty’s high podcast picks for excessive schoolers under and comply with her on Instagram @nowsparkcreativity.

High 5 High School Podcast Picks From Betsy Potash

Life Package

NPR’s Life Package offers a dialogue and ideas associated to on a regular basis issues, one thing excessive schoolers are prepared for.

Study extra: Life Package

How I Constructed This

Try How I Constructed This for tales about corporations that college students have heard of, like Growth Chicka Pop and Tate’s Bake Store. There are tons of classes about work ethic, creativity, and life.

Study extra: How I Constructed This

This American Life

This long-running podcast crammed with narratives round a weekly theme is a superb one to carry into highschool school rooms. You need to use complete episodes or only one story to debate the content material and the way it resonates with excessive schoolers.

Study extra: This American Life

Radiolab

I really like this explain-everything podcast. Search for episodes about what you’re educating and assign them for extension actions, or hear in class.

Study extra: Radiolab

(*50*)

A Little Happier

Hosted by Gretchen Rubin, this podcast explores the psychology of happiness, a subject that prime schoolers positively profit from.

Study extra: A Little Happier

Best Podcasts About Teen Life

The Genius Era

This podcast options entrepreneurial and inspiring teenagers and describes their course of. It’s an effective way to carry some design pondering and reflection into conversations about how we work and how teenagers could make a distinction.

Study extra: The Genius Era

The Mortified Podcast

Adults share the issues that embarrassed them most as children. A good way to assist teenagers put their very own experiences in perspective. I like to recommend this podcast for advisory class.

Study extra: The Mortified Podcast

Grownup ISH

This podcast offers info and dialogue about tradition, in addition to tales and recommendation from almost-grown-ups. It’s a superb one to carry into historical past class when discussing present occasions or advisory class.

Study extra: Grownup ISH

Half-Time Genius

On this question-based podcast, Will and Mango ask and reply questions that prime schoolers have seemingly puzzled about: Will we ever reside with out sleep? How do rats preserve outsmarting people? The wonderful thing about this podcast is that it takes a critical have a look at some ridiculous subjects, educating college students that each query is value pursuing.

Study extra: Half-Time Genius

Contained in the Admissions Workplace

This podcast, which works behind the scenes of school admissions, is a useful hear for excessive schoolers as they apply for faculty. Counselors and advisors can use it to make clear totally different components of the method and what’s related for teenagers at present.

Study extra: Contained in the Admissions Workplace

Best Podcast About Music for High Schoolers

Tune Exploder

A podcast about music is ideal for music class or to have interaction college students whose ardour is music.

Study extra: Tune Exploder

Best Podcasts About Psychology and Economics

Freakonomics Radio

This podcast about economics explains present occasions and economics in a manner that everybody can perceive. If college students are speaking about an economics subject, verify this podcast to see if they’ve an episode that may clarify it to college students.

Study extra: Freakonomics Radio

Hidden Mind

As teenagers be taught extra about how the mind works and what this implies for their lives, Hidden Mind is a superb useful resource. The podcast explores the unconscious patterns that drive our habits and what we will do about them.

Study extra: Hidden Mind

Best Story Podcasts for High Schoolers

Romeo y Julieta

This bilingual audio play is ideal for English class throughout or after a examine of Romeo and Juliet.

Study extra: Romeo y Julieta

Welcome to Evening Vale

On this twice-monthly podcast, college students hear an replace from the small city of Evening Vale. The bulletins embody climate, information, and information about mysteries round city. Incorporate this into an ELA class or advisory and comply with the story all 12 months lengthy.

Study extra: Welcome to Evening Vale

The Spark Creativity First Chapter Friday

Let college students into authors’ work habits and concepts with the First Chapter Friday podcast. Betsy Potash has interviewed Nancy Tandon, Matt de la Pena, and different authors. We love this podcast for getting children in studying a brand new ebook.

Study extra: Spark Creativity First Chapter Fridays

Best Normal Curiosity and Historical past Podcasts

Stuff You Ought to Know

Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant host a dialogue about subjects starting from the Stonewall Rebellion to chaos concept, El Niño, and Rosa Parks (not all in the identical episode). No matter you educate, preserve Stuff You Ought to Know in your repertoire for attention-grabbing podcasts to assign to construct college students’ background information.

Study extra: Stuff You Ought to Know

Revisionist Historical past

Malcolm Gladwell researches issues in historical past which might be missed or misunderstood and re-examines them. The core query is did we get it proper the primary time or ought to we rethink what we all know in regards to the previous? Sure, this podcast is nice for historical past courses, but it surely’s additionally good for constructing crucial pondering expertise in different programs as nicely, like psychology and science.

Study extra: Revisionist Historical past

99% Invisible

This podcast explores one subject in-depth in every episode. Search for episodes about every thing from tuberculosis to the Nazi block and extra.

Study extra: 99% Invisible

Best Science Podcasts for High Schoolers

Science Friday

This weekly science podcast takes science subjects which might be in the information and explores them. This can be a nice podcast to carry into the classroom to deepen college students’ information of science that’s taking place proper now. Use it as a warm-up on Friday mornings.

Study extra: Science Friday

Quick Wave

Quick Wave explains science ideas in 10 to fifteen minutes, the right period of time for a pupil to work in impartial follow or as a warm-up or cool-down.

Study extra: Quick Wave

Get my free printable podcast reflection sheet!

Prepared to include podcasts into homework or a classroom lesson? Seize our free podcast reflection sheet! Simply click on the hyperlink under and fill out the shape to get yours.

What are your favourite podcasts for children? Come share and ask for recommendation in the We Are Academics HELPLINE group on Fb.

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