Screen-Free Summer: Top Podcasts for Kids and Families

School's out, summer's in, and we're all scrambling to figure out how to keep our kids entertained and engaged with the least amount of screen time possible. Let us ease some of the summer break stress with our hand-picked collection of kid-friendly podcasts for the whole family. Perfect for road trips or chill summer days, these podcasts offer interactive activities, captivating stories, and epic adventures that transport kids (and even adults!) to worlds of wonder and ignite their imaginations. Whether listening solo, with friends, or with family, these podcasts offer hours of free entertainment and are sure to leave your kids asking for more. So turn the screens off, turn the volume up, and dive into our screen-free summer podcast collection that will keep the whole family smiling, laughing, and learning. For more screen-free activities, check out Great Books for Summer Travel and Screen-Free Activities for Kids and Teens to Enjoy Over the Summer.

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Circle Round poster
PODCAST

Circle Round

age 2+

Diverse folktales boast star-worthy cast, great messages.

Production company: WBUR (Average run time: 19 minutes)
Cute animal and robot characters are excited.
PODCAST

Lingokids: Stories for Kids

age 3+

Short and sweet educational stories; diverse topics.

Production company: Lingokids (Average run time: 6 minutes)
Three human-like characters raise their arms against a purple background.
PODCAST

Listen.Think.Leap!

age 4+

Movement podcast teaches language and dance skills.

Production company: Independent (Average run time: 15 minutes)
Moment of Um art: Several word bubbles with the word "um" in them.
PODCAST

Moment of Um

age 4+

No-frills podcast answers fun everyday questions from kids.

Production company: American Public Media (Average run time: 5 minutes)
The image of the classic Dr.Seuss character the Cat in the Hat smiles at the fish, who is above a fishbowl and above a microphone.
PODCAST

The Cat in the Hat Cast

age 5+

Based on Dr. Seuss classic, full of rhymes, songs & sounds.

Production company: Wondery (Average run time: 25 minutes)
Spaceship above Earth with title Flip and Mozi's Guide to How to Be An Earthling
PODCAST

Flip & Mozi's Guide to How to Be an Earthling

age 5+

Fun adventures in learning about animals; amazing music.

Production company: Tinkercast (Average run time: 27 minutes)
Open book with colorful letters and blue background
PODCAST

Puffin Podcast: Mission Imagination

age 5+

Inclusive kids pod encourages imagination and creativity.

Production company: Puffin Books (Average run time: 18 minutes)
Melon's House Party image
PODCAST

Melon's House Party

age 5+

A fun musical pod with sweet social-emotional lessons.

Production company: Wondery , Wondery Kids (Average run time: 35 minutes)
Text reading "Brains On! Universe FOREVER AGO" sits above a bookcase with objects and books in it.
PODCAST

Forever Ago

age 5+

Quirky family-friendly pod with diverse history & fun facts.

Production company: APM Studios (Average run time: 30 minutes)
The Arthur Podcast, Arthur waving
PODCAST

The Arthur Podcast

age 5+

Entertaining pod with everyone's favorite aardvark.

Production company: PBS Kids , GBH Kids , Gen-Z Media (Average run time: 16 minutes)
Culture Kids Podcast logo: red background, globe surrounded by drawings of diverse kids.
PODCAST

Culture Kids Podcast

age 5+

Fun family pod explores diverse cultures, landmarks, foods.

Production company: Independent (Average run time: 15 minutes)
Mystery Recipe Poster
PODCAST

Mystery Recipe

age 5+

Fun, educational cooking pod fosters curiosity, acceptance.

Production company: America’s Test Kitchen Kids (Average run time: 25 minutes)
Sign saying Camp WeWow over pine trees
PODCAST

Camp WeWow

age 5+

Fun, interactive STEAM podcast brings summer camp to you.

Production company: Tinkercast , Wondery (Average run time: 10 minutes)
Activity Quest: Days out and crafts for kids
PODCAST

Activity Quest

age 5+

UK-based pod features family-friendly learning & activities.

Production company: Fun Kids (Average run time: 15 minutes)
Dorktales: Boy with hedgehog on his shoulder reads a book to forest animals.
PODCAST

Dorktales Storytime Podcast

age 5+

Inclusive and fun stories inspired by fairy tales & history.

Production company: Independent (Average run time: 20 minutes)
Smiling young African American boy with family
PODCAST

Adventures of Cairo

age 6+

A thoughtful young boy learns life lessons in the big city.

Production company: Wondery , ABF Creative (Average run time: 15 minutes)
Frozen podcast logo with Anna and Elsa
PODCAST

Disney Frozen: Forces of Nature

age 6+

Beloved Frozen characters on new adventures with teamwork.

Production company: ABC Audio , Disney (Average run time: 15 minutes)
Blue text over a yellow blob that looks like a brain or a fart cloud reads "Who Smarted?"
PODCAST

Who Smarted

age 6+

Bite-sized fun facts pod is silly and engaging.

Production company: Atomic Entertainment Productions (Average run time: 16 minutes)
5 for 5 Trivia art
PODCAST

5 for 5 Trivia

age 6+

Quick, fun trivia show encourages curiosity and learning.

Production company: Pinna (Average run time: 4 minutes)
White speaking bubble outlined in black on a orange background. Large question mark in the middle of speaking bubble. Over images letters "NPR" and under image is the text "But Why".
PODCAST

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

age 6+

Kid questions get fascinating answers; some heavy topics.

Production company: Vermont Public Radio (Average run time: 25 minutes)