For Ages 2-6
Brightly Storytime
From Read Brightly, this podcast is also available as a YouTube channel and features a new weekly full-length picture book read out loud by storyteller Ms. Linda.
CircleRound
Created by WBUR, this podcast adapts folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes each. Each story delivers a message about kindness, generosity, or another moral value.
Girl Tales
The girls in these re-imagined feminist fairy tales take control of their own destinies, turning favorite fairy tales into exciting new adventures. Monthly episodes feature energetic voice actors and professional sound design.
Little Stories For Tiny People
This podcast features original audio stories written and performed with attention to toddlers’ whimsical senses of humor.
Story Time
Original children’s bedtime stories usually less than 20 minutes long will keep toddlers and preschoolers engaged. New stories are produced every two weeks.
For Ages 7-12
Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian
This serialized science-fiction story is written and performed by Jonathan Messinger, told in 15-20 minute episodes. The story centers on Finn Caspian, an 8-year-old boy aboard The Famous Marlowe 280 Interplanetary Exploratory Space Station. He and his friends take off from the Marlowe to explore uncharted planets and solve a mystery that threatens to destroy the Marlowe.
Flyest Fables
Storyteller Morgan Givens performs an immersive episodic story about a modern boy named Antoine. He finds a magical book that introduces him to Princess Keisha, who is on a quest to save the Kingdom of Orleans. Serious themes will spark family conversations about bullying and homelessness.
Classical Kids Storytime
Produced by American Public Media, each episode includes music and sound effects to recreate classic children’s stories like The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and others, with a modern, humorous twist.
Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls
Based on the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls book series (Listening Library), this podcast about extraordinary women also includes interviews with the narrators of each story.
Highlights Hangout
From the makers of Highlights Magazine, this monthly show offers a unique audio spin on the stories, characters, puzzles, and jokes from the magazine.
The Past and the Curious
This history podcast produces true stories of spies, funny foods, George Washington’s foibles, early advancements in cartooning and ballooning, and much more.
The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd
Reminiscent of old time radio dramas, this weekly, 5-minute podcast features the funny and fast-paced exploits of the World’s Most Brilliant Scientist, Dr. Floyd, as he tries to thwart the plans of his evil arch-nemesis, Dr. Steve.
Story Pirates
A group of actors, comedians, improvisers, and musicians, including well-known names like Claire Danes and John Oliver, adapt stories written by kids into entertaining sketch comedy and musical theater.
Story Seeds
Librarian and kidlit blogger Betsy Bird hosts this podcast that matches kids with bestselling authors who create an original story based on the kid’s idea. Authors like Dan Gutman, Chris Grabenstein, and Jason Reynolds collaborate in person with a child to write and record an original episode together. Kids with their own story ideas can call in to have their ideas featured in future episodes.
Tumble
Hosted and produced by science journalist Lindsay Patterson and teacher Marshall Escamilla, each episode of this science podcast explores a new topic of scientific inquiry and discovery.
Wow in the World
This NPR podcast is hosted by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, who guide curious kids on a funny and exuberant journey through the coolest new stories in science and technology.
This list was compiled by Sonja Cole from Booklist online.