“Why is the sky blue?”
“What is that plant called?”
“How can birds fly?”
“How hot is the sun?”
Sound familiar? You probably have a curious child on your hands…and you might be flooded with more science-y questions than you can answer. Let podcasts for kids help! Whether you and your child have a long drive ahead, you’re looking for an educational weekend activity, or you simply want an alternative to screen or TV time, try these six science podcasts for kids.
Brains On
This award-winning podcast aims to encourage children’s natural curiosity by exploring many different topics. Co-hosted by Molly Bloom and a different child each week, Brains On features over 100 episodes and values listener participation. You can even can submit your child’s questions for a chance to be added to the Brains Honor Roll. Past episode topics include fire vs. lasers, roller coasters, soil, salty snacks, cats, and how books are made and how we read them.WOW in the World
NPR’s “podcast for curious kids and their grown-ups” dives into the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World” of a variety of science and technology topics. WOW in the World co-hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas cover something different each week — past topics range from how recess makes kids smarter, to stress-relieving video games, to cockroaches, and more.Tumble
This science podcast for kids is designed for the whole family. Tumble co-hosts Lindsay Patterson and Marshall Escamilla focus on how science works, tell fascinating stories about scientific discoveries, and go beyond what’s taught in school. Recent episodes include “Hamster Versus Bacteria” and “Discover the Wildlife of Your Home.”But Why
Here’s another NPR podcast for kids, but this one is led by kids, too. Each episode is based on children’s questions — and you and your child can even submit your own! Here are a few recent questions that host Jane Lindholm has covered: “Why do elephants have trunks? Why do giraffes have purple tongues?” “Why do days start at 12 o’clock?” and “Why do we sometimes see the moon during the day?”The Show About Science
Not only is this a family friendly podcast…it’s hosted by a second grader! In The Show About Science, Nate Butkus interviews a variety of guests — scientists, educators, and more — to explore fascinating topics, which, in the past, have included climate change, fake sugar, ants, food science, and sea creatures.Fun Kids Science Weekly
This science podcast for kids is produced in the UK — and it’s another one with the submit-your-child’s-question format. Each week, host Dan covers weird, cool topics that pique children’s curiosity. There’s something for everyone: from lonely frogs, flower urchins, and the T-rex of the ocean, to fire mountain, the secret life of antelopes, and the future of robots, and much more.
The next time your child stumps you with a question about science or you’re simply looking for an educational change of pace, check out these six podcasts together. Chances are you’ll both learn something new.
Editor’s Note: Do you like podcasts, too? Check out these two Bright Horizons® podcasts for parents: Teach. Play. Love. Parenting Advice for the Early Years.
