Podcasts are a great teaching tool for kids. In particular, they are great for language learning and for students who are English language learners or who benefit from listening to, rather than reading, text. Providing students with the option of using podcasts as a way to access information also aligns with Universal Design for Learning by giving students an engaging, flexible way to engage with content, which can increase motivation and accessibility.
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Podcast Reflection Sheet
If you have a podcast-listening station or ask students to listen to podcasts in class or for homework, this reflection sheet is a perfect follow-up assignment.
Using Podcasts in the Classroom
Here are tips for getting the most out of podcasts in the classroom and building listening comprehension and vocabulary skills:
Select podcasts that are perfect for your students’ level and knowledge, and listen to them as a class or assign them to individual students.
Pre-teach vocabulary that students will hear in the podcast.
Preview a podcast. Just like you would preview a text, before students listen to a narrative podcast, have them think about what they need to learn at the beginning (setting, characters), middle (plot events), and end (resolution).
Make predictions. Based on the title and summary, make predictions about what students will hear in a podcast. Then, listen to confirm or challenge those predictions.
Stop and jot. As students listen to a podcast, model and encourage them to stop and jot notes about what’s happening and what they are learning. Learning through listening is like any other skill: As students take in information, they’ll need a process to capture and record it so they can use it later.
Check out these classroom-ready podcasts. We’ve divided the list by grade level because some might be more intense or cover more mature topics than is appropriate for younger students. You are the best judge for your own kids or students, though, so we recommend vetting all material before sharing it to make sure it’s a good fit for your students and school context.
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Best Podcasts for Kids in Elementary School
Podcasts for elementary schoolers need to be snappy, entertaining, and jam-packed with information that young kids can understand. These podcasts are a great way to bring everything from stories to science into your classroom.
Story Seeds
Story Seeds
The premise of this podcast is so cool! Bestselling authors pair up with kids ages 6 to 12 to generate and brainstorm an idea into a full story. I love to use this podcast to teach the writing process and encourage students to hear how mentor authors handle the tricks of the trade. This is a perfect podcast to listen to during a narrative writing unit.
This mindfulness podcast has 15-minute guided relaxation stories that each have a socio-emotional focus. I use this for an end-of-the-week meeting or to reinforce social-emotional skills students are working on.
This award-winning podcast has hosted some big names in storytelling, including Julie Andrews, Kristin Bell, Lin-Manuel Miranda … the list goes on. Each podcast is a new story built around a theme. A great complement to narrative writing units or when you find a wonderful story to discuss alongside what you’re reading. For example, listen to a story written by an 11-year-old, the Mythical Hotdog Tradition, while reading or writing origin stories.
Each episode of this podcast takes two ideas and smashes them together into a debate. For example, which is better: ketchup or ranch? Clowns or magicians? The topics may be funny, but the debate techniques and communication skills kids learn are not.
Each 15-to-25-minute episode of this podcast features a folktale from around the world. Yes, it’s great for a folktale unit, but I like to bring it into reading in general, letting students choose a story to listen to during silent reading or when they’re finished with independent work.
In this science and nature podcast, Lulu Miller takes us on a nature walk each week, exploring a surprising topic like what if the moon disappeared, or lies and truth about stars. I look for episodes that have to do with what we’re already learning, and use them to expand kids’ background knowledge or stretch their thinking about the topic.
This podcast is just what the title says: short stories for kids. Use the themes to identify stories that you can bring into your class, like big feelings, friendship, creativity, or life lessons.
This podcast from Vermont Public Radio always starts with kids asking questions: What are taxes and tariffs? Who invented tacos? Then, the hosts interview experts and explain the concepts in kid-friendly language. Search for the topics you’re studying and use this podcast to literally answer students’ questions.
In this game-show-style podcast, kids have to figure out who is lying and who is the expert on a topic. I love this podcast for upper elementary schoolers who are learning about media skills, especially what makes sources reliable and how to spot “fake” news.
This is a news podcast in a kid-friendly format. You can have students listen to the daily news and engage in discussion or writing assignments without worrying about the vocabulary or content.
This ethics-based podcast poses ethical questions like “Do we need a rule to be a good person?” or “Should we pay people to be kind?” Then, the hosts debate the question. Use this podcast together with Smash Boom Best to develop students’ critical thinking and debate skills.
This science podcast uses stories about science to answer questions like “What if trees didn’t exist?” and “How does vision work?” Choose an episode to either build knowledge at the start of a unit or extend knowledge at the end of one.
This is the longest-running drama podcast for kids. Think: old-fashioned radio plays but for today’s kids. It’s all about the adventures of the world’s most brilliant scientist, Dr. Floyd. Carve out some time each week to listen to the adventures of Dr. Floyd, and students will also learn how to follow a story over time, the same as they do during a novel read-aloud.
This question-driven podcast is for older students with questions that are applicable to science (How does coral communicate? Why is Jupiter Earth’s body guard?), and health class (Why do we have crushes?).
A podcast of stories that are told without bells and whistles, just good-old storytelling using voice and narrative. The simple format is great for younger listeners and students who are learning English.
Each episode explores one “what if” question, like “What if kids ruled the world?” and “What if candy were good for you?” Take one question, let students answer it, then listen to the What If World podcast to see how Mr. Eric tackles it.
In this story, two unlikely heroes take on an AI villain and learn about old-fashioned skills like kindness along the way. I love this podcast for kids in grades 4 and up who are learning how to be digital citizens. The plot makes the challenge of AI more relatable to kids.
This podcast from Brains On provides stories about historical events in a way that kids can not only understand but engage with. I’ll assign this podcast to extend kids’ knowledge about everything from gladiators to the history of hip-hop.
A music education podcast for kids, Noodle Loaf explores musical skills kids need and songs for early elementary schoolers. Yes, this is great for music class, but it’s also good for morning meeting or brain breaks.
Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas explore science topics and other questions that kids have. Search for an episode that will satisfy the curious kids in your class. For example, after a unit on sea animals, check out the episode about swimming with sea lions. I also love the materials that come with each episode—discussion questions and articles to support each topic.
This is a great podcast for upper elementary schoolers. Each episode is 15 minutes long and has tons of information presented in a humorous way. This would make for a great fun Friday tradition.
Another history podcast that brings history events and questions to life for kids. Who, When, Wow has episodes about ancient history that make the content, which can seem a little irrelevant for today’s kids, amusing and interesting.
To be honest, a bunch of the podcasts for elementary schoolers would work for middle schoolers too. But here are podcasts that especially cater to the middle school set.
Book Club for Kids
Book Club for Kids
Real kids talking about real books. This podcast is a perfect way to introduce your readers to a new book and drum up excitement for a new release or book you’re about to assign.
This podcast is hosted by 15-year-old Tai Poole, who asks and delves into questions that middle schoolers are ready to think about like “Can their generation make Earth Day cool again?” and “Are we alone in the universe?”
Stories of Australian girls who have made a difference. The great thing about this podcast, in addition to the uplifting messages, is the connection that students can make with other inspirational girls around the world.
This old-time-style radio program offers an informative adventure in each episode. Eleanor is a hero that outsmarts villains, foils devious plots, and uses her wits to figure out the big story. I love this podcast for enjoyment, listening to an episode each week as a way to wind down from the week and share a story together.
In this fiction anthology, Antoine, the main character, is transported to a world with princesses and princes. It takes place in a quest to save the queen. Episodes are released every other week, and the website includes transcripts, so students can read along.
Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts this podcast that “brings the universe down to Earth.” Episodes are also hosted by big names in science and science fiction, like William Shatner and Charles Liu.
This vocabulary-focused podcast discusses new words each week. I love this as an introduction to an ELA lesson because it gets kids thinking about words and learning new ones.
This history podcast approaches history with storytelling and curiosity. Search past episodes to find a podcast that relates to what you’re teaching, like Episode 104 about two hoaxes that occurred in 1917. The humor and fun facts appeal to middle schoolers and help them connect with larger historical events and context.
In this narrative series, middle schoolers Marcus Aronson and Mondo Ramirez (Cupid and the Grim Reaper) work together to harness the powers of life, death, and love. This series has everything middle schoolers love in narrative, including superpowers and, well, the grim reaper.
This podcast provides kids’ perspectives on everything from media to school and life. It’s great for adding to discussions that students are already having.
As middle schoolers turn into teenagers, they may want to hear from actual teens. This Teenage Life provides teenagers’ perspectives on topics from academic pressure to teeth to connecting with nature.
By the time students have reached high school, they’re ready for many grown-up podcasts. While teens may also enjoy some of the podcasts for middle school, bring these more sophisticated listening experiences into the high school classroom.
The Genius Generation
The Genius Generation
This podcast features entrepreneurial and inspiring teens and describes their process. It’s a great way to bring some design thinking and reflection into conversations about how we work and how teens can make a difference.
Adults share the things that embarrassed them most as kids. A great way to help teens put their own experiences in perspective. I recommend this podcast for advisory class.
As teens learn more about how the brain works and what this means for their lives, Hidden Brain is a great resource. The podcast explores the unconscious patterns that drive our behavior and what we can do about them.
This podcast provides information and discussion about culture, as well as stories and advice from almost-grown-ups. It’s a good one to bring into history when discussing current events or advisory class.
This podcast about economics explains current events and economics in a way that everyone can understand. If students are talking about an economics topic, check this podcast to see if they have an episode that would explain it to students.
In this twice-monthly podcast, students hear an update from the small town of Night Vale. The announcements include weather, news, and announcements about mysteries around town. Incorporate this into an ELA class or advisory and follow the story all year long.
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant host a discussion about topics ranging from the Stonewall Uprising to chaos theory, El Niño, and Rosa Parks (not all in the same episode). Whatever you teach, keep Stuff You Should Know in your repertoire for interesting podcasts to assign to build students’ background knowledge.
Malcolm Gladwell researches things in history that are overlooked or misunderstood and re-examines them. The core question is did we get it right the first time or should we rethink what we know about the past? Yes, this podcast is great for history classes, but it’s also good for building critical thinking skills in other courses as well, like psychology and science.
This long-running podcast filled with narratives around a weekly theme is a great one to bring into high school classrooms. You can use whole episodes or just one story to discuss the content and how it resonates with high schoolers.
This weekly science podcast takes science topics that are in the news and explores them. This is a great podcast to bring into the classroom to deepen students’ knowledge of science that’s happening right now. Use it as a warm-up on Friday mornings.
In this question-based podcast, Will and Mango ask and answer questions that high schoolers have likely wondered about: Will we ever live without sleep? How do rats keep outsmarting humans? The great thing about this podcast is that it takes a serious look at some ridiculous topics, teaching students that every question is worth pursuing.
Gen Z change-maker Sammy Jaye hosts this podcast in which she has candid conversations with celebrities, activists, athletes, and more. Choose an episode with a person that students are interested in and hear what they have to say. I love this podcast for bringing new voices into the classroom, then analyzing and reflecting on what they have to say.
This podcast, which goes behind the scenes of college admissions, is a helpful listen for high schoolers as they apply for college. Counselors and advisors can use it to shed light on different parts of the process and what’s relevant for teens today.
