How Can My Kid Listen to Podcasts for Their Age Range?

Podcasts have exploded in popularity in recent years, but they have mostly been seen as an adult medium. There are podcasts for adults on every topic under the sun, from business and sports to comedy, pop culture, and beyond.

For some reason, it hasn’t been as common for parents who listen to podcasts to pass on that form of entertainment to their kids. But it doesn’t have to be that way. At Go Fish, we think that podcasts can be a great choice for kids, provided that you are able to find the right content to meet them at their level. This is why we have started our own podcast, and we’d like to help you find a variety of shows that your kids will love. Let’s dive into this topic below.

Doing Your Research

This process is going to start with you doing some research to track down appropriate podcasts for your kids. By “appropriate,” we mean not only the subject matter of the podcast but also the style in which that content is presented. The show should be free from adult language and themes, and it should also be produced in such a way that it is going to retain the attention of a child from start to finish.

You can start by searching on your favorite podcast platform. It may work to search for a general podcast for kids, or you could search for some topics that are specific to things that your kids enjoy. It may take a few minutes, but you’ll likely get some good options soon enough.

Also, once you start searching, use the suggestions that are generated by the podcast platform to your advantage. The search function will start to understand what you are looking for, and you might find that the relevant results are a perfect match for your needs. Finding one good option often leads to finding other similar shows, and soon enough, you’ll have more choices than you could ever need.

Listen to Some Samples

There is really no way around the fact that you are going to want to listen to some content from the kids podcasts you find to make sure they are actually right for your kids. That doesn’t mean you have to listen to every minute of every episode, however. In fact, it should take a relatively short time to determine if a given show is something that you’ll want your kids to hear.

To get started, make a list of a few podcasts that you think might be good for your kids and add them to your podcast player. Then, when you have some time, such as on a drive to work, go through the shows and listen to a short sample of each. You may find that it only takes five or ten minutes of listening to each show to get a good idea of what they are all about.

As you listen, remember to keep the specific personalities of your kids in mind. You aren’t just trying to make sure the shows are appropriate; they probably will be if you found them advertised as podcasts for kids. Mostly, you are trying to determine which ones are going to connect with your children and be something that they want to listen to regularly. As a parent, you know them better than anyone else, and you should be able to accurately predict what they will enjoy.

Creating Positive Listening Habits

With the right shows selected, the last thing you’ll need to do is figure out how your kids are going to consume this content. As a starting point, you could introduce them to podcasts by playing them in the car while driving places as a family. If you have a particularly long drive coming up, use a podcast to not only pass the time but also to introduce them to this medium. You can see how engaged they are with the content and then find ways later to let them listen on their own.

How can kids listen to a podcast without a phone? Today, podcasts are available in many places, not just on smartphones. Since so many different types of devices can play podcasts, it should be pretty easy to give them access in a controlled, safe manner. Of course, whatever limits you apply to technology use in your house can be applied to podcast listening, as well. With some open dialogue between parents and kids (and a bit of tweaking the rules as you both gain experience), a happy medium can be found where podcasts are able to play a positive, productive role in the lives of the youngest members of your family.

Consider The Many Benefits of Podcasts for Kids

As parents, we all need to find things to entertain our kids. There are a lot of hours in the day to occupy, and sometimes you just need a solution to keep your kids happy while passing some time until the next activity or outing starts.

But podcasts for kids can be about much more than just passing the time. There are a number of benefits associated with presenting a podcast for kids, including:

• Stimulating the Imagination: Podcasts can be enjoyed in visual or audio-only form. While both options are great, simply listening to the show might engage the mind even more, requiring the imagination to fill in the gaps for what the eyes can’t see. For young people who are developing their brains and learning how to engage with the world around them, this can be a great thing.
• Boosting Comprehension: Even on a podcast meant for kids, there are going to be things said or topics discussed that stretch your child’s ability to understand. Those moments of mental stretching are valuable, as they will lead to gains in comprehension that might not have taken place otherwise. Don’t be surprised if conversations with your children suddenly become more advanced or articulate after they have spent some time listening to quality podcast content.
• Developing New Ideas: Sometimes, the world of a child can be a little narrow. They tend to do the same things day after day, and there isn’t always enough variety to keep their minds engaged. That can change through podcasts. There are going to be concepts or perspectives that come up in the course of listening to a show that will cause them to think in a different way. History and science podcasts for kids are particularly beneficial for this kind of growth.

Have You Tried Our Show?

We are certainly biased, but we think you’ll love listening to the Go Fish Podcast with your whole family. The show is designed to be one of the best podcasts for kids, and we mix in some interesting and engaging discussions with breaks for music and other fun segments. If you’d like to give the show a try, it couldn’t be easier! Just find us wherever you enjoy listening to podcast content. Of course, the rest of the Go Fish library is available to you and your family as well, so take a moment to stream our songs on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and beyond. Thank you for visiting Go Fish, and we hope you enjoy what we have to share!