Family cruises create laughter and memories. But before you set sail, you and your family have to reach the port, and for many, that means a road trip. Playing “Eye Spy” and “20 Questions” only consumes so much time. Also, finding commonality in music taste can be difficult, especially with toddlers and teens. Thankfully, we’ve gathered the 15 best family podcasts for road trips to smooth the way. (Note: These are also great options for downloading and listening to on a plane!)
The best family podcasts for road trips include:
- Brains On – 6+
- But Why – 6+
- Circle Round – 4+
- Ear Snacks – 3+
- Greeking Out – 8+
- Lore – 13+
- Rabbit Hole – 13+
- Story Pirates – 4+
- Stuff You Missed In History Class – 8+
- The Cramazingly Incredifun Sugarcrash Kids Podcast – 5+
- Who, When, Wow! – 7+
- And more…
1. “Brains On”: Award-Winning “Facts” Podcast For Road Trips
Recommended for Age: 6+
Brains On is science for kids that adults can learn from too. In every episode, a kid is invited to co-host with Molly Bloom and explore science and answers. The show features interviews with scientists, experts, and educators.
The show asks questions kids can appreciate, such as “Is farting good for us, and why do they smell?”
Some episodes discuss pets, such as cats, and try to understand their behavior. Why do cats purr, and does it always mean they’re happy?
The podcast also sparks excellent debates. Which is cooler: fire or lasers?
This podcast will provide a fountain of conversation long after you’ve turned it off.
Best Audience: “Brains On” covers a wide range of topics, from the science of earthquakes to the mysteries of the human brain, in a way that is accessible and engaging for listeners of all ages. The recommended age range for “Brains On” is 6-12 years old, but older kids and adults will also find the content interesting and informative.
The podcast’s fun and engaging format makes complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for listeners of all ages, while the co-hosts’ enthusiasm for learning is infectious.
Who Should Avoid: This podcast would likely not be a good choice for families who are looking for a purely entertainment-based podcast or for families with very young children who may not be able to follow the scientific concepts discussed in the episodes.
2. “But Why”: Best Podcast For Curious Families
Recommended Age: 6+
But Why is perfect for families taking long road trips with curious people. Rather than tell your child to “Google it,” take a fact-finding journey together.
The show tackles questions such as:
- Why do sharks have so many teeth?
- How do zippers work?
- Do insects need to drink water?
- What is the purpose of pain, and does it have to hurt so much?
3. Circle Round: Best Morality Podcast For Road Trips
Recommended Age: 4+
Circle Round is a folktale podcast full of music that entertains while planting seeds for parents and kids to discuss moral issues. While the show pitches itself for children four to ten years old, wee ones as young as two have loved it.
“Circle Round” is a storytelling podcast produced by WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station, that is perfect for families who love to hear stories. The podcast features folktales from around the world, retold in a modern and engaging way that is perfect for kids and adults alike. Each episode of “Circle Round” features a different story, told by professional actors and accompanied by original music and sound effects.
The recommended age range for “Circle Round” is 3-10 years old, but older kids and adults will also enjoy the stories and the production quality. The podcast is designed to be accessible and engaging for listeners of all ages, and the stories are carefully chosen to be both entertaining and educational.
4. Ear Snacks: Best Variety Show Podcast With Jokes
Recommended Age: 3+
Ear Snacks was designed by parents who understand their audience. It is a variety show that combines music, jokes, and stories with experts on science, art, and cultural events. It’s entertaining, fun, and you might accidentally learn something as well as your kids.
5. “Greeking Out”: Best Podcast For Percy Jackson Fans
Recommended Age: 8+
Greeking Out is a National Geographic podcast for families full of Percy Jackson fans. The mostly Greek legends are retold in age-appropriate language. While it is aimed at elementary-aged children, siblings as young as four have gotten into it too. Thus, it really is a history-loving podcast that the whole family can enjoy.
“Greeking Out” is a podcast produced by National Geographic Kids that is perfect for families who love Greek mythology. The podcast is hosted by author and illustrator Suzanne Selfors, who explores the world of Greek myths and legends in a fun and engaging way that is perfect for kids and adults alike. Each episode of “Greeking Out” features a different Greek myth or legend, retold in a modern and entertaining way that is accessible to listeners of all ages.
The recommended age range for “Greeking Out” is 8-12 years old, but older kids and adults who enjoy Greek mythology will also find the content interesting and informative. The podcast is designed to be accessible and engaging for listeners of all ages, and Selfors’ enthusiasm for the subject is infectious.
Caution: Some of the stories may be too intense or violent for very young children.
6. Lore: Award-Winning Dark History Podcast
Recommended Age: 13+
Lore is one of the few podcasts that will appeal to teens and parents alike. With its tagline, “Because sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction,” it brings a creepy-campfire tale vibe to the family road trip as it recounts stories from history.
For example, most people are familiar with history’s witch trials. But did you know there was a farmer once accused of being a real werewolf?
“Lore” is a podcast produced by Aaron Mahnke that explores the darker side of history, folklore, and legends. The podcast is designed to be a spine-tingling and thought-provoking exploration of the strange and unusual stories that have shaped our world. Each episode of “Lore” focuses on a different topic, from haunted houses to mysterious disappearances, and is presented in a style that has been compared to a campfire experience.
The recommended age range for “Lore” is 13 years old and up, due to the mature themes and occasional graphic content. The podcast is designed to be both entertaining and informative, and Mahnke’s storytelling style is sure to captivate listeners of all ages.
Caution: This podcast would likely not be a good choice for families with younger kids due to the mature themes and occasional graphic content. Additionally, some of the stories may be too intense or scary for some listeners, so families who are sensitive to these types of themes may want to choose a different podcast.
7. Rabbit Hole: A Deep Dive Into The Internet While Driving
Recommended Age: 13+
Rabbit Hole, hosted by tech columnist Kevin Roose, is a New York Times podcast that explores the internet’s influence on our lives. The show isn’t a doom and gloom “get off your screens” but a “keep your eyes open” deep dive into how the web manipulates our content choices and, possibly, our opinions. A fascinating conversational starter for adults and their (older) teens.
The podcast is designed to be both informative and thought-provoking, with each episode featuring interviews with experts, personal stories, and in-depth analysis of the ways in which the internet is changing the way we think and interact with the world.
Caution: This podcast would likely not be a good choice for families with younger children due to the mature themes and occasional strong language. Also, some topics may be too complex or intense for some listeners,
8. Story Pirate: Best Celebration Of Kids’ Creativity
Recommended Age: 4+
Story Pirate is an award-winning podcast that takes stories created by children and brings them to life. A team of teachers, comedians, actors, and musicians takes kids’ ideas and transforms them into performances. It’s entertaining while giving value to children’s imaginations and storytelling.
Some of the sketches and songs may be too silly or irreverent for some listeners, so families who are sensitive to this type of humor may want to choose a different podcast.
9. Story Time: The Best Podcast To Quiet Your Kids
Recommended Age: 2+
Story Time is a soothing bedtime story podcast. These delightful tales are an excellent way to calm cranky young ones during a road trip. Just don’t listen to too many episodes in a row, as falling asleep at the wheel is frowned upon.
10. Stuff You Missed In History Class: Quirky Tales
Recommended Age: 8+
Stuff You Missed In History Class podcast is precisely that: quirky and strange tales from the past that are rarely taught in school.
Past shows have deep-dived into:
- Eugene Jacques Bullard: The first Black American fighter pilot
- The 1904 General Slocum Disaster
- The whole story behind the discovery of penicillin
11. The Cramazingly Incredifun Sugarcrash Kids Podcast
Recommended Age: 5+
The Cramazingly Incredifun Sugarcrash Kids Podcast is a smorgasbord of fiction and facts to create entertainment that appeals to the whole family. There are interviews with pirates, dinosaurs, and robots, along with wild adventures, fun music, and some education slipped in.
12. The Happy Podcast For Kids: The Best Questions Answered
Recommended Age: 6+
The Happy Podcast For Kids takes children’s burning questions and finds the answers. The show has answered fascinating queries such as:
- Where did the word “word” originate?
- Should all families have a jetpack?
- Why are dreams so strange?
13. The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd: Bingeworthy Podcast
Recommended Age: 5+
The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd is the perfect binge-worthy podcast for road trips. This serial podcast is done in snack-size 5-minute episodes. It follows the zany adventures of the “World’s Most Brilliant Scientist.” Dr. Floyd’s life never slows down, making his antics excellent for short attention spans who crave one adventure after another.
14. Welcome To Night Vale: The Best Faux-Local Radio Show
Recommended Age: 13+
Welcome To Night Vale is a podcast dressed as a local radio show for a creepy desert town where conspiracy theories come to life. The whacky town’s antics are darkly humorous and unsettling, but this isn’t gruesome horror. Instead, it’s fascinatingly strange with a side-order of disturbing. Perfect for families that enjoy Netflix’s Stranger Things.
15. Who, When, Wow!: Finding Forgotten Heroes On The Road
Recommended Age: 7+
Who, When Wow! is a podcast that will allow your family to discover forgotten heroes during your road trip.
While the program occasionally showcases a common name like Harry Houdini, it primarily focuses on amazing people fading from history. Take Alicia Alonso, a blind Cuban prima ballerina, or Lewis Latimer, an African-American inventor whose parents were slaves.
Closing Thoughts
This extensive list of the 15 best family podcasts for road trips is sure to provide hours of entertaining listening for passengers of all ages on your drive.
Speaking of listening, you may also be interested in our guide to the best toddler headphones to make your journey with young children even smoother.
Mona Marks
Contributor