Road trips with the family can be a fun, bonding experience. But they can also be stressful and anxiety-inducing when you hear bored, whining kids in the back seat. Luckily, there are plenty of great family podcasts to keep the kids occupied on a long road trip.
Our eleven year old daughter is actually the best at finding new podcasts. If it’s a podcast that can reasonably be listened to by kids, she’s on it. The list below is broken down by genre, so you can find the perfect podcast for your family.
Family Podcasts for Road Trips – Story Podcasts
Six Minutes
Six Minutes is a sci-fi podcast by Gen Z Media that follows the story of a girl pulled out of the water with no memory of who she is or how she got there. The episodes, which are all around six minutes long, follow her journey to discover who she is and where she came from.
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian
Another Gen Z Media podcast (they make some really great podcasts), this podcasts centers on Finn Caspian and his friends, as they journey around the galaxy helping aliens and solving mysteries.
Eleanor Amplified
This podcast follows the adventures of world-famous reporter Eleanor Amplified, as she uncovers mysteries, outwits villains, and foils their devious plots.
Young Ben Franklin
Young Ben Franklin is a podcast about, you guessed it, young Ben Franklin. A historical fiction podcast, this podcast will have kids entirely engrossed, while learning tons about the American Revolution and the historical figures involved.
Treasure Island
Treasure Island follows the adventures of James and his friends as they befriend a mysterious man who washed up on shore. It turns out the man is a time-traveling pirate from the 1800’s, and the friends are drawn into a magical portal that leads them back nearly 300 years and into a swashbuckling adventure.
Becoming Mother Nature
When Chloe goes to live with her grandmother, she discovers that her grandmother is really Mother Nature – and she’s grooming Chloe to take over after her!
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Partel
Listen along as eleven-year-old Mars Patel and his pals JP, Toothpick and Caddie set out on a daring adventure in search of two missing friends. But the mysterious tech billionaire Oliver Pruitt might just have a thing or two to say about their quest…
Iowa Chapman and the Lost Dog
This podcast is set in a post apocalyptic future where animals have been exterminated to ensure there are enough resources for humans. Iowa is just a little girl when her parents are taken away, but she is determined to carry out their mission – to find the last animals left on earth and bring them to Haven, where they’ll be safe from the Regulators.
Welcome to Night Vale
This podcast takes the form of community announcements for the desert town of Night Vale, featuring local weather, news, announcements from the Sheriff’s Secret Police, mysterious lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers, and cultural events.
The Hollow
When three 6th graders at Sleepy Hollow Middle School stumble upon a real-life ghost story, they find themselves on the trail of the Headless Horseman himself. Is he truly a terrifying ghoul, or has he been misunderstood for all these years?
The Mayan Crystal
In the spirit of Mayan folklore, an 11-year-old Belizean girl accidentally invokes an evil spirit that threatens to consume the rainforest. She goes on a thrilling journey to save her home and her people.
Tara Tremendous
After accidentally receiving the powers of every superhero, Tara Callahan must learn how to control her newfound abilities and embrace her destiny to become the most powerful being in the universe.
Hank the Cowdog
Adults might enjoy that this podcast features Mathew McConaughey, and kids will enjoy the story of Hank the cowdog and his escapades. Hank the Cowdog, the self-declared “Head of Ranch Security,” finds himself smack dab in the middle of a host of tangled mysteries and capers that span the universe of the Texas Panhandle cattle ranch Hank calls home. Hank is joined on these tail-wagging, tongue-slobbering adventures by a motley assemblage of characters, not least of which is his less-than trusty sidekick, Drover, a small but uncourageous mutt voiced by Jesse Plemons. Listen in as Hank the Cowdog always claims to know the answer, is the last to realize he doesn’t, but is the first to run headlong into tales of courage, loyalty, and friendship.
What If World
What If World is a storytelling podcast for kids. What if a tiny dragon lived in my closet? What if there were a never-ending bowl of ice cream? What if cats ruled the world? Join Abacus P Grumbler, Randall Radbot, and Whendiana Joan as they help Mr. Eric tell wacky stories inspired by your questions!
Family Podcasts for Road Trips – History Podcasts
Forever Ago
Forever Ago is presented by Brains On, and bills itself as a history podcast for the whole family. Every episode explores the origin of just one thing — like sandwiches, video games, clocks and more — while teaching listeners to think critically about history.
The Past and the Curious
The Past and the Curious is a history podcast where the host takes a well-known figure or event in history, and dives in with little-known facts and stories, retold in a fun and engaging way.
Timestorm
The Ventura twins are yanked into another dimension where they meet a distant cousin who gives them an extraordinary mission: travel through time to witness their culture’s true history. Alexa and Beni visit three continents across the span of five centuries, meeting people who have left their mark on Puerto Rican heritage. In the twenty-first century, the twins navigate school, friendship, and family while keeping their time-traveling quests a secret.
The Magic Sash
The Magic Sash is a journey back in time hosted by gold medal gymnast and advocate Aly Raisman. Join Lotty and Isaiah, two very modern fifth graders, as they meet iconic heroes of the movement for women’s right to vote and experience big moments in women’s suffrage first-hand. They’ll learn that what women (and men) fought for — women’s full political equality — isn’t dusty history at all.
Tales of the Texas Rangers
While not specifically for kids, our kids love hearing stories of the daring adventures of the Texas Rangers. Originally a 1950’s radio show, these stories have been given new life as a podcast.
Legends of the Old West
This one is also not specifically geared towards kids and is better for a slightly older audience. (Our eleven-year old loves it, our eight-year old, not so much.) Each episode examines a famous old west character or event, including lawmen like Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok and the Texas Rangers, outlaws like Jesse James and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Native American leaders like Red Cloud, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, and rowdy towns like Deadwood, Tombstone and Dodge City.
Family Podcasts for Road Trips – Science Podcasts
But Why
But Why is a podcast that tackles questions asked by kids, from how deep is the ocean, to who invented money. No question is too big or too small, and you’re bound to learn something new in every episode!
Brains On!
Brains On! is an award-winning audio show for kids and families. Each week, a different kid co-host joins Molly Bloom to find answers to fascinating questions about the world.
Earth Rangers
Join Earth Ranger Emma as she explores the deep jungle, the frozen Arctic and splash around some wetlands, all in the name of science!
The Big Melt
In this podcast, an inquisitive teen talks with some of the brightest minds in science to understand what exactly is happening to our planet, and what kids can do to help.
Tumble
Tumble is a science podcast for kids that tells stories about science discoveries, with the help of scientists! Join Lindsay and Marshall as they ask questions, share mysteries, and share what science is all about.
Radiolab for Kids
Radiolab for kids is a compilation of the family-friendly Radiolab episodes from over the years. Better for older kids, this podcast does a deep dive into topics like what is color, and the origins of the game of football.
Family Podcasts for Road Trips – Miscellaneous Podcasts
The Big Fib
Each week, a kid interviews two experts in a particular topic, one of which is a genuine, credentialed expert, the other a liar. Hilarious and fast-paced, the show teaches kids to ask insightful questions, weigh the evidence before them, and trust their guts.
The Weirdness
Middle-schoolers Arlo and Sierra host a podcast dedicated to exploring unexplained phenomena like the Loch Ness Monster, the yeti and the chupacabra. But they’ve never actually witnessed any of it—until they track down an unusual caller who turns out to be none other than Bigfoot himself. Turns out, the Weirdness is real, and it’s everywhere! Arlo, Sierra, and Bigfoot (aka Beef) set off on a mind-blowing adventure across the globe to find out why the creatures of legends are disappearing.
Mystery Recipe
From America’s Test Kitchen comes Mystery Recipe, a podcast that helps kids and their grown-ups uncover the fun, fantastical, and fascinating sides of food. Each ingredient-themed episode builds to a grand finale: a mystery recipe cook-along. Get excited about cooking (and eating) by digging into the deliciously silly and unexpectedly educational.
The Kids Are All Home
A COVID-era creation, this is a podcast for kids stuck at home, by kids stuck at home. Featuring voices from all around the world, each episode will show us what it’s like for kids to be stuck at home and what they’re doing to fill their time.
The Reading Bug
An excellent podcast for little kids, each episode follows the Reading Bug and Spelling Bee on a new adventure that introduces kids to new books, new ideas, and new worlds.
Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!