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Drive-Time Magic: Podcasts for Commutes and Long Drives That Keep Young Kids Engaged (and Parents Sane)

Writer's picture: Alli BizonAlli Bizon

Finding something that both my 5-year-old and I could agree on for our 25-minute commute to school was a bit of a challenge at first. We bounced between NPR news (“too boring,” she’d say), classical music (“it makes me too sleepy”), and her personal favorite, “Princess Music,” which, to be honest, drove me a little bonkers.


Long cars can be hard for young children. These screen-free options keep the whole family engaged!
Long cars can be hard for young children. These screen-free options keep the whole family engaged!

That all changed when we discovered enriching podcasts that sparked our curiosity. Not only did they keep us both entertained, but they also provided countless opportunities to build important developmental skills. I noticed a huge improvement in my daughter’s listening skills—she became more focused and better at retaining information. We also worked on literacy skills by pausing to check for understanding, which helped strengthen her comprehension. Plus, these podcasts introduced her to a wide range of topics, expanding her vocabulary and background knowledge while fueling her curiosity about the world.


In our family, we love revisiting our favorites, and it’s been fascinating to hear how my daughter’s responses to stories evolve as she grows. We’ve used podcasts on long road trips for vacations and cross-country family visits, and many of the longer episodes are perfect for breaking up into shorter drives. Best of all, these podcasts are engaging enough to listen to over and over—without making me feel like I’m losing my mind!


Here are a few of our top recommendations that we’ve absolutely loved:


  • Gardenkeeper Gus (ages 2-5) A sweet, calming, and immersive follows 6-year-old Gus and his squirrel best friend, Rel, as they listen to nature sounds and embark on adventures in a larger-than-life garden. I love how slow and soothing the stories are—perfect for winding down after school or setting a peaceful tone in the morning. While the main character is 6, I think this podcast is best suited for younger children.

8-10 minutes

Favorite episode: Strolling in the Rain (A great way to encourage hesitant little ones to embrace rainy-day fun!)


  • Super Simple Imagination Time with Caitie! Podcast (ages 2-4) Caitie and her piano-playing friend Zach lead children through imaginative audio adventures filled with play, music, and social-emotional learning. Each episode is inspired by a Super Simple Song and starts with a mindfulness activity. Caitie’s voice is beautiful, and the familiar songs make it a hit for preschoolers. The deep breathing exercise has even made its way into our daily routine! 

About 20 minutes

Favorite episode: Deep Blue Sea


  • Deep Blue Sea (ages 3-6) is a series of fictional stories led by underwater adventures Marina and Reef who meet a new sea creature in the Sea Lab Alpha in each episode. The characters are charming and take time to review content specific vocabulary in an age appropriate way. Expect fun sound effects, jokes, and plenty of marine science!

    10-12 minutes. 

Favorite Episode: Renta the Sea Otter (we loved the cute baby otters!)


  • But Why? A Podcast for Curious Kids(ages 4+) is a podcast where curious kids submit questions, and the hosts provide engaging and informative answers, covering a wide range of topics from science and nature to culture and society. It’s less produced than some of the others on this list, so I recommend starting with a more dynamic podcast first to get kids hooked on audio storytelling. Fun fact: My daughter was once featured after submitting her question online!

20-30 minutes 

Favorite episode: Why are pandas black and white?  


  • Arthur Series (ages 4-9) Another PBS favorite, this podcast features new adventures of Arthur the aardvark and his friends, focusing on themes of friendship, family, and learning life lessons. Maybe it’s nostalgia talking, but as a Millennial who grew up watching Arthur, I still love it now!

8-12 minutes 

Favorite episode: Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone


  • Molly of Denali (ages 4-9) An educational podcast which is also a PBS cartoon, that follows 10-year-old Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native girl, as she embarks on adventures, solving problems and exploring her heritage, while teaching listeners about Alaskan culture and traditions. The mysteries were a huge hit in our house! My only complaint? There are only three seasons.

    10-15 minutes 

Favorite episode: We loved the whole third season with the mystery aboard the Denali train 


  • Magic Woods (ages 5-7) An enchanting children's podcast featuring fun stories about an enchanted magical world, introducing listeners to characters like Kitty Karate and Doggie Cornelius Munchabunch the Third. Writer & narrator George Patrick Leal is a former first grade teacher, so he really understands how to capture an audience.With 95 episodes, this is great for little fantasy lovers—it reminds me of a less scary Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter for young listeners. Heads-up: The first episode was a bit spooky for my daughter at age 4, but when we revisited it at 5, she loved it!

About 15 minutes long (some much longer)

Favorite episode: Any episode with the loveable trickster, Whiskers the Rat


  • The Good Whale (ages 5+) A six-part podcast by Serial Productions that chronicles the life of Keiko, the orca who starred in "Free Willy," exploring the complexities and challenges of his journey from captivity to attempted reintroduction into the wild. This one leans more toward adults, so I had to pause to explain some of the more complex concepts—but my daughter was captivated and is now very passionate about saving the whales!

30-40 minutes

Favorite episode: There’s a special musical episode in the series from the musical writers of La La Land, which I personally loved! 


  • Terrestrials (ages 5+) An imaginative podcast that delves into stories about the natural world, blending science and storytelling to explore the wonders of our planet and beyond. It's expanded my own understanding of this amazing Earth. The songs are super funny and engaging! 

20-30 minutes 

Favorite episode: The Fuzzy Ruckus: The Power of Lichen


These were found on Spotify. The great thing about the free account is that there are rarely any commercials on podcasts. What recommendations do you have? Leave your favorites in the comments!


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