Podcasts for Middle Schoolers
Whether you like to listen to stories or learn new facts, there's a podcast for you. These podcasts were highlighted by Common Sense Media in their post "The 25 Best Podcasts for Kids." WeAreTeachers also put together a list of "25+ Best Podcasts for Kids." All age recommendations are from Common Sense Media. Do your own research to see if it's right for you.
Smash, Boom, Best"Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best. Cats versus Dogs. Pizza versus Tacos. Super Speed versus Super Strength. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Our debaters use facts and passion to make their case... teaching listeners how to defend their own opinions along the way." (brainson.org) Best for: Big kids
KiDNuZ"KiDNuZ is a weekday, nonpartisan news podcast created just for kids. Listen in for today’s top stories, from current events and politics to entertainment, sports, science and more!" (kidnuz.com) Best for: All ages
Book Club for Kids"This excellent biweekly podcast features middle schoolers talking about a popular middle-grade or YA book as well as sharing their favorite book recommendations. Public radio figure Kitty Felde runs the discussion, and each episode includes a passage of that week's book read by a celebrity guest." (commonsensemedia.org) Best for: Tweens and teens
Stories Podcast"One of the first kids' podcasts to grasp podcasts' storytelling capabilities, this podcast is still going strong with kid-friendly renditions of classic stories, fairy tales, and original works. These longer stories with a vivid vocabulary are great for bigger kids past the age for picture books but who still love a good bedtime story." (commonsensemedia.org) Best for: Big kids
The Two Princes
"When Prince Rupert sets out to break the mysterious curse that’s destroying his kingdom, he’s ready to face whatever dastardly villain or vile monster stands in his way. What he isn’t prepared for are the bewildering new emotions he feels when he meets the handsome Amir, a rival prince on a quest to save his own realm. Forced to team up, the two princes soon discover that the only thing more difficult than saving their kingdoms is following their hearts." (gimletmedia.com) Best for: Tweens
"When Prince Rupert sets out to break the mysterious curse that’s destroying his kingdom, he’s ready to face whatever dastardly villain or vile monster stands in his way. What he isn’t prepared for are the bewildering new emotions he feels when he meets the handsome Amir, a rival prince on a quest to save his own realm. Forced to team up, the two princes soon discover that the only thing more difficult than saving their kingdoms is following their hearts." (gimletmedia.com) Best for: Tweens
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is a scripted podcast for middle grade kids, performed by middle grade kids. It is a fun, high-quality, serial mystery that can be described as Goonies meets Spy Kids meets Stranger Things for 8-12 year olds. It was voted as one of the top 50 podcasts of 2016 by The Guardian, and was recently honored as a Peabody award winner. (marspatel.com) Best for: Tweens
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is a scripted podcast for middle grade kids, performed by middle grade kids. It is a fun, high-quality, serial mystery that can be described as Goonies meets Spy Kids meets Stranger Things for 8-12 year olds. It was voted as one of the top 50 podcasts of 2016 by The Guardian, and was recently honored as a Peabody award winner. (marspatel.com) Best for: Tweens
Wow in the World
"Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them. We'll go inside our brains, out into space and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology." (https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-world) Best for: All ages
"Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them. We'll go inside our brains, out into space and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology." (https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-world) Best for: All ages
Brains On
"Similar to But Why, this is another radio show/podcast that takes kid-submitted science questions and answers them with the help of experts. What makes this one different is it tends to skew a bit older, both in its questions and answers, and it has a different kid co-host each week. The result is a fun show that's as silly as it is educational." (commonsensemedia.org) Best for: Kids and tweens
"Similar to But Why, this is another radio show/podcast that takes kid-submitted science questions and answers them with the help of experts. What makes this one different is it tends to skew a bit older, both in its questions and answers, and it has a different kid co-host each week. The result is a fun show that's as silly as it is educational." (commonsensemedia.org) Best for: Kids and tweens
Tumble
"Tumble is a science podcast for kids, to be enjoyed by the entire family. We tell 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." (sciencepodcastforkids.com) Best for: Kids and tweens
"Tumble is a science podcast for kids, to be enjoyed by the entire family. We tell 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." (sciencepodcastforkids.com) Best for: Kids and tweens
"From exciting adventures and addictive mysteries, to hilarious game shows and popular science programming, you’ll find the best content for your next long car ride or after-dinner family listening."
For information about books, movies, tv shows, apps, and games, use CommonSense Media before you read, watch or play.
