Developing any programming for children today is about as dangerous as that barrel gambit over Niagara Falls. However objective you may think your children's programming is, you will always have people claiming it’s “fake news,” morally objectionable, or doesn’t sufficiently worship at the feet of self-proclaimed and self-deputized culture warriors.
With the degree of difficulty set so high for podcasts aimed at children, here are five of the best in that genre.
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First up is The Ten News podcast. This is how The Ten News describes their podcast: “The Ten News podcast explores topics that kids care about most, including events, sports, science, gaming, pop culture, entertainment, and more! With new episodes every Wednesday, it’s a great way for you and your family to stay connected with what’s going on in the world.”
The Ten News was a Common Sense Selection, which is a part of Common Sense Media’s seal program that recognizes podcasts for engaging stories, valuable content, diverse voices, characters, and messages that are a great choice for kids & families.
In its first two seasons, the podcast produced and released an amazing 129 episodes. In those two seasons, the podcast has welcomed notable guests such as LEGO Masters Judge Amy Corbett, America’s top doctor Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Sarah Natochenny, the voice of Ash Ketchum for Pokémon fans.
The Ten News podcast is deep into its fourth season, delivering quality news content to kids 8–12. For example, a recent episode of The Ten News explained Leap Day.
One of the podcast’s best features is Ten Things You Need To Know. In those episodes, which last about seven minutes, ten kid-appropriate news items are covered.
The mad scientist for The Ten News is Tracy Leeds Kaplan, who founded Small But Mighty Media, which is a development and production agency focused on creating non-fiction audio and video programs that inform and inspire audiences of all ages. Small But Mighty Media aims to address underserved audiences with bespoke content and tell stories that need to be told. It’s an admirable goal, and she and her team are passionate about achieving it.
With strong production values, great writing, and a finely tuned narrative style for its ages 8–12-year-old target audience, The Ten News doesn’t miss a beat. But it’s the co-hosts that truly excel at connecting with their audience.
The podcast also has an experienced cadre of correspondents, ranging from a romance novelist to a human rights activist. It’s an eclectic group that talks “kid” like pros.
In today’s culture war society, parents seem hyper-vigilant on what information their children are exposed to. The Ten News is a suitable format and venue for children 8–12 regardless of parents’ political beliefs.
Check out The Ten News podcast. Your child will thank you. And you, Mom and Dad, should listen, too. It’s fun, and even you can learn.
Who would be the ideal person to host a children's podcast? How about someone in that actual age group.
In Seraphina Speaks, creator/host Seraphina Malina-Derben
(currently 11 years old) started the show aged seven, as a small girl
with big questions. Oh, and Seraphina lives in the U.K.
Here's the podcast's well-written promotional message:
"This award-winning family-friendly show inspires tweens and early teens to examine social norms and ordinary, everyday things. Everything from happiness, being a tween, chores, school, Race, toys, & more."
One of my favorite Seraphina episodes include:
November 14, 2020 -- On this episode, Seraphina discussed racism and does it with more acumen and sensitivity than most U.S. Republican elected officials. She interviews George Floyd's uncle, Selwyn Jones, and I defy you not to hold in a tear.
In
that episode, Seraphina asked, "How do we get rid of racism?" Then, she
articulates a sensible solution that has evaded many adults. Her
answer? "By talking about racism, of course," she insists.
We asked Seraphina how she got into podcasting?
Seraphina answered: "Mama
is a long-time podcaster, and I used to sit in on her interviews. I
thought why can't I do that as it sounds like fun. All the tech kit was
already available, so that helped. I was six at the time and started
podcasting at seven."
Seraphina continued: ""Mama
is producer of Seraphina Speaks. We talk about content, scripting, etc.
Marie is our editor and has worked on podcasts with Mama since 2018. She
does sound. We've been careful to not go too much on Instagram, as I
didn't want to do that. So Substack is where I feel comfortable,
although I'm younger than the age that writers are supposed to be. Mama
and I do the Substack."
How is it possible that an 11-year-old girl from England offers better advice on life skills than many adults?
Asked
about her future, Seraphina says: "I want to make a difference. I'm
testing the water about how I will do that. It will involve my voice and
has to be something I enjoy. That means something in the media that
challenges the way the world is. I may have to take a break to take
exams when I'm older, but at the moment I don't have plans to stop. I'm a
podcaster who loves podcasting."
In the January 5, 2024, episode, the hosts offered an extra cheesy edition! During the episode, the hosts tested listeners' knowledge of all things cheddar, etc. Listeners were encouraged to play along and find out if their brie-brain is gouda enough! I know, cheesy, right, but fun.
Trivia For Kids began when Kacie Clousing teamed up with her daughters Renn, 8, and Quinn, 10, to start a trivia question podcast aimed at children.
Kacie, 39 and mom of three, had long listened to podcasts and said the catalyst for starting “Trivia for Kids” came during a family road trip to her hometown of Fairfax, SD. She and her husband, Dan, liked to listen to trivia podcasts because they seem to make the time go by faster.
“The girls would pop in now and again on a question, but there aren’t many questions in an adult trivia podcast that they could answer,” Kacie said. “They’re on their tablets for the whole trip, and we found ourselves saying, ‘If only there was something they could participate in, then we could do that instead.’ We looked for a couple and listened to a couple that we weren’t crazy about.”
Recent episode categories include: Big Cats, Bones, Clothes, Traveling, and Disney Characters…ALL FOR KIDS!!!
The podcast says: "Our mission is to encourage kids’ natural curiosity and wonder using science and history… but there’s no age limit on curiosity. Episodes of Brains On! can be enjoyed by anyone!"
Recent episodes include: Why do we laugh? How do satellites work? And how deep does the sand go on the beach?
With over 100 episodes, you may be wondering, “where do I start?” Check out listeners’ favorite episodes here.
The show ran from April until October 2020 and included reading children's books such as Dumpy The Dumptruck.
Every story came to life with sound, music and activities. It was a show that inspired lively conversations and a lifelong love of reading. Andrews and her daughter did a wonderful job, and it's a shame it's still not producing new episodes.
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