Let this round-up of the best family podcasts for road trips help take the edge off of family travel in Bucks County. Clean and interesting podcasts for family road trips are out there. This list of family-friendly podcasts proves it.

Family Podcasts for Road Trips

Listening to podcasts together is a shared experience that’s entertaining, funny, educational, or inspiring. From fascinating science to friendly, competitive trivia, both kids and adults will find these podcasts for families a surprisingly engaging listen. Spark more conversation and less “Are we there yet?” with these great podcasts for kid road trips.

We compiled this list of more than 20 awesome podcasts to kick off your road tripping audio adventures, thanks to the recommendations of local Bucks County parents. The titles are organized by category and appeal to listeners of all ages. Break up the boredom with one of these podcasts the next time the family hits the road.

Storytelling Podcasts for Families

Get lost in a podcast the whole family can enjoy. Nothing beats a good story. Whether inspired by real-life events or fictional masterpieces, these podcasts make every car trip that much closer to enjoyable.

Badger and the Blitz – An Audio Story

Theme: Inspired by true events

Recommended Ages: All ages

Episode Length: Approximately 10-12 minutes

It’s easy to get into “Badger and the Blitz.” This is the story of a boy named Jack, who is 11 years old. After the death of his mother, Jack’s mother brings home a puppy he names Badger. Three years later, in 1939, bombs hit the city. Jack is determined to save his buddy Badger from the war-torn London of World War II.

Inspired by real-life events, the story is told in 12 episodes, with each episode lasting 10 minutes or less. Easily completed in one car-trip, “Badger and the Blitz” is a story of love and hope, survival and adventure.

Circle Round – A Storytelling Podcast

Theme: Folktales

Recommended Age: 3 – 10 years

Episode Length: Approximately 20 to 30 minutes

“Circle Round” adapts selected folktales from around the world into radio plays, rich in sound and music, for kids and their parents. Each episode explores a chosen theme, such as creativity, kindness, persistence, and generosity. “Circle Round” podcasts are created and produced by parents of young children and produced by WBUR in Boston.

After the podcast, stick around for an activity to help spur on more conversation. For example, in “One Good Turn” (air date: April 8, 2025), listeners are encouraged to consider when someone did something kind for them and when they did something kind for someone else. Then, break out the colored pencils or crayons for the following prompt.

Story Pirates – Songs and Sketches Based on Stories Written by Kids

Theme: Songs and sketches based on child-submitted stories

Recommended Age: 3 – 103 years

Episode Length: Approximately 10 minutes to an hour

The makers of “Story Pirates” have a different approach compared with other storytelling podcasters. In each episode, the creators take stories submitted by kids and turn them into sketch comedy and songs. These entertaining songs and sketches are often performed on the podcast by various songwriters, comedians, and guest celebrities. The list of celebrity guest vocals on “Story Pirates” includes Kristen Bell, John Oliver, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Julie Andrews, John Legend, and Seth Meyers.

New “Story Pirates” podcasts air on Thursdays. The series began in 2003 with a live improv performance at a public school in Harlem, New York, featuring stories written by children. The idea took off. It’s no secret that parents and kids enjoy listening to the “Story Pirates.” At the time of this article, the Story Pirates podcast has garnered over 85 million downloads and is ranked among the top three podcasts for kids and families worldwide.

Eleanor Amplified – An Adventure Series

Theme: Classic radio show

Recommended Ages: 8 – 12 years

Episode Length: Approximately 10-15 minutes

Produced locally by WHYY in Philadelphia, “Eleanor Amplified” is an adventure podcast series for the whole family, but especially recommended for kids ages 8–12. What is Eleanor Amplified? It’s the story of the world-famous radio reporter, Eleanor Amplified. This clever heroine foils devious plots and outwits crafty villains, all in pursuit of The Big Story.

The “Eleanor Amplified” series, created by Philadelphia dad John Sheehan, aired from 2016 to 2020. There are 42 episodes of adventure. Tune in to the Road Trip Edition of “Eleanor Amplified” for those extended family trips — it’s one entire season bundled into a single podcast. It’s an entertaining and informative series that focuses on journalism, the important role of media in society, and why telling the truth matters.

The Two Princes

Theme: Musical adventure

Recommended Ages: 8 and up

Episode Length: Approximately 15 to 25 minutes

“The Two Princes” is a Spotify original musical adventure about Prince Rupert and Prince Amir, each on a quest to save their respective kingdoms. Forced to team up, the two young princes feel bewildering new emotions for one another and fall in love. It’s a fairytale story with castles, magic, villains, and weddings made inclusive with queer characters and racial diversity. Janice M. says, “The Two Princes” was a hit with her kids.” 

Some parents said the show is fine for younger ages, but that the beginning podcasts may be a little confusing for younger listeners. Either way, “The Two Princes” fairytale offers up plenty of action and musical fun.

Adventure and Mystery Podcasts

Action, adventure, and mystery form the backbone of the incredible podcasts below. Main Line parents enjoyed these podcasts as much as their kids. Tune in and see why these make the cut for the best family podcasts.

Keyshawn Solves It – A Mystery Series

Theme: Mystery

Recommended Ages: 5 – 9 years

Episode Length: Approximately 15 minutes

PBS Kids podcast “Keyshawn Solves It” tells the story of Keyshawn, a 10-year-old African American boy in North Minneapolis, Minnesota. He receives a set of wonderful keys capable of unlocking almost any door. With help from his friend Kiki, Keyshawn uses these keys to help solve the mysteries in his neighborhood.

“Keyshawn Solves It” is an eight-episode podcast helping kids learn about Juneteenth and social-emotional traits, such as resilience, self-worth, and responsibility. Created by GBH Kids.

Molly of Denali – An Adventure and Mystery Series

Theme: Mystery adventure

Recommended Ages: 4 – 8 years

Episode Length: Approximately 8 to 20 minutes

The popular PBS Kids podcast “Molly of Denali” accompanies the animated children’s television series of the same name, “Molly of Denali.” Molly Mabray is the typical 10-year-old girl, except she lives in Quay, a fictional village in Alaska. Molly and her friends explore their community and culture, embark on exciting adventures, and solve mysteries.

The 33-episode “Molly of Denali” podcast promotes themes of curiosity, problem-solving, and cultural diversity. GBH Kids created this series with the aim of representing Alaska Native culture and traditions. Various Alaska Natives (and Elders) participate in the show, from actors to writers to advisors, to maintain authenticity. It is one of the first nationally distributed children’s series to include Alaska Natives in the show’s production and as actors. Kids and parents find this podcast entertaining and insightful.

Six Minutes – An Audio Drama

Theme: Adventure drama

Recommended Ages: 6 – 12 years

Episode Length: Approximately 6 minutes

“Six Minutes” is a riveting audio adventure that appeals to both tweens and teens. Produced by Gen-Z Media, “Six Minutes” tells the story of 11-year-old Holiday, a girl who is pulled from the icy waters of Alaska with no memory of who she is or where she comes from. She isn’t sure her mom and dad are really who they claim to be. Holiday begins to develop incredible abilities and learns she’s not alone in the world.

It sounds like the perfect podcast for fans of Stranger Things. The “Six Minutes” podcast series has more than 250 podcasts, each of which is an audio story of 15 minutes or less. Who can resist this intro, “There are kids who are different… special… and one of them is missing.” No wonder it’s the most downloaded family audio drama in history.

General Education Podcasts

An educational podcast does not mean boring, as the witty and engaging podcasts below will quickly prove. Whether it’s a themed podcast or covers a lot of ground in many topics, these educational podcasts were a hit with Main Line families — and will make every family road trip that much more fun.

Who Smarted – A Funny Educational Podcast for Kids

Theme: Themed content

Recommended Age: 5 – 10 years

Episode Length: 15 to 21 minutes

The hilariously titled “Who Smarted?” podcast combines a lighter tone and great sound effects with facts on pretty much everything. Each of the themed episodes answers a specific question.

More than just educational content, the creators also hope to instill critical thinking skills.

“Which Famous Foods were Invented Accidentally?” “Is Flipping a Coin Really the Most Fair Way to Decide Something?” and “Are Axolotls the strangest creature on Earth?” hint at the exciting topics ahead. Thursdays offer up short and sweet 5-minute trivia games, while new full-length “Who Smarted?” episodes frequently hit the streaming platforms .

History Podcasts

Anyone who thinks history is boring hasn’t heard it presented the right way. History is cool. Main Line parents and kids couldn’t agree more. This podcast topped their history-loving list.

Greeking Out – Stories of Ancient Greece and Beyond

Theme: Greek mythology

Recommended Ages: 8 Years and up

Episode Length: Approximately 16 to 35 minutes

“Greeking Out” is undoubtedly a family favorite podcast for long road trips. Multiple members of the Main Line Parent community raved about the Greek mythology podcast. Created by National Geographic, “Greeking Out” shares Greek mythology and stories from Ancient Greece.

Kenny Curtis, an engaging veteran of kids’ radio, hosts the “Greeking Out” show along with the Oracle of Wifi, played by Tori Kerr, who jumps in with unique facts. Each episode is a kid-friendly retelling of stories about the Gods, monsters, and heroes of Greek myths. This podcast began in 2019, but Season 11 is set to air in 2025. Don’t miss this entertaining blend of history and culture.

The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families

Theme: Lesser-known History

Recommended Ages: 7 Years and up

Episode Length: Approximately 13 to 53 minutes

“The Past & The Curious” airs once every two months — but it’s worth the wait. This podcast shares lesser-known bits and pieces of history with a silly song thrown in.

Mick Sullivan began “The Past & The Curious in 2016. Since then, the show has published more than 100 episodes on everything from the Cottingly Fairies and the Bathtub Hoax (Episode 104) and “Bone Wars and The Ghost Town Rhyolite” (Episode 99). It’s easily one of the best kid podcasts for road trips.

Young Ben Franklin – Stories of Our Founding Father at 13

Theme: Historical mystery

Recommended Ages: 8 and up

Episode Length: Approximately 15 – 31 minutes

Yet another great podcast from Gen Z Media, the “Young Ben Franklin” podcast entertains with stories of the Founding Father as a young boy in colonial Boston. Before he was the inventor and respected statesman, he was a youngster “with an adventurous spirit, a curious mind…and a penchant for getting into trouble.” Although it’s a fictionalized series, “Young Ben Franklin” builds upon historically accurate events in the life of teenage Benjamin Franklin, such as the important relationship with his older brother and his apprenticeship as a publisher.

In the first season of episodes, the “Young Ben Franklin” podcast shares a scenario in which Ben and his friends stumble upon a mysterious letter that leads to a legendary treasure. But Ben and his pals must outsmart the ruthless British governor of Massachusetts. Season 2 of “Young Ben Franklin” takes Ben to New York City. The thought-provoking narrative should appeal to students in grades 6th–8th and deepen their understanding of American Colonial history.

Science Podcasts

But Why – A Podcast for Curious Kids

Theme: Themed content

Recommended Age: 4 – 10 years

Episode Length: 18 to 45 minutes

Distributed by NPR, “But Why” is a show where kids send in questions. “But Why” show hosts Jane Lindholm (host for the Vermont Public Radio (VPR) news magazine “Vermont Edition”) and Melody Bodette (former reporter and news director for Vermont Public Radio) are two moms well-versed in fielding topics. They tackle a wide range of subjects from kid listener submissions and generally gear responses to the 4- to 10-year-old crowd.

“But Why” is another interesting podcast that kids and parents enjoy, according to our social media commenters. “But Why” is a good one! [It’s] very educational but fun to listen to,” said Philly mom Sarah M. Learn the answers to questions such as, “Who Invented Tacos?” and “Are Wild Cats Afraid of Water?” Subject matter experts sometimes chime in.

Dinosaur George Kids Podcast – A Show for Kids Who Love Dinosaurs

Theme: Prehistoric Earth and dinosaurs

Recommended Ages: 3 to 12 years

Episode Length: Approximately 39 minutes to an hour and a half

Kids fascinated by the prehistoric world of dinosaurs will love the “Dinosaur George” Kids Podcast. Kids who haven’t thought about dinosaurs will also find themselves enamored, thanks to the fun facts and lively presentation by host George Blasing, also known as “Dinosaur George.” This free podcast is perfect for family road trips. It’s educational and entertaining.  

Each “Dinosaur George” episode highlights a “feature creature,” or a particular prehistoric animal. With his engaging storytelling and enthusiasm, “Dinosaur George” brings these long-ago reptiles to life, providing details about their unique characteristics, behavior, and their place in history. In 2025, there were more than 125 episodes just waiting for your next family adventure.

Tumble – Science Podcast for Kids

Theme: Engaging science

Recommended Ages: 8 to 12 years old

Episode Length: 20 – 30 minutes

“Tumble” is a science podcast geared for kids but enjoyed by the whole family. The hosts, Lindsay Patterson and Marshall Escamilla, are a husband-and-wife team who share stories about scientific discoveries thanks to interviews with actual scientists. Philly families raved about the intriguing content of the “Tumble” science podcast for kids. Episodes are also available en Español.

Episodes from “Tumble” included “Why are Capybaras so Big?,” “How To Be an Inventor,” and “What If Trees Didn’t Exist?” Episodes range from 20 to 30 minutes in length making it a great family road trip podcast. Expect a new episode every other Friday.

Wow in the World – Cool Stories That Inspire

Theme: Science news and innovations

Recommended Age: 5 – 12 years

Episode Length: 9 to 36 minutes

Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas host “Wow in the World.” It’s a super cool podcast on current science events, innovation, and news. Science class was never this much fun, unfortunately. First airing in 2017, and with well over 300 shows, there’s no shortage of science-y news to discover with “Wow in the World.”

“How the Dinosaurs Got So Big: An Investigation in Fossilized Feces,” “Exercise Yourself to Sleep,” and “Diving In With Sea Lions: Mapping the Ocean Floor” are a quick look at the content of the cool “Wow in the World” podcasts.

Trivia Podcasts for Families

These podcasts are all fun and games for kids and their parents. Trying to choose which podcast to listen to on the next family trip is the hard part.

The Big Fib – A Guessing Game

Theme: Guessing game

Recommended Ages: 7 years old and up

Episode Length: 24 – 35 minutes

Another of Gen Z Media’s excellent podcasts, “The Big Fib,” asks kids (and families) to spot the difference, but with people. Who’s a big fibber and who’s a true expert? This weekly podcast lets a kid ask two alleged authorities on a subject to answer questions. The problem is that one of these “authorities” is lying.

Children between the ages of 8 and 11 can even try out to be a contestant on “The Big Fib.” It’s a show that moves quickly and aims to help teach kids (and adults) how to ask better questions and figure out what’s true and what’s completely fake. Previous episodes included, “Do you have an ear for lies about Elephants?” Can you find the creep(er) who’s lying about Minecraft?” and “Can you pin all the lies about Bowling?” Bucks County families found it a fun family listen.

Family Road Trip Trivia Podcast

Theme: Trivia game

Recommended Ages: 7 years old and up

Episode Length: 11 – 20 minutes

For every endless question asker, the “Family Road Trip Trivia” podcast is the perfect fit. Families who love trivia challenges will highly enjoy this trivia-filled podcast. The “Family Road Trip Trivia” podcast was created by Jude, Wyatt, and Gigi Gibbons, three siblings from Ohio, in 2019. They couldn’t get enough trivia — or competition. Host Brittany (their mom) oversees the three-round challenges of each episode.

Every podcast revolves around a particular theme. With over 200 podcasts to choose from, it’s easy to find a theme that fits. Past episodes include “Disney Sidekick Trivia,” “Hogwarts House Trivia,” and “Pop Star Trivia.” New episodes are released at varying intervals, ranging from a week or more to a few days between episodes. Competitive families will have fun with this podcast.

Smash Boom Best – A Debate Show

Theme: Debate podcast

Recommended Age: 8 years and up

Episode Length: 31 to 38 minutes

“Smash Boom Best” is a spin on the usual podcast format (and from the people behind Brains On). It’s a debate show that pits two subjects or topics against each other. Who will win? Which one is the best? The debaters bring the facts (and their passion) for the topic.

“Tag Vs. Hide and Seek: An Exhilarating Debate,” “Ketchup Vs. Ranch: A Saucy Debate,” and “Slides Vs. Swings: A Playground Debate” are a few samples of past episodes. More than entertainment, “Smash Boom Best” helps listeners learn how to identify logical fallacies, to better set kids up against false truths in the future.

Whose Amazing Life? A Biography Guessing Game

Theme: Biography game

Recommended Age: 7 years and up

Episode Length: 9 to 33 minutes

Jessica G. and her family enjoy listening to “Whose Amazing Life” when they’re together in the car. It’s hard not to get sucked into this podcast that’s part biography and part guessing game. It’s thoroughly entertaining for the next family road trip. Each episode highlights the story of a real person. Who can guess the famous person first?

New episodes of “Whose Amazing Life?” air every Friday. Recent episodes of “Whose Amazing Life?” include “The Author,” “The Helper,” and “The Plant Doctor.”

Family Podcast Subscription Services

Pinna – An Audio Streaming Service

For die-hard podcast and audio entertainment families, consider subscribing to the audio streaming service Pinna. The app offers podcasts, audiobooks, and music specifically designed for children aged 3–12. For anyone wanting a podcast for a family road trip, this is a nice place to look.

Katie L. recommends Pinna and says that its “Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest” podcast is “a true telling of Grimm fairy tales,” and is “excellent.” Her kids also love Pinna’s “The Dream Breachers” and “The Unexplained,” which feature episodes about subjects such as Stonehenge, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Bermuda Triangle. Pinna offers a limited, free sampling level, but for full access, subscribe monthly or annually.

Podcasts for Family Road Trips

Pack the kids in the car and tune in to a podcast perfect for the next family road trip or day trip outside of Bucks County. Learn a little, chat a lot, and (finally) enjoy the ride.

Lead photo courtesy of the Family Road Trip Trivia Podcast.