The 13 Best Kids Uk Podcasts (2026)

Super Great Kids' Stories brings together professional storytellers from around the world to perform folk tales, fairy stories, and original adventures for young listeners. Kim Normanton hosts, with guest tellers like Wendy Shearer and Alton Takiyama-Chung bringing their own cultural backgrounds and performance styles to the mix. The result is a genuinely international collection that stretches well beyond the usual Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen rotation.

The show has racked up nearly 400 episodes since launching, which gives it one of the deeper back catalogues in the UK kids podcast scene. Episodes arrive biweekly, and there is enough variety in the archive to keep a family going for months. You will find African trickster tales sitting alongside European fairy tales and Asian legends, often with Cinderella variations from completely different cultures that make for interesting comparisons.

With a 4.5-star rating from over 1,300 reviews, it is one of the higher-rated children's storytelling podcasts out there. Some families have described it as their absolute favourite storytelling series. There is a subscription tier for ad-free listening and bonus content, but plenty of episodes remain free. The production quality is polished without being over-produced, and the storytellers know how to hold a young audience. For ages five and up, though honestly adults tend to get drawn in too.

The Week Junior Show is the podcast companion to the award-winning magazine for 8-to-14-year-olds, and it does a genuinely good job of making current events accessible without dumbing them down. Host Bex from Fun Kids is joined each week by members of the editorial team, including Eve, Kay, Vanessa, and Elena, who discuss their favourite stories from the latest issue and break down what is happening in the world.

One of the best recurring segments is "Real or Rubbish?" where the team fact-checks claims and outlandish-sounding stories. It teaches critical thinking in a way that feels like a game rather than a lesson, which is exactly the kind of thing kids this age respond to. The topics span everything from space exploration and wildlife to social media regulations and music awards, so there is always something that grabs a child's attention.

With 100 episodes and a 4.5-star rating from 183 reviews, the show has built a solid reputation. It publishes weekly and keeps a tight, focused format that never overstays its welcome. The tone hits a sweet spot between informative and chatty. If you have a kid who asks a lot of questions about what they see on the news or overhear adults talking about, this podcast gives them age-appropriate context. It is also a great bridge for children who might not be magazine readers yet but are curious about the wider world.

Molly Oldfield was one of the original QI elves, which tells you everything about her approach to knowledge: she finds the genuinely fascinating stuff and serves it up in a way that makes you want to tell everyone about it. On Everything Under The Sun, she takes questions from kids around the world and answers them with help from expert guests, covering volcanoes, whales, LEGO, lightning, seeds, power stations, and just about anything else a curious child might wonder about.

Each episode runs about 10 to 15 minutes and typically tackles three questions, which is a smart format. It is long enough to satisfy curiosity but short enough that attention does not wander. Molly also writes the weekly kids quiz in The Guardian and has published companion books, so there is a real depth of experience behind the show.

With 176 episodes and a 4.7-star rating, this is one of the highest-rated UK kids podcasts around. New episodes drop every Friday. The show works for children of pretty much any age, though the sweet spot seems to be roughly 5 to 10. What sets it apart from other Q&A-style kids shows is Molly's genuine warmth and enthusiasm. She treats every question as worth properly investigating, even the silly-sounding ones. Parents tend to learn things too, which makes it a good one for family car journeys where everyone actually pays attention.

Fun Kids Science Quest is the flagship science podcast from Fun Kids, the UK's children's radio station, and with over 560 episodes it has built one of the largest science archives aimed at young listeners. Host Dan guides kids through topics ranging from dinosaurs and deep space to ocean research and the human body, with expert guests dropping in to answer questions and explain complex ideas in plain language.

The show runs several recurring series within the main feed, which keeps things fresh. Deep Space High takes a fictional school-in-space premise to teach astronomy. Age of the Dinosaurs does exactly what you would expect. Professor Hallux tackles the human body with a mix of gross-out facts and real science. Then there is the "Dangerous Dan" segment, which highlights scientific phenomena that sound too wild to be true. It is a clever structure that lets kids find the series that matches their interests.

Rated 4.4 stars from over 400 reviews, the podcast publishes weekly and is also available on DAB digital radio across the UK and through the Fun Kids app. The tone is enthusiastic without being hyper, and Dan has a knack for making complex topics feel approachable. There is a premium subscription option for ad-free listening, but the free version is perfectly complete. A solid pick for any science-curious kid who wants to learn something new on the school run.

From the team behind The Week Junior's Science+Nature magazine, Mysteries of Science takes the things that genuinely puzzle scientists and makes them accessible to kids. Hosts Dan Green and Ciaran Sneddon investigate unexplained phenomena with help from expert guests, and the subject matter ranges from the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot to black holes, the Bermuda Triangle, and deepfake technology.

What makes this work is the balance between entertainment and rigour. The show does not just present mysteries as spooky stories. It walks through what we actually know, what scientists think, and what remains unexplained. An episode about the Mariana Trench sits comfortably next to one about cryptids, and both get the same curious, investigative treatment. Kids who love the "but why?" phase of questioning will find plenty to chew on here.

The podcast has nearly 100 episodes, a 4.6-star rating from 120 reviews, and publishes twice monthly. Listeners consistently praise the hosts for their enthusiasm and humour, though a few have noted the background music can be a bit loud during conversation. The episodes run at a length that works well for car journeys or quiet time after school. It is a strong companion to Fun Kids Science Quest, covering more of the weird and wonderful side of science rather than the textbook fundamentals.

If your household has a Thomas the Tank Engine fan, you probably already know the theme tune by heart. Thomas & Friends Storytime (UK) takes the beloved characters from the Island of Sodor and gives them original audio stories, narrated by the actual UK voice cast including John Hasler and Mark Moraghan. The stories are written by the show's writers, so they feel properly canonical rather than knock-off fan fiction.

With 113 episodes, there is a substantial library to work through. Stories cover engine origin tales, fairy tale adaptations with a railway twist, holiday specials, and plenty of friendship-and-problem-solving narratives that parents will appreciate. The episodes are short enough for toddler attention spans but engaging enough that older preschoolers stay hooked too. The sweet spot is roughly ages 2 to 6, based on what parents report.

The show has a 4.2-star rating from 147 reviews and publishes new episodes every couple of weeks. It is free, which makes it an easy recommendation for parents looking for screen-free entertainment during car rides or quiet time. The production quality matches what you would expect from an official franchise podcast, with proper sound effects and music. For the Thomas-obsessed child who has watched every TV episode twice, this gives them fresh Sodor adventures without needing a screen.

Armchair Adventures stands out from other kids story podcasts because it is genuinely interactive and intergenerational. Produced by Made By Mortals, a UK-based nonprofit arts organisation, the show follows Connie and her Uncle Chris as they run the Armchair Adventures Imagination Travel Agency. Each episode takes listeners on a journey through history, science, or different cultures, and real-life grandparents contribute their voices and stories throughout.

The intergenerational angle is what makes this special. Hearing actual grandmas and grandads sharing their experiences alongside fictional adventure gives the show a warmth that scripted podcasts rarely manage. Episodes cover everything from space missions to historical events, with LGBTQ+ representation woven naturally into the storytelling. It is aimed at ages 6 to 10 and works brilliantly as screen-free entertainment for rainy days, car journeys, or bedtime.

With 110 episodes and recognition from both the Audio Production Awards in 2023 and the British Podcast Awards in 2022, Armchair Adventures has serious credentials. It publishes biweekly. The show currently has a 3.8-star rating from 15 reviews, which undersells it a bit. The production is polished, the stories are imaginative, and the join-in element means kids are active participants rather than passive listeners. If you want something that gets children thinking and engaged rather than just zoned out, this is a strong choice.

The Island of Brilliant! has a delightfully bonkers premise: children's authors Frank Cottrell Boyce and Nadia Shireen are shipwrecked on a fictional island and pass the time by talking about brilliant children's books. Frank is the Carnegie Medal-winning writer behind Millions and Cosmic. Nadia is an award-winning author-illustrator. Together they bring genuine literary credibility and a playful energy that makes talking about books feel exciting rather than homework-adjacent.

The guest list is seriously impressive. Michael Rosen, Axel Scheffler, Lauren Child, and Emily Drabble from BookTrust have all appeared. Episodes run anywhere from 22 minutes to over an hour, and they publish monthly, so each instalment feels like an event rather than background noise. The conversations cover new releases, reading recommendations, and interviews with established authors about their craft and favourite childhood reads.

With 38 episodes and a perfect 5.0-star rating (albeit from a small number of reviews), this is a niche but high-quality offering. It is squarely aimed at families who care about children's literature and want to discover their next great read together. The production, with music from the Ukulele Uff Trio, has a handmade charm that fits the shipwreck conceit perfectly. For book-loving kids and the adults who read with them, this podcast is a genuine treat.

CoComelon is already one of the biggest names in preschool entertainment, and this UK edition of the Story Time podcast brings the familiar characters to audio with a British twist. JJ and Cody narrate interactive stories that blend classic fairy tales, global folktales, and expanded nursery rhymes, all designed specifically for 2-to-5-year-olds. The episodes are about six to seven minutes each, which is spot-on for tiny attention spans.

The voice cast features Rebecca Husain, Julian Smith, Cade Clark, and Quentin Blanton Jr., and the production values match what you would expect from Moonbug Entertainment. Stories draw from a surprisingly diverse range of cultural traditions, including Iranian, Haitian, and Yiddish folklore alongside the more familiar nursery rhyme fare. Each episode weaves in themes like friendship, problem-solving, bedtime routines, and self-acceptance without being preachy about it.

With 45 episodes in the library, there is enough to keep a toddler entertained for a good stretch. The show is free and rated clean. It is a Spotify Original but available on Apple Podcasts as well. For parents trying to reduce screen time while keeping a CoComelon-loving child happy, this is the obvious answer. The familiar characters and voices mean kids buy in immediately, and the storytelling format encourages imagination in a way that watching videos does not.

Fun Kids Book Quest has Bex from the children's radio station Fun Kids sitting down with top children's authors to talk about their latest books and, crucially, read chapters aloud. It is part interview show, part audiobook sampler, and it works really well as a way to get kids excited about reading. The format means children get a taste of a book before committing, which takes the pressure off trips to the library.

The author roster is broad, covering fantasy, adventure, mystery, contemporary fiction, and educational titles. Each episode includes Bex chatting with the author about their writing process and inspiration, then a chapter reading that gives listeners a proper flavour of the book. Monthly favourite book recommendations round out the offering. There are 139 episodes in the archive, so there is plenty to browse.

The show publishes biweekly and has a 3.5-star rating from 31 reviews. It is also available on DAB digital radio across the UK and through the Fun Kids app. The format is especially good for reluctant readers who might not pick up a book on their own but will happily listen to a story being read aloud. Once they hear a chapter they like, the motivation to find the actual book follows naturally. A premium subscription option removes ads, but the free version gives you the full experience.

Bertie Stories is a spin-off from the long-running Storynory podcast, focused entirely on one character: Prince Bertie, who was turned into a frog and now tells stories from his magical pond. It is a charmingly odd concept that kids seem to absolutely love. The tales follow Bertie, Princess Beatrice, and a cast of enchanted creatures through adventures involving transformation magic, quests, chocolate trees, and dream sequences.

Narrator Natasha brings a soothing voice that parents consistently mention as perfect for bedtime listening. The stories have a classic fairy tale quality with a gentle sense of humour running through them. They are original rather than adapted, which means the plots can go in unexpected directions. One episode might involve magical seals; the next could feature an entirely different kind of enchantment. The unpredictability keeps children coming back.

With 40 episodes and a 4.5-star rating from 157 reviews, the show has a devoted following, especially among families who discovered it through the main Storynory feed. The release schedule is irregular, which is the main downside. Episodes have appeared sporadically rather than on a fixed timetable. But the back catalogue is substantial enough that new listeners will have plenty to work through. It is free, clean, and ideal for younger children who are just getting into longer-form stories beyond simple picture book read-alouds.

Brushy has one of the cleverest hooks in kids podcasting: each episode is exactly two minutes long, designed to be listened to while children brush their teeth. Host Eden Matthews packs a surprising amount of fun facts into that tiny window, covering everything from polar bears and axolotls to belly buttons and world records. The format solves two problems at once. Kids learn something interesting, and parents get two minutes of cooperative teeth-brushing without a fight.

The topics skew toward the kind of things children naturally find fascinating. There are episodes about capybaras, wombats, ice cream, funny dads, and the science behind Bluey. The delivery is upbeat and punchy, getting straight to the good stuff without any preamble. At 75 episodes and counting, there is enough here to cover several months of brushing sessions before you need to start repeating.

Rated 4.7 stars from 43 reviews, Brushy is produced by Podspot and hosted on Acast. It publishes roughly weekly. The show has a "Brushy Besties" membership for dedicated fans, but the standard episodes are free. It is one of those podcasts that seems almost too simple to be effective, but the constraint of the two-minute format actually makes it more memorable. Kids retain the facts because they are delivered in bite-sized pieces at a consistent time every day. Genuinely useful for building a brushing habit, too.

Living Radio UK has taken J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan and turned it into a proper audio drama spread across 17 episodes. This is not a rushed retelling or a simplified version for toddlers. The Neverland Podcast works through the full story, from shadows coming alive through to Wendy growing up, with immersive narration and professional production. Peter, Wendy, Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, and Captain Hook all get their due.

The complete narrative arc format works beautifully here. Rather than standalone episodes, listeners follow the story from beginning to end, which builds anticipation and gives kids a reason to come back. Each instalment is family-friendly and designed to appeal to both "nostalgic adults and wide-eyed children," as the show describes it. The pace is gentle enough for bedtime listening but dramatic enough to hold attention during the pirate sequences and fairy encounters.

The podcast is relatively new and does not yet have listener ratings on Apple Podcasts, but the production from Living Radio UK is solid. The same team also produced an Alice's Adventures in Wonderland adaptation, which suggests a commitment to bringing classic British children's literature to audio. For families who want to introduce their children to Peter Pan without the sometimes dated Disney version, or who simply want a well-produced serialised story to work through together, this is a lovely option. Free and clean-rated.