Ear Snacks

Andrew Barkan and Polly Hall are musicians first, podcasters second, and that ordering matters. Ear Snacks feels more like a variety show than a typical educational podcast -- each episode picks a single topic (sleep, shadows, the letter Q, Hanukkah) and explores it through original songs, interviews with kids, conversations with experts, and general silliness. The music is legitimately catchy. Not in a grating, stuck-in-your-head-and-you-hate-it way, but in a way where parents might actually enjoy it too. Andrew and Polly clearly come from a background of performing for families, and their chemistry is easy and playful. The New York Times and Common Sense Media have both named it one of the best podcasts for kids, which tracks -- it manages to be educational without ever feeling like homework. With 100 episodes in the catalog and biweekly releases, they take their time with each one, and the production quality reflects that care. Kids’ voices are featured prominently throughout, sharing their own thoughts and questions on each topic. The show works well for ages roughly 3 through 8, though honestly some episodes land with older kids too. It earned a 4.3 rating from nearly 600 Apple Podcasts reviews. If your family is tired of podcasts that are either pure entertainment or pure education, Ear Snacks sits right in the sweet spot where learning happens because everyone is having a good time.