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13 podcasts for tweens, and room to grow

Updated 3 November 2026 · 13 shows

Somewhere around 11, kids' podcasts start to feel young. These 13 shows in the PodFocus catalog still hold up at 13. When your child outgrows them, PodFocus lets you approve grown-up podcasts too, one at a time.

When they outgrow the catalog. Each child's profile has a switch in its settings: “Allow parent-approved podcasts from the full catalog.” Turn it on and search covers every podcast, not only the ones made for kids. PodFocus asks you to confirm each grown-up show, and nothing reaches your child's library until you've added it. The switch is per child, so a younger sibling's profile stays kids-only.

What stays in place. Episodes their creators mark explicit stay hidden. Shows you approve this way are labelled Grown-up in Manage Library, so you can see which ones came from outside the kids' catalog. Turning the switch off doesn't remove anything you've already added; you can remove those shows one by one whenever you like.

Worth a listen first. Marking an episode explicit is up to each creator, and plenty of unmarked episodes still cover grown-up topics. The switch is a way to say yes to the history podcast or the science show your 13-year-old asked for, not a filter that does the vetting for you.

The list

  • Cover art for American History Tellers

    American History Tellers

    Audible · ages 11–13

    Wondery's American history series — immersive, family-friendly, tween-appropriate.

    CarQuiet timeHistory & myth

  • Cover art for Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids

    Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids

    National Geographic Kids · ages 8–13

    Greek mythology retold with charm — Nat Geo Kids' anchor narrative podcast.

    CarQuiet timeHistory & mythStories

  • Cover art for NASA's Curious Universe

    NASA's Curious Universe

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) · ages 11–13

    NASA's flagship public-outreach show — accessible space science.

    CarQuiet timeScienceCuriosity

  • Cover art for Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

    Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

    The Planetary Society · ages 11–13

    The Planetary Society's weekly space news + interviews.

    CarQuiet timeScienceCuriosity

  • Cover art for Six Minutes

    Six Minutes

    GZM Shows · ages 11–14

    Best gateway drug for kids who don't yet know they like podcasts.

    CarQuiet timeMysteryStories

  • Cover art for Terrestrials

    Terrestrials

    WNYC · ages 11–13

    Production values unmatched in kids audio.

    CarQuiet timeAnimals & natureScience

  • Cover art for Unspookable

    Unspookable

    Soundsington Media · ages 8–13

    Soundsington Media's kid-friendly take on spooky urban legends — explores the science and history behind 'creepy' things without being scary.

    CarQuiet timeMysteryCuriosity

  • Cover art for Whose Amazing Life?

    Whose Amazing Life?

    Audible · ages 11–13

    Audible Original — biographical stories aimed at tween listeners.

    CarQuiet timeStoriesHistory & myth

  • Cover art for KidNuz: News for Kids

    KidNuz: News for Kids

    Starglow Media · ages 8–14

    Closest thing to a NYT morning briefing for tweens.

    MorningCarNews

  • Cover art for Million Bazillion

    Million Bazillion

    Marketplace · ages 9–14

    Best kid-economics show period.

    CarQuiet timeCuriosityNews

  • Cover art for Rebel Girls

    Rebel Girls

    Rebel Girls · ages 8–13

    Also strongly works for ages 7-10 — episodes are accessible.

    BedtimeCarHistory & mythStories

  • Cover art for The Show About Science

    The Show About Science

    Nate | The Company Making Podcasts · ages 8–14

    Rare kid-hosted show that's actually good.

    Quiet timeCarScienceCuriosity

  • Cover art for The Ten News, News For Curious Kids

    The Ten News, News For Curious Kids

    Small But Mighty Media · ages 9–14

    Pair with KidNuz for breadth + depth.

    CarQuiet timeNewsWorld cultures

What have I missed? One parent chose this catalog, so it has blind spots. If your kids love something that isn’t here, tell me — I’ll sit down and listen to it.

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Put this list on your kid’s device

PodFocus ships with all 50 of these shows already curated. You pick which ones your child sees; they listen freely inside that list.

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