Podcasts and Kids: A Screen-Free Solution for Learning and Engagement?

In today’s digital age, parents are increasingly concerned about the amount of time their children spend staring at screens. From video games to YouTube binges, screen-based entertainment has become the go-to for kids. But what if there were a screen-free way to keep them entertained, learning, and even socially engaged? Enter: podcasts for kids — a rising media trend that might just be the healthy compromise families have been searching for.

A Nostalgic Medium, Modernized

Decades ago, listening to story cassette tapes during car rides was a common pastime. For parents like Deborah Nichols, now an associate professor at Purdue University, those experiences left a lasting imprint. “We still remember the lines from Bambi,” she recalls. “It was a shared moment that stuck with us.”

Fast forward to 2025, and the storytelling magic lives on through children’s podcasts, an audio format that is experiencing a renaissance. The key difference? Today’s podcasts are far more interactive, accessible, and often educational. And unlike television or tablets, they require no screen at all.

The Study: Podcasts as Tools for Creativity and Connection

A recent report from the Education Development Center (EDC) reveals that podcasts can do more than just entertain — they can spark imaginative play, encourage conversations, and support learning. The study, which surveyed 110 low-income families across the U.S., found that children frequently engaged in creative activities like dancing, drawing, or role-playing while or after listening to podcasts.

“Those kinds of behaviors are exactly what we want to see in child development,” said Naomi Hupert, director at EDC’s Center for Children and Technology. “They encourage deeper thinking, emotional engagement, and problem-solving — all without a screen in sight.”

Moreover, listening together — such as in the car or during meals — becomes an opportunity for shared family experiences, much like storytelling around a dinner table. These moments are proven to strengthen emotional bonds and foster intergenerational learning.

A Learning Boost for Reluctant Readers

Podcasts may also serve as a bridge for struggling readers, introducing new vocabulary and complex concepts through engaging audio storytelling. They function similarly to audiobooks, but often with a more conversational tone and episodic structure that holds children’s attention.

Parents, particularly those in time-strapped households, are finding that podcasts offer a middle ground between education and entertainment. Experts suggest they allow kids to explore ideas independently while providing parents with peace of mind that screen time is being cut — or at least transformed.

Why Parents Are Turning to Podcasts

Sherri Hope Culver, director of the Center for Media and Information Literacy at Temple University, believes the rise of podcasts among adults paved the way for their popularity with children. “Podcasts feel like a safer choice for parents,” she explains. “They allow kids to engage their creative minds without sensory overload from flashing screens.”

Parents are increasingly choosing podcasts because they feel less intrusive and more productive. And when co-listened to, they even open the door to family discussions about media, ideas, and values.

Not All Media Is Equal

While the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends limiting screen time to about an hour a day for children, experts now argue that what matters most is content quality — not just quantity.

Kaitlin Tiches, a medical librarian at the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, says, “It’s not about how long they’re on a screen. It’s about what they’re doing with it.” She emphasizes that an hour of screen time spent on interactive, educational content is far different from passive consumption.

Podcasts, she adds, offer a form of active listening that can boost focus, imagination, and language development.

Best Practices for Families

While it might be ideal for parents to screen podcasts in advance, experts like Kate Blocker from the Institute of Digital Media and Child Development suggest a simpler alternative: co-listening. Whether doing chores or preparing dinner, parents can remain in earshot, ready to engage in dialogue when needed.

Listening via speaker (instead of earbuds) is also recommended for safety and accessibility — allowing the entire household to participate and remain aware of the content.

The Bigger Picture: Media Literacy Starts Early

Culver emphasizes the importance of involving children in media decisions. “It’s not just about choosing what they listen to — it’s about teaching them how to choose, how to think critically about what they consume,” she says.

By engaging in conversations around podcast selection and listening together, parents can help kids build strong media literacy skills that will last long after childhood.

Conclusion: A Healthy Alternative Worth Exploring

In a world overwhelmed by screens, podcasts offer a refreshing and effective way to engage children. They provide educational value, encourage imagination, and promote shared family moments — all without the harmful effects often linked to excessive screen time.

While more research is needed to fully understand their impact, early findings are promising. Podcasts might just be the media solution that today’s families didn’t know they needed — a screen-free, brain-boosting, family-friendly alternative that’s already changing the way we think about entertainment and education.