This story was created in paid partnership with Wondery.
You’re driving the kids to school, or they’re helping you cook dinner, or you’re lounging around the house trying to avoid yet more screen time, and you want something to listen to. It has to be educational — not just more white noise from the radio — but also entertaining for them and for you.
Podcast powerhouse Wondery has you covered. Their series combine narrative storytelling with unique perspectives and surprising insights, which means that you’ll be just as fascinated in what’s happening as the kiddos. Plus, Wondery’s catalog of hundreds of episodes means that you’ve got plenty of content to fall in love with, just in case you’re planning any cross-country road trips this holiday season.
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Discover your new favorite pod with ease! We’ve paired each of Wondery’s offerings with a classic from contemporary film or TV, so you and your kids can dive right into the perfect match. Check out the list below, and happy listening.
Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993): Wondery’s Wow in the World
When it comes to making science fun and relatable, Bill Nye is the OG. The bow-tie-wearing host guided kids through all kinds of experiments, from learning how lift allows planes to fly to showing how to bend a light beam through a water stream. Nye was a staple of kids’ TV, and in total, he was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards and won 19 of them.
If you loved Bill Nye the Science Guy (and who can forget its theme song?), then you’ll be a superfan of Wow in the World. Hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas play two friends who are constantly discovering the latest in science research. They cover everything from how to talk to a dog to the mating habits of turkeys to the research behind cracking your knuckles. And if you really want the subject matter to come alive, the show offers at-home science experiment kits.
The Grinch (2018): ‘Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast
He’s one of Dr. Seuss’s most enduring characters: the Christmas-hating scoundrel who will stop at nothing to ruin the yuletide holiday. Based on the 1957 book, this movie follows the Grinch (and his pet dog Max) as he attempts to steal all of Whoville’s decorations and gifts. Directed by Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney, the film was a box office smash, earning nearly $550 million and becoming the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time.
In ‘Tis the Grinch Holiday Podcast, Christmas’s biggest foe is back — but this time, he’s a chart-topping podcaster with a mystery to solve. All the children of Whoville’s letters to Santa have gone missing, and to no one’s surprise, our green friend is the No. 1 suspect. Can he and Max (and Cindy Lou) find the real culprits before the Grinch goes down for a crime he didn’t commit? SNL’s James Austin Johnson is the voice of the iconic green grump in this thrilling two-season series.
Horton Hears a Who! (2008): Wondery’s The Cat in the Hat Cast
Horton Hears a Who! is based on the 1954 masterpiece book from Dr. Seuss. Starring the voices of Jim Carrey and Steve Carrell, along with Seth Rogen, Amy Poehler, and Dan Fogler, this 2008 comedy follows Horton the Elephant as he discovers — and then struggles to protect — the incredible city of Whoville and all of its wonderful residents.
If you enjoy the topsy-turvy world of Dr. Suess, with all of its delightful mix-ups and exhilarating mayhem, then you’ll love this podcast, based on another classic from the author. In the series, the mischievous Cat and his sidekick, the ever-cautious Fish, strike out on kooky adventures that feature alphabet song sing-a-longs, tremendous tongue-twisters, and wondrous wordplay. We’re willing to bet that you’ll never guess what surprises The Cat will pull out of his hat next.
Piece by Piece (2024): Wondery’s Whose Amazing Life?
Through the power of Legos, Piece by Piece tells the amazing story of music superstar Pharrell Williams: from his childhood in the housing projects of Virginia Beach to his first music project The Neptunes to working with other industry GOATs like Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, and Gwen Stefani.
Wondery’s Whose Amazing Life? also narrates the biographies of some of the world’s most influential people — but with a twist. It’s not until the end of the episode when their name is revealed: from Amelia Earhart to Lin-Manuel Miranda to Ariana Grande. This series puts you and your kids in the shoes of celebrities and historical figures as they face seemingly insurmountable challenges and slim odds.
The Backyardigans (2004): Wondery’s Little Stories Everywhere
The Backyardigans follows five animal neighbors who imagine themselves on fantastic adventures in the backyard that they share between their houses. Using the power of creativity and friendship, they travel backward and forward in time, experiment with magic and supernatural powers, and become detectives, knights, and scientists. This Nickelodeon blockbuster ran for four seasons and featured sing-along music by Evan Lurie and McPaul Smith.
Similarly, Little Stories Everywhere builds on the idea that the imagination is one powerful vehicle. Every week, the series takes you and your kids on a new adventure: from a sunny beach town that’s suddenly inundated with snow to a perilous journey to see the Northern Lights to an experiment with Gigantification fluid that transforms a babysitter into a giant Pumpkin Spice latte. Hosted by Oscar-nominated actor Virginia Madsen and celebrated voice actor Robbie Daymond, the show has over 200 episodes to enjoy.
