Best Podcasts of the Year: 2023

This was an exciting year for podcasts, and Laura Ordoñez, Head of Digital Content & Curation, had a front-row seat to all of the biggest kid-friendly releases in screen-free listening. Her top picks include a detective story that goes far beyond clue-hunting, a chilly adventure starring Disney's most beloved sisters, and a spooky spin-off that will be recognizable to many millennials. Browse the full list below, and be sure to check out the rest of our 2023 media favorites.

Check out the rest of our Best of 2023 favorites: Movies | TV Shows | Books | Video Games | U.K./International Films

Filter by:

A casually dressed little girl with dark brown skin smiles with a teddy bear and cat in front of a brownstone house.

PODCAST

What's Poppin' Penny?

age 3+

Sweet and clear lessons about grief, family, and safety.

Production company: Preschool Family Productions (Average run time: 10 minutes)

See full review

Girl with curly black hair and brown skin centered in front of city brick apartment buildings in background, blue sky.

PODCAST

5 Minute Mysteries with Kiddy Casey

age 5+

Curious detective uses science and history to solve cases.

Production company: ABF Creative (Average run time: 4 minutes)

See full review

A wooden spoon with google eyes and a mouth wears headphones next to a plate with the podcast's title, on a bright purple starry background

PODCAST

The Plate Show

age 5+

Cultural food pod inspires curiosity with game-show vibe.

Production company: THIRTEEN , PRX (Average run time: 26 minutes)

See full review

The Arthur Podcast, Arthur waving

PODCAST

The Arthur Podcast

age 5+

Entertaining pod with everyone's favorite aardvark.

Production company: PBS Kids , GBH Kids , Gen-Z Media (Average run time: 16 minutes)

See full review

The image of the classic Dr.Seuss character the Cat in the Hat smiles at the fish, who is above a fishbowl and above a microphone.

PODCAST

The Cat in the Hat Cast

age 5+

Based on Dr. Seuss classic, full of rhymes, songs & sounds.

Production company: Wondery (Average run time: 25 minutes)

See full review

PODCAST

Culture Kids Podcast

age 5+

Fun family pod explores diverse cultures, landmarks, foods.

Production company: Independent (Average run time: 15 minutes)

See full review

Smiling hosts with pink boom box, green and blue background

PODCAST

Jamming on the Job

age 5+

Positive intro to many careers through music and exploration.

Production company: PBS Kids (Average run time: 18 minutes)

See full review

Keyshawn Solves It art, Black boy holding keys and smiling.

PODCAST

Keyshawn Solves It

age 5+

Fun detective pod centers Black culture & valuable lessons.

Production company: GBH Kids , PBS Kids (Average run time: 15 minutes)

See full review

Tall detective peering down at small ear with eyes, mouth, arms and legs, red background

PODCAST

Sound Detectives

age 6+

Fun mystery pod by LeVar Burton focuses on active listening.

Production company: Stitcher Studios , LeVar Burton Entertainment (Average run time: 25 minutes)

See full review

An illustration with ceramic jars over flowing with jewels on either side of a golden lamp. Above a colorful parrot flies in front of an ogee window through which a starry sky can be seen.

PODCAST

The Arabian Nights

age 6+

Engaging reimagining of Middle Eastern folktales for kids.

Production company: Spotify , Neon Hum Media (Average run time: 20 minutes)

See full review

PODCAST

Disney Frozen: Forces of Nature

age 6+

Beloved Frozen characters on new adventures with teamwork.

Production company: ABC Audio , Disney (Average run time: 15 minutes)

See full review

Boom box with musical notes and blue and yellow swirl background.

PODCAST

Musical Time Machine

age 7+

Witty musical kids pod about historical figures and events.

Production company: GoKidGo (Average run time: 9 minutes)

See full review

PODCAST

Mina and Lucy's Guide to Slaying Dracula

age 8+

Spooky adventure pod highlights teamwork & friendship.

Production company: Gen-Z Media (Average run time: 17 minutes)

See full review

PODCAST

Rebel Girls: Growing Up Powerful

age 8+

Educating and empowering pod for young girls and teens.

Production company: Rebel Girls (Average run time: 8 minutes)

See full review

Nightingale podcast art: A robotic bird sits atop a robotic hand with a green and blue sky behind it

PODCAST

Nightingale

age 8+

Teens with cancer go on a magical adventure; heavy themes.

Production company: Gen-Z Media (Average run time: 30 minutes)

See full review

PODCAST

The Holidays

age 9+

Relatable family comedy centers tween experience.

Production company: GoKidGo (Average run time: 15 minutes)

See full review

PODCAST

Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Official Podcast

age 10+

Classic creepy horror series enters the podcast world.

Production company: Nickelodeon (Average run time: 16 minutes)

See full review

PODCAST

Grown, a podcast from The Moth

age 12+

Storytelling pod reflects on awkwardness of growing up.

Production company: The Moth , PRX (Average run time: 27 minutes)

See full review

Split picture of woman smiling with white letters and light blue background

PODCAST

Scamanda

age 14+

Lies, manipulation, and deceit in shocking true crime pod.

Production company: Lionsgate Sound (Average run time: 45 minutes)

See full review