For the past year, I’ve been working on a podcast with my six-year-old daughter, Sayla. It all started with a bedtime story about two mischievous raccoons—Penny and Joe—that made her laugh night after night. And just like that, a podcast was born.
If your child loves storytelling, silliness or making sound effects into a microphone, podcasting can be a powerful and joyful creative outlet. It’s a way to build confidence, collaborate and capture a snapshot of who they are right now.
But beyond the creativity, podcasting with your child is a surprisingly meaningful way to deepen your bond. It invites teamwork, shared laughter and long stretches of focused time together—something that can be rare in our busy lives. Kids love being heard and taken seriously, and podcasting creates space for both. It also opens the door for emotional literacy: through characters and stories, kids can express feelings they might not otherwise talk about. You get to witness their imagination in full flight, and they get to see you show up not as a boss or teacher—but as a partner in play.
Here are 12 fun, practical tips for starting your own podcast with your kid:
1. Let Them Lead (Kind of)
Let your child help shape the show—character names, themes or story ideas. Give them ownership but keep a light structure to guide things along. Think of yourself as the guide rail, not the director.
2. Make It About Play, Not Perfection
Embrace improv using the “Yes, and…” rule. This classic tool from improvisational theatre keeps stories flowing without shutting down ideas. When your kid says something unexpected—like “my character is a jellybean with laser eyes”—don’t correct it. Say: “Yes, and now the jellybean has to save the moon!” The best moments are unpredictable, and that’s part of the fun.
3. Simplify Your Life with These Easy Tools
There are tons of tools out there, but here’s what we use and love:
• Recording: Riverside is easy to use and records high-quality audio, even remotely.
• Publishing: Spotify for Podcasters distributes episodes across all the major platforms, including Apple Podcasts.
• Website: Podpage builds a professional-looking site with no tech stress—it auto-updates when you release new episodes.
•Networks: You can also explore kid-focused podcast networks if you’re looking to expand your reach. Some are open to pitches from indie creators.
4. Make It Short
Five to 10 minutes is ideal. Kids’ attention spans are short—and so is your editing window. Short episodes make it easier to stay consistent and keep things fresh.
5. Snacks Are Your Executive Producers
Hungry kids don’t podcast well. Keep snacks handy. No further explanation needed.
6. Sound Effects = Instant Joy
Encourage your kid to make their own sound effects—squawks, creaks, burps, explosions. Homemade audio chaos is part of the charm.
7. Use Podcasting to Build Emotional Literacy
Let characters explore big feelings: jealousy, frustration, bravery, friendship. Through play, kids naturally learn how to express and name emotions in a safe, playful way.
8. Create Recurring Bits
Repetition builds routine and it’s comedy gold for kids. Use a silly catchphrase like “By the power of Pickle Pants!” or add a “word of the day” that triggers a special sound. It gives structure and makes the experience even more interactive.
9. Release Expectations, Not Just Episodes
Some weeks, you’ll record three episodes. Some weeks, none. It’s okay. Don’t measure success by productivity. You’re making memories, not a media empire.
10. Start with What They Love
Ask your kid what they find funniest, coolest or silliest. That’s your story seed. Our show started with a single bedtime giggle fit—and grew from there.
11. Make a Goal, not a Deadline
A flexible schedule is your friend. Set a goal like “10 episodes this season,” but don’t stress if life delays you. Podcasting with kids happens on kid time.
12. Follow the Feedback
If listeners love a character or catchphrase—lean into it. Ask your kid what they enjoy most, too. Let your podcast grow as they grow.
And most of all—have fun with it.
Podcasting with your child isn’t about going viral. It’s about showing up, being silly and creating something together. Years from now, you’ll be able to hit play and remember exactly who they were, and who you were—right there in the blanket fort with a mic and a snack.
