Great New Podcast Recommendations for Kids and Families
Photo:
Courtesy America's Test Kitchen's "Mystery Recipe"
In their own words
‘The Story Seeds Podcast’
On each episode of “The Story Seeds,” a child between the ages of 6 and 12 is matched with an author who helps the child develop their “story seed.” The kids are creative and often hilarious, and the authors ask the right questions to keep the story focused and provide guidance that allows each original piece to grow. Host Betsy Bird, a librarian and author in her own right, helps set the scenes and keeps the pace moving. Original music and other sound effects bring the right amount of levity. In the first season, Jason Reynolds, Aram Kim, Dan Gutman and Veera Hiranandani are among the authors paired with budding writers. The first season includes 10 episodes, each 20–30 minutes long, as well as bonus Q&As as separate episodes.
‘Mystery Recipe’
Calling all chefs! “Mystery Recipe” is co-hosted by America’s Test Kitchen Kids Editor-in-Chief Molly Birnbaum and a cartoony oven mitt, Mitsy. Together they perform experiments and play games with kids via Skype or phone, and “show” the audience how cooking can be fun and educational. Each episode centers around an ingredient, and the finale of each episode concludes in a mystery recipe cook-along.
‘Mic Drop’
In Canada, CBC produces “Mic Drop,” where teens speak their minds directly to the audience, with no adult intervention. The episodes are short, around 10 minutes, and tweens and teens share honest stories of racism, hunger, divorce, culture clash and mental health. The kids have something to say, and the adults should listen. Note some of these topics are tough, so for younger listeners, you may want to listen together.
