Nothing says summer like the minivan packed to the gills, heading towards the open road before reaching its final vacation destination. Whether you’re taking a trip across the California coast or sludging through L.A. traffic, the radio only goes so far for a family. After only a few exits, you’ll likely be tired of repeated songs, an onslaught of car commercials and adult-focused talk radio.
Teachers from Santa Monica’s Green Brooms Music Academy compiled their favorite music-focused podcasts and audiobooks for kids. While you’re on the road driving to your destination, introduce the kids to an indie college-inspired radio hour, learn as a family about classic works of art, get schooled about musicians’ early childhood and more.
“Noodle Loaf” (podcast)
Noodle Loaf music education podcast was previously a number one podcast in the music category for kids – and for good reason. Noodle Loaf is an interactive podcast born from the brain of a music education specialist father and his goofball kids. For about 10 minutes at a time, host Dan Saks invites the family to join together for some creative fun. “Noodle Loaf” musically empowers children through play, laughter and lots of singing. Though the podcast wrapped up in 2023, there are years of archives to comb through.
“Can You Hear It” (CD and accompanying book)
Similar to publisher Abrams’s best-selling series, “Can You Find It,” made in conjunction with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in this book, young readers are introduced to great music and great works of art. Children will hear “The Flight of the Bumblebee,” “The Four Seasons,” “Night on Bald Mountain” and more as the accompanying CD urges young readers to listen for certain instruments: Can you hear the car horns honking, played by clarinets? Can you hear the horses’ hooves, played by castanets? Included is a CD featuring 12 short works and an introduction to the orchestra and the instruments.
“Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child” (weekly radio show)
This one-hour indie music hour is as if your indie college radio station had a kids’ hour. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, “Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child” has been providing the soundtrack to thousands of childhoods around the country. The show plays “indie music for indie kids,” including the best of music aimed at kids right alongside kid-friendly tracks from the likes of The Ramones, Mike Doughty, Ella Fitzgerald, Brian Eno, Pizzicato Five, Andrew Bird, Fishbone and more. Throw in exclusive in-studios from dozens of artists, and you’ve got an idea of what the show is about. “We’re radio nerds, and we want to raise another generation of radio nerds,” says the founder. On-demand streams can be found at sparetherock.com.
“Kids Musicians: True Tales of Childhood from Entertainers, Songwriters and Stars” (audiobook)
Inspiring, relatable, and totally true biographies tell the childhood stories of a diverse group of musicians, including Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Mariah Carey, Yo-Yo Ma, Paul McCartney, and other influential performers in this audiobook. Every great musician started out as a kid and many discovered their love of music early on. Whether they became world-famous pop stars, groundbreaking jazz artists, or award-winning songwriters, these musicians pushed boundaries and left their mark. In Kid Musicians, tune in to the childhood stories of musical legends such as Beyoncé, Dolly Parton and Louis Armstrong.
Though tablets can be a saving grace at times on road trips, audiobooks and podcasts can engage the whole family while providing engrossing and educational content. Additionally, it is truly never too early to foster a lifelong love of music, and we think you’ll find these recommendations teach and delight kids of all ages.
