Wild and Kind Kids Podcast

Wild and Kind Kids is a podcast for families who love animals: the furry, feathery, scaly, and wiggly ones! Each episode invites kids (and their grown-ups) to get curious about how creatures big and small live, play, and help our planet. Hosted by a mom and her two curious kids, it’s part storytelling, part sound adventure, and all about growing a wilder, kinder world — one animal at a time.

Latest Episodes:

BONUS: Meet the Shrimp Kids! | History's Kids Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

Surprise, Wild and Kind Kids! We've got a special bonus episode for you!

This week, we're sharing an adventure from our friends at History's Kids, a podcast that brings incredible stories from history to life for curious young listeners. We love their podcast and we think you'll especially love this week's episode.
In 1992, one class of fourth-graders started a project to make a big difference for a tiny endangered species. That project is still going today!

History's Kids is a kids history podcast that brings the past to life by telling the stories of the kids who actually lived it. In this episode, you'll learn about two real kids who, along with their classmates, started the Shrimp Club to save the California freshwater shrimp. Along the way, you'll hear from Aaron and Taylor in their own words, using real audio clips from their firsthand accounts. You'll also learn more about the science behind how the shrimp thrive!

Teachers: Press play to immerse students in learning about ecosystems, habitats, and human impacts on the environment.

Families: Listen in the kitchen, on the go, or at bedtime to inspire kids to take small actions to help in their community.

📚 READY TO LEARN MORE?

To learn more about the eruption, visit the History's Kids website for kid-friendly activities, book recommendations, classroom resources, and more.

🩵 THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY…

Season one of History's Kids is made possible through the generous support of our listeners. This episode is brought to you by the Macomber Family and 4CM (Mrs. Carr and Ms. McConnell's Class). You can join in the fun by supporting the show on Patreon today!

🌎 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT STRAW…

The project Aaron, Taylor, and their classmates started is still going today! Project STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed) is now part of Point Blue Conservation Science. Learn more and consider contributing to support their work.

Hosted By: Lorraine Leddy & James Brown Jr.

Music: Pure Color / Frank Jonsson / Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Audio Editing & Sound Design: Ben Kammer

Cover Art: Tom Deja / Bossman Graphics

Directed By: Barrett Leddy

Special Thanks: Aaron Mihaly, Taylor Bedilion, and Laurette Rogers

The African Savanna Elephant Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

What if one of the biggest animals on Earth could change an entire neighborhood just by taking a mud bath?

Meet the African savanna elephant, a giant mammal with enormous ears, a remarkable trunk, and a very important job in its ecosystem!

In the golden grasslands of Kenya's Tsavo National Park, a young elephant named Jambo is HOT. Luckily, his big sister Ellie knows just where to find a little relief. Together, they turn a tiny puddle into a magnificent, glorious, perfectly squishy mud hole!

There's just one problem. Other animals keep showing up! And Ellie isn't so sure she wants to share their special place.

Can two elephants keep an entire mud hole a secret? And what happens when a very tired little warthog needs their help?

Along the way, we’ll learn:

How elephants use their trunks to smell, breathe, drink, grab objects, and explore the world around them
Why elephant ears are like “ear conditioning”
Who leads elephant families
What it means to be an ecosystem engineer

This week’s Wild and Kind mission is focused on using your voice to fight for animals. Need some inspiration? Our friends at History’s Kids have an episode this week detailing the true story of how a group of fourth graders fought to protect the endangered California freshwater fish. (Listen here.)

Wild and Kind Kids is a screen-free animal podcast for curious kids ages 3–8 and their grown-ups. Each episode brings together an original animal story, real wildlife science, and a gentle invitation to care for the natural world. It's a fun way to explore animal adaptations, habitats, and conservation during car rides, quiet time, or family listening.

Keep exploring:

Visit wildandkindkids.com to request your favorite animal or join our FREE Kids Club
Sign up to support the podcast at wildandkindkids.com/support
Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkids for more animal facts and behind-the-scenes fun.
See more episodes from our friends at History’s Kids.

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

African savanna elephants (The World Wildlife Fund)
African elephant (National Geographic Kids)
VIDEO: What you didn’t know elephants can do with their trunks (Nat Geo Kids)
Elephants may hear ground vibrations through their bones (Discover Magazine)

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Wild and Kind Kids is celebrating its first birthday, and we'd love your help making more wild adventures! Become a monthly supporter, grab a special birthday experience, or help spread the word, all while keeping Wild and Kind free for families everywhere.

Join the Celebration!

The Emperor Scorpion Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

What has eight legs, giant pincers, a stinger on its tail, and GLOWS under a special kind of light? Just in time for Halloween, we're meeting one of the biggest scorpions in the world: the emperor scorpion!

Deep in the tropical rainforests of West Africa, Spencer Scorpion is getting ready to host the annual Moonshadow Monster Mash. There's just one problem. He can't find the perfect Halloween costume! But when rumors spread that a mysterious MONSTER is lurking in the forest, Spencer has a new mission: protect his friends from the terrifying creature. With giant pincers, eight legs, and a dangerous stinger, this monster sounds awfully scary. And awfully familiar...

Along the way, we’ll learn:

All about pincers and stingers
How mom scorpions take care of their babies
How tiny sensory hairs help scorpions detect movement, even when they can't see very well.

And for this week's Wild and Kind Mission? We're looking out for the little guys! Even creatures that seem creepy or spooky deserve kindness and space to live.

Wild and Kind Kids is a screen-free animal podcast for curious kids ages 3–8 and the grown-ups who love exploring with them. Each episode combines original storytelling, real wildlife science, movement, and a little encouragement to make the world a wilder, kinder place.

This Halloween animal adventure is perfect for family car rides, classroom science, homeschool learning, or a not-too-scary Halloween storytime.

Keep exploring:

Download an emperor scorpion coloring sheet
Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkidspod
Find more resources or request an animal at wildandkindkids.com

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

How scorpion tails do the bend and twist (New York Times)
The emperor scorpion (London Zoo)
Scorpion facts! (Nat Geo Kids)

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Join the Celebration!

The Jaguar and The Leopard Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Jaguar or leopard? These two big cats might look almost identical, but one is a powerful swimmer with jaws strong enough to bite through a turtle's shell, while the other is an expert climber that can carry its dinner high into the trees!

This week, we're having a special DOUBLE episode of Wild and Kind Kids, inspired by animal requests from our listeners. We're comparing jaguars and leopards, from their spotted coats to their powerful roars. And there's a THIRD big cat mystery waiting for us, too. What exactly is a black panther?

In our original story, we travel deep into the Amazon rainforest to meet Reese, a young jaguar who makes a TERRIBLE discovery. His spots have disappeared! With the help of Coco, a rather patient macaw, Reese sets off on a wild search for his missing spots.

Along the way, we’ll learn:

How to tell jaguars and leopards apart, from their habitat to their coats
How jaguars use powerful jaws and swimming skills, while leopards rely on agility, balance, and incredible climbing abilities.
What jaguar and leopard roars sound like
How the black panther fits in

Our Wild and Kind Mission takes us onto the road, where we'll learn how wildlife crossings help protect animals and why sharing space with wildlife matters.

Wild and Kind Kids is a screen-free animal science and storytelling podcast for curious kids ages 3–8. Hosted by a mom and her two kids, each episode brings together real animal facts, original stories, movement, and gentle lessons about kindness. It's a fun companion for car rides, homeschool science, classroom listening, or quiet afternoons together.

Keep exploring:

Download coloring sheets for the leopard, the jaguar and the black panther
Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkidspod
Find more resources or request an animal at wildandkindkids.com

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Join the Celebration!

The Alligator Gar Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

What kind of fish has a mouth full of sharp teeth, scales like a suit of armor, and ancestors that swam alongside the DINOSAURS? Meet the alligator gar, one of North America's largest freshwater fish!

Deep in the warm, muddy waters of Louisiana, a young alligator gar named Shimmer loves listening to Grandma Gar's stories. Grandma says their family goes back millions of years, and Shimmer is thrilled to discover just how many remarkable traits she's inherited from her ancient ancestors.

But when a school of little fish gets trapped in a shrinking backwater, Shimmer faces a challenge that makes her wonder: If everything special about her runs in the family, what makes Shimmer … Shimmer?

In this original animal adventure, we'll explore the science of one of Earth's most ancient fish lineages and discover that what we choose to do with our strengths matters just as much as where they came from.

Together, we’ll learn:

How alligator gar use a special swim bladder to gulp oxygen from above the water's surface
Why their hard, diamond-shaped scales offer remarkable protection
Why you should never eat an alligator gar egg

Wild and Kind Kids combines original animal stories, real wildlife science, and gentle lessons about kindness and curiosity. Created for children ages 3–8, our screen-free educational podcast is a fun companion for family car rides, quiet afternoons, and curious homeschoolers exploring the natural world.

Keep exploring:

Download an alligator gar coloring sheet
Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkidspod
Join our FREE Kids Club or request an animal at wildandkindkids.com

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

All About the Alligator Gar (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
Alligator Gar (Florida Museum of Natural History)
Alligator Gar Facts and Photos (National Geographic)

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Join the Celebration!

The Gila Monster Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

What if an animal could be venomous, have a powerful bite, and still want absolutely nothing to do with you?

Meet the Gila monster, a slow-moving desert lizard with bead-like scales, bright warning colors, and a reputation that might be a little scarier than the animal itself. Gila monsters are one of the world’s relatively few venomous lizards, and they spend much of their lives tucked away underground in the deserts of the American Southwest and northwestern Mexico.

In this episode, we’ll mosey into the dusty town of Dry Gulch, where a stranger named Gus has arrived just in time for the Desert Bloom Festival. The local animals have heard some alarming things about Gila monsters. They’re venomous. They bite. And when they bite, they can hold on for a very long time. So when Gus ambles into town, everyone keeps a VERY safe distance. But when trouble blows into Dry Gulch, the animals may discover there’s more to Gus than the rumors they’ve heard.

Along the adventure, kids will uncover:

How Gila monsters use grooved teeth to deliver venom
Why these desert reptiles spend so much of their lives underground
How tiny bony plates called osteoderms create armor beneath many of their scales

Wild and Kind Kids blends original animal stories with real wildlife science, helping curious kids ages 3–8 explore animal adaptations, habitats, behavior, and conservation without a screen. This episode is a fun fit for car rides, homeschool science, classroom listening, or a quiet afternoon at home.

Keep exploring:

Download a Gila monster coloring sheet
Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkidspod
Join our FREE Kids Club or request an animal at wildandkindkids.com

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

Gila Monster (National Geographic Kids)
Gila Monster (Phoenix Zoo)
Wild About Gila Monsters (UPR)
Gila Monster (San Diego Zoo)

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Join the Celebration!

The Green Anaconda Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

What if the thing that makes you feel a little out of place is exactly what makes you good at something else?

This week, we’re heading into the Amazon rainforest to meet the green anaconda, the heaviest snake in the world. These enormous reptiles spend much of their lives in and around water, where their long, muscular bodies make them powerful swimmers.

Then it’s time to meet Ana, a green anaconda and proud member of the Midnight Slitherers. Her friends zip between roots, climb trees, and squeeze through tiny spaces, while Ana keeps getting stuck, falling behind, and wondering if she’s really cut out to be a Midnight Slitherer at all. But when the group reaches a wide, muddy river, Ana gets the chance to find out what her enormous anaconda body was built to do.

Together, we’ll learn:

What it means when a snake is a “constricter”
How a snake can swallow an animal much wider than its own head
How camouflage helps anacondas disappear among muddy water and rainforest plants
How anacondas are uniquely built for aquatic life

Wild and Kind Kids combines original animal stories with real wildlife science, helping curious kids ages 3–8 explore animal adaptations, habitats, and the natural world without a screen. This episode makes a cozy pick for bedtime, a car ride, homeschool science, or any kid currently deep in their snake era.

Keep exploring:

Download a green anaconda coloring sheet
Follow us on Instagram at wildandkindkidspod
Join our Kids Club for extra episode book recommendations and activities at wildandkindkids.com

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

Green Anaconda (National Geographic Kids)
Why We Were Totally Wrong About How Boa Constrictors Kill (National Geographic)
Green Anaconda (The Smithsonian)
Snakes: Super Senses, Stretchy Jaws, and Deadly Venom (Natural History Museum)

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Join the Celebration!

The Spinner Dolphin Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

What if your brain could sleep while you were still swimming? For spinner dolphins, rest works a little differently than it does for us. And after a busy night of hunting, swimming, and spectacular spinning, they need it. Spinner dolphins can twist around up to seven times in a single leap!

In this episode, we travel to the warm waters around Hawaii, where a young spinner dolphin named Dash has one thing on his mind: five spins. He’s come so close, and he’s sure that if he tries just one more time, he can do it. But while the rest of his pod heads toward shallow water to rest, Dash turns back toward the open ocean for another try. His determination leads to an unexpected lesson about rest, belonging, and why some accomplishments feel better when we have someone to share them with.

Together, we’ll explore some seriously splashy spinner dolphin science:

Why spinner dolphins leap, twist, and spin high above the water
How whistles, clicks, body movements, bubbles, and touch help dolphins communicate
What scientists have learned about dolphin play, cooperation, learning, and tool use
How and why spinner dolphins rest together

We’ll also hear from Jen Kelly of Whale and Dolphin Conservation, who helps us understand how kids can protect dolphins and ocean habitats, even when they live far from the coast.

Wild and Kind Kids blends original animal stories with real science, helping curious kids explore wildlife, habitats, adaptations, and kindness without a screen. This episode makes a playful science listen for car rides, homeschool, classrooms, or a little quiet time after a busy day.

Keep exploring:

Download a spinner dolphin coloring sheet
Follow us on Instagram at wildandkindkidspod
Join our Kids Club for extra episode book recommendations and activities at wildandkindkids.com

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

Read more about the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) and their education programs
VIDEO: Why Do Spinner Dolphins Spin? (Getty Images)
The Spinner Dolphin (NOAA)
Spinner Dolphin (Whale and Dolphin Conservation)
Spinner Dolphin Facts (National Geographic)

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Join the Celebration!

The Humpback Anglerfish Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

What if you lived so deep in the ocean that sunlight never reached you at all? For the humpback anglerfish, the answer is simple: bring your own light.

This week, we’re heading hundreds of meters beneath the ocean’s surface to meet the humpback anglerfish, a deep-sea fish with needle-like teeth, a stretchy stomach, and a glowing lure dangling right above her mouth.

Then, meet Glimmer.

Glimmer loves playing games with her deep-sea friends, but there’s one problem. She is TERRIBLE at hide-and-seek. No matter how carefully she hides, that little glowing light above her head gives her away every single time.

Together, we’ll uncover the real science behind Glimmer’s glow and more, including:

Why a glowing lure comes in handy in the depths of the ocean
How tiny bacteria help create light through bioluminescence
How an anglerfish’s long, needle-like teeth can help keep a meal from escaping

We’ll also explore what it means to “change the game” when something isn’t working, then turn that idea toward helping our oceans by finding one simple way to use less single-use plastic.

Wild and Kind Kids combines original animal stories with real science, giving curious kids ages 3–8 a screen-free way to explore wildlife, habitats, adaptations, and kindness. This deep-sea adventure is a fun pick for car rides, quiet time, homeschool science, or anyone who loves strange ocean animals.

Keep exploring:

Download a humpback anglerfish coloring sheet
Follow us on Instagram @wildandkindkidspod
Find more resources or request an animal at wildandkindkids.com

Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

(PHOTO) Moment of Yikes (National Geographic Kids)
Deep sea anglerfish (Oceana)
Deep-sea anglerfish (Monterey Bay Aquarium)

Help Us Make Year Two Even Wilder!

Join the Celebration!

The Harpy Eagle Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

What if one of the most powerful birds in the rainforest was afraid to leave the nest?

High in the Amazon rainforest, a young harpy eagle named Tupi has enormous feet, powerful wings, and talons that look like they belong on a dinosaur. There’s just one problem. Tupi does not want to fly. When an unexpected visitor discovers her secret, Tupi begins to wonder if being brave means waiting until you’re no longer scared, or trying something new while the scared feeling is still there.

Together, we’ll explore how the harpy eagle is built for life high in the tropical rainforest:

How short, broad wings and a long tail help these powerful birds maneuver around rainforest trees and vines
How special facial feathers may help funnel sounds toward their ears while hunting
Why harpy eagles sometimes wait for hours in a single tree for the right hunting opportunity

Then we’ll connect Tupi’s story back to real harpy eagle science, including their enormous nests, sometimes built more than 100 feet above the forest floor, and what it means when a young bird finally “fledges” and leaves the nest.

Wild and Kind Kids combines original animal stories with real science to help kids understand how animals live, adapt, and grow. It’s a screen-free science podcast for curious kids ages 3–8 and their grown-ups, perfect for car rides, homeschool science, classroom listening, or a quiet story together.

And this week’s Wild & Kind Mission takes us somewhere unexpected: the grocery store. Kids can become Shade Detectives, looking with their grown-ups for foods grown in ways that help protect tree cover and wildlife habitat. (See more about Smithsonian Bird Friendly here.)

Keep exploring: