Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile, getting to your holiday destination with the kids can be an adventure, to say the least. The endless “I’m bored” and “Are we there yet?” comments are enough to make you wonder why you didn’t just stay home or invite everyone to your house for the holidays. To the rescue: podcasts for family trips during the holidays. WBUR’s Circle Round, created and produced by parents of young children, has several popular storytelling episodes that are bound to make the miles, and hours, fly by. Check ’em out!
The Lion’s Whisker
For years, versions of “The Lion’s Whisker” have been shared in Ethiopia. Now, actors Marsai Martin and Miles Brown from the ABC’s Black-ish accompany NPR’s Ofeibia Quist-Arcton in telling the story of a brother and sister who will do just about anything to get along.
This may be a great pick if the kids start arguing in the backseat. Turn it on and let them listen to how the brother and sister in this story try to get along. This podcast runs just under 12 minutes.
A Taste of Honey
In A Taste of Honey, Hannah Simone from Fox’s New Girl stars alongside her father and author Naren Simone. While this story is entertaining and will keep kids occupied for about 20 minutes, it also teaches the lesson of being strong, independent and self-reliant.
The Hat, The Horn and the Purse
Versions of this podcast’s tale have been relayed for years. The Hat, The Horn, and the Purse is a story that comes from Italy about a father who gives three family heirlooms to his sons. Bobby Moynihan from NBC’s Saturday Night Live is one of the voices in this podcast that teaches kids that sometimes the things we cherish most are the simplest.
The Three-Legged Pot
The Three-Legged Pot is a story about a man who seems to have everything and doesn’t want to give up anything. But, with the help of some magic, he changes his tune. Comedian Aparna Nancherla stars as a rambunctious, Robin Hood-esque character in this story about generosity and greed. The podcast runs about 20 minutes.
Kangaroo and Joey Too
Kangaroo and Joey Too stars Malcolm in the Middle’s Jane Kaczmarek and Campbell Scott from House of Cards. The podcast was recorded live at Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This story comes from Australia and tells the story of a momma kangaroo who goes on a big adventure to keep her baby safe, in the process revealing how kangaroos first got their indispensable pouches.