Over the river and through the woods, listening to Thanksgiving podcasts as we go!
Just in time for Thanksgiving travel or preparation, we have a list of podcast episodes the entire family will enjoy. Podcasts provide story-like entertainment for all ages and best of all- they are completely free (and bonus- they are screen-free!).
If you love this list and want more podcasts for your children, check out our entire list of podcasts for kids or teens.
Thanksgiving Podcasts for Tweens/ Teens to Adults
- Entre Leadership
Thanksgiving: An Example of Staying the Course
Tying together history, Thanksgiving, and leadership, this 45-minute episode features a story about the intense struggles the pilgrims encountered. Although parts might be difficult for younger children to understand, middle school to high school age kids will definitely learn history from a perspective a textbook cannot teach. Personally, I loved (and learned from) this episode!
2. Bon Appetit Foodcast
If you have kids who enjoy cooking or watching cooking shows, why not try a podcast discussing the best versions of popular Thanksgiving foods? This just over an hour episode features food editors discussing what went right and wrong preparing their top recipes.
3. Science Friday
Add a Dash of Science To Your Thanksgiving Recipes
Cooking is always a great way to learn, and incorporating a little about science into Thanksgiving is easy with this 20-minute episode. Your kids may even be able to help reduce the stress while preparing your feast!
4. Awesome Etiquette
Remember when we used to read etiquette questions in the newspaper? Well, now there is a podcast that answers the Emily Post questions. Your tweens and teens may roll their eyes, but they may be surprisingly entertained by the practical answers in this 45-minute episode.
5. Planet Money
The Price of Your Thanksgiving Dinner
It’s less than 10 minutes, so your teens can’t grimace too much over learning some economics- I swear, it’s fascinating. After all, do they want pie to eat or not? It’s not a free meal, so how does pricing work? Listen and find out!
6. Stuff You Missed In History Class
How The First Thanksgiving Worked
In just under an hour, the whole family can learn a bit more about what is true and what myths have developed over time regarding the first Thanksgiving.
7. Stuff You Should Know
If your family packs up and heads out in the darkness to capture the deals on Black Friday (or if you just shop from your pajamas online), you will be entertained by the history of the shopping deal day.
How Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Works
Enjoy a full review of the history and the work behind the famous parade.
All the things you never knew about turkeys!
8. The Science of Success Podcast
Thanksgiving Gratitude Special
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude- listen to tips from experts about how you can maintain that value all year long.
9. Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin
This is a fascinating episode about the history of Thanksgiving and how the holiday has evolved over time due to historical events (and retailer actions).
10. Positive University Podcast
Rewire Your Brain from Negative to Positive With Gratitude
11. The Rachel Hollis Podcast
Younger Kids Through Elementary Age (7 Thanksgiving Podcasts)
- Book Club For Kids
Thanksgiving Road Trip Episode
I love discovering new podcasts- this one is new to our family! This extended episode provides over two hours of content from books with family themes. Different readers mix it up, so it doesn’t get boring. This episode is perfect for younger and elementary age children.
2. Story Pirates
The Early Years: The Busy Dizzy Dishwashers and The Thanksgiving Mess
Younger children and elementary kids will smile while listening to this 13-minute silly tory.
3. Story Spectacular
The Quirkey Turkey, Baby Foodie Cranberry Makeover, and other short 10 minute stories will keep the little ones occupied while you are cooking dinner or shopping online on Thanksgiving evening. Unique to this podcast, the stories are written by children, which my 8-year-old loves. You may want to provide a notebook and pen for post-podcast inspired story writing.
4. Stories Podcast
If you need a SILLY story to entertain your younger children, this 20-minute episode will have them giggling on the way to Thanksgiving dinner.
5. Curious Kid Podcast
This episode features a father and daughter discussing all the questions curious children have about Thanksgiving. In just 13 minutes, they will answer all the “why” questions for the morning. My daughter enjoyed how the father asks his daughter questions and was truly engaged in learning the ‘real’ answers about Thanksgiving.
6. Reading Bug Adventures
This 45-minute episode is a cute story about celebrating Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and native people living nearby.
7. Wow In The World
Wait, Wait, Are Those Marshmallows? Why Kids Are Better At Waiting Than Adults
Although this episode is not Thanksgiving focused, I think all parents fall victim to complaining about their children’s lack of patience around the holidays. This science experiment studying who waits better- kids or adults- may surprise you and open up some discussion!
8. Sleep Tight Stories
In less than 15 minutes, young children can enjoy a perfect bedtime story with a Thanksgiving theme.
9. Bedtime History
Whether you play it at bedtime or in the morning, this is a fantastic sum up of the history of Thanksgiving and even includes some tidbits about other country’s celebrations.
10. Time For Lunch
Give this episode a listen during lunch and the entire family is sure to learn a thing or two about the history of Thanksgiving and gratitude.
Bonus: All Ages
Homeschooling With Technology
Online Thanksgiving Activities
Initially, I listened to this episode on my own- it is on my weekly playlist and always provides insightful ideas for education. For this specific Thanksgiving episode, I’m going to re-listen with my teens- my goal this year is to include them in their educational planning.
In under 15 minutes, the podcaster describes multiple online games, sites, and activities for kids of all ages to participate in. My 13-year old is especially excited to try out the site mentioned that details where all the various Thanksgiving foods originate (her words were, “Don’t potatoes come from Ohio?”). Truly, I know she will learn one thing about geography this week! Personally, I’m excited about the free printable described at the end of the episode.
Happy Thanksgiving to all. Enjoy the time relaxing with friends and family, and use the day to inspire gratitude in the coming weeks while listening to Thanksgiving podcasts.
Don’t forget to come back and check out our list for winter holiday-themed podcasts.
