The Children's Hour - podcast cover

The Children's Hour

The Children's Hour Inc.www.childrenshour.org
The Children’s Hour is Kids Public Radio, broadcasting weekly on public radio stations worldwide. Our theme based shows are entertaining and educational, and feature only the best in music. Excellent for road trips, explore our world and learn with us!
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Dad

We’re celebrating dads for Father’s Day with a musical special. As we think about our fathers, we remember the important role they play in our families, and our lives with their nurturing, love, and care. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads from all of us on The Children’s Hour.

Jun 21, 202659 min

Squid

This time on The Children's Hour, we learn about squid with Skype A Scientist, Dr. Sarah McAnulty. These ubiquitous creatures are the psychedelic acrobats of the ocean.

Jun 15, 202659 min

The Sun

The Kids Crew explores the Sun with scientists from the Sunspot Solar Observatory. Learn how the Sun gives us light and heat, how it helps plants grow, and how experts study it safely. This episode also shares the story of the sudden and permanent closure at the observatory. Comes with a learning guide!

Jun 07, 202659 min

Globalquerquito

It's Globalquerquito, a kid's global music show recorded live Albuquerque Museum, with Taos Pueblo's Robert Mirabal, and Quebecois Mélisande.

May 31, 202659 min

Dragons

The Kids Crew explores the world of dragons with author Mari Mancusi. From ancient myths to modern stories, kids learn about many types of dragons and how they appear across cultures. The episode also includes a Kids Crew book review and what makes dragon stories fun to read.

May 24, 202659 min

Banned Books

This time on The Children’s Hour, our summer interns Julia Wolfe and Sophie Anderson-Haynie have co-written and produced a program about Banned Books. They teach us what that means, the history of banning books, and how it’s even possible in the era of digital reading, and with the First Amendment right to free speech. This episode comes with a new learning guide.

May 17, 202659 min

Mom

Celebrate Mom with The Children's Hour in a musical Mother's Day special. We feature some of our favorite songs by Kindie artists honoring mothers, and we hear poetry about the special bond between kids and our moms. Happy Mother's Day to all who celebrate from The Children's Hour.

May 10, 202659 min

Bill Harley

Grammy winning storyteller and author Bill Harley joins The Children’s Hour for a joyful hour of music and storytelling. From hilarious songs about whining and walking around the moon to a true story from second grade about courage and friendship, Bill reminds us that the moments that happen to kids every day really matter. Listen in for laughter, sing-alongs, and inspiration from one of the nation’s most beloved children’s performers.

May 03, 202659 min

Whales

The Kids Crew explores the amazing world of whales. Learn how these giant ocean mammals breathe, migrate across oceans, and communicate through songs that travel for miles underwater. This episode also explains why protecting whale habitats is important for the health of our planet.

Apr 26, 202659 min

Earth Day – Rivers

We celebrate Earth Day on The Children’s Hour with students working to save the environment around them. RiverXchange is a program that partners with schools on the Rio Grande to create projects that protect our precious environment. We also learn about the founder of Earth Day, Gaylord Nelson.

Apr 19, 202659 min

Kindness

Imagine a world where kindness is a habit. The Kids Crew talks about real moments when someone showed them care and understanding. Musician Lindsay Monroe joins us to explain how music can help children practice empathy and respect. We explore the science behind kindness and how even one thoughtful act can strengthen a community.

Apr 12, 202659 min

The Moon

Next time on The Children’s Hour, we’re going to The Moon with Commander Reid Wiseman from NASA’s Artemis 2 mission. The Bad Astronomer, Dr. Phil Plait teaches us how the moon was formed, and we learn what happens to the lunar rocks back on Earth from Dr. Chip Sharer. Comes with a learning guide - and mixed with great music!

Apr 05, 202659 min

Manatees

On this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew explores the world of manatees with educator Andrea Herman from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Kids will learn how these large aquatic mammals live, what they eat, how they raise their young, and why protecting warm-water habitats is essential to their survival. This episode includes a standards-aligned learning guide for classroom use.

Mar 29, 202659 min

Money Smart

How does money work? In this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew explores earning, saving, budgeting, borrowing, and investing. With guidance from KidVestors co-founder Courtney Petway and New Mexico State Treasurer Laura Montoya, listeners gain practical skills for making thoughtful financial decisions.

Mar 22, 202659 min

Do Something

The Children’s Hour takes on bullying by helping kids understand what they can do when they see someone being treated unfairly. The Kids Crew talks with trainers from Right To Be, an organization that teaches people how to respond to harassment in safe and thoughtful ways. Through clear examples, simple exercises, and music about empathy and courage, kids learn the Five Ds of bystander intervention and discover that even small actions can help others feel supported and less alone.

Mar 15, 202659 min

Storytime With Joe Hayes

What makes a great story? Spend time with legendary storyteller Joe Hayes, who has been telling stories for more than fifty years, sharing tales passed down through families, cultures, and communities of the American Southwest. Joined by the Kids Crew at the Outpost Performance Space, Joe explains why stories matter, how listeners help shape every story, and why imagination is such an important part of listening.

Mar 08, 202659 min

Forests

Forests are full of life, stories, and connections we cannot always see. Learn how forests help keep our planet healthy, how trees communicate, and why old growth forests matter. With songs, questions from kids, and a biologist who studies trees and fungi, this show explores what makes a forest more than just a group of trees.

Mar 01, 202659 min

Underground Railroad

Fourth graders teach listeners about the Underground Railroad and the life of Harriet Tubman. Kids learn how secret routes, brave helpers, and the North Star guided people to freedom. This episode helps young listeners understand courage, teamwork, and an important chapter in American history.

Feb 22, 202659 min

Love

Celebrate Valentine’s Day and honor love in all its many forms. From the history of the holiday and exchanging cards, to the science behind how love makes our hearts race and our brains feel happy, we explore how love helps us feel connected and makes the world a kinder place. This episode is our Valentine to all our listeners, created with love by The Children’s Hour!

Feb 14, 20261 hr

Skin

This time on The Children’s Hour, we explore the skin we are in. We are joined by Dr. Holly McGee and Dr. Nina Jablonski, who have written a book to explain the cultural and social history of skin color called It’s Just Skin, Silly. Then we meet Dr. Adnan Mir, a pediatric dermatologist who helps us understand even more about our skin from a medical point of view. This episode comes with a learning guide filled with activities to learn more.

Feb 08, 20261 hr

Skunks

We learn all about skunks with world renown mephitologist, Dr. Jerry Dragoo. Mixed with great music sure to captivate kids of all ages. Comes with a Learning Guide!

Feb 01, 202658 min

Firefighters

Firefighters are helpers who rush toward danger when others need help. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew visits AFR Fire Station Number Three in Albuquerque, New Mexico to learn how firefighters protect people, animals, and neighborhoods every day.

Jan 25, 20261 hr

Reading To Dogs

The Kids Crew explores the world of reading to dogs and learns how therapy dogs help kids feel calm, safe, and excited to read. Guests from the local library explain how the program works, why dogs make great listeners, and how reading out loud builds confidence. The episode also includes the story of Rover the Reading Dog, who helps students overcome fear and enjoy books. This show celebrates reading, friendship, and the special bond between kids and animals.

Jan 18, 20261 hr

World War II

We take a step back in time, to over 80 years ago to World War II, one of the biggest conflicts in human history, which changed modern humanity forever. Learn from Ms. Teresa Rand Bridges' bilingual 5th grade class at Alvarado Elementary, a public school in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Jan 11, 20261 hr

Sleep

Why do we spend so much of our lives sleeping? Is anything happening in our brains while we sleep? Do animals sleep the same way we do? On this episode of The Children's Hour, we explore the science of sleep with expert guests and our Kids Crew.

Jan 04, 20261 hr

Best of 2025

Celebrate the year in kids’ radio and music with The Children’s Hour Best of 2025. Hear favorite moments from the Kids Crew’s interviews and shows, along with songs from Grammy-nominated children’s artists. It’s a joyful look back at a year filled with learning, laughter, and discovery.

Dec 28, 20251 hr

Holidays 2025

Celebrate the season with Holidays 2025, a joyful Children’s Hour episode filled with winter songs, multicultural traditions, kid-friendly stories, and festive music. Enjoy classic carols, new holiday tracks, and cheerful moments perfect for families, classrooms, and holiday listening.

Dec 21, 20251 hr

Fungus Among Us

This time on The Children’s Hour we explore mushrooms with mycology educator and author, Peter McCoy. This episode comes with a companion learning guide.

Dec 14, 20251 hr

Being Yourself

We celebrate being yourself with author Jane Yolen and cartoonist Craig Yoe as we explore creativity, confidence, and joy in being authentic.

Dec 07, 20251 hr

The Brain

Join the Kids Crew and experts from the Mind Research Network to uncover the secrets of the human brain. This episode delves into how our brains control movement and emotions, the marvel of neuroplasticity, and the fascinating ways scientists study brain activity using techniques like neuroimaging. Discover the intricate parts of the brain, what makes each mind unique, and why intelligence is more complex than simple size, even for birds.

Nov 30, 20251 hr
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android