I love a good true crime podcast. If I’ve got some driving to do or chores around the house, listening to an episode of Dateline NBC makes it far more interesting. But some of the content is not always PG and I’m not sure I’d want to answer some of my younger kids’ questions if they overheard it. Putting in earbuds and letting them do their own thing is an option, but listening to something together is a way to share an experience and learn something new. There is a wealth of content and material available through podcasts, and many family-friendly ones that are suitable for all ages.

One big appeal of podcasts is their accessibility. All you need is an audio device that can connect to the internet and you’re ready to explore. But with thousands of podcasts available, narrowing it down to ones your family will enjoy can be a challenge. Word-of-mouth recommendations can help find some that align with your family’s interests and values—just ask your friends and family. Are there podcasts that their families listen to regularly and, if so, what do they like about them? It can be especially helpful if you have kids similar in age, as some shows appeal to younger or older audiences.

And, of course, there is a ton of information available online with many podcast apps sorting them by genre, popularity and audience age. Online reviews and ratings can help you narrow down selections based on what others share about them and it may also be helpful to screen an episode before sharing with your kids to make sure it is something you will all enjoy.

One podcast that our family likes listening to is “Wow in the World” hosted by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz. It’s a fun show that explores science concepts in an engaging way and is full of oddball characters that always make my kids laugh. It’s geared toward elementary aged children, but even I find myself laughing at some of their punny humor. It encourages kids to be curious about their world and each episode features an audio clip from listeners sharing their own scientific adventures and discoveries.

As the solar eclipse dominated much of the news on April 8, I came across NASA’s “Curious Universe” podcast and enjoyed listening to some of their special episodes focused on the sun. The podcast provides science topics and “space adventures you won’t find anywhere else [as you] explore the cosmos alongside astronauts, scientists, engineers, and other top NASA experts.” They also have a podcast in Spanish, “Universo curioso de la NASA,” that focuses on the contributions of Latino and Hispanic astronauts and scientists who move the work and mission of NASA forward.

One that I’m excited to explore with my kids is “Circle Round,” a podcast that combines narration and music for folktale stories from across diverse cultures. It encourages listeners to extend their thinking beyond the plot by asking engaging questions and connecting the themes and morals from the story to their own lives. It also includes interactive elements, such as printable coloring pages for each story that can later be shared on social media. Children can also call in to share their favorite story and what they love about it.

When listening to podcasts with kids, you can also encourage discussion by pausing periodically to allow time to share thoughts or ask open ended questions. I find car rides to be a great time to use podcasts as everyone is confined to close quarters—but there are other ways to come together. You could set out coloring pages or work on a craft or chore while you listen, as some kids focus better when their hands are occupied. Taking turns in choosing podcasts or episodes allows each family member an opportunity to explore their own preferences and interests. And it may be fun to venture outside of your comfort zone periodically by trying new podcasts that may enrich the life of your family and expand your thinking.

Podcasts can be a great way to come together as a family and embark on exciting adventures, discover new knowledge or share some great laughs. Little is needed for this activity and it can be a good alternative to some of the screen-based entertainment that can so easily occupy a child’s downtime.

Next time you need something to engage your family, consider plugging in to a podcast!