Circle Round is one of those rare kids’ podcasts that manages to feel cosy, clever, and genuinely timeless all at once. Produced by WBUR, it adapts folktales from cultures all over the world and turns them into beautifully acted, sound-rich stories that pull kids in without overwhelming them.
Episodes typically run between 10 and 20 minutes — the perfect length for school runs, quiet time, or that magical pre-bed wind-down period. The narrators have a warm, clear delivery, and every story comes with a gentle moral or takeaway woven naturally into the plot. Nothing is preachy; it’s all baked into the storytelling.
The show’s biggest strength is how cinematic it feels. Original music, thoughtful sound design, and well-chosen voice actors (often recognisable from TV and film) make even simple folktales feel like mini audio movies. Parents can actually enjoy these too — yes, even on the fifth re-listen.
Another standout feature is how culturally diverse the stories are. Kids hear characters, settings, and traditions from around the world, which feels refreshing compared to the usual recycled fairy-tale loop.
Overall, Circle Round is a top-tier pick for families who want calm, meaningful, high-quality storytelling. Ideal for ages 3–9, it’s a reliable go-to whether you’re filling ten quiet minutes or building a bedtime routine. A genuinely excellent podcast and an easy recommendation.
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.