Common Sense Media released a study showing that kids between the ages of eight and twelve use screens for an average of six hours per day — not including time spent using media for school or homework.
That’s a lot of time in front of a screen. There are well documented negative effects that come with too much screen time: poor sleep, mental health issues, lack of social skills, difficulty with focus, and so many more.
Now, studies are showing an increased risk of myopia — aka nearsightedness — in young people who spend too much time on screens.
Watching TV together as a family, often referred to as co-viewing, is one way to reduce many of the risks of screen time shown above. This allows you to be aware of what your kids are being exposed to, as well as gives you the opportunity to talk through issues as they come up on screen.
A practical way to reduce screen time is by giving kids an off-screen entertainment option they’ll love. That’s where Pinna comes in. Pinna podcasts and audiobooks give parents a tool to keep kids engaged and having fun without the need for screens.
If you’re looking to cut back on screen time, give your kids the gift of a Pinna subscription this holiday season.
Not sure which podcasts your kids might enjoy?
Below, we’re sharing Pinna podcast recommendations based on popular TV shows for kids — broken down by age.
If Your Kids Love These Popular Shows, Try Out These Pinna Podcasts Too
Kids Ages 3-5
If your child loves Dinosaur Train, be sure to try Dinosaur Train: Ride Along Adventures on Pinna!
Produced in collaboration with PBS Kids, Dinosaur Train: Ride Along Adventures features the same fan-favorite characters as the show. Come aboard with Buddy, Tiny, Shiny, Don, the Conductor, and many more dinosaur friends to see what adventure awaits!
If your child loves Bo on the Go, be sure to try Hey Story Go on Pinna!
Do you have a little one who loves to move? If so, they’re probably a huge fan of shows like Bo on the Go that encourage kids to get in on the action. Hey Story Go takes that same approach and gets kids on their feet to help move the story along.
If your child loves Word Party, be sure to try Quentin and Alfies ABC Adventures on Pinna!
Similar to Word Party, Quentin and Alfie’s ABC Adventures is a show that promotes early literacy by teaching key pre-reading skills through engaging storylines and songs. Be sure to check out the educator resource section on the Pinna site for worksheets to go along with each episode of Quentin and Alfie’s ABC Adventures.
Kids ages 6-8
If your child loves Pokemon, be sure to try The Totally Unauthorized Pokemon Fan Show on Pinna!
Pokemon has been around since the dawn of time (or it sure does feel that way!) and there are many iterations of this popular show. There are books, trading cards, games, merch…the whole nine yards. If your kid is a Pokemon fan, check out The Totally Unauthorized Pokemon Fan Show on Pinna for some screen-free Pokemon fun.
If your child loves Wild Kratts, be sure to try Kyle’s Wild World on Pinna!
Wild Kratts is a “wildly” popular show where animation meets real life and kids of all ages get to learn about animals. Kyle’s Wild World takes on a similar format — each short episode introduces kids to a new animal and a whole crew of cool characters. Animal lovers will adore Kyle and all his critter friends.
If your child loves Scooby Doo, be sure to try A to Z Mysteries: Clue Club on Pinna!
Scooby Doo, and all its many reboots, has been loved by kids — and kids at heart — for generations. There’s something about kids piecing together clues to solve mysteries that is inherently loved by all. Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose from A to Z Mysteries: Clue Club is another group of friends your family will enjoy getting to know.
Kids Ages 9-12
If your child loves Secrets of Sulphur Springs, be sure to try Origins Unknown on Pinna!
Secrets of Sulphur Springs on Disney+ has it all: mystery, intrigue, adventure! You’ll find the same enticing mix of elements when you tune into Origins Unknown on Pinna. When Max Emmerson and his family move to Copper Heights, he realizes they’ve stumbled upon a townwide mystery. Can Max and his new friends figure out what’s happening and stop it before it’s too late? Listen to find out.
If your child loves Master Chef Jr., be sure to try Food Crimes on Pinna!
Master Chef Jr. combines a love of cooking with a little competition and together those create a winning recipe for viewers. Food Crimes on Pinna includes similar ingredients — real families, food, fun — to make a podcast fans of cooking competition shows are sure to love. Bonus: it’s hilarious!
If your child loves You vs. Wild, be sure to try the Escape series (Escape the Haunted House, Escape the Marshmallow Dream Forest, and Escape the Sinking Ship) on Pinna!
Kids love the interactive element of shows like You vs. Wild on Netflix. Add in a dose of adventure and you’ve got a hit on your hands! The Escape series on Pinna gives kids the same “choose your own adventure” experience — and it does it sans screens. If your tween wants to join in the action, these escape room style podcasts will fulfill that sense of excitement they’re seeking.
The Wrap-Up
Pinna is an excellent tool for screen-free learning and fun all year round. Keep your kids engaged and entertained with Pinna’s comprehensive and growing library.
We’re all ears!
Which Pinna podcast will your family listen to first? We’d love to hear from you! Find us on all our social platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest – or email us at contact@pinna.fm.
