Audiobooks are all the rage right now.
They make it easy to read along with your ears while you’re doing other things — exercising, driving, cleaning, working, you name it.
Kids love audiobooks too!
If you’ve ever wondered how to listen to audiobooks with your kids, we’ve got your go-to guide right here.
Let’s get started.
How to Listen to Audiobooks With Kids
What equipment do I need to listen to audiobooks with my kids?
To enter the world of audio listening, you’ll need nothing more than a smart device, the right apps, and an internet connection.
It’s no different than listening to your newest audiobook during your morning commute. Or catching up on that true crime podcast you love so much while doing dinner prep in the evenings.
Check out your local library to see what they have to offer.
If you want more variety, check out a streaming service made for kids — aka Pinna.
On this platform, you’ll find a huge (and growing!) selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and music.
The content can also be downloaded for offline listening.
One other thing you may want to consider is getting a quality pair of headphones with volume restriction to protect little ears. This allows kids to listen on their own when no one can agree on a book. It also offers a screen-free alternative to afternoon quiet time.
How do I choose the right book for the family to listen to together?
Okay, let’s start this off by saying this. There is no right book.
The wonderful thing about the literary world is that there is something out there for everyone.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing an audiobook for family listening.
- Start small. Listening is a skill that requires practice. Choose a short book — preferably a familiar favorite. Instead of reading to your kids tonight at bedtime, check out How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? or Goodnight Goodnight, Construction Site. That’s a great way to dip your toes into audio listening for beginners. You can also try an audiobook with short chapters and a funny plotline like The Adventures of Captain Underpants. Best part? There are several books in this series. And you can stream the movie afterward for added fun!
- Keep your options open. Don’t feel like you need to listen to one story or series all the way through before starting another. It’s okay to have one book you listen to at bedtime every night and another to keep the family occupied in the car. And don’t feel obligated to keep listening to something you or your kids aren’t vibing with. Give a book the chance to win you over, sure. But, if no one is feeling it after a few chapters, it’s perfectly fine to set it aside and pick up something else. Books are meant to be enjoyed. If it’s not fun, take some time to evaluate what’s not working and find the fix.
- Choose audiobooks that engage and entertain. As mentioned, there’s something out there for everyone. Pick an audiobook with a talented narrator and a captivating storyline. Pinna has top notch voice actors and content creators for this very reason. Books like The Book of Dragons, My Life in Dioramas, and Little Miss President will keep your kids coming back for more.
- Keep at it. Listening to audiobooks with kids may not feel natural at first, but the benefits are beyond worth it. Like we said above, start small. But, be consistent. Audio offers a screen-free alternative to keeping kids entertained at home and on the go. Given how much time our kids spend in front of screens nowadays, a break never hurts.
When and where should I listen to audiobooks with my kids?
Anywhere and everywhere.
Seriously.
Audiobooks are portable and require nothing more than the smartphone you’re probably reading this blog post on.
Maybe headphones, if your child is listening while at the grocery store, in the waiting room at a doctor’s office, or while their younger sibling is taking a nap.
But, the beauty of audio is that it’s so flexible.
Need to inject a little fun into your daily routines?
Audiobooks make the ride to school, chores, and even bedtime more enjoyable for everyone.
Looking to keep kids entertained on a road trip?
Choose an audiobook series that the whole family can sink their teeth into: Upside Down Magic, Audacity Jones, and Chronicles of the Red King are a few good ones to check out.
No matter where you are or what you’re doing, audiobooks are almost always the perfect companion.
The Wrap-Up
Audiobooks offer a brilliant screen-free alternative to entertaining your kids at home and on the go.
We hope our guide above shows how easy it is to listen to audiobooks with your kids.
We’re all ears!
What audiobook are you and your family gonna 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.
