What If World - Stories for Kids

Marsha and Marshall Mallow have finally gotten marshmallow-eating outlawed, but New What City is still a long way from Candy Equality. Can the Mallows win over the masses, or will everyone be too distracted by their cute voices? Also, there's a Griffin! Lessons include: Every voice matters; if someone is being treated unfairly, it’s up to you to speak out.  The remastered classic first aired on Au...

Meet the Dread Pirate Chlorine Clive and his crew of electron-stealing elements aboard their ship, The Grand Anion. They’re racing toward a king's ransom of gold and silver, but our detectives, Poppi and Ray, are determined to get there first. Can you learn enough about ions and ionic compounds to help? What If World Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/...

In an ode to Scooby Doo, one of Mr. Eric’s favorite shows as a kid, Alabaster Zero wakes up to find himself in the Freddy Booboo Bear Universe. It’s like your universe, except with more monsters and mustaches. Lessons include: When things are too easy, you won’t enjoy yourself for long. Join our Patreon for ad-free stories, monthly bonus episodes, a shout-out on the show, bi-annual mailings, and m...

Henry takes a trip to What If World to help Alabaster Zero master his Rock and Roll skills as we celebrate ICAN radio’s 5th anniversary. Lessons include: Practice makes progress; there’s nothing more Rock and Roll than being yourself! Henry has a trailer up for his new audio drama for kids, Time Warp: The First Season. What If World has been on ICAN radio for five years and you can listen at: ican...

In our second April Fool’s special, the Whentbridge Timers go up against the Observatorium Grumblers in the biggest (and only-est) basketball game What If World’s ever seen. Pay attention, because the story might try to play some tricks on Mr. Eric. Lessons include: Everyone loses sometimes, and it gives us a chance to improve; Winning doesn’t make you superior to others. This remastered episode f...

Poppi and Ray are headed to the Caribbean in 1707 for their most fantastical time-travel adventure yet. They’ll need your help learning about ions and ionic compounds as they prepare to face the dreaded pirate Chlorine Clive, a notorious electron thief!  The M.C. Detective Agency is a comic book series written by Colleen Kelley, Ph. D., as part of Kids Chemical Solutions. These comics help kids ge...

When Abacus finds he can’t stop singing, he asks Cookie from the podcast Stoopkid Stories (played by Melly Victor) to give him Anti-Singing Lessons. Can Cookie help Abacus overcome his latest curse? Lessons include: We can create music together no matter our talent levels; Expressing yourself with friends and family is a great way to build your confidence! Melly Victor is the host and creator of t...

When JFKat controls everything, even the story itself, will he finally realize that napping 19 hours a day might not be the best way to run a world? Maybe Abacus and Rainokhi the Rainbow can help him take the hint. Lessons include: absolute power isn’t fun; sometimes, being responsible means admitting that you need help. This remastered episode originally aired on September 24th, 2018. Caden Lane...

Steph of TTRPG Kids and Phil of Kid Stories Podcast adventure in Dogopolis as DAK the delivery robot and Tillo the armadillo dust wizard. Sniff the Cat leads them to outer space and a final encounter with Dogzilla! Lessons include: Being friendly is often worthwhile; we all need help when taking on big tasks. Steph runs and writes the TTRPGkids website, an ENnie awarded web resource with over 400...

Steph of TTRPG Kids and Phil of Kid Stories Podcast adventure in Dogopolis as DAK the delivery robot and Tillo the armadillo dust wizard. Sniff the Cat tells them that Dogzilla is coming, and the adventurers must figure out what to do! Some old friends may help along the way… Lessons include: Gathering information can help you make big decisions; it is easier to make friends when both parties are...

Poppi and Ray will need your help, and Albert Einstein’s, to wrap up their second adventure with the MC Detective Agency. As the kids work to save the future, we’ll learn about Electrons, Protons, Neutrons, and cotton candy!  The M.C. Detective Agency is a comic book series written by Colleen Kelley, Ph. D., as part of Kids Chemical Solutions. It has helped kids get an early introduction to chemis...

Cthunkle, Squiderella, and Scully think they must scare chickens to get eggs from them. Could there be a better way? Find out in this extra whacky April Fools’ story. Lessons include: Kindness and cooperation can be much more effective than being loud and scary; messing with technology you don’t understand can be dangerous. This remastered story originally aired on April 1st, 2019. Join our Patreo...

Welcome to Tin City, where Robotongue meets a confused Catman who claims to be someone called JFKat. The Worldpool has brought us to a new universe this week, but you’ll hear some familiar friends. Lessons include: if everyone stood up for kindness and justice, we wouldn’t need superheroes; meeting someone new can challenge your old ideas.  Join our Patreon for ad-free stories, monthly bonus episo...

Fair Elsie needs a break from her presidential duties, so she visits one of What If World’s most magical museums, the Unnatural Gallery. Can Madame Selah (voiced by Lauren Chaitoff), help Fair Elise relax even after all the art comes to life? Lessons include: How we breathe can affect how we feel; accepting our feelings is a lifelong practice, and we all need help sometimes. This week’s guest is t...

It’s the beginning of File 2: The Case of the Missing (Atomic) Model. In chapter four of our ongoing comic book adaptation, Poppi and Ray travel back in time to meet Albert Einstein and start learning about what an atom truly is. Can you help them along the way? The M.C. Detective Agency is a comic book series written by Colleen Kelley, Ph. D., as part of Kids Chemical Solutions. It has helped kid...

On Mons Icelus, the adventurers face off against Dogzilla on their quest to locate the Idea Tree. They better find it quick, because the sky is falling! Lessons include: An idea grows when it’s shared; We all need connection,  hope, and joy to be our best selves. This story is part of the Guilds & Goblins miniseries, where What If World characters (and guests) play an original tabletop RPG for kid...

What would happen if you stopped enjoying your favorite pastime? For Fred, that pastime is… or was… eating sticks. Can he handle losing life’s simplest joy? Lessons include: Your favorite pastime can become a bad habit if you don’t try other things; indulging on occasion is okay! Factor, the ready-to-eat meal delivery service, sponsors this episode. Head to factormeals.com/whatifworld50 and use co...

We’re teaming up with But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids to answer some of your questions with both science and imagination. Jane Lindholm, Mr. Eric, and Smartsy Fartsy will learn about food, dinosaurs, and astronomy! Lessons include: Imagination is the beginning of science; discovery can help us grow and question what we know! Join our Patreon for ad-free stories, monthly bonus episodes, a shout...

Mr. Eric meets up with Fred, Whendiana, Abacus, and others to relax by the pool and answer several new questions that have already been answered!    Lessons: When we experience a story again, we may find whole new insights (and issues!) Join our Patreon for ad-free stories, monthly bonus episodes, a shout-out on the show, bi-annual mailings, and more! patreon.com/whatifworld Subscribe to What If W...

When Santaphant the Wooly Mammoth gets sick, Fred and JFKat have to save Ifmas with a bit of help from a flying megalodon.  Lessons: Learning about other people’s holidays gives us even more to appreciate; You shouldn’t eat candy you find in the forest! This remastered episode originally aired December 23rd, 2019. Join our Patreon for ad-free stories, monthly bonus episodes, a shout-out on the sho...

Our heroes finally reach the frozen moon and find out what happened to the rest of their world.  Lessons include: Safety for all starts with a welcoming and inclusive world. This story is part of the Guilds & Goblins miniseries, where What If World characters (and guests) play an original tabletop RPG for kids and families. Patrons get access to our introductory rules and our character sheet. The...

Scullen joins our adventurers, trapped in the Founder’s Museum facing off against giant statues. They must save themselves before they can save the city and the world! Lessons include: Being trapped doesn’t count as safety; when facing a lot of resistance, it’s time to take a step back and see the bigger picture. This story is part of the Guilds & Goblins miniseries, where What If World characters...

Malador, Alabama Hera, and Swansong find themselves in Dogopolis, a city of the future. The dog people of this sci-fi city are afraid of our heroes and quickly sound the alarm! Lessons include: Sticking together is always a good idea in an unfamiliar place; investigating your fear can help you make better decisions. Crunchlabs, a STEM monthly subscription box for kids, sponsored this episode. Go t...

Mamma Jamma, Poppa Loo, Zach, and Zizi are all coming to the studio to answer some of your pressing questions. When every family member shines, Poppa Loo starts to feel left out... Lessons include: Everyone in the family has something to contribute; a little moment can be as special as a grand adventure. This episode originally aired on February 18th, 2019. Join our Patreon for ad-free stories, mo...

It’s the exciting conclusion of File 1: The Case of the Deadly Deals! In chapter three of our ongoing comic book adaptation, Poppi and Ray finally meet the Radium girls and expose the truth about their working conditions. Also, Ray reveals his great invention as we learn more about the Periodic Table of Elements! The M.C. Detective Agency is a comic book series written by Colleen Kelley, Ph. D., a...