The Witch in the Woods
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this podcast.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Witch in the Woods is a family-friendly horror podcast that blends original stories with retellings of classic scary stories. The main plot follows four kids who search for and find a witch's house in the woods on a dare. There are spooky sound effects, and the characters face peril as they soon become involved in supernatural events. The witch tells tales that include spooky apparitions, heads falling off, and killers lurking under the bed. Stories may be too scary or graphic for younger listeners, but the witch's humorous storytelling may be fun for older kids and families who can handle more frights.
What’s It About?
Each episode of THE WITCH IN THE WOODS follows the adventures of four kids who discover a mysterious witch known as Rosa who lives in the woods with her friends, including Barnaby (a dog) and Grimalkin (a cat). The kids enjoy visiting Rosa and hearing scary stories told by the witch and her friends, but at the same time they begin to wonder why they've been welcomed into her world. They soon find themselves part of a supernatural story of their own.
Is It Any Good?
This podcast cleverly combines an original supernatural story with retellings of well-known horror tales. The Witch in the Woods is at its best when the witch's friends Barnaby and Grimalkin are telling scary stories to the kids. They bring some humor (and a little dog-cat rivalry) so that that the stories aren't too frightening. It also helps to hear the kids' commentary, so you don't feel like you're listening by yourself. There is a lot of dialogue at the start of each episode, so some listeners may be eager to jump straight to the stories. The Witch in the Woods is a good choice for families with kids interested in spooky campfire tales and urban legends. It definitely delivers older kid-friendly scares.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Witch in the Woods presents classic horror stories in a way that allows kids to listen to them. How does having a humorous character tell the horror story change the listening experience?
What is it about being scared that is entertaining to us? Why do you think horror movies are so popular?
When watching or listening to something scary, it's important to know your limits. What are your boundaries when it comes to scary content? What is too scary for you and how can you make sure you let a trusted adult and friends know this?
Podcast Details
- Release date: August 19, 2021
- Genre: Kids & Family
- Average Run Time: 30 minutes
- Website: https://thewitchinthewoodspodcast.squarespace.com/
- Host: N/A
- Publisher: Zombie Burrito Productions
- Pricing structure: Free
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Last updated: October 11, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Unspookable
Scary stories and myths explored in family-friendly podcast.
-
The Ghost of Jessica Majors
Paranormal mystery series features mild scares.
-
The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
Mystery series offers adventure and learning; light peril.
For kids who love scary stories
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate