Armchair Adventures Launches Season 6 With Year-Round Episodes and New Interactive Spin-Off
The much-loved children’s podcast Armchair Adventures has officially kicked off 2026 with its most transformative and ambitious season to date, signalling a major creative evolution in how audio storytelling can educate, entertain, and connect generations.
Designed for children aged six to eight, the award-winning podcast has launched Season Six with a year-round release strategy, a new three-part episodic format, and the introduction of a brand-new spin-off series aimed at deepening engagement for both young listeners and their families.
Produced by Manchester-based participatory arts organisation Made By Mortals, Armchair Adventures continues to redefine children’s audio entertainment by blending imagination, movement, music, and real-world social themes into immersive storytelling experiences.
A New Era for Children’s Audio Storytelling in 2026
Since its debut during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Armchair Adventures has grown from a creative experiment into a nationally recognised podcast celebrated for its intergenerational storytelling model.
Season Six marks a pivotal moment in the podcast’s journey, with structural changes that respond directly to modern listening habits, educational needs, and family routines.
What’s New in Season Six?
This season introduces several major innovations, including:
📅 A full January-to-December release calendar
🎧 Shorter, three-part story arcs released fortnightly
🎲 A new interactive spin-off series titled Unpacked
🤝 Expanded partnerships with health and social-impact organisations
👵 Continued collaboration with adults aged 65+
Together, these changes position Armchair Adventures as a leader in purposeful children’s podcasting in the UK and beyond.
Year-Round Publishing: A First for Armchair Adventures
For the first time since its launch, Armchair Adventures will now release content consistently throughout the entire year, rather than in limited seasonal batches.
Why Year-Round Releases Matter
This strategic shift allows the creative team to:
Align stories with key awareness days and national campaigns
Support school term schedules and classroom listening
Develop long-term collaborations with charities and public organisations
Offer families a predictable and reliable release pattern
By moving to a year-round model, the podcast strengthens its relevance in both home and educational settings, making it easier for teachers, parents, and carers to integrate episodes into everyday routines.
Introducing the New Three-Part Story Format
Each Armchair Adventures story will now unfold across three shorter episodes, released every two weeks.
Benefits of the Three-Part Structure
This refined episodic format offers:
Greater flexibility for short listening sessions
Easier integration into lesson plans and group activities
Increased anticipation and engagement between episodes
Better accessibility for children with varying attention spans
The approach ensures that stories remain dynamic, digestible, and immersive, without losing their emotional depth or educational value.
Season Six Launch: “A Journey Into The Unknown Adventure”
Season Six officially launched with a timely and socially relevant story titled:
🎙 A Journey Into The Unknown Adventure
This three-part story explores the theme of digital exclusion, helping children understand technology access, connectivity, and inclusion in an age-appropriate and imaginative way.
Release Schedule:
Episode 1: 1 January 2026
Episode 2: 15 January 2026
Episode 3: 29 January 2026
Companion Unpacked episode: 12 February 2026
The story blends adventure, empathy, and play, encouraging young listeners to reflect on real-world challenges while actively participating through movement and imagination.
Deepening Social Impact Through Trusted Partnerships
A defining feature of Armchair Adventures has always been its commitment to social-impact storytelling.
Season Six builds on this foundation through expert collaboration with leading organisations, including:
NHS Greater Manchester
Parkinson’s UK
Cystic Fibrosis Trust
LifeArc
Groundswell, a homelessness charity
Why These Partnerships Matter
These organisations contribute expert insight that helps ensure stories are:
Factually accurate
Emotionally sensitive
Relevant to real-life experiences
Accessible for children and families
By embedding professional knowledge into imaginative narratives, the podcast helps young listeners explore complex topics such as health, wellbeing, inclusion, and community care in a safe and engaging way.
Intergenerational Storytelling at the Heart of the Podcast
What truly sets Armchair Adventures apart is its unique collaboration with older adults, particularly those aged 65 and over.
Real Voices, Real Experiences
Each adventure is inspired by conversations and creative sessions with:
Older individuals
Community groups
Charity partners
These lived experiences shape characters, storylines, and themes that feel authentic and relatable, helping children connect with the wider world beyond their immediate environment.
This intergenerational approach not only enriches the storytelling but also fosters empathy, understanding, and respect across age groups.
Launching “Unpacked”: A Playful New Spin-Off Series
Alongside the main podcast, Season Six introduces Unpacked, a fast-paced companion series designed to extend the adventure beyond storytelling.
What Is Unpacked?
Unpacked is an interactive, game-style podcast where:
Older “customers” and young listeners participate together
Creative challenges and imagination games are inspired by recent stories
Play becomes a shared experience across generations
Hosts Bringing the Fun
The series is hosted by fan-favourite characters:
🎭 Uncle Chris, the theatrical guide
🎛 Ziggy, the mischievous soundboard companion
Together, they add a lively, game-show-style energy while keeping the experience inclusive and accessible for all listeners.
Creative Vision Behind Season Six
Andy Smith, Creative Director at Made By Mortals, described the new season as the podcast’s boldest step forward yet.
“Season six is our most ambitious yet. The new structure gives us room to explore bigger ideas while keeping everything fun, musical and accessible. Unpacked adds a whole new play-along dimension.”
Paul Hine, Director at Made By Mortals, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of lived experience:
“Armchair Adventures works because it’s powered by real voices. This year-round model allows us to build deeper partnerships and reach families more consistently.”
Why Armchair Adventures Continues to Stand Out in the Podcast Space
In an increasingly crowded podcast landscape, Armchair Adventures remains distinctive because it:
Prioritises participation over passive listening
Blends education with entertainment
Reflects real community voices
Supports emotional and social development
Encourages movement, creativity, and imagination
For parents, educators, and carers seeking meaningful audio content, the podcast offers a rare balance of fun, purpose, and authenticity.
What This Means for Families, Schools, and Educators
With its new structure and expanded calendar, Armchair Adventures becomes even more valuable as:
A classroom resource
A home listening routine
A tool for social-emotional learning
A bridge between generations
The predictable release schedule and shorter episodes make it easier than ever to incorporate the podcast into daily life and learning environments.
Looking Ahead: A Landmark Year for Armchair Adventures
As 2026 unfolds, listeners can expect:
Regular new adventures throughout the year
Stories aligned with real-world events and awareness campaigns
Continued innovation in participatory audio storytelling
Stronger community and charity collaborations
Season Six represents not just a new chapter, but a long-term commitment to inclusive, imaginative, and socially conscious children’s media.
