It’s all about intentional screen time – and we’ve done the hard work, so parents can relax knowing the kids will be watching something that you approve of! Find our list of entertaining and positive shows across various genres, suited for a range of age groups. Many of the suggestions below are low-stimulation options, or feature real humans and animals. Definitely something needed in today’s fast-paced lifestyle!
Tip: If you would like age based reviews from experts and other like-minded parents, do check out Common Sense Media, a non-profit organisation which provides trustworthy information on popular media, including TV shows, channels, and movies.
Netflix
1. Charlie’s Colorforms City
Follow Charlie on his imaginative journeys as he uses colourful shapes to create stories and solve challenges.
Educational value: Shapes
Recommended age: Ages 2-5
2. Number BLOCKS
Build number sense and a strong mathematical foundation with cheerful blocks who work, play and sing together.
Educational value: Numbers
Recommended age: Ages 2-6
3. Ada Twist, Scientist
Join little scientist Ada Twist and her two best friends as they explore big questions and collaborate to uncover the truth about the world around them.
Educational value: Science
Recommended age: Ages 4-7
4. Ask the StoryBots
How are french fries made? Where does rain come from? Foster inquisitive minds by watching Tiny Beep, Bing, Bang, Boop and Bo travel the world to find answers to little ones’ big questions.
Educational value: General knowledge
Recommended age: Ages 3-7
5. The Magic School Bus Rides Again
An old-school favourite- but this time with Ms. Frizzle’s kid sister, Fiona, taking the wheel at Walkerville Elementary School! Follow the class on transformative, science-fueled adventures in this next-generation reboot.
Educational value: Science
Recommended age: Ages 5-9
6. Blippi’s Adventures
The world becomes one big playground when you watch Blippi go on field trips, introducing viewers to new people, exciting places, and fascinating facts.
Educational value: General knowledge
Recommended age: Ages 2-7
7. Trash Truck
A slow and gentle preschool series produced by Oscar-winning animator Glen Keane, revolving around the adventures of six-year-old Hank and a giant trash truck.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 3-7
8. Puffin Rock
Watch puffling Oona, her baby brother Baba, and their friends discover the wonders of nature, friendship, and family on the beautiful island Puffin Rock.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 2-6
9. Llama Llama
A sweet series based on the beloved picture book Llama Llama, with stories about family, friendship and learning new things.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 3-6
Disney+ Hotstar
10. Little Einsteins
Follow four children on missions as they work together to solve problems, help someone, or find something. Every episode features a specific art piece and composition of classical music.
Educational value: Music, art
Recommended age: Ages 3-6
11. Weird But True
Dive into imaginative and strange adventures to uncover fascinating facts about the world. Hosted by a young science-loving duo, this series by National Geographic combines arts and crafts with astonishing facts and fun explorations.
Educational value: Science
Recommended age: Ages 6-11
12. Bluey
Beloved by both kids and parents alike, this award-winning show depicts modern everyday family life and is filled with constructive messages and heartwarming tales.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 2-6
Apple TV
13. Stillwater
Learn from Stillwater: a wise panda who guides three siblings in gaining a deeper understanding of their emotions by providing them with tools to tackle everyday challenges.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 4-8
14. Interrupting Chicken
Storytime takes a playful turn with Piper the interrupting chicken, who leaves her imaginative mark by rewriting classic fairy tales, retelling famous mythological stories, and crafting new original tales.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 3-6
15. Sago Mini Friends
Inspired by the award-winning app, Harvey the floppy-eared dog and his pals explore the whimsical town of Sagoville. Each episode celebrates gratitude through playful adventures, kindness, and catchy original songs.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 2-5
16. Frog and Toad
The characters from Arnold Lobel’s beloved books hop to life, bringing to us heartwarming stories of two best friends. The series explores themes of friendship, kindness, and the simple joys of everyday life, reminding us of the beauty found in shared moments and small adventures.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 3-6
17. Elinor Wonders Why
Why, why why? Join an observant and curious young bunny and her friends on adventures in science, nature and community. Elinor Wonders Why will encourage children to ask questions and find answers using science-based inquiry skills.
Educational value: Science, nature and community
Recommended age: Ages 3-6
Amazon Prime
18. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Based on the book series by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond, this TV series revolves around the adventures of Mouse, Pig, Moose, Dog and Cat and several humans, with sweet representations of friendship, kindness, and curiosity.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 2-5
19. Wild Kratts
Learn how small actions can have a big impact with zoologists Chris and Martin, as the brothers and their team use their “creature power suits” to rescue animals. With a hybrid of live-action and animation, the episode aims to educate children about species, biology, zoology, and ecology.
Educational value: Science (animals)
Recommended age: Ages 4-10
20. Kipper
Kipper is a British animated episode based on the characters from Kipper the Dog picture book series. Upbeat and steadily paced, the characters learn lessons on friendship, kindness, and the difference between right and wrong.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 2-5
21. Clifford the Big Red Dog
Catch Clifford’s gentle adventures as he engages in play, teamwork and respect for others. Each episode of the Emmy-nominated series will feature two stories that emphasise one or more of “Clifford’s BIG Ideas,” which consists of ten simple and tangible life lessons.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 3-6
YouTube
22. Ms Rachel – Toddler Learning Videos
Teacher Ms. Rachel took the world by storm with her videos during the COVID-19 pandemic, with her channel remaining as popular as ever today. Her interactive videos use techniques from speech therapists and early childhood experts to support key developmental milestones, covering topics such as letters, numbers, and sign language.
Educational value: Speech, numbers, letters, general
Recommended age: Ages 1-4
*Do note that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends screen time and media to be “very limited” for children younger than two years old.
In view of this, the guideline by The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Co (AACAP) on how best to view infant educational shows such as Ms. Rachel is to limit viewing to no more than one hour per day, and to co view such shows together.
23. Daniel Tiger (select episodes on PBS Kids YouTube)
A grrr-ific, and highly relatable show that teaches young children ways to manage their big emotions. Follow Daniel Tiger as he experiences day-to-day life with friends and family and watch him learn useful coping strategies through catchy jingles.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 2-5
24. Patty Shukla Kids TV – Children’s songs
Keynote speaker, singer, songwriter and musician Patty Shukla brings joy and movement to kids with her educational songs. Learn counting, shapes, colors, the alphabet, phonics, American Sign Language and more through upbeat action songs.
Educational value: Music, general
Recommended age: Ages 1-5
23. SciShow Kids
Jessi the host and friends explain fun, complex science concepts for young, curious minds. Most episodes are structured around the United States’ Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) curriculum and include researching new questions, fun experiments, and discussion with experts.
Educational value: Science
Recommended age: Ages 5-10
24. TheDadLab
Kids get to see science in action through simple yet fascinating experiments. TheDadLab makes hands-on learning easy with science projects using everyday items from home.
Educational value: Science
Recommended age: Ages 3-8
25. Guess How Much I Love You
An endearing preschool series based on Sam McBratney’s picture book, with sweet messages about love, friends and family.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 2-6
26. Stella and Sam
Stella and Sam follows the adventurous duo of Stella and her younger brother Sam as they explore the wonders of nature and engage in imaginative play. Their journey highlights curiosity, creativity, and the special bond of friendship between siblings.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 3-6
27. Dodo Kids
Dodo Kids is the perfect spot for preschoolers and up who adore animals and enjoy heartwarming, funny, inspiring, and exciting animal stories.
Educational value: Positive messages, social emotional skills
Recommended age: Ages 2-5
28. Super Simple Play with Caitie!
Sing, dance and play with interactive screen time by Super Simple’s star singer and musician, Ms Caitie. This channel offers a gentle pace for young learners to help them gain a variety of preschool skills with trusted preschool shows such as Caitie’s Classroom, Caitie’s Classroom Field Trips, and more.
Educational value: Speech, numbers, letters, motor skills, general
Recommended age: Ages 1-5
29. Cosmic Kids Yoga
A unique channel that fosters physical and mental health as well as emotional wellbeing through engaging, story driven yoga escapades. Cosmic Kids Yoga blends fitness, mindfulness, creativity and imaginative movement to promote overall development for young bodies and minds.
Educational value: Relaxation, mindfulness, motor skills
Recommended age: Ages 3-7
30. Nat Geo Kids
A classic favourite, this kid-friendly version provides weekly new videos that reveal fun facts about science, animals and more.
Educational value: Science
Recommended age: Ages 6-12
*The age guidance above are not official recommendations- do take into consideration individual interests and development.
For more ways to embrace the digital age, check out our recommended educational apps that may further help balance entertainment and education. Here’s to intentional and positive screen time, parents!
