Dino Dana
The Stinky & Dirty Show
This animated show plays to kids’ love of vehicles with a garbage truck and backhoe loader (AKA a “digger”) as the titular best friends who work to solve problems along with their other vehicle buds. What’s great about this show is that Stinky and Dirty come up with creative potential solutions—the resourceful duo are always asking, “What if?”—but they usually don’t work the first time. So, they have to keep perfecting their idea until they succeed. It’s a great lesson in how failure teaches you to move forward toward your goal.
Tumble Leaf
This totally zen show features gorgeous stop-motion animation, calming music and sweet stories about friendship and nature. A blue fox named Fig, his caterpillar friend Stick and other characters explore their island, including Fig’s shipwreck home. He learns through play, as kids do, and his curiosity leads him to go see what’s in the “finding place,” a treasure chest that always has new items ripe for discovery.
Pete the Cat
For any parent who’s ever complained about the annoying voices on kids shows, look no further than this totally chill, slow-paced series based on the popular children’s books. The music-heavy series features the voices and performing talents of musicians Elvis Costello and Diana Krall, among others. Pete himself is part of a band and belongs to a very musical family. Along the way this cool cat learns life lessons about being yourself, finding self-confidence and doing the right thing.
Team Umizoomi
Milli, Geo and Bot invite each viewer, or Umifriend, to help save the day in Umi City using early math concepts like counting, measuring, shapes and patterns. The team has “mighty math powers” that they use to help others, and the fun music pulls kids in so they don’t even realize they’re learning.
Creative Galaxy
Perfect for artsy and crafty kids, this series features extraterrestrial Arty and his out-of-this-world pals as they use their homemade creations to solve problems. Mixed with live-action craft tutorials and real kids, the show fosters art appreciation and creativity in different mediums, as well as teaches early skills like patterns and colors. After watching, get the glue and glitter ready, because your kids may be inspired to do art projects galore. As the characters on this show say, “Gooo, be amazing!”
Wishenpoof
With a framework of social-emotional development, this show features a young girl who has inherited “wish magic” from her mom (her dad is non-magical), which allows her to grant wishes to solve other people’s problems. But sometimes, her wishes don’t work out exactly as she plans, so she has to figure out a better solution. Blending a creative and imaginative world with life lessons, the show is a pleasant diversion with positive messages for both girls and boys.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Based on the popular children’s books, this show teachers that actions have “if/then” consequences—but not always in the way you’d think. Modeling friendship, making good choices and creative problem-solving, the show is sweet and gentle, with fun little songs and characters who always do their best to help out their friends.
PBS Kids App
Wild Kratts
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Molly of Denali
Molly is the first Alaska Native main character on a children’s show—and through her, viewers learn about her indigenous culture, and an appreciation for cultural heritage in general. The show gained attention because Native American representation is sorely lacking in kids’ shows; Alaska Natives were also involved behind-the-scenes in creating the show. Molly of Denali also presents strong female role models, responsible tech use and a curiosity about the world around us.
Peg + Cat
Super Why!
In this educational show, the superhero characters of Super Why! jump into stories—literally—to help them solve problems, learning about letters and the sounds they make along the way. The show does change the ending to some well-known children’s classics and fairy tales; but it’s all in the name of early literacy skills.
Dinosaur Train
Caillou
Netflix
Ask the StoryBots
With a mix of live-action and animation, these rapping robots take on all the questions curious kids have: Where do planets come from? Why do people look different? What happens when you flush the toilet? Rather than focusing on one subject area, the StoryBots tackle everything, with super fun results. Parents also appreciate the celebrity guest stars, like John Legend, Jennifer Garner and Jason Sudeikis, as well as pop and hip-hop music. Also check out StoryBots Super Songs for more tunes: One of our favorites is the Tyrannosaurus rex song, with lyrics like, “I got strong legs and a tail for support; my tail is long but my arms are short!” and “Big long teeth make it easy to eat, and I’m a carnivore, which means I eat meat!”
Puffin Rock
Narrated by the lulling voice of Irish actor Chris O’Dowd, this calming series follows a family of puffins in their island home off the coast of Ireland. As they navigate everyday conflicts and problems with empathy and compassion, the characters also teach viewers about animals and nature. The gentle cadence of the show makes it perfect to watch on a rainy afternoon or as a wind-down activity.
The Magic School Bus Rides Again
Ms. Fiona Felicity Frizzle (voiced by Saturday Night Live’s Kate McKinnon) takes her students on adventures everywhere from the rainforest to space to the inside of a rat with the titular school bus. Learning about science becomes exciting and fun for young viewers through the magic school bus’ excursions. The original Magic School Bus series, featuring Ms. Frizzle’s older sister (Lily Tomlin) as the kids’ teacher/bus driver, is available on Netflix as well.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
This reboot of the 1980s He-Man spinoff isn’t just nostalgia for parents. The new version broke ground in its inclusivity by not only defying gender stereotypes and presenting powerful young women, body positivity and varying ethnic backgrounds, but with its inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters. There is some violence in the battle scenes, so the show is more appropriate for older children, but it’s a welcome change in diversity for kids who don’t often see themselves represented on screen.
Hello Ninja
If you’ve got a ninja-loving, high-energy child on your hands, have them check out this short and sweet series, with 12 minutes per episode. Instead of the questionable educational value of sillier superhero shows likePJ Masks, this one has Wesley, his best friend Georgie (a girl) and his cat Pretzel taking on everyday challenges by turning into ninjas with magical powers—at least, in their imaginations. They’re helped in their adventures by Wesley’s active, tracksuit-wearing Baa-chan (Japanese for “grandma”), as they learn about teamwork and perseverance. But be warned: Your little ninja may try using his “moves of the monkey” or “speed of the cheetah” on you (we’d be OK with “still as stone,” though). A new season is out July 10 on Netflix.
Floor Is Lava
OK, remember how we said our list wasn’t just mindless entertainment? We’ll make an exception for maybe the most fun competition show ever. What kid hasn’t pretended the floor is lava as they jump from furniture to furniture—and that’s exactly what happens on this game show, as teams must navigate rooms in which the floor is an orange, bubbling mess of “lava,” without falling in. It’s immensely fun family viewing and bonding time. A word of warning: Young children might actually think contestants die when they fall in the lava, as they are only shown going under, so you might want to let them know it’s just pretend. And another warning: After watching, children of all ages will be turning your living room into a Floor Is Lava obstacle course.
Octonauts
These underwater explorers go on fictional adventures but encounter real sea creatures along the way. As they use teamwork to figure out problems and save marine animals in need of assistance, young viewers also learn about conservation and nature. Some parents, though, have expressed concern about the lack of positive female representation—the secondary girl characters usually stay behind on missions.
Brainchild
For parents who grew up on Mr. Wizard or Bill Nye, Brainchild presents the next generation of science-themed shows—but this time hosted by a female person of color, Sahana Srinivasan, who is Indian-American. Aimed at preteens and teens (although younger kids might enjoy it, too), the show explores questions about the world as well as preconceived notions about how things work. The hypotheses put them through scientific experiments to find out the correct answers, with more than a touch of generation Z humor.
Disney+
Bluey
This hit Australian show about a family of dogs focuses on learning through play, family interactions and early life lessons. Deceptively simple in its storylines, the show actually encourages imaginative and social-emotional development through the everyday problems pup Bluey faces. Even better, Bluey and Bingo are sisters—but refreshingly, there’s so little gender stereotyping, young viewers might not even know whether they’re boys or girls.
Elena of Avalor
Like big-screen counterparts Elsa and Moana, Elena of Avalor is a new type of Disney princess: She’s strong on her own and is a far cry from the damsels-in-distress of the past. Plus, she’s Disney’s first Latina princess, and the show incorporates Latin culture into the storylines (although it’s drawn some criticism for mixing cultures rather than focusing on one). Along with emphasizing values like friendship and kindness, Elena and the other characters in the show present positive, inclusive female role models.
Jake and the Neverland Pirates
Inspired by Peter Pan (without the classic movie’s racist representation of Native Americans), Jake and crew tap into young kids’ love of high-seas adventure in this imaginative series. The kids must use teamwork to solve problems and defeat Captain Hook, and the show even manages to work in some educational content like counting, plus some swashbuckling songs.
The Lion Guard
Part of the “Disney magic” is capitalizing on their brands over, and over, and over again, but unlike other Disney movie spinoff series, The Lion Guard isn’t just about marketing Disney characters. Young Kion, the son of Simba and Nala, is charged with protecting the Pride Lands, along with his group of animal friends. Each has their own strengths that help the crew complete their tasks—teamwork is front and center. And although Kion is still learning the best path, he looks to the older generations for help along the way.
Muppet Babies
This reboot of the 1980s classic still features your favorite Muppets, including Miss Piggy, Kermit, Gonzo and the rest of the gang, traveling to different times and places—without ever leaving their nursery. For every kid who’s pretended their playroom is a jungle or their playhouse a castle, young viewers will find this series relatable, exciting and adventurous as they go along on the characters’ imaginative journeys. Another new Muppets show, Muppets Now, premieres on Disney+ July 31.
One Strange Rock
If the soothing tones of nature program narrator Sir David Attenborough puts your kids to sleep, try the faster pace of One Strange Rock and its lively host Will Smith. One of Disney+’s National Geographic acquisitions, this series keeps things interesting—particularly if nature shows can be hit or miss with your kids. Combined with out-of-this-world visuals and additional commentary from astronauts, this is one earth-science show young viewers won’t be bored by.
Hulu
Doc McStuffins
This show is unique in that it features not only a female protagonist, but a Black one—which unfortunately is still a rare occurrence in children’s television. Dottie “Doc” McStuffins wants to be a doctor like her mother, but for now she’s running a clinic for toys. With her magic stethoscope, she can travel to different times and places, and bring her toys to life. It’s a sweet series about helping others and establishing healthy habits, and provides a great role model for girls. Also available on Disney+.
Kids Baking Championship
If you’re looking to get your kids active in the kitchen, or you already have a budding chef in the family, have them check out this kids’ baking competition. Although there are occasionally a few tears shed over being eliminated, these kid competitors are helpful to each other (need a cup of sugar? No problem!), and the judges, Food Network’s Duff Goldman and Valerie Bertinelli, are encouraging and kind. It’s fun and light family viewing that also teaches the value of hard work, perseverance and positivity even when things don’t work out the way you want.
Sesame Street
The Bravest Knight
This show is all about inclusion, as the main character is a Black girl adopted by her two dads, who are married. Yet the show doesn’t often focus directly on their family makeup; it just exists matter-of-factly as a framework for sweet stories about knights, witches, dragons and trolls, with positive values like kindness and courage emphasized.
Dot.
If you have a tech-savvy kid—and whose kid isn’t these days?—log on with Dot, a spunky STEM-obsessed girl who’s a whiz with technology. But, she also knows it’s important to learn responsible tech habits and balance electronics use with in-person connections with family and friends. Sometimes that means using tech to enhance her real-world experiences, like looking things up while on a nature walk—but it also means even a digital native like Dot can understand when it’s time to log off.
Where’s Waldo
Based on the iconic red and white-striped sweater-wearing character, this new series has Waldo and his friend Wenda traveling the world on missions as wanderers in training. Viewers learn about different places and cultures along with the duo; puzzle lovers also get a chance to search for Waldo in scenes throughout the show, just like in the original books. (Season 2 will premiere on NBC’s streaming service Peacock July 15.) Looking for more for kids to do this summer? These 125 ideas to keep kids entertained during the coronavirus crisis should help.
