Educational TV Shows for Children | 10 Shows Your Kids Will Love

Educational TV shows for children are everywhere these days! There are so many options from all of the different streaming services.

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Sure, we may be concerned about reducing screen time. But when we let our daughters, (ages 4 and 7 years old) watch TV we try to be intentional about the content they watch. Educational shows are a great way for kids to reinforce what they are learning. It is also a great way to start conversations based on what your kids are watching.

Here are some of our favorite educational TV shows for children!

Educational TV shows for ages 2-5:

Sesame Street, PBS

It’s a classic!  Sesame Street is great at supporting early childhood skills such as literacy, math, and science.  It also helps to introduce kids to a variety of cultures through music, dance, and language.   What I love most about this show is that it simplifies difficult topics in a way that is accessible and easy to understand.

Super Why, PBS

Both of my daughters love this show! It focuses on building preschoolers’ early literacy skills. Children will get to learn about lessons in friendship, teamwork, and respect, as well as how to identify words and letters. Throughout the show, children will be encouraged to discover books and new stories as they follow the characters in their adventures.  

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, PBS

This show is a staple in our home! It is such a great show for preschoolers to learn how to navigate through social-emotional development. The show has strong messages about friendship and family bonds. Additionally, the lessons learned in this show are reinforced through clever songs that my daughters love to sing.  Each episode has a story that will emphasize basic preschool skills like letter sounds and counting. Watching this show with my daughters brings me fond memories of when I was a child watching Mister Rogers.  

Ask the Storybots, Netflix

This is a show we watch together as a family because it is so enjoyable!  It is a great educational series that is fun and clever. In the show, we follow the Storybots as they discover the answer to a “big question”. Children will learn letters, rhyming, songs, and follow the characters to different places.  This show is definitely fun for the whole family!

Honorable mentions: Little Baby Bum (Netflix),  Blue’s Clues (Nick Jr.), Creative Galaxy (Amazon prime video), Team Umizoomi (Nick Jr./ Amazon Prime Video), Little Einsteins (Disney), LeapFrog series (Netflix), Octonauts (Disney Jr.), Nature Cat (PBS), Bubble Guppies (Amazon Prime Video| Nick Jr.), and Hey Duggae (Nick Jr.)

Educational TV shows for ages 5-7:

Emily’s Wonder Lab, Netflix

If you have a future scientist in your hands or would like to encourage your kids to become curious about science, then this is the show for you!  This show is an excellent way to get children excited about science. Children are given the opportunity to learn how they can try some of the experiments at home with parental supervision too.

Odd Squad, PBS

While learning about teamwork, children are also encouraged to use their math and science skills to help with critical thinking and problem-solving.  It shows the diverse cast of characters using their smarts to find a solution to the odd events happening throughout the show. 

Wild Kratts, PBS

This show introduces kids to a variety of wild animal species and teaches them about science concepts such as animal behavior, habitats, and adaptation. The Kratt brothers, who are real-life zoologists, are fun and engaging. The show covers topics such as human disruption to the animal world and the destruction of their habitats.  This is a great opportunity for parents to continue the discussion about how we can all work together to create a better future. 

Honorable mentions: Molly of Denali (PBS); The Magical Schoo Bus| The Magical School Bus Rides Again (Netflix), Dino Dan/Dino Dana (Amazon Prime Video), and Reading Rainbow (PBS/Amazon Prime video)

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Educational TV shows for ages 8-13:

MythBusters Jr., Hulu

This show is a science-themed spin-off of the original MythBusters. Teens work together in teams to design experiments to prove or disprove theories inspired by pop culture and/or urban legends. This show is a fun way to introduce real-world applications of STEAM concepts and to see the benefits of being curious about how and why (and if) things work.

Tiny Critters, Netflix

We love this show! It is a very cute animal-themed documentary series that follows small animals and insects in various habitats around the country.  What we love most is how the stories are told with dramatic flair. This is a great show for all animal lovers of all ages. 

BrainChild, Netflix

This is such a great science-inspired educational series that teaches kids about concepts such as neurology, marine biology, and gravity- just to name a few.  All of the topics are presented at a level that’s relatable for kids, using experiments and creative strategies to reinforce the material.  Not only does this series aim to teach kids about science, but it also offers strong social and emotional messages about self-esteem, self-identity, and being your best you.

Honorable mention: Brain Games (Disney+);  The Dragon Prince (Netflix), The Big Family Cooking Showdown (Netflix), Dream Big (Netflix)

My family and l are always searching for new educational TV shows for my daughters, and would love to hear from you! What other educational shows for children did I miss, and could add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.

Stay well mommas, xo