Bryant Veney - Copywriter, CableCompare
Date Modified: December 16, 2025
These 15 shows combine entertainment with education, teaching everything from basic literacy to advanced science concepts while keeping kids engaged through age-appropriate content.
Educational TV shows teach specific skills or knowledge while entertaining children. The best programs incorporate learning objectives into engaging storylines, helping kids develop literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, and social-emotional skills without feeling like schoolwork.
Research shows that quality educational programming can improve vocabulary, reading readiness, and problem-solving abilities in children when parents watch and discuss content with them.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
Balance screen time with physical activity, creative play, and family interaction for healthy development.
At-a-Glance: Best Shows By Age Group
The best shows for preschoolers include Sesame Street, Super Why!, Curious George, The Cat in the Hat, and Octonauts. These programs are especially effective because they teach foundational reading, math, and comprehension skills. They also help preschoolers begin to understand important concepts like diversity, emotional regulation, and how to overcome everyday challenges.
Sesame Street has set the standard for educational children's programming since 1969, with over 4,500 episodes teaching literacy, numeracy, and social skills through beloved Muppet characters and human actors.
What kids learn: Basic reading and math skills, empathy, emotional regulation, diversity awareness
Recommended ages: 3-5
Watch on: HBO Max, HBO, PBS Kids
This computer-animated series follows kids who jump into storybooks to solve problems using literacy skills, giving young viewers time to work through challenges themselves.
What kids learn: Letter recognition, reading comprehension, problem-solving, empathy
Recommended ages: 3-6
Watch on: PBS Kids, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube
The lovable monkey's curiosity leads to gentle mishaps that teach math and science concepts through exploration and problem-solving with the Man in the Yellow Hat.
What kids learn: Basic math and science, asking questions, cause and effect
Recommended ages: 3-6
Watch on: Peacock, Hulu, PBS Kids
Dr. Seuss's famous feline guides Nick and Sally on adventures that answer questions about nature and science with help from Things One and Two.
What kids learn: Natural science, animal behavior, environmental awareness
Recommended ages: 3-6
Watch on: PBS Kids, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Eight underwater adventurers explore ocean habitats and help sea creatures, with 11-minute episodes perfect for shorter attention spans and ending with memorable "creature reports."
What kids learn: Marine biology, ocean ecosystems, teamwork, problem-solving
Recommended ages: 3-7
Watch on: Netflix
| Show | What Kids Learn | Age Range | Watch On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sesame Street | Reading, math, empathy | 3–5 | HBO Max, PBS Kids |
| Super Why! | Letter recognition, problem-solving | 3–6 | PBS Kids, Prime Video |
| Curious George | Math, science, cause and effect | 3–6 | Peacock, Hulu, PBS Kids |
| The Cat in the Hat | Natural science, animal behavior | 3–6 | PBS Kids, Netflix |
| Octonauts | Marine biology, teamwork | 3–7 | Netflix |
The best shows for elementary school kids include Ask the StoryBots, Annedroids, Wild Kratts, The Magic School Bus, and Carmen Sandiego. These programs go beyond basic reading and math by introducing topics commonly taught in school, such as science, animals and wildlife, travel, and even outer space.
Five curious bots living inside screens investigate big questions like "How does music work?" and "Where do planets come from?" with fun music videos and celebrity guest voices.
What kids learn: Science concepts, curiosity, asking good questions
Recommended ages: 3-8
Watch on: Netflix
Tween scientist Anne Sagan creates androids and explores STEM topics through hands-on experiments, offering strong representation for girls interested in robotics and science.
What kids learn: Robotics, engineering, scientific method, problem-solving
Recommended ages: 4-7
Watch on: Amazon Prime Video
The Kratt Brothers use animated "creature power suits" to explore animal abilities and habitats worldwide, combining adventure with wildlife education.
What kids learn: Zoology, animal behavior, ecosystems, conservation
Recommended ages: 5-8
Watch on: PBS Kids, Amazon Prime Video
Ms. Frizzle (and later her sister) takes students on magical field trips exploring everything from space to the human body aboard the transforming school bus.
What kids learn: Biology, physics, earth science, chemistry, emotional intelligence
Recommended ages: 5-10
Watch on: Netflix
This action-packed animated series follows Carmen as she steals back stolen artifacts and returns them to rightful places, teaching geography and cultural history along the way.
What kids learn: World geography, art history, cultural awareness, critical thinking
Recommended ages: 7-12
Watch on: Netflix
| Show | What Kids Learn | Age Range | Watch On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ask the StoryBots | Science concepts, curiosity | 3–8 | Netflix |
| Annedroids | Robotics, engineering, scientific method | 4–7 | Amazon Prime Video |
| Wild Kratts | Zoology, ecosystems, conservation | 5–8 | PBS Kids, Prime Video |
| The Magic School Bus | Biology, physics, earth science | 5–10 | Netflix |
| Carmen Sandiego | World geography, art history | 7–12 | Netflix |
The best shows for tweens and teens include Horrible Histories, Cosmos A Spacetime Odyssey, MythBusters, David Attenborough A Life on Our Planet, and Bill Nye Saves the World. These programs introduce tweens and teens to world history and historical figures, cosmology and astrophysics, and encourage critical thinking through experimentation and trial and error.
This British sketch comedy series brings historical events to life with humor and sarcasm, making world history entertaining without glossing over important (sometimes uncomfortable) truths.
What kids learn: World history, historical figures, cause and effect in society
Recommended ages: 9+
Watch on: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
Neil deGrasse Tyson presents stunning visuals and complex scientific concepts about space, time, and the universe in this updated version of Carl Sagan's classic series.
What kids learn: Astrophysics, cosmology, scientific method, critical thinking
Recommended ages: 9+
Watch on: Disney+, Fox
Special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman use the scientific method to test myths, movie stunts, and urban legends through nearly 300 episodes of experiments and explosions.
What kids learn: Scientific method, physics, critical thinking, trial and error
Recommended ages: 9+
Watch on: Hulu, Discovery Plus, Amazon Prime Video
Note: Check out MythBusters Jr. for a more kid-friendly version featuring young scientists.
This feature documentary reflects on the naturalist's lifetime of work while addressing climate change and environmental conservation with breathtaking cinematography.
What kids learn: Natural history, ecology, climate science, environmental stewardship
Recommended ages: 9+ (parental guidance suggested for environmental themes)
Watch on: Netflix
The beloved science educator tackles current scientific topics including climate change and alternative medicine with expert guests and engaging explanations.
What kids learn: Current scientific issues, media literacy, critical evaluation of claims
Recommended ages: 13+
Watch on: Netflix
| Show | What Kids Learn | Age Range | Watch On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horrible Histories | World history, societal cause and effect | 9+ | Hulu, Amazon Prime Video |
| Cosmos | Astrophysics, scientific method | 9+ | Disney+, Fox |
| MythBusters | Physics, critical thinking, trial & error | 9+ | Hulu, Discovery+ |
| A Life on Our Planet | Ecology, climate science, conservation | 9+ | Netflix |
| Bill Nye Saves the World | Current scientific issues, media literacy | 13+ | Netflix |
Educational TV complements but doesn't replace reading. The best approach combines quality programming with books, hands-on activities, and parent-child discussion about what kids watch.
Yes. Co-viewing increases learning benefits by 20-30% according to education research. Ask questions, pause to discuss concepts, and connect show content to real-world experiences.
Both have benefits. Streaming offers on-demand access and no commercials, while broadcast TV like PBS Kids provides free, high-quality content without subscriptions.
Look for programs created with educational consultants, clear learning objectives, age-appropriate content, and active rather than passive viewing experiences. Many PBS Kids and Netflix educational series publish their learning goals.
No. Educational TV supports learning but can't replace interactive instruction, socialization, or hands-on activities that young children need for development.
Repetition helps young children learn, but introduce variety gradually. Use favorite characters to branch into related content or books featuring the same themes.
Yes. PBS Kids offers free streaming of quality educational content. Many libraries also provide free access to streaming services through your library card.
Set clear daily limits, create screen-free zones (bedrooms, dinner table), use timers, and make TV watching an active choice rather than background noise. Consider using shows as rewards for completing homework or chores.
Many do. Look for shows with closed captions, slower pacing, clear visuals, and repetition. Some series specifically address learning differences and neurodiversity.
Trust your instincts. Preview episodes, read parent reviews on Common Sense Media, and discuss concerning content with your child. Every family has different values and comfort levels.
