Nothing would please me more if I could just plop my kids in front of the television for hours on end, guilt-free. Thankfully, we live in a great age where we can entertain our children while they learn a little something. My favorite place to find great educational animated series for free is Netflix. I also take full advantage of Xfinity On Demand, PBS Kids, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and DVDs.
Here are the top shows in our house:
Leap Frog Series – This frog family takes your children through their own struggles and insecurities to learn math and literacy in a series of videos. Available on Netflix in the US and Canada.
WordWorld – Animals teach preschool kids how to solve problems by building the right word. They journey on funny adventures together discovering that letters form words and that words have meanings. This show teaches letter recognition, word formation, and phonics. Available on Netflix US and Canada, PBS Kids, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.
Super WHY! – These children become popular storybook characters to solve a “super big problems” through the reading of popular fairy tales. This show teaches reading comprehension while relating fairy tale problems to real life issues. Available on Netflix US and Canada, YouTube, and Xfinity On Demand.
Magic School Bus – Based on the book series, these schoolchildren learn all about science from their quirky teacher, Ms. Frizzle, through wild adventures. In most episodes, the “bus” is a magical gateway to becoming microscopic to travel anywhere they would like, including inside a person’s body! Available on Netflix US and Canada, YouTube, and Xfinity On Demand.
Sid the Science Kid – Sid, an inquisitive child who uses comedy to tackle questions kids have about basic scientific principles and why things work the way they do. He enlists the help of his classmates, teacher and family to answer questions and solve problems. Available on Netflix US and Canada, YouTube, and Xfinity on Demand.
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Backyardigans – These five friends have vivid imaginations and love to share them with their young viewers. Encouraging role playing, the children go on adventures from the beach to the mountains, in caves and underwater. Available on Netflix US, YouTube, Xfinity and Amazon Prime Video.
Monster Math Squad – These little monsters are excited to incorporate math into every situation, including when they help their friends. Every episode has a Secret Monster Math Word, which is the math principle that they subsequently teach. Available on Netflix US.
Little Einsteins – These four friends teach art and music appreciation by integrating famous or culturally significant art works and classical music into the scenery, plot and soundtrack of each episode. Each friend specializes in a different aspect of musicianship: song, dance, playing and conducting music.
Animal Mechanicals – These six animals go on a weekly mission and use their abilities to solve a problem. Their abilities include: stretch, speed, flight, gizmo, and strength. Available on Netflix US and Canada and YouTube.
Warren Buffet’s Secret Millionaires Club – The adventures of four friends who follow the advice of a knowledgeable investor. This series touches on subjects like piracy, diving into an unknown business venture and giving back. Available on Xfinity on Demand.
Brain Games – A reality television series that discusses and explores the components of the human brain. This interactive show is fun for the whole family, encouraging viewers to play “Brain Games” based in cognitive science, neuroscience and psychology. Available on National Geographic Channel, Xfinity on Demand, and YouTube.
My boys are 8 & 11, so they have outgrown all of these, but we used to love them all when they were smaller.
Little Einsteins is still popular in our house. In fact, we were at a college graduation and the five year old recognized a song because of watching Little Einsteins.
There are certain cartoons these days that have to be avoided. I appreciate that you made such a detailed list. It would be better to expose kids to shows like these and just monitor what it is that they watch, especially on the gadgets that they use.
I’ve watched a few of these while visiting a friend and her grand child. Some of them are really cute.
Would love to see Buffet’s one. Something of my interest as well.
Good selections! I’ve heard a couple of them from a neighbor’s kid and I must say, although it won’t replace our usual learning tools, these toons are welcoming for our kids’ minds!
such an inforamative post!
Sid the Science Kid sounds wicked, will get my lil cuz to watch
This is a quality post! Lots of good info for the kids back at home!
Great photo! And My sister is always looking for animated series because today’s cartoons are way to explicit
That’s a great list! I don’t have kids of my own yet, but definitely will recommend some of these shows to my friends 🙂
This is a great list. My daughters love many of the shows you have listed. I love that you have ones listed that can really teach your kids many things.
My son LOVES Super Why! And I like that it’s so educational!
We watched quite a few of these when my boys were little. They always learned something new from these shows.
I have watched a few TV series with my niece and nephew and I do sometimes worry that what they are viewing is not really that educational and whilst they are only young they will grow out of it, I also believe that there are far better things to be watching with them.
Omg my daughter is obsessed with Word World!!!!! I swear I have every episode memorized lol
Will suggest this to my sister in law
I’ll have to recommend this to my friends for their kids!
I actually had my child watch one of those series. It’s really nice and informative.
I’m quite familiar with Sid and Super Why. Both are great shows. Entertaining and Educational.
Some of these shows bring back great memories! I love shows that are educational yet still fun.
Super Why seems to be a favorite with my nieces! I have to look into some of these other shows!
That’s a nice list of recommendations, I found myself personally interested in Little Einsteins since the title gave me an impression that it leads to science but somehow it’s for forms of arts.
Great list! I need to share this with my SIL to see if my nieces and nephews watch these. I remember the Backyardigans from when my little sister was a baby!
All great suggestions! My smallest one loves the backyardigans, i love it too lol
My nieces love all of these. it’s great to find a fun series for the kids that is also educational.
Aaaaahh my children have outgrown these toddler movies but Used to love them. We now have movie days esp. during their school holidays ! Enjoy they grow up so fast!
My kids are older now, but I really wish that many of these had been on when they were younger. It would have been easier to decide what they could and couldn’t watch.
These are some good picks! I don’t have kids but I’ll have to see if my friends who do have their children watch these shows! It’s good to have learning shows for them!
Good choices!
My son loves these series, especially Little Einstein. Thanks for sharing, he really enjoyed it.
My boys love sid the science. I love shows that teach my boys in a fun way.
My 3 year old grandson loves Super Why. I really like watching it with him. It opens up a great discussion after each episode.
My niece loves leap frog series. Thanks for this list, I will check it and show to her.
What some great sounding programmes – it is great that they offer both fun and education 🙂 x
My kids both love Magic School Bis, Super Why and Wild Kratts! We have always been a Little Einstein family too!
My son loves super why! We always sing the song and dance along!
My kids will absolutely love Leap Frog Series and Magic School bus! They are crazy over these… what a great list you have here, now I know where to refer to when I need to plonk them in front of the TV:)
Backyardigans is a favorite with my niece. I don’t have to be asked twice to watch it with her. I am going to see if she will watch some of the other ones on your list – before she has Backyardigans memorized! Thanks for the awesome list.
My son really loved some of the series you listed. We watched a lot of those together. I had to make sure that it really was good for toddlers.
That is a good list right there. Some of our faves. My son was a huge Sid fan a few years ago!
this looks superb for kids especially as i believe kids learn more from watching in this new generation
I don’t have kids so I’m not super familiar with all of these but there are more than I thought. Great resource!
Anything that involves science has my 9 year old hooked. Now just need something for my 2 year old to do…. instead of wreck the place.
I remember contemplating getting my mate’s lil sister a leap frog tablet.
I think she enjoys sid the science kid and little einsteins. this is a great list and i liked how you broke each one down
You have some of my favorite shows listed here! My kids love learning shows
So many great shows!!!!! My daughter is obsessed with leap frog!!
I’d never heard of the Warren Buffet one, but my son and I love all of the others. I admit that I watched Backyardigans before he was even born, lol!
my daughter love backyardigans! i might uave to check out the leap frog need more math practice for my daughter
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