Kid educational cartoons: 11 Best educational cartoons for kids that also teach good manners

Best Educational Kids’ TV Shows & Cartoons in 2022

Looking for educational kids’ TV shows and cartoons? We share our favourite cartoons for kids to teens (and some that siblings can watch together too) that teach maths, science, emotional skills and more

“Can I watch TV?” How many times do your kiddos ask this? While we are all about limiting screen time for our kiddos, there are times when kids’ Netflix or other kids’ TV shows have its benefits. We’ve found some great educational kids’ TV shows and cartoons available here in Singapore that are fun to watch and have an educational element thrown in, too.

Here’s our list of the best cartoons, kids’ Netflix, and children’s TV shows (and some pitched so that siblings of different ages can watch together, too!). With the scare of sinister content being spliced into well-known baby cartoons and children’s videos on YouTube we’ve chosen to only include TV shows and movies available on local TV stations and streaming channels like iTunes, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+ and Netflix for kids.

      Read more: Parent Resources: Guide to Kids Internet Safety, Social Media & Screen Time

Best Educational Cartoons and Kids’ TV shows for:

Best Educational Baby Cartoons & TV for Little Kids  (2-4 years old)
Best Educational TV show for Little Kids (5-7 years old)
Best Educational TV for Older Kids  & Teens

Best Educational TV/ Cartoons for Babies & Kids (2-4 years old)

Ada Twist, Scientist

Age: 2 yrs +
Available on: Netflix
Based on the children’s book series of the same name by Andrea Beaty, this fun new show is now available on Netflix! Ada Twist, Scientist follows the adventures of an eight-year-old Ada Twist who’s got a head full of questions about everything! The show will bring on real scientists to inspire little ones, plus it’s brought to you by the peeps behind Doc McStuffins, including Barack and Michelle Obama who are executive producers of the show!
Educational elements: We love the diverse cast and the promise of scientists voicing the show to lend their knowledge for kids to learn from!

Dog Loves Books

Age: 2 yrs +
Available on: Starhub Channel 407 (CBeebies)
Dog and Pug run a bookshop, and – unsurprisingly – Dog LOVES books. Dog begins each episode by reading a well-known book with Pug, and they are quickly transported inside the story. It’s very engaging content for preschoolers, with familiar characters and not-too-scary villains!
Educational elements: Kids will become familiar with classic fairytales and stories, and the cartoon show gently encourages an appreciation of books and reading.

Hey Duggee

Age: 2 yrs +
Available on: Starhub Channel 407 (CBeebies)/iTunes
This delightful animated show features a gang of young ‘squirrels’ who attend a sort of Scouts group with Duggee. Each episode sees them earn a new badge after gaining some new skills.
Educational elements: Compassion, doing your best, finding role models outside your family, plus much subtler elements like blended families and adoption. (Each of the ‘squirrels’ is a different animal – octopus, crocodile, hippo etc – and each is collected by a parent at the end. All but one are collected by the same species as they are, although this is never commented on.)

Swashbuckle

Age: 2 yrs +
Available on: Starhub Channel 407 (CBeebies)
Part pantomime, part game show, Swashbuckle features the pirate Gem as she recruits four young swashbucklers to help her in her ongoing battle against some goodnatured, ‘naughty’ pirates (cue ‘boos’ from the studio audience of children). The four contestants take on different physical tasks, with plenty of encouragement from Gem and guest appearances from CBeebies stalwarts like Mr Bloom and Nina. The show culminates with at least one of the pirates walking the plank into the ship’s mess (a pit of green slime!).
Educational elements: Teamwork and perseverance are important, and are rewarded with plenty of good-natured slapstick comedy.

Bluey

Age: 2 yrs +
Available on: Watch here on Disney + and Starhub channel 303 and BBC Player
Bluey is an Australian preschool series about a pup with a big imagination and a positive happy attitude. Aussie expats in Singapore will love that the characters (all different breeds of dogs) have Aussie accents. Each episode shows Bluey and her sister (yay for two heroine leads) engaged in fun play with their hands-on parents learning important social skills.
Educational elements: We love how involved mum and dad dogs are in this show (hands-on parenting) and for kids there are lots of messages around problem-solving, learning to compromise, show patience, and share.

Word Party

Age: 2 yrs +
Available on: Netflix
Word Party, from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, uses puppeteers to perform digitally animated characters in real-time resulting in more lifelike animation. Cute diaper-wearing baby animals teach vocabulary through engaging songs and colourful scenes.
Educational elements: Vocabulary building and positive emotional messages like friendship and caring. Baby panda doesn’t speak in grammatically correct sentences, however – some say this is so younger kids can relate to him.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

Age: 2 yrs old +
Available on: Amazon Prime Video (may require a VPN), iTunes
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is produced by The Fred Rogers Company and is a very sweet programme that teaches young kids about emotions.
Educational elements: Through stories based around 4-year-old Daniel Tiger, the series gently explores situations young kids may have found themselves in – feeling jealous or scared, or getting a new baby sibling, for instance – and together they explore their emotions and find ways to deal with them positively. Catchy songs highlight each episode’s core message, making it easy for kids (and parents) to remember.

      Read more: A Love Letter to Daniel Tiger (the Toddler Whisperer)

The Stinky & Dirty Show

Age: 2yrs +
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
The Stinky & Dirty Show is every vehicle-loving kid’s dream show. The series sees two best buddies, a garbage truck and a backhoe, solve problems together in a light-hearted way.
Educational elements: The characters’ can-do attitude is a great example of perseverance and confidence, plus there is lots of info for kids on problem-solving and working together as a team.

   Read more: Best Educational Apps for Kids of All Ages: Preschoolers and Older Kids

Beat Bugs

Age: 3yrs +
Available on: Netflix
If mama and dad are Beatles fans, you’re going to have to get the kids on to Beat Bugs! This animated series follows a bunch of best friends, with Beatles songs performed by current artists woven throughout.
Educational elements: An introduction to Beatles music, plus positive messages of helping each other.

Read more: ‘Beat Bugs’: How to Make Your Kids Beatles Fans in One Easy Step

Super Monsters

Age: 3yrs +
Available on: Netflix Kids
Super Monsters is an animated series following the adventures of friendly monsters at preschool. Drac, Cleo, Lobo, Katya, Zoe and Frankie are students with dual identities: humans by day and magical monsters (not the scary kind) by night. When one of them gets into a jam, a lesson is learned so they can correct their behaviours and learn from the experience.
Educational elements: Nurturing social relationships through sharing, communicating feelings, and respecting others.

Octonauts

Age: 3 yrs old +
Available on: Netflix Kids
Educational elements: If there’s a way to grab kids’ attention and get them to care about the ocean and sea life – then this is it! Your kids will learn lots of fun facts about the stunning and diverse marine life through the adventures of the Octonauts. This is a great show for little kids and older siblings – there’s no violence but instead lots of adventure, teamwork, and facts!

Llama Llama

Age: 3 yrs +
Available on: Netflix Kids
Based on the award-winning book series by author and illustrator Anna Dewdney, Llama Llama is an animated show highlighting positive messages about strength of character. The lead parent, unlike most nuclear family setups on TV, depicts a single mother who draws on “the village” of grandparents, friends, teachers, and neighbours to help teach life’s key lessons.
Educational elements: Positive qualities like kindness, empathy, and respect.

Read more: Why ‘Llama Llama’ is my 4-year-old’s new favourite show

Ask the StoryBots

Age: 4yrs+ (but the educational element will appeal to older kids, too – hence it’s great for siblings of different ages).
Available on: Netflix Kids
StoryBots mixes animation, video, and songs to make a charming show which follows a group of “storybots” who need to find the answer to a “big question” asked by a kid (“Where does night come from?” or “How do airplanes fly?”, for example). The StoryBots take you on an adventure to find the answer, which is explained a few different times to help younger kids. It’s a great show to watch if you have two kids one younger (who will be engaged by the music and fast-paced animation) and even older kids 7+ will learn something. Parents will also chuckle at some of the jokes.
Educational elements: Science, math, geography, physics, and more.

Dino Dana

Age: 4 years old+
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
Calling all dino fans – this one’s for you! It’s girl power to the max here with Dino Dana, which is a continuation of the series Dino Dan. Dana is a palaeontologist with a special field guide that allows her to see dinosaurs in her everyday life. We love how this show blends a live-action setting and CGI animation to really bring dinosaurs to life.
Educational elements: This show lets kids see dinosaurs as they might have lived in the past. Dana observes dinosaur behaviour and applies this insight to a problem she’s facing. Learn dinosaurs’ names, and all about these extinct creatures’ eating habits and defence mechanisms.

Izzy’s Koala World

Age: 3+
Available on: Netflix
A documentary-style show exploring the world of Izzy, an Australian girl who takes care of rescued koalas with her veterinarian mum. Excellent for animal lovers (although watch out for a couple of scenes where the baby koalas get separated from their mums).
Educational elements: Lots of great facts to learn about wildlife.

Helpsters

Age: 4 yrs old+
Available on: Apple TV+
Do your kids love Sesame Street? The makers of that legendary show have teamed up with Apple and its newly-launched streaming channel for this live-action preschool series featuring cuddly monster puppets who love to solve problems. The show is technically about coding, but is much more basic and fundamental than all that, and combines the warmth and humour Sesame Street’s so renowned for with relatable situations and cool guest appearances (everyone from Rachel Dratch and Aparna Nancherla to musicians like Talib Kweli and Norah Jones).
Educational elements: The giveaway is in the catchy theme song – “Everything Starts with a Plan!” – which teaches preschoolers the fundamentals of coding, like sequencing and following instructions. Of course, this happens via fun situations like climbing a mountain, planning a party, and mastering a magic trick. As a bonus, if your kids become big Helpsters fans, they’re now being incorporated into the free ‘Today at Apple’ kids’ coding activities at The Apple Store.

The Magic School Bus Rides Again

Age: 4 yrs old +
Available on: Netflix
Educational elements: The Magic School Bus Rides Again is a revamped animated version of the ’90s series The Magic School Bus, based on the book series. Each episode tackles a scientific topic (like gravity or cloud formations) which is taught in a fun way alongside the class who go on magical field trips lead by Ms Frizzle. A great series for siblings to watch together – older kids will get the scientific concepts while younger kids will just enjoy the fun the kids have in each episode.

Tumble Leaf

Age: 4 yrs old +
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
Tumble Leaf follows the visually stunning blue fox, Fig, and his little friend, Stick, as they make exciting discoveries that teach science concepts and solutions to problems to little ones. The format is only 15 minutes long so it’s perfect for little ones with shorter attention spans.
Educational elements: Every episode introduces a simple scientific concept in a way that small kids can understand plus there’s problem-solving and creative thinking to inspire pre-schoolers.

Best Educational TV Shows & Cartoons for Kids (5-7 years old)

If I Were An Animal

Age: 5 yrs+
Available on: Netflix
If I Were An Animal is a family-friendly reality TV series featuring different species of animals growing into adulthood. If your kids get tearful at most nature programmes (animals surviving, killing etc) know that this is milder though there are some references to eating other animals.
Educational elements: A great watch for kids to see how animals of different species grow and develop in the natural world.

Tiny World

Age: 5yrs+
Available on: Apple TV+
Educational elements include: Narrated by Paul Rudd, this nature documentary features a series of adorable ‘tiny’ animals. Kids will love the miniature monkeys and other bug-sized mammals, although the sporadic threat from predators may be stressful for some kiddos. Paul Rudd is no David Attenborough, but this is a fun entry point to nature docos.

Wild Kratts

Age: 5yrs+
Available on: Netflix Kids
Educational elements include: Wild Kratts gets kids excited about nature and the environment through its clever animation series. The show is lead by the Wild Kratt brothers (based on real-life zoologists Chris and Martin Kratt) who teach kids about animal behaviour, habitats, and adaptation. Kids will get to grips with lots of facts about wild animals including predator-prey relationships, told through a different adventure for each episode with lots of humour thrown in.

Our Planet

Age: 6yrs+
Available on: Netflix
Educational elements include: Our Planet is a beautiful documentary series similar Planet Earth (listed below), except it has an urgent calling for young (and old) viewers to think about the ways that humans are endangering nature and marine life. The show looks at the survival of different species so sensitive viewers should know that there are scenes of predators’ hunting prey.

   Read more: Best Educational Apps for Kids of All Ages: Preschoolers and Older Kids

Emily’s Wonder Lab

Age: 5+
Available on: Netflix
If you ever wondered where the word oobleck came from or how your 5-year-old suddenly sounds so sophisticated muttering “a non-Newtonian fluid” chances are, he or she has watched this show. Watching a heavily pregnant mom be so passionate and energetic talk about science can get any kid excited. This show is so fun to watch that even though you might hate slime, or cleaning up experiments at home, you might end up indulging it as it will really spark your kids curiosity and love for science.
Educational elements include: Lots of easy to understand science facts.

Odd Squad

Age: 5yrs +
Available on: Netflix
In this fast-paced show acted by kids, Olive and Otto, are the two main agents from the Odd Squad, who are dispatched to investigate odd problems. Their boss, by the way, is another strong female character (high five!). A math concept is embedded in each of their cases, and Olive and Otto must solve the problem-solve to rescue the situation.
Educational elements include: Math skills are practised here in a fun engaging way: addition, subtraction, fact families and recognising patterns.

Carmen Sandiego

Age: 6yrs +
Available on: Netflix
Carmen Sandiego is a remake of the popular 1990’s show. Carmen is an infamous’ thief, but more in the Robin Hood vein (returning cultural or historical items to their rightful owners). She’s badass and a strong, empowering female role model (there’s not enough of them around), so this show is great for boys and girls alike.
Educational elements: Geographical, historical, scientific and cultural information as well as strategic thinking in Carmen’s mission of good over evil. We liked all the different accents in here, too – from Australian to posh British to American.

Project Mc2

Age: 7yrs+
Available on: Netflix
This is another take on making whizkids and STEM look cool. Amazon.sg now have these STEM kits available as featured in the series! Our kids have watched these more than once and immediately want to get their hands on and experiment like their favourite characters.
Educational elements: Shows like this make science and chemistry look really fun and hip.

Shop Class

Age: 6yrs +
Available on: Watch it on Disney+
This show takes your woodwork and design class to the next level. You get to see young builders bring out their best and work as a team and to showcase their skills on designing, building, and testing new creations. It’s inspiring to see how some of them have created so much at a very young age and there is no stereotyping here as you see young girls with hammers and drills along with young boys designing.
Educational elements: A great TV programme to inspire building and creativity at an early age.

Spin

Age: 7+
Available on: Watch it on Disney+
How does a 15-year-old Indian-American navigate being able to find her own identity while trying not to disappoint her father? The struggle to live up to one’s parent’s expectations while finding one’s identity is still something that exists today, especially with Asian families.
Educational elements: This show is light and fun in true Disney fashion, and although it’s all about girl power, it is equally fun to watch with your sons. The kids will enjoy not only watching but singing and dancing to the music of this movie, it is all about being a DJ!

The Who Was? Show

Age: 7 yrs+
Available on: Netflix
The Who Was? Show is a comedy series with teen leads that brings history alive by focusing on the subjects of the popular Who Was? books. There’s a lot of humour to get kids interested in the past (expect rapping and some fart jokes), but this show makes an often dry subject very kid-friendly.
Educational elements: Historical facts and an introduction to important figures.

Brainchild

Age: 7+ (although still enjoyable into late pre-teens)
Available on: Netflix
A fun, relatable and colourful series that brings science to life and explores questions that arise in their day to day lives such as “what exactly are memories”, “do you control your emotions, or do your emotions control you?” and “why is social media so addictive?”
Educational elements: Real-life challenges, learning about science topics (biology, neurology) and our brain. Also an array of positive messages around the importance of kindness and cooperation.

Horrible Histories

Age: 6yrs +
Available on: iTunes
Horrible Histories is based on a Scholastic book series of the same name. This award-winning British uses slapstick humour to explore history lessons. Each episode intros a different time in history – from Ancient Rome to Tudor England – and to bring the stories to life all the craziest, most bizarre facts (as well as key historical information) are thrown in, making this a highly watchable show for parents and kids alike.
Educational elements: Historical events (including some battles).

The Blue Planet on Netflix Kids

Age: 7 yrs
Available on: Netflix
The Blue Planet is a much-watched BBC series for the next generation. It’s stunningly shot and provides a wonderful look at the wonders of nature. As it’s a nature programme there are scenes of hunting and animals killing others so although those younger than the recommended age may be keen to view it’s worth bearing this in mind for sensitive kids.
Educational elements: Fascinating look at nature, wildlife and broader environmental issues.

Best Educational TV Shows for Older Kids (8-9 years old) & Teens 13yrs+

Hidden Figures

Age: 10+
Available on: Watch here on Disney+
An inspiring true story of three brilliant African-American women at NASA in the 1950s and 60s. The film leads viewers through the trials and tribulations of these women as they work to break down gender stereotypes, fight for their civil rights and make their mark within NASA. Some mild language and a couple of instances of intimacy e.g. kissing and a couple slow dancing.
Educational elements: Real life example of values in actions: integrity, leadership, self-belief and perseverance.

Diary of a Future President

Age: 10+
Available on: Watch on Disney+
If you’re looking for a show to expose the kids to various tween situations, then this is a coming of age series worth binge-watching. It features issues a 13-year-old could be facing in school like friendship, first crushes and all. It shows that even the smartest, most ambitious girl, might struggle with the different facets of being a tween from issues of popularity, peer pressure, lying, independence, and academics.
Educational elements: It somehow manages to pack different family and social relationships into just one season. Although it is rated NC16, it can pass for the younger ones if you sit with them throughout and use it as teaching moments.

El Deafo

Age: 8+
Available on: Apple TV
An animated mini-series based on the life of Cece, a girl who lives with hearing loss. Narrated from the character’s point of view it is a wonderful way for kids to step into her world and understand it from her perspective. Aside from the intense scene of her initial diagnosis (which sees her in hospital) and some mild swearing, this series is sweet and insightful.
Educational elements: Perspective taking, empathy, belonging and understanding hearing loss.

Big Shot

Age: 8+
Available on: Watch here on Disney+
This is a great family-friendly show to watch with preteens. It’s about a college men’s basketball coach who gets kicked out for bad behaviour and the only job he can find is coaching at an elite private girl’s school. He has to learn how to adjust his coaching style and manage his temper. Common Sense Media recommends the show for 10+, but we think the overall messaging is all very positive, so kids as young as 8+ would enjoy it.
Educational elements: Lots of positive messaging about teamwork and resilience.

My Octopus Teacher

Age: 9+
Available on: Netflix
My Octopus Teacher is a visually stunning nature documentary about filmmaker Craig Foster who is looking to regain his passion for life. By free diving every day in the freezing waters in South Africa he falls in love with nature and in particular a resourceful and intelligent octopus. Good for older kids (Common sense Media says 8 yr olds+ but we reckon older kids will appreciate the story more. As with many nature programmes, younger kids may find the talk about death and predators upsetting.)
Educational elements: A great show for animal lovers. Lots of messaging about appreciating nature, showing perseverance (Craig dives daily for a year in the same place to visiting the octopus), and looking after our wildlife. Another good show to watch with your kids.

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.

Age: 12+
Available on: Watch it on Disney+
This is the modern-day, girl power version of the 90s Doogie Howser M.D. set in beautiful Hawaii. As an original Doogie Howser fan, this did not disappoint.
Educational elements: It shows the youngsters of today that being smart is cool, and that people can be smart in different ways. Like any teenager, there will be some conflict with parents no matter how independent one is. It has a comical twist and a feel-good reflection in the end and we can’t wait for season 2.

The Apprentice: One Championship Edition

Age: 13yrs+
Available on: Netflix
This is your entrepreneurship class on TV while seeing familiar sites around Singapore. This is an interesting twist to the franchise as there is always a physical challenge and a business challenge.
Educational elements: Kids will love making their guesses as to who will be eliminated and, in our case, had interesting reasons why, making this TV show a good discussion as a family. Seeing familiar Singapore brands, landmarks and tourist destinations also added to the fun element.

Junior Bakeoff

Age: 8+
Available on: Starhub Channel 432 (BBC Lifestyle)
The format is too long to keep younger kids engaged, but 8+-year-olds should enjoy the drama and tension of the competition (and hopefully feel inspired to try cooking at home!). Plenty of humour from the host goes straight over the contestants’ heads, but it’s all good fun and the judges are firm but not overly critical.
Educational elements: The cooking obviously! But also themes of perseverance, supportiveness, dealing with criticism, and coping with disappointment when things don’t work out for them in the kitchen. Younger and older siblings may enjoy watching this, and parents won’t mind having it on either.

Finding Ohana

Age: 9+
Available on: Netflix
Nothing like a going-back-to-the-roots adventure film with a modern-day geo-caching twist. This seems to be very relevant as more and more families migrate and lose touch with their heritage. A feel-good movie to watch with the whole family with a lot of comical twists and very relatable scenarios.

Baking Impossible

Age: 9+
Available on: Netflix
This is a perfect show to watch as family if you have budding engineers and bakers as this TV show combines both engineering and baking in one. Great way to make intelligent guesses as to which entry will succeed or fail. Make sure to pause and make everyone place their bets before you hear what the judges in the show say. One will also find out how team dynamics plays such an important part in succeeding.

Ultimate Beastmaster

Age: 13yrs+
Available on: Netflix
This is definitely an adrenaline-pumping “floor is lava” parkour kind of show. Talk about determination, perseverance and passion. Very entertaining to watch as a family and guess who is going to make it or not.
Educational elements: You can even throw in some geography questions along the way based on the countries represented! And apart from the actual competition, hearing the personal stories of the competitors is also truly inspiring.

David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet

Age: 10+
Available on: Netflix
Although the tone is rather sombre (so use your judgment if your kids may be too sensitive to this) David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet is a must-watch nature documentary that is a bit of a stark wake-up call about climate change and the state of our planet.
Educational elements: The documentary that David Attenborough calls his witness statement goes into detail about declining animal populations and the destruction of the planet due to human behaviour. There is hope though as the last part of the show gives you pointers on what you and your kids can do to stop the decline of wild animals and turn things around (hopefully!). This show is a great one to watch with your kids so you are all on board with the message.

The InBESTigators

Age: 5-10 yrs+
Available on: Netflix
InBESTigators is an Australian series featuring four friends who solve mysteries at their school and in their neighbourhood. We love that the gang is unofficially led by a girl and that the kids are all racially diverse with cute Aussie accents.
Educational elements: There’s lots of critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, and explanation in the course of the gang’s investigations. Humour is woven into the dialogue and your kids will be snickering throughout. The theme of teamwork is strong throughout alongside kindness so this show gets a good thumbs up. It’s geared to 10-year-olds but younger kids will enjoy watching it too (though they may not understand all the analysis) so it’s a great one for siblings.

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

Age: 12+
Available on: Netflix
A true story of a boy living in a small village in Malawi, Africa who invents a device to save his village from floods. Be prepared for a few emotionally intense scenes, some violence and mild language. Outside of that the movie offers many valuable topics for parents to open up conversation around.
Educational elements: One person can have an impact, no matter their age.

Bill Nye Saves the World

Age: 9yrs+
Available on: Netflix (you may need to change your country region to access)
Educational elements include: Bill Nye, is a science guy who brings experts and famous guests to his lab for a fun-filled talk show exploring scientific issues including climate change, video games, and space travel. The original show which ran from 1993-1998 was Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Mythbusters Junior

Age: 8yrs+
Available on: SingTel TV Channel 202 on Mondays at 9:55pm and Discovery Channel (SingTel TV Ch 202) on Saturdays at 2:55pm
This 10-episode series sees the co-host of Mythbusters, Adam Savage, mentoring six kids in the fields of engineering, welding, astrophysics and design. Every week Adam and the kids get into teams to test the science behind claims such as “a slinky toy hovers when dropped from a height” and “spider webs are as strong as steel”.
Educational elements include: Information on engineering, welding, astrophysics and design plus the show highlights the importance of teamwork and lateral thinking.

The Social Dilemma

Age: 13+
Available on: Netflix
The Social Dilemma, the latest TV documentary by Jeff Orlowski explores how privacy breaches are features, not bugs, of social media platforms. The show is part documentary, part drama and discusses how social media sites are watching our online behaviour (likes, dislikes, searches, purchases) to produce data that can be used for commercial purposes. If your kids have social media accounts this is essential viewing and we recommend watching with your kids so you are all clued up. Be warned teen suicide and self-harm is mentioned.
Educational elements: The documentary paints a grim picture about social media. Right as the credits roll look out for practical tips on how you can take back some control like delete unnecessary apps so your data can’t be collected and turn off all notifications that aren’t timely (so WhatsApp and iMessage are turned on, but IG, shopping, and travel apps have notifications turned off).

Read more: Mums Review Netflix’s ‘The Social Dilemma’ Documentary on Social Media

Explained

Age: 12 yrs+
Available on: Netflix (certain episodes only) 
Educational elements include: Explained does what it says on the tin. It explains various topics, in neat 20-minute episodes, from the water crisis to the rise of cryptocurrency, in an accessible way. Parents take note that you may need to check what your kids are watching as some of the topics may not be suitable for younger viewers (one topic is all about weed, another about monogomy and as such certain episodes are not available in certain regions). Great discussions will ensue!

A Series of Unfortunate Events (Season 1)

Age: 10-12yrs +
Available on: Netflix
Based on the internationally best-selling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler), A Series of Unfortunate Events recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil uncle Count Olaf is greedy to get his hands on their inheritance. This is quite a dark show (Season 2 is much darker than Season 1), so we’d advise parents to watch yourself first.
Educational elements: Trust your instincts, even as children, along with the value of friendship and kinship.

Tales By Light

Age: 10yrs+
Available on: Netflix
Renowned photographers explore far-flung locales, from a fire rite in the Himalayas to watching brown bears in the rivers of Alaska. The footage is a visual treat and is bound to give watchers itchy feet to see the world.
Educational elements: Geographical and cultural insights.

The Mars Generation

Age: 10yrs
Available on: Netflix
The Mars Generation is a Netflix Original documentary that looks at mankind’s future journey to Mars, as told through the eyes of the teens who will be the first ever to set foot on the Red Planet, as well as the leading experts currently pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation in space exploration. The film follows a group of trainees, ages 15-18, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Centre as they prepare to become the engineers, astrophysicists and astronauts of tomorrow.
Educational elements: Get an inside look into the architecture of the modern space race. There’s also insight into the historical, philosophical, and technological implications of becoming a multi-planetary species.

Skater Girl

Age: 10+
Available on: Netflix
Poverty and arranged marriages are not something one often witnesses in Singapore. But this movie can be an eye-opener to show the kids how other kids their age live in places like rural India. But more importantly, how one chance given to someone poor can change the course of their lives.
Educational elements: This movie has some violence in it but also has a lot of lessons about passion, purpose and dreams. A good reminder that kids should be allowed to be kids, to imagine, play and dream.

Psssst! Did you know that Netflix has enhanced parental controls that include the ability to put a PIN on adult accounts, block individual shows, filter shows by age rating (G, PG, etc. ) and even review which shows an individual account has viewed, all of which can help curtail children’s exposure to dangerous content.

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All submissions are mama-approved and courtesy of our team plus some extra reccos from our friends, Kids Coaches Fiona Ghiglione, PhD. and Elaine Haren.

Have we missed your kid’s favourite educational show available here in Singapore? Let us know at [email protected]

Read more:
55 Shows for Mamas to Watch, Stream or Download
The Best Netflix Shows for Family Bonding

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The Best 21 Educational Cartoon Channels for Learning & Entertaining

Whether you are teaching online or homeschooling there are plenty of options available to liven up your lessons and vary the approach. One such method is educational animations or cartoons. They have the immediate benefit of being attractive to the child or young learner, they don’t see it as work. The skill, style, and variation available for free are incredibly impressive, there are channels aimed at all age groups and covering an enormous range of subjects from the curriculum to social skills, often mixed together. Now is exactly the right time to take advantage and fill their screen time with something entertaining, fun, and worthwhile.

Enlightening, educational, and entertaining for everybody, everywhere.

1. For young students
2. For toddlers
3. For teens and adults

You may also be interested in Top 25 Teaching Blogs To Help Your Educational Process

 

For young students

These free video animations are perfect for young learners up to teens and let’s be honest adults too. A huge variety, selection of topics, and styles. Whether you just want to deep in and select a video for the topic you are covering or use the whole or part of the series as a theme, it really doesn’t matter. Short, entertaining, fact-filled, and free. Just open up the YouTube channel, select and play from any device.

1. The Fixies: How do Things Work?

Songs, How-to situations. Problem-solving, science, and technology. 6-11 Age range.

For a mixture of science, technology, and social/emotional learning, The Fixies is pretty hard to beat. Free on YouTube, there is also a fantastic website thefixies.com, that breaks down the 104 episodes, so you can find exactly what you need. The Fixies is a series of 6-minute shows featuring a human child character, Tom Thomas, depending upon the help of his Fixie friends to save the day. Often, Tom Thomas acts as a child would and does not always consider the feelings of his Fixie friends. However, he learns how being kind and considerate of others is the most important aspect of getting help when he is in trouble and how cooperation only works when both sides work together. Viewers see the problems arising from poor social skills benefits of working well with others.  The fixies are tiny creatures that live inside machines, appliances, and devices maintaining and repairing them with the aid of their tool-filled pack-o-mats. Each episode contains 2 inserts briefly explaining some “how-to” situation.  A great mix of adventure, humor, music, education, and heart: each story centers on an aspect of technology but the central themes are feelings such as worry, excitement, jealousy, surprise, competition, and fear. Encouraging problem solving, social and emotional learning as well as science and technology. And songs too! Aimed at the 6-11 age range but could easily be for older children.

 

2. Peekaboo

Songs, Lullabies, and “How-to” animations. Middle or Primary school children.

Peekaboo channel is specially designed for young learners as they explore the world. It’s YouTube site is a great mix animated educational videos, classic English songs, phonics songs, lullabies and short “how it” works animations hosted by Dr. Binocs. It is particularly good at covering natural disasters, ecological issues and medical problems even with a short explaining the Corona Virus among a huge range of other issues. Short videos of a couple of minutes or longer 5/6 minutes ones depending on the issues, it can easily be dipped into for your particular lesson. Aimed middle or Primary school children, it’s another great free resource.

 

3. Dr. Panda Toto Time

Kindergarten, Primary children animations for basic learning skills

Dr. Panda Toto Time channel is for children of 3-8 years old encouraging development of educational values and basic skills to help learn more about the world with new episodes every week available on their YouTube channel for free. Dr. Panda & Toto help out their friends with an emphasis on learning.  The early episodes are simple 2D animations before the more recent and definitely more accessible 3D transformation. There is whole Dr. Panda franchise beyond the TV series that includes more than 30 apps that  go further than the ABCs and 1, 2, 3s.

 

4. EnglishSingSing

Learning English videos with Nursery Rhymes, Dialogue, Song, Rap, Story, Phonics, and more.

Perfect for ESL young learner teachers, EnglishSingSing is an educational YouTube channel for younger children to learn English as a foreign language.  Lots of video content updated weekly, offering Nursery Rhymes, Dialogue, Song, Rap, Story, Phonics, etc. It’s got specific grammar videos, role-play dialogues and key vocabulary lessons all done in light easy to follow animated style. A perfect way into the language for younger, with short interesting educational cartoons.

 

5. TheWorldsofAlex

Videos for young children, learning English. You will find Nursery Rhymes, Dialogue, Song, Rap, Story, Phonics, and more types of English-learning videos.

Alex is an animated cartoon series, especially designed to help young children discover the world surrounding them.  Alex is a curious 5 years old boy who loves to discover and understand the world around him. The episodes can be themed, for learning about the Sea, Music, the Jungle, Vegetation, etc. Ideal for continuous project work. Excellent 3D animation with great characters in short, 5 minute(ish) cartoons all freely available on YouTube.

 

Education Clipart Bundle

Take a look at GraphicMama’s mega bundle of educational clipart. The bundle packs 176 educational clipart graphics of teachers, students, kids, school items, and backgrounds for education-related projects. This collection comes in AI, EPS, PDF, and transparent PNG files, so it can be easily used by non-professionals.

Go to download

 

6. Free Animated Education

Primary curriculum videos -dubbed into other major languages.

A partnership between the largest non-profit animation and illustration studio in the world and major educational NGOs. Well more than 500 animated explanatory educational videos on their YouTube channel and more being added all the time. The grand idea is to be able to educate around the globe with completely free access to courses. There are 400 videos covering the basic primary curriculum and free courses from very basic to advanced are being created in Maths, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Computers, Medicine, history and languages. All the videos will be translated or dubbed into all major languages. Quite a vision. Very comprehensive, short, and informative, with basic animation that focusing on the content rather than the art. Check the individual videos for age appropriateness, they can be quite technical.

 

7. Bright Side

Science and life lesson video for young learners

Bright Side’s YouTube channel has a great selection of animated videos about scientific discoveries, space exploration, mysteries, shocking true stories, health and fitness, fun tests and riddles, or even useful tips for self-improvement, psychology, relationships, gadgets, or just your day-to-day routine. Updated daily, it has videos in a variety of styles from full-on cartoons to real-life films. Most videos are around 10 minutes, and there are 100s to choose from. Ideal for dipping into and searching for your topic. Aimed at young learners right through to older teens and even adults can pick up some great information it is the 29th most subscribed YouTube channel, with over 6 billion views.

 

 

For toddlers

If you need something to keep to toddler entertained for a least 5 minutes then this selection of educational cartoon channels are perfect. You can justify their screen time by the educational quality.

8. RocknLearn

Songs, Nursery rhymes and first words for the very young

Award-winning Rock n Learn have been producing educational media for over 30 years. Their YouTube channel has entertaining, educational videos for toddlers, kindergarten and kids up to fifth grade (US) Year 6 (UK) There are videos for baby’s first words, preschool videos, nursery rhymes, favorite kids’ songs, and videos for learning many languages. For the slightly older children there are also videos for reading, maths, and science. Select from the home tab the age range that you require, there well over 200 videos, with more being added each week. Short clips for a class or full videos up to an hour for parents. They also produce apps and audiobooks in the same vein.

 

9. Akili and Me

Basic life skills and educational stories set in Tanzania

Akili and Me is an edutainment series from the creators of Ubongo Kids. Aimed at Kids 3-6 year olds who can follow Akili  and her friends on their magical adventures in Lala Land. Akili is a curious 4-year-old who lives with her family at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. She has a secret: every night when she falls asleep, she enters the magical world of Lala Land, where she and her animal friends learn all about language, letters, numbers and art, while developing kindness and coming to grips with their emotions and rapidly changing toddler lives! Focused on learning numbers, letters, drawing, and English. They have a YouTube channel for animated cartoons and an accompanying website akiliandme. com with printable worksheets. and download music, apps, etc.

 

10. BabyBus

Nursery rhymes, songs and stories for toddlers

BabyBus is really a developer of educational applications for preschool children. They have created over 100 apps that support in 9 major languages, but vitally for us, they have a YouTube channel featuring educational songs, nursery rhymes and stories. Their home tab usefully categorizes the songs for you.

 

11. We Are Busy Beavers

English As a Second Language program for speaking and singing.

Busy Beavers is an online children’s educational program. It is aimed at parents and teachers of toddlers who speak English or are learning English as a second language, and parents of children with a learning disability, autism, or delayed speech. Busy Beavers Create Fantastic, Fun Children’s Educational Videos that try to get children speaking & singing. For babies, toddlers, kindergarten kids, ESL English students, daycare & preschool teachers or mums & dads. There is a strong focus on the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, and social learning such as caring and sharing. The website has some great downloadable worksheets, textbooks, music, and flashcards.

 

12. Toddler Fun Learning

British English Songs and Nursery Rhymes for babies and toddlers

A YouTube channel. for babies, toddler and very young children to  learn to count, learn the alphabet, and much much more. Full of educational cartoons, kid’s videos, children songs, and nursery rhymes, all in British English. a number of different themed videos follow Gecko’s Garage, Number Zoo, Dr Poppy’s Pet Rescue, and The Zorbits plus there are nursery rhymes videos of The Wheels on the Bus and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The site toddlerfunlearning.com is great for downloadable resources from worksheets, coloring sheets, home school timetables, craft instructions, and ideas, and even they have free stories on Spotify. Add this to the 7 pm blog for tips for parents and you’ve got a pretty useful online package to help you through.

 

13. Dave and Eva

Adventure stories for learning for very young learners

Dave and Ava is a childhood learning channel on YouTube, where two children; Dave (the young boy in the orange puppy pajamas), Ava (the young girl in the blue kitty pajamas), and many other varied characters go through adventures and teach various learning skills along the way. The animated series has been developed especially for young children. Each episode features Dave and Ava along with their friends – Matilda the Sheep, Oscar the Kitten, Stella the Star, cute little mouse Philip, Itsy the Spider, Felix MacDonald, Bingo the Puppy, Izzy the Cat and other. The nursery rhymes teach little ones ABCs, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. There are new videos every Thursday and the videos are also available to download and watch offline. Added to the YouTube channel is a website daveandava.com with downloadable posters and print outs and of course an app. The videos are also available in Spanish.

 

14. Cocomelon

Traditional Nursery Rhymes and Original songs for preschoolers and lower grades.

ABCkidTV  is now Cocomelon, an American YouTube channel for Nursery Rhymes, simply known as Cocomelon a is an American YouTube channel. They specialize in 3D animation videos of both traditional nursery rhymes and their own original children’s songs. The idea is to help preschoolers and the very young to learn letters, numbers, animal sounds, colors, and more, but the animations also include social learning lessons. There are new weekly educational cartoons added to the site.

 

15. BabyFirstTV

Color, counting, and vocabulary for babies

An American TV channel and YouTube channel that has content for babies up to the age of 3 and their parents through television, the internet, and mobile applications. The content is intended to develop the child’s skills, such as color recognition, counting, and vocabulary. A huge selection of music videos of lullabies, nursery rhymes, and baby songs. The site babyfirsttv.com also has free printables as well as selling the linked apps.

 

16. KidsCamp

Song and rhymes based learning video for preschoolers

KidsCamp takes toddlers into the world of Elly and her little sister Eva as they sing and dance on a journey through the world of songs and rhymes. They can learn the Alphabet, Numbers, Shapes and Colors through the  series as the sisters come across curious situations and learn about them in creative and innovative ways. Or go with the Lucky Ducky cartoon animated series on the same YouTube channel. Short, fun videos with catchy songs.

 

17. Tino – Toys & Toddlers

Song and rhymes based learning video for the first years of childhood

For the very young children between 0 -24 months Tino – Toys & Toddlers is a new fun channel. This is a channel for children to learn colors, shapes, numbers with high-quality 3D video animation. Tino is a wooden train and his adventures are beautifully and colorfully portrayed.

 

For teens and adults

So you’ve organized some variety and constructive screen time for the youngster, but what about you? From teens to adults there’s still more to learn and why not be entertained by the learning experience. Here is a selection of sites suitable for self-study or secondary/senior school teachers looking at a way of getting information over in an accessible, entertaining way.

18. TED-Education

Older Primary, Secondary, High School to adult learning

TED-Ed is TED’s award-winning youth and education platform. A growing video library of free original animated lessons on their YouTube channel from experts in their field. These original animated videos, are paired with questions and resources to promote further research, makeup what are referred to as TED-Ed Lessons. The TED-Ed platform allows users to take any TED Talk , TED-Ed Lesson, or educational video and easily create a lesson plan of customized questions and discussions. Users can then distribute these lessons, publicly or privately, to a class or an individual student. The videos are often short, typically around 5 minutes, in a variety of animation styles, and add a playlist of linked videos for further viewing.

 

19. Kurzgesagt

Secondary or High School Students -science,tech and social sciences

A German animation studio that have a  YouTube channel that contains very cool highly stylized minimalist animated educational content and added humor. Mainly concerning scientific, technological, political, philosophical, and psychological subjects, the videos are around 5–15 minutes long. They have German and Spanish channels as well as English and over 10 million subscribers. The Home tab categorization makes videos easy to find in whichever area you take an interest in.

 

20. The Infographics Show

From teens to adults

The Infographics Show is a YouTube channel and a company that provides educational videos for teens and anybody who wants to be informed about a subject. Often humorous there is a mixture of more serious topics alongside lighter subject matter. The studio focuses on making animated motion infographic videos, made in a fun and entertaining way. Some of the topics covered are military comparisons, celebrity comparison, video game comparison plus a lot more.

 

21. Simple History

High School History

Simple History aims to bring history to life through animation. A series of that shows how people lived throughout history: their culture, key figures, developments in technology, epic battles and events. you can explore what it was like to be in the trenches of the First World War, a plundering pirate in the Caribbean or a factory worker in the Industrial Revolution through Home tab categorization or through their website simplehistory.co.uk.  Simple animation, contrasting with a more high brow script. They histories are also available in book form.

 

Final words

With these free sites, there is little excuse for not knowing anything. They’ll give you the information you need and spark further curiosity in a highly accessible entertaining way. Ideal for teachers working from home, sharing screens from home learning platforms, and even just messaging links. Ideal for parents struggling to make the most of their youngster enforced isolation. Ideal for preschool parents who are trying to encourage learning from as early an age as possible. These are not time-wasting, filler cartoons, they are educational animations in their own right. Professional videos and presentations that can clarify information, reinforce learning and social skills, and make studying a fun, interesting, and rewarding experience.

You may also be interested in some of these related articles:

• Cartoon Coloring Book: 60+ Free Printable Pages PDF
• How to Make Cartoon Animation Like Ted-Ed
• 23 Great Free Google Slides and PowerPoint Templates for Teachers

18 Top Educational Shows for Kids

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You’ll feel better about the kids’ screen time with these super smart shows. Binging encouraged.

By
Amy Mitchell

Updated:
Aug 11, 2021

Jose Luis Pelaez IncGetty Images

Screen time for kids gets a really bad rap. And we can all agree that too much of it isn’t great. It’s true, parents are guilty of parking their kids in front of cartoons to get a few items marked off the to-do list (or just to get supper on the table!). But thanks to all the best educational shows for kids out there, we can all feel better about our little ones’ television and tablet intake now more than ever.

We’ve curated the top educational shows for kids that are tailor-made for their curious, growing minds. All ages—from elementary-aged children and preschoolers to toddlers and even babies—will stay engaged and entertained while learning science, reading, math, history, and more, all in a super fun way. They may even learn a life lesson or two. Through lovable characters, smart storytelling, and loads of humor, these popular learning shows will capture their attention episode after episode. Parents will feel nostalgic over Sesame Street and Bill Nye the Science Guy, while newer shows like The Who Was? Show on Netflix are sure to become family favorites.

So in between viewings of the best kids’ movies on Netflix, funny family movies, and the best animated movies on Netflix, hit play on one of these 18 educational TV shows for kids. They’ll be fully entertained, and you may learn a little something, too! Binging encouraged.

1

Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum

PBS Kids

Are you ready for an adventure? Ready to go back in time? Experience both, plus meet historical figures (imagined as kids!) all along the way with Xavier Riddle and friends.

Ages: 5-8

STREAM NOW

2

Number Blocks

Netflix

Easily digestible 5-minute episodes teach simple counting lessons with a cheerful cast of colorful blocks. Catchy songs and dialogue accompany bright, creative animation.

Ages: Toddlers

STREAM NOW

3

The Who Was? Show

NetflixNetflix

Based on the popular book series of the same name, each episode features a pair of very different historical figures, for example Gandhi and Benjamin Franklin, Isaac Newton and Amelia Earhart, Galileo and Queen Elizabeth. Kid actors bring the personalities to life in amusing, entertaining, sketch-comedy style skits. Beware of the catchy theme song!

Ages: 8-12

STREAM NOW

4

Sesame Street

Bill PierceGetty Images

Since its first episode in 1969, Sesame Street has been entertaining and teaching a diverse audience of children. Lovable characters like Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch, and Bert and Ernie teach letters, numbers, and valuable life lessons. Sesame Street is the classic show for kids, as well as a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane for parents.

Ages: Preschool

STREAM NOW

5

Odd Squad

PBS

Using their sharp math skills, the agents of the Odd Squad tackle, well, really odd cases. No incident is too strange for this crew, which makes each episode a real nail-biter.

Ages: 5-8

STREAM NOW

6

If I Were an Animal…

NetflixNetflix

Peek into the lives of animals in their natural habitats, like a hedgehog as he searches for a place to hibernate, a baby giraffe’s first steps, a pair of polar bears who leave their den, a penguin as it heads out to sea, and more. The show is narrated by sweet child voices, making it all the more suitable and relatable for your little ones.

All ages (preschool especially)

STREAM NOW

7

Sid the Science Kid

PBS

We’re guessing your kiddos are curious, right? Well, meet their new BFF, Sid. He starts each episode with an everyday question like «Why are my shoes shrinking?» or «Why do bananas get mushy?» and spends his day answering it through a scientific lens. There’s no shortage of catchy tunes and lots of humor to keep kids engaged.

Age: Preschool

STREAM NOW

8

Super Why

PBS

“Reading is power!” is the motto of this super cute show featuring a team of fairytale superheroes. The two-way dialogue between the show’s dynamic characters (Whyatt, Princess Pea, and Red Riding Hood) and children makes for a sweet interactive experience.

Age: Preschool

STREAM NOW

9

Ask the Storybots

NetflixNetflix

For the Storybots, «answering questions is their business and pleasure.» They investigate and find the information to answer each episode’s title question like, «Why do we have to recycle?»; » How do cell phones work?» and «Why do people look different?»

Ages: 3-8

STREAM NOW

10

Bill Nye the Science Guy

Rex RystedtGetty Images

From 1993-1998, Bill Nye covered topics like life science (humans, living things), physical science (chemistry, physics), and planetary science (earth, space) on his namesake series. (He is the science guy, after all.) You can still find episodes of this popular show more than 20 years after it wrapped.

Ages: 7-10

STREAM NOW

11

Little Einsteins

Disney JuniorDisney

With their trusty sidekick Rocket, the Little Einsteins embark on adventures to explore nature, culture, and more, all with a soundtrack of classical music. A cast of diverse animated characters work together as a team to solve challenges. The theme song is particularly catchy!

Ages: Preschool

STREAM NOW

12

Wishbone

Amazon Prime

Airing from 1995-1997, this popular television show followed an adventurous Jack Russell terrier named Wishbone as he becomes characters from classic literature, from Jane Austen to Shakespeare.

Ages: Elementary ages

STREAM NOW

13

Baby Einstein

Baby Einstein

Since the late ’90s, parents around the world have claimed that their kids are smarter because of Baby Einstein. With a toy line, books. and other baby products to accompany the sweet, colorful videos, kids are engaged both on and off screen.

Ages: Babies and toddlers

STREAM NOW

14

Brainchild

NetflixNetflix

This clever show touches on topics like germs (“a lot of things that you might think are clean are actually full of germs”), space (“how big is the universe?”), thinking (“why do some thoughts just pop into your head?”), and even deep dives into subjects like social media and emotions.

All ages (although parents should screen more mature topics)

STREAM NOW

15

Ready Jet Go!

PBS

Kids are fascinated by all things space—the moon, stars, and sky. Introducing Jet Propulsion, an animated «alien» boy, who knows first-hand what it’s like out there in space. Ready Jet Go! offers an introduction to earth science and technology that will inspire future astronauts and astrologers.

Ages: 3-8

STREAM NOW

16

The Magic School Bus

Scholastic Kids

The Magic School Bus aired from 1994 to 1997 and is somewhat of a cult classic. The show, based on the best-selling book series of the same name, follows the eccentric Ms. Frizzle and her class as they set off on field trips via virtual bus ride. Students set off on wacky adventures while learning all about science.

Ages: 6-12

STREAM NOW

17

The Magic School Bus Rides Again

NetflixNetflix

There’s a new teacher in town! And it’s Ms. Frizzle’s little sister! The Magic School Bus Rides Again offers the same entertaining adventures as the original popular show it’s based on. The show promotes imagination and innovation as the students go on truly magical adventures in each episode. To the bus!

Ages: 6-12

STREAM NOW

18

Wild Kratts

PBS

Animated brothers Chris and Martin take kids on a wild journey to amazing animal habitats around the world. Their sense of adventure will appeal to thrill-seeking kids who are curious about animals.

Ages: 6-8

STREAM NOW

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The Best Cartoons for Kids That’ll Make for Must-See TV

Photograph: Nick Jr. Pictured: Peppa Pig on Nickelodeon.

From animated classics to grand new adventures, we gathered the 30 best cartoons for kids right now.

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The streaming age truly changed the game when it comes to children’s entertainment. In the Before Times, kids – and by proxy their parents – were in thrall to whatever happened to be on Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel at the moment, and most of the time, it was some loud, obnoxious junk trying to sell your little ones an overpriced toy. Now, adults have much more control over what the young’uns can watch and when. But that brings up another challenge: with so many choices, what exactly do you put on? We’ve got you covered. Here are 31 of the best cartoons to stream now, from classics to new additions to the kiddie canon.

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Best cartoons for kids

Courtesy: Netflix

1. Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts

This fantastical anime-style Netflix series follows Kipo Oak, a 13-year-old girl forced to run away from the safety of an underground city to navigate the dangers of a dystopian world. Unfolding across three seasons, the episodes are clever, creative, seriously weird and completely wonderful. If your kid has a taste for out-there sci-fi, this is the show for them. 

Disney Junior

2. Bluey

An absolute gift to kids and parents alike, Bluey is the rare show that doesn’t talk down to children nor up to the adults watching with them, yet manages to charm and engage both demographics. Centred on the everyday adventures of a family of anthropomorphic blue heeler dogs, it also doesn’t try to shove life lessons down your tyke’s throat. Instead, its bite-sized episodes – usually under 10 minutes – emphasise the importance of play and imagination, while trusting the lil’uns to absorb the deeper messages hidden amongst all the goofing around. Its long-awaited third season arrived on Disney+ in America and the UK in August 2021 after premiering nearly a year earlier in its native Australia. 

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Image: Netflix

3. Hilda

This wildly imaginative Netflix fantasy follows an indefatigably friendly little girl as she moves from the elf-laden woods of Scandinavia to the big city, where her love of nature helps her forge bonds between the human world and the magical kingdom. Steeped in Nordic lore and possessing genuine heart, Hilda often finds herself in scary situations, but her commitment to understanding and her inherent bravery are infectious enough that kids, like Hilda, will be able to handle the peril while learning to see both sides of conflict.  

Image: Disney

4. Gravity Falls

Gravity Falls meets at the oddball intersection of Stranger Things, Twin Peaks, Scooby-Doo and The X-Files, but despite those adult influences, this is very much a show aimed squarely at kids. Following twins summering at their gruff uncle’s Pacific Northwest roadside attraction, the show has gained a grown-up following thanks to its whip-smart jokes, fantastic beasts and compelling storyline, but it never veers too far into the frightening as it explores the surreal.

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Image: Disney

5. The Owl House

Like a quippier cousin to Hilda, this hugely popular Disney series follows earthbound heroine Luz into a magical world of witches, where she trains under the tutelage of the aloof Edalyn Clawthorne. There are shades of Harry Potter as Luz enrolls in an enchanted academy, but the show is very much its own thing: A fantasia of hilarious jokes, genuine heart and boundless imagination.  

Photograph: Courtesy Nick Jr.

6. Peppa Pig

This porcine preschooler – who, as others have pointed out, looks more like anthropomorphic hair dryer – has already helped raise a whole generation of kids, and made the world a bit more friendly and compassionate in the process. Don’t let the fact that she’s a rock star now fool you, either: Peppa is still the same humble British pig she’s always been, and just as charming as ever.    

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Foto: Cortesía Netflix

7. Ask the StoryBots

Straight talk: Netflix’s StoryBots is one of the best kid’s shows around. The episodes follow Beep, Boop, Bing, Bang and Bo as they set out to answer a question such as: How do eyes work? Why do we recycle? How do you catch a cold? The silly storytelling is goofy and fun, but the answers are serious and scientifically sound – no wonder it won multiple Emmy awards. The cameos are especially delightful for grownups: John Legend, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, Wanda Sykes, Snoop Dog.  

Image: Netflix

8. Centaurworld

A new addition to Netflix’s kid canon, Centaurworld is an oddball blast that transports an everyday horse into a musically driven world of mythical hybrid creatures that push the concept of a centaur to weird new horizons (yes, one ‘centaur’ is a ficus with legs). The songs are great, the visual humor recalls Bojack for kids and the hero’s journey is a marvel of silliness and genuine pathos. 

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Image: Disney

9. Dug Days

A spinoff of Pixar tearjerker Up, this short Disney+ series follows the belatedly dopey talking dog Dug as he settles in for life with curmudgeonly widower Carl (Ed Asner, in his final world). The episodes are short and extremely sweet, with Dug front and center as he deals with everyday struggles like loud fireworks, puppies and his sworn enemies: squirrels. 

Courtesy: Netflix

10. Beat Bugs/Motown Magic

Beat Bugs and Motown Magic use the wonders of modern animation to expose little ones to some of the best music ever written. Both crafted for Netflix by the same musically minded creator, Beat Bugs scores the adventures of Richard Scarry-like insects to the Fab Four, while Motown Magic uses Detroit’s signature sound to focus on inner city life. Obviously, both have soundtracks that will render Raffi obsolete. 

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Image: Netflix

11. True and the Rainbow Kingdom

Steeped in Japan-adjacent cuteness, this Netflix series follows a little girl transported to a kaleidoscopic kingdom where she is granted three wishes per episode to solve magical problems with practical answers. The series is a visual feast loaded with ninja cats, morose clouds and friendly monsters, and its wry humor and emotional beats should appeal to young kids and parents alike.

Image: Disney

12. Elena of Avalor

Disney’s first and so-far only Latina princess headlines this vivid and endearing fantasy adventure as she balances her royal duties with her lust for adventure. This is Disney at its girl-power best, offering up a swashbuckling fantasy that should appeal to all. Now give this princess a movie!

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Photograph: Courtesy Nickelodeon

13. Shimmer and Shine

Leah has a secret she can’t reveal to her BFF Zac. Her lips are sealed when it comes to her friendship with Shimmer and Shine, two twin sisters – and genies – who grant wishes. However, the dynamic duo are still amateurs who oftentimes must correct their mistakes with Leah by their side. It’s simple, positive stuff, anchored by one of the best theme songs in modern animation

Photograph: Courtesy Nickelodeon

14. Paw Patrol

This pawsitively irresistible cartoon followers young Ryder as he spearheads the adventures of Paw Patrol, cute canines who are working to keep Adventure Bay safe. With a new movie now available, there’s no sign of stopping for these four-legged heroes. 

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Photograph: Courtesy Warner Bros. Animation

15. Animaniacs

Weirdly wonderful, the newly rebooted, Steven Spielberg-produced Animaniacs is a totally entertaining mix of slapstick humor and clever wordplay. The stars of the show are Yakko, Wakko and Dot, three vintage-style cartoon characters who move through the modern world with frenetic energy. Note to parents: This hyperactive, hyper-fun series isn’t what you stream before bed. Another note to parents: You’ll probably end up watching it, and enjoying it almost as much as your kids after you get them to bed.

Courtesy: Disney

16. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

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Courtesy: Age of Learning

17. Search and Explore

Your little one will love the global adventures of ABC Mouse, 123 Mouse and Do-Re-Mi Mouse as they explore the world. Each 12-minute episode is geared for curious young minds, and short young attention spans. Produced by ABCmouse Early Learning Academy, you can stream the entire 8-episode first season for free on Tubi.  

Photograph: Courtesy Cartoon Network

18. Craig of the Creek

Craig, Kelsey and P.J. know all about adventure. In this Cartoon Network show, the buddies team up for visits into the kid-run wilderness, and it can be wild!

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Photograph: Courtesy DC/Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

19. Teen Titans Go!

Check out your favorite DC characters in teen form as they take on evil (but don’t underestimate the laughs you’ll have along the way). Don’t forget to check out the 2018 movie where the Teen Titans head to Hollywood for a little time in the spotlight, which is totally interrupted.

Photograph: Courtesy Disney Channel

20. DuckTales

Welcome to the Ducky-verse: This spinoff featuring Scrooge McDuck and nephews Huey, Dewy and Louie is silly fun. The stories in DuckTales span the globe, with the three young ducklings finding adventures in some far-out places. The show is a great introduction to longform storytelling thanks to its interconnected episodes, which have helped it capture the imagination of now-adults who grew up in Duckberg.  

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Photograph: Courtesy Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

21. SpongeBob SquarePants

This absorbant, yellow and porous character has withstood the test of time to bring his wild, underwater adventures to viewers of all generations. We can’t say no to Bikini Bottom happenings, from dinner at the Krusty Krab to driving lessons at Mrs. Puffs’ boating school. One thing we can do without? Squidward’s clarinet. 

Photograph: Courtesy Nickelodeon

22. Hey Arnold

There isn’t a ’90s kid on the planet who didn’t completely love Hey Arnold. In this epic adventure – something children of all generations need to experienc – —we follow football-headed Arnold and his clan from PS 118 as they learn about compassion, loyalty, love (we’re looking at you, Helga) and what it takes to be a ‘bold kid.’ You can expect epic adventures around the city (an animated amalgamation of NYC and Seattle), quirky characters like Stoop Kid and Pigeon man and, of course, love odes from none other than Miss Helga G. Pataki. 

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Image: Cartoon Network

23. Powerpuff Girls

The city of Townsville is treated to unlikely vigilantes – cute little sisters with super powers who are ready to battle their rivals at a moment’s notice in both the original and rebooted forms of this. The Professor combined some sugar, spice and everything nice with chemical X, and thus our butt-kicking trio came into being, much to residents’ delights. They certainly prove not all heroes wear capes (sometimes they wear dresses).

Photograph: Courtesy Nickelodeon

24. Rugrats

As Tommy Pickles would say, ‘A baby’s gotta do, what a baby’s gotta do.’ Any ’90s kid will admit to following Tommy, Chucky, Phil and Lil around their playpen and backyard for whatever adventure awaits in this surprisingly adult-friendly Nicktoons stalwart that spawned multiple movies and a brand-new reboot. 

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Photograph: Courtesy Cartoon Network

25.

 Dexter’s Lab

Dexter is a genius scientist with a lab of his own that any kid will find envy-worthy. The only problem? He can’t keep his annoying sister DeeDee out! A ’90s kid classic in every sense.

Courtesy: Netflix

26. The Magic School Bus

The Magic School Bus makes science fun! This  series has been watched by millions of kids since it was first broadcast on PBS in the mid-1990s. Now rebooted for Netflix with SNL’s Kate McKinnon behind the wheel, your kids will love the playful learning and trippy animation; you’ll love hearing Lily Tomlin voice Miss Valerie Felicity Frizzle

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Image: Disney

27. Doc McStuffins

Dottie plans to follow in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a doctor when she grows up. In the meantime, the ambitious little lady decides to start practicing now. What’s the sense of waiting? She tries out her medical techniques on her stuffed animals, who just so happen to come to life when she takes out her stethoscope. Expect some tips for healthy habits along the way in this Disney hit. 

Courtesy: Netflix

28. Invader Zim

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Image: Disney

29. Sofia the First

Sofia is not used to royalty, but all that’s about to change when her mom marries a king and she becomes a princess. Our little lady receives some guidance along the way from fan-favorite princesses like Belle and Jasmine. It’s basically the closest we’ve gotten to a Disney Princesses Extended Universe.

Image: Disney

30. Vampirina

Fitting in is never easy, especially when you’re a vampire who’s made her way from Transylvania to Pennsylvania with her supernatural family. Will little Vampirina (Vee for short) be able to fit in with the mortals? Obviously. But it’s a delight to watch her macabre-lite culture clash unfold in this Disney series.

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Image: Hanna-Barbera

31. Scooby-Doo!

For those kids who are looking for a bit of mystery and a few scares, Scooby-Doo is the way to go. Whether you’re drawn to the original Scooby-Doo Where Are You? or the surprisingly great modern update Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, the canine answer to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys will never go out of style. Zoinks!

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16 Best Educational Cartoons for Kids

The time of cartoon marathons has begun for your little one. Now you can finally play some of the most memorable cartoons from your childhood, or new ones, that will educate and help your child progress. Whether it’s expanding the vocabulary by teaching new terms, making math interesting, teaching about family values, or culture, cartoons for early age should be entertaining and educational at the same time. But these days there are too many cartoons for babies, toddler boys or girls and older kids and you can’t review them all by yourself to determine whether they’ll actually learn something from them. That’s why we made a list to help you pick the most appropriate cartoon tailored to suit their interests.

Cyber Chase


The futuristic setting goes hand in hand with developing creativity and imagination in this modern cartoon recommended for kids above five. The cartoon follows a gang of braniacks in their adventures where they use math to overcome obstacles and complex problems. Educational cartoons usually promote the development of crucial skills, in this case is problem solving skills. Next to that, your child will also learn basic math while exploring space with the protagonists.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

Inspired by the original series “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” this cartoon follows a cute tiger Daniel, as he explores his neighborhood in various scenarios. Every day, 4-year-old tiger Daniel dresses himself in his cute little outfit before going on an adventure. Your little one will learn valuable life lessons as they follow star of this amazing kids show on his everyday adventures. If you’re working on your younglings manners as well as improving his social skills , this show will prove to be extremely helpful.

Nutri Ventures

With obesity on the rise, it’s always a great idea to start teaching young minds  about nutrition and healthy food. This cartoon for 6+ boys and girls follows four heroes as they traverse through food kingdoms and learn about nutritive “powers” of each food type they find. Their goal? To bring healthy food to their hometown and learn as much as they can about nutrition. Heroes of this show, Theo, Ben, Leo and Nina, help children learn the importance of a good diet and healthy food in the most entertaining way possible. One of the best kids learning cartoons out there for sure!

Sid the Science Kid

If your little one ran out of shows that features science and question the world around us in the best possible way then Sid the Science Kid is the perfect choice for him. Intended for 3 to 6 year old girls and boys, this show lets your child get answers for hardest “why” questions. The main protagonist Sid, who aspires to become a stand-up-comedian one day, ask most interesting questions and provides adequate answers. Things like why do bananas become polka dot fruits after left for too long become clear as your child find answers to this and many other questions.

Ask The Storybots

If you want only the best kid shows for your little one why not aim for those that got Emmy Awards like Ask The Storybots on Netflix? Truly a wonderful interpretation of using modern technology in a fun and entertaining way. The show is intended for 3 to 8 year old kids.  Ask The Storybots let’s your child get answers to interesting questions with team 341B. Their mission? To explore our world and answer daily questions that your kid will love to hear and learn about many things along the way. This show is a perfect example how we can help our youth get a better understanding of how internet works and what it can be used for.

Word World

Is your little one struggling with reading, writing or alphabet in general? If so than this show is just the thing for them. Allow your little one to enter a world where every character is made out of letters and learn how to solve problems with words. It’s definitely promotes a healthy approach to problems solving, and teaches our youngsters words and proper communication. The show is intended for boys and girls above 3 years old, so whether you’re preparing your child for preschool or want to start early with alphabet, this show will educate them and entertain at the same time.

Max and Ruby

They’re bunnies and they are siblings. What more can you want from a kids show? These bunnies share everything, teach about love, communication, and family values. Being that 3+ is the intended age range for this show, you’ll be safe to play it to your toddler as well. As the main protagonists go from one adventure to another in their friendly bunny world, both your and your little one will enjoy every moment as the emphasis here is on love and caring  for one another. One of most highly praised educational cartoons for kids.

Paw Patrol

Enter a K-9 world with your child and enjoy in hartworming adventures of paw patrol team. Led by a tech-savvy boy named Roy, a team of six rescue dog show how no task is to difficult if you work together in their Paw Patrol adventures. Working on protecting their community, the protagonists in this show teach youngsters imaginative play, problem solving and many other skills. Colorful environment and warm characters will definitely get your child’s attention while teaching them a thing or two about loyalty, friendship and teamwork. The show is for kids of 3 and above age.

Elena of Avalor

She the first latina Disney princes and she has some important leadership lessons for your child. It’s a classic princess storytale, with kingdoms, magic and spells. If your girl loves toys inspired by Disney princesses, then by all means get her this cartoon that teaches friendship, equality, compassion and how to be the example. Being that it features some concepts that are understandable for older toddlers, this show is recommended for kids above 5 years old. So get your copy today and enjoy with your little princess in these stunning adventures.

Super Why

Another great kids show that teaches letters, terms and how to communicate properly. The show is intended for kids of age 3-7, so no matter is your little on just started toddling or is ready for school, this cartoon will always bring joy and entertainment to your home. The adventures follow four friends with special reading abilities. From the moment you see the first scene both you and your youngling will start to love characters, their adventures and everything about them.

Wonder Pets

When  Linny the guinea pig, Ming-ming the duckling and Tuck the turtle meet, they make the best animal rescue team ever. These cute characters travel the world as they teach problem solving skills, teamwork and the importance of friendship. The show is intended for kids above three although it’s geared towards preschoolers. So if your kid loves animals, and what child doesn’t, you’ll have plenty of quality material to entertain and educate them with this amazing kids show.

Backyardigans

Pablo, Tyrone, Uniqua, Tasha and Austin share one thing among each other – their incredible imagination and their love for exploration. They are the main protagonists in a kids show called Backyardigans and your child will absolutely love them the moment they start watching. Every child above four is invited to tag along and join on their imaginative exploration of their backyard. The show promotes exploration, imagination, creative thinking and so many more crucial skills.

Wild Kratts 3-12

Wild Kratts, show intended for kids aged 3-12, discovers a world of mystery adventure and exotic animals in the most exciting way possible. Animated versions of Kriss and Martin Kratt, hosts of “Kratt’s Creatures” and “Zoobomafo”, go on an adventure each episode and show various types of animals, big and small, common and uncommon. Each episode is fun, filled with humor and extremely educational and entertaining. Your kid will definitely love this show.

Go Diego Go

Show your kid what it means to be a real hero with this amazing show. Diego Marquez is actually Dora the Explorer’s  cousin, so if you loved that show you’ll definitely want to get this one for your child. Is shows the importance of treating our surrounding and treating everyone equally. So travel along with Diego and discover a world of colorful animals, care and love. The show is recommended for kids above the age of 3. So you will actually encourage your toddler to explore and be the animal person as soon as they acquire the ability to crawl and toddle. It’s the perfect show for their development.

LIttle Einsteins

Leo, Annie, Quincy and June are little Einsteins and they can teach your toddler everything they need to know about science, math and so much more. It’s a kids show intended for preschoolers, although any boy or girl above 4 can watch it, that promotes nature exploration, different culture, arts and other important concepts for a young developing mind. Educational cartoons for toddlers are meant to be entertaining and to teach children about various stuff. This one does exactly that in the best possible way.

Arthur

A great educational cartoon that follows Arthur as he explains how to deal with modern problems that kids are encountering these days, like bullies, homework, traumas, etc. It’s a great way to show to your kids that there’s a way to handle everything using only words. They’ll learn a lot about compassion, friendship and how to solve complex social issues. It’s intended for youngsters between ages of 4 and 8.

All of the above shows are great to teach our children about various concepts, how to be a better person and important life lessons. They are both entertaining and educational so the only thing you’ll have to do is find the one that suits their interest the most. We know we haven’t covered other mainstream ones like, for instance, SpongeBob Squarepants. But we’ll get back to others in the future. We promise 🙂

Author: Catherine Evans

Catherine is a writer from Canada who simply loves toys, collectibles and superhero figurines. Writing is her passion, but she also loves reading, enjoying her “me time” and finding new ways to improve her work and ways to entertain the readers.

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Educational Shows for Kids That Can Help Them Learn While at Home

Educational Shows for Kids That Can Help Them Learn While at Home

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Some kids’ TV shows might help your children learn about things like math or the environment.

HBO

• Some TV shows are designed to educate children and help them learn valuable skills.
• The aquatic animated series «Octonauts» can help children learn about nature.
• «Arthur» is designed to help children develop moral-reasoning skills.
• Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

When it comes to choosing TV shows for kids to watch, the sheer number of programs available can be overwhelming.

Some series exist as pure entertainment but others are actually designed to help kids better adjust to the world, teaching them valuable life lessons and useful educational concepts.

Here are some TV series that are designed to help your children learn valuable academic skills and social skills. 

«Sesame Street» (HBO) is designed to help youngsters develop their reading abilities and early literacy skills.

«Sesame Street.»

PBS

Between its loveable muppet and human characters and its catchy original songs, «Sesame Street» is one of the most memorable kids’ shows out there, and it’s also one of the most influential.

«There’s been a lot of research on ‘Sesame Street,'» Rasmussen told Insider. «Kids who watch ‘Sesame Street’ develop reading and early literacy skills.» 

A 2019 study in the American Economic Journal suggests that people who watched «Sesame Street» as preschoolers when it first aired in 1969 did better in school than individuals who did not view the show.

A 2015 study also found that watching the show can positively impact a child’s performance in school, especially children in economically disadvantaged communities.

The series has also been praised for «championing diversity,» depicting a broader cast of individuals of different abilities and backgrounds, such as Julia, a muppet who has autism, and Karli, a muppet who is in foster care. 

 

«Doc McStuffins» (Disney Jr.) has been praised for its representation and for its help easing children’s anxiety about doctor’s appointments.

«Doc McStuffins.»

Disney Jr.

On «Doc McStuffins,» a girl named Dottie who dreams of being a doctor uses a magic stethoscope to make her dolls and toys come to life.

For years, parents have praised the series for helping their kids feel less nervous about doctor’s appointments. The show has also been lauded by black healthcare professionals, particularly women, for its diversity. 

«The country needs a healthcare system that reflects its own diversity,» Dr. Myiesha Taylor, an emergency physician in Dallas, Texas, told NBC News in 2013. «You’d be surprised how many people still think ‘doctor’ means ‘old white guy.’ If we can build on what ‘Doc McStuffins’ is doing, the next generation of patients will have a different view of the medical profession, and so will children of color.»

Parents have also praised the series for its representation of same-sex parents, like when two mom dolls on an episode of the show were voiced by two queer celebrities, Wanda Sykes and Portia de Rossi.

Ocean-themed «Octonauts» (CBeebie) can help children learn about aquatic life.

«Octonauts.»

CBeebie

«Octonauts,» a British series about oceanic explorers, is designed to educate kids about sea life. The creatures featured in the show are based on real-life marine animals and habitats, which can help children learn more about the environment. 

The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) also has a special partnership with the series to help raise awareness of science as well as ocean exploration, per The New York Times. The NOAA even has a general resource page related to «Octonauts.» 

«Odd Squad» (PBS Kids) is a live-action, math-focused series.

«Odd Squad.»

PBS Kids

«Odd Squad» is a live-action show about kids who run an organization dedicated to solving unusual problems through math. The series «helps with early math skills like counting, addition, subtraction,» Rasmussen said. 

A 2015 study conducted by the nonprofit WestEd found that the series can help elementary-age students increase their algebraic thinking and knowledge of numbers and operations.

Following 83 first-graders and their families at school and at home for four weeks, researchers found that students who watched the show, engaged with its episodes and other resources like worksheets, and discussed it with family members were more motivated to solve math problems and scored higher on mathematical assessments. 

 

 

«Blue’s Clues» (Nick Jr.) is designed to help kids cultivate kindergarten-readiness skills.

«Blue’s Clues.»

Nickelodeon/»Blue’s Clues»

«Blue’s Clues» has been on for decades and it was even rebooted in 2019. The show’s plot centers around a puppy named Blue who solves problems by examining a trio of clues.

Formatted like an interactive game show, the series is designed to help children cultivate kindergarten-readiness skills by teaching them things such as shape and color recognition, basic counting, and letter recognition.

The series also emphasizes the importance of literacy and is designed to encourage its young viewers to enjoy reading. 

 

«Wild Kratts» (PBS Kids) can help teach kids about animals and foster their interest in science.

«Wild Kratts.»

PBS Kids

«Wild Kratts» stars Chris and Martin Kratt, who many know from their previous show «Zoboomafoo,» as animated versions of themselves.  

According to PBS LearningMedia, which offers resources for parents who watch the show with their kids, the series aims to educate 6- to 8-year-olds about wildlife and help children develop observation skills and cultivate a life-long interest in science.

Tackling topics from ecosystems to extinction, «Wild Kratts» is designed to give elementary-age kids a comprehensive, age-appropriate introduction to the natural sciences.

Read More:

• 45 children’s movies every adult should watch in their lifetime
• What nutrition experts think about kids meals from 10 fast-food chains
• 10 healthy swaps for your kid’s favorite lunch foods
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List of educational cartoons for children

1. What are educational cartoons?
2. Why we need educational cartoons
3. Benefits or harms of cartoons
4. Educational cartoons for children from 3 to 12 months
5. Educational cartoons for children from 1 to 3 years old
6. Educational cartoons for children from 3 to 5 years old

Children and adults love cartoons. But if for adults they are nothing more than entertainment, then children can learn a lot of new things and even prepare for school or kindergarten by watching cartoons. A list of recommended educational cartoons for children of different ages — from six months to five years — you will find in this material.

What are educational cartoons?

Educational cartoons are animated videos, sometimes combined with live video, from which the child can indirectly learn socialization, as well as learn letters, words, colors and numbers.

Why we need educational cartoons

List of functions of educational cartoons for children:

• Entertain and distract the child;

• Create free time for parents;

• Help your child learn letters, words, colors and geometric shapes;

• Provide indirect socialization to the child through the study of moral and ethical standards;

• To introduce the child to various natural phenomena and scientific and technological achievements.

Benefits or harms of cartoons

In 1997, more than 650 Japanese children were hospitalized due to epileptic seizures. The reason for this was the 38 series of Pokémon. This is a critical case, but it is indicative of the possible negative impact that seemingly harmless cartoons can inflict on a child.

Until the age of one and a half, teachers and psychologists do not recommend showing children any cartoons at all, even useful ones.

The child’s brain is still developing at this time, and the baby will not understand the meaning or words of what is shown on the screen. Moreover, up to a year and a half, a child really needs attention and interaction with other people — this is what lays the foundation for the formation of speech skills.

See also: All about non-traditional drawing techniques

Cartoons, even educational ones, at the age of up to one and a half years, will attract a child with bright colors and fast frame changes, but they will slow down the development of other vital cognitive functions: the development of speech, short-term memory, attention.

At an older age — from 3 to 6 years old — pediatricians and psychologists recommend showing cartoons to children, but adhere to the rules and do not exceed the viewing time for more than two hours. Despite the fact that cartoons can help a child prepare for school, in large volumes they also have a negative effect on the child’s psyche.

Instead of developing cartoons around the clock, in this case, it is better to choose classes with a tutor who, in a playful and easy way, will be able to transfer all the necessary knowledge to the baby. You can find a tutor for any subject on the BUKI website.

Educational cartoons for children from 3 to 12 months

Up to three months, the child does not see beyond 20-30 cm. It is unlikely that even the most useful educational cartoons will be able to interest or teach him something.

Therefore, teachers advise avoiding screens altogether until this age and focusing on direct interaction with the baby. And for the rest, leave it in silence or next to the pleasant sounds of nature: birds or trees.

After six months, you can sometimes turn on cartoons for your child, but make sure that viewing sessions last no more than half an hour a day.

The psyche of a child at this age is very sensitive, and it should not be overloaded with bright pictures and loud sounds. This can lead to sleep disturbances, as well as slow down psychological development. However, if you still decide to show your baby cartoons, these educational series will be able to captivate him and teach him something new.

Doman cards . An educational cartoon made according to the well-known method of the teacher Doman, where cards designed in video format will introduce the child to the world of wildlife from different countries, household appliances, vehicles and many other integral words and concepts of the modern world.

At first, the baby will simply look at beautiful pictures and video clips, and after three years he will be able to recognize words and images.

Professor peanut. A series of educational videos will help the baby to get acquainted with everyday objects and natural phenomena.

The main characters of the commercials are dolls and soft toys, and the soundtrack contains well-known classical musical compositions, so such content is unlikely to overload the child’s psyche. This educational cartoon is recommended to be shown to children starting from 6-8 months.

In the wild world. The world of bugs — 80 episodes that, in beautiful and soft animation, will tell the baby about how the world of insects works.

The acting characters are four cute animals. The video is rich in songs and jokes, and also contains video clips from the wild. The educational cartoon will be interesting both for the smallest kids up to a year old, and for children up to 3 years old.

Baby Einstein . Educational cartoon suitable for children from six months. The cartoon is made using game glove puppets that will introduce the child to pets, seasons and other phenomena. Available in English and in amateur translation.

Nuki and his friends. The main roles of the cartoon are big plush toys: Nuki the bear cub, Lola the cow and Paco the donkey.

They live in a magical world where you can turn into a pirate, taste the clouds and jump over the rainbow. Soft and gentle colors, as well as pleasant sounds for the baby, will make this educational cartoon your child’s favorite.

Tiny love . Educational cartoon made in Israel will introduce the baby to weather phenomena, geometric shapes, animals and other interesting topics. It consists of several episodes, lasting up to half an hour.

The authors advise showing the first episodes of the educational cartoon to the smallest kids — up to one year old, and the last — after a year. Most children are just crazy about this cartoon, so be prepared for the fact that they will not be torn off the screen.

Read also: What are the age-related crises in children? What are they related to?

Educational cartoons for children from 1 to 3 years old

From the age of one to three years, the baby learns a lot. He begins to talk, walk and explore the world around him much more actively.

The child’s brain develops most actively at the age of three, therefore, to make this period of a child’s life filled with various impressions, but not oversaturated with them, is the main task of parents.

The following educational cartoons will teach the child the basics of the world around him without overloading his psyche:

Bulka’s Tips. Almost a detective story, but without crimes and criminals, will be able to captivate any kid. In each series, the main character finds clues that the mischievous dog Bulka leaves him, and when he finds all three, he tries to guess what the dog wants.

The cartoon combines animated characters and real people, does not contain loud and harsh sounds and will be gentle for the child’s psyche. Watching this educational cartoon, children from 1 to 3 years old will be able to learn more about numbers and counting, colors and shapes using simple examples.

Burenka Dasha. In this animated series, the child will be able to learn a huge number of funny and cute songs about everything in the world.

And beautifully traced objects, nature and characters will delight even an adult sophisticated eye. Learning songs from the cartoon, the kid learns a lot of new words and concepts, but adults should be ready to explain to the kid all the incomprehensible meanings at the right time.

Wood. Delicate and cute cartoon, the main characters of which are wooden toys in the form of animals: an elephant, a piglet, a dog. The cartoon is suitable for both the smallest and older children. In it, kids can learn about animals, food, natural phenomena and other topics.

The graphics in this educational cartoon are minimalistic, which means that while watching the cartoon, the child will be able to focus on the educational content, without being distracted by the rapid change of frames and too bright pictures. A nice bonus in this animated series will be songs that the child will have fun singing along with the characters.

Blue tractor. Another kind and funny song cartoon series that will help your kid not only learn letters and numbers, but also learn about the rules of the road. This educational cartoon will be useful and interesting for children aged from two to three or four years.

Educational cartoons for children from 3 to 5 years old

At this age, children learn to read letters, count numbers and get ready for school. Educational cartoons for this age should help children learn abstract concepts better and faster. The animated series from the list are just right for these purposes:

UmiZumi. Mathematical educational cartoon that will help the child understand the principle of counting, addition and subtraction, will help him learn new geometric shapes and measurements. The animated series is very colorful and rich, it combines animated segments and live video.

Zoo . An educational cartoon for children from 3 years old is dedicated to very different representatives of the animal world who live next to each other, make friends, communicate and even fall in love.

Each animal in this animated series has its own unique and expressive character, and the stories that happen to the animals in each series captivate and captivate children. The cartoon will become a real school of polite, tolerant and friendly attitude towards others.

Papers. The main characters of this amazing and witty educational cartoon — elk Aristotle and woodpecker Tyuk — live in a paper world.

But this does not prevent them from getting into incredible stories all the time, the way out of which Aristotle always finds with the help of paper crafts and inventions. Children can follow Aristotle to make a paper toy or tool for themselves. This domestically produced cartoon is well suited for children aged five years and older.

Three kittens. This friendly cartoon about three cheerful big-eyed kittens will tell the kid why he needs to wear winter clothes on the street, how to use matches and why brush his teeth.

He will ideally fulfill the role of indirect socialization, talking in a good-natured manner about the structure of the world around him. The story in the cartoon is made in the form of songs, and the graphics are bright and cute. Good for kids ages 3 and up.

Cartoons can be a useful and enjoyable way to pass the time, and they can help parents develop a versatile and creative personality.

But giving a child to watch cartoons, even if they are educational, parents should remember that cartoons should not become the only or main way to learn about the world. They are just an interesting and exciting addition to the interactions with other people and nature, which should form the basis of a child’s development.

Read also: how to quickly learn a verse: tips and life hacks

10 developing cartoons for children

Julylikbezkino

Good heroes will teach small spectators proper and healthy things.

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1. Muzzy

Muzzy in Gondoland

• UK, 1986.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7.6.

The court gardener Bob falls in love with the beautiful princess Sylvia. But due to the intrigues of the jealous adviser Corvex, who is also not indifferent to the royal daughter, Bob is imprisoned. Behind bars, the hero meets a friendly monster from outer space named Muzzy. And the latter decides to help Bob reunite with his beloved.

In the USSR, the BBC animated series teaching children English was shown in the Children’s Hour program. Viewers, small and large, immediately fell in love with the program for unpretentious humor and bright characters. Particularly prominent were the bat-like villain Corvex and the short-dressed Princess Sylvia, as well as the little cyclist Norman, who featured in the tutorial cutscenes.

2. Arthur

Arthur

• USA, Canada, 1996-2022.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 25 seasons.
• IMDb: 7.4.

A Canadian-American educational animated series about the small daily problems and joys faced by young anteater Arthur Reid. The transmission will delicately help convey really important things, even if you have to talk about such complex topics as, for example, autism spectrum disorder.

«Arthur» debuted in 1996 and successfully stayed on the air for 26 years. The last episodes were released in early 2022.

3. Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

• USA, Canada, 2002-2021.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 6.1.

Another Canadian-American cartoon for the smallest audience. Each episode is a separate funny, exciting or instructive story.

Ruby, a young rabbit, tries to be perfect in everything, but it’s not so easy with her mischievous brother Max, because he always tries to drag them both into trouble. However, their adventures always end happily.

4. Dinosaur Train

Dinosaur Train

• USA, UK, Canada, 2009-2020.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 6.4.

The action of the educational program of the creator of the animated series «Hey Arnold!» Craig Bartlett is set in a bizarre prehistoric world full of dense jungles, endless oceans and erupting volcanoes.

Together with the inquisitive Tyrannosaurus Rex Buddy, young viewers will learn a lot about prehistoric fauna. And help them in this fantastic vehicle on which the heroes travel — the train of dinosaurs.

5. Fixies

• Russia, 2010–2020.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 6.3.

An animated series based on the story by Eduard Uspensky «Guarantee Men» will tell children what and how works in our modern world, overflowing with technical innovations.

The main character Dim Dimych gets acquainted with the tiny creatures Fixiki. They live inside various devices and know very well everything about their device, whether it is a refrigerator, a TV remote control or an electric toothbrush.

The series was successfully broadcast on television for many years and even received a continuation in the form of full-length cartoons «Fixies: Big Secret» and «Fixies vs Crabs».

6. The Octonauts

The Octonauts

• USA, Ireland, UK, 2010-present.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 7.6.

An English broadcast for preschoolers about a brave team of underwater explorers. Among them are the white bear Barnacles, the kitten Quasi and other charming little animals. The squad goes on a journey every day, during which the heroes get acquainted with the unusual inhabitants of the underwater world and save many living creatures.

7. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

• USA, Canada, 2012 — present.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 7.4.

A tiger cub named Daniel will be happy to teach little TV viewers how to act correctly in this or that everyday situation. For example, by his own example, he will show that the first day at school or going to the doctor is not at all as scary as it might seem.

8. Messy Goes to Okido

Messy Goes to Okido

• USA, Canada, 2015 — present.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 7.1.

The curious monster Ljapik lives under the bed, but you shouldn’t be afraid of him, because he doesn’t look like a terrible monster at all. And whenever the hero wants to understand where the echo comes from or why metal sticks to magnets, he goes to the magical land of Okido, where there are answers to all questions.

9. Elena of Avalor

Elena of Avalor

• USA, 2016-2020.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 6. 3.

This Disney cartoon will definitely appeal to those who love fairy tale stories about princesses, and will also teach your child to do the right thing in difficult situations. According to the plot, the inventive, kind and courageous Princess Elena learns to adequately cope with the role of heir to the throne. And although it is not always easy, true friends are always ready to support the heroine.

10. Ask the StoryBots

Ask the StoryBots

• US 2016-2019.
• Children’s educational cartoon series.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.4.

Not only kids, but also their parents will enjoy watching this show. According to the plot, tiny Storybots live inside the computer and are constantly busy searching for various cognitive information. Their stern leader sends subordinates into the outside world from time to time to find the answer to another difficult question asked by the guys — for example, where does music come from or why is the sky blue.

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2. Cars for children — 4 cars — Educational cartoons

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The best educational and educational cartoons — pros and cons

Today’s large and informative review of educational and educational cartoons was prepared for us by Tatyana Pirozhenko (Tavika) , author of the blog This is interesting! , who received an honorary award Blog of the Year in the action Choice of “Mom Blogs” 2012 (one!) of those rare people who can talk simply about complex things.

Tatyana is also a mother of two children, who thoroughly tested all the material brought to our attention. Now they are 5 and 12 years old respectively (daughter 5 years old and son 12 years old), and due to well-developed curiosity, they have been regularly watching educational cartoons, educational cartoons and programs, educational videos for children and, honestly In other words, they have already become experts in many serious matters. Considerable experience has been accumulated in the family, and it covers different age intervals from 0 to 12. Tanya will share this experience with us today.

There are probably no children who do not like to watch cartoons. Someone watches them from the cradle, someone’s parents begin to show them after reaching a certain age. Someone sits in front of the TV for hours, someone runs away without watching even a ten-minute episode. But, in any case, the concept of «cartoons» leaves few people indifferent.

Probably every mother wants her child to benefit from sitting in front of the TV. This purpose is perfectly served by educational and educational educational cartoons. In them, the kid not only follows the adventures of cartoon characters, but also in an unobtrusive way replenishes his knowledge about the world around him.

The modern choice of such cartoons is huge. But they are not always performed in the proper quality, and good design and high-quality sound range are very important for children, especially at the youngest age. Therefore, parents should pay special attention to this and not use second-rate products just because they have a “developing” sticker on them.

I will try to briefly outline the pros and cons of each cartoon familiar to us.

Let’s start our list with the very first educational cartoons for kids. They can be shown to children from a year or two. I think I don’t need to remind you that you need to dose your viewing time (topic Children and cartoons we previously raised, and received a lot of interesting comments — approx. BM).

Animated series «Baby Einstein» («Baby Einstein» or «Child Einstein», «Baby Einstein»)

It is just designed for the age of a child from 3 months to 3 years. Production by The Walt Disney Company, USA, 1998-2009. The cartoon contains 28 episodes of 30-40 minutes each.

Each series is devoted to one theme, for example, «We study water», «First words at home», «Animals of the world». The video is built as a show to the music of animated fragments, puppet characters, a documentary video about household and nature items, and how people use them.

I myself am not a fan of early exposure to TV for young children (at least until the age of two), so our experience was limited to watching a couple of episodes. My children were not particularly interested in the video, the concentration of attention was enough for three minutes. Therefore, I considered it inappropriate to continue the show. When the children grew up to the point that they could perceive information in the form of films, the form of presenting the information of the series turned out to be of no interest to them.

Teletubbies

Children’s television series. BBC, UK, 1997-2005 Written by Ann Wood and Andy Davenport. 365 episodes lasting about two hours. The audience is 1-3 years old.

Characters of the series, plush creatures of Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Lala and Po with antennas on their heads and TV screens in their stomachs. They play, perform simple actions, pronounce simple phrases. It is believed that all this, as well as the repeated repetition of phrases by the main characters, creates a learning effect for kids who are just starting to master the world. But for many years there has been a discussion in pedagogical circles whether this series is useful or harmful for the child’s psyche. That absolutely does not affect the huge popularity of the series around the world.

I don’t know what my children would say, but after a trial viewing of a couple of episodes, I myself felt that it had a negative effect on my psyche, so I decided not to show it to my children.

Animated series «Merry Rainbow»

Russian production. It was created with the sponsorship of Enfagroup Enfishinal LLC, which produces baby food. 7 episodes of 2 minutes. The audience is 1-3 years old.

Short cartoons about the colors of the rainbow. In each series, a funny clown lists and shows objects of the same color. The cartoon will be useful for children who have begun to study colors.

«Luntik and his friends»

Production by «Melnitsa» studio (Russia). It began in 2006, and now the 7th season continues to be filmed. So far there are 6 seasons (386 episodes). The duration of the episode is 5 minutes. The audience is 2-7 years old.

The fabulous creature Luntik came to Earth from the Moon. Together with small viewers, he explores our world. In addition to Luntik, there are many animals in the cartoon, depicting both adults and children. There are also negative characters — the caterpillars Vupsen and Pupsen.

In addition to facts about the world, the cartoon teaches kindness and rules of conduct, which distinguishes it from many educational cartoons and films in which the behavior of the characters is not given much attention.

Lots of children around us love Luntik very much. But the daughter, after watching a few episodes, never remembered him again. He didn’t make much of an impression on her.

Dora the Explorer

Production Nickelodeon Studios, USA 2000-20013 The 8th season is currently filming. So far, there are 166 episodes, 97 of which have been translated into Russian. The duration of one series is about 30 minutes. The audience is 2-5 years old.

The main character Dasha and her friends — the monkey Slipper, Rucksack and Map — go on a journey, during which they have to overcome three obstacles and reach the goal. On the way, the heroes are hindered by a negative character — the little fox Rogue.

A distinctive feature of the series is its interactivity. The audience is asked questions, is invited to find something on the screen, jump, repeat the word in English.

I have a good impression of the series, but the same thing happened to it as to Baby Einstein. While the children were small, they did not really understand what was happening in this cartoon. And when they grew up to understand its plot, the developing part of the cartoon became useless.

«Go, Diego, go!» («Go, Diego!»)

Produced by Nickelodeon Studios, USA, 2005-2009. The duration of the series is about 30 minutes.

The hero of the series, eight-year-old boy Diego, together with his sister Alice and the Little Jaguar save animals in the rainforest. Diego is assisted by the Click (camera) and the Rescue Pack (a rescue kit that can become anything).

In addition to learning the habits of animals, this animated series teaches children English. The series are structured in the same way as in the series «Dasha the Traveler» — with interactive tasks for the audience. Dasha herself also appears in several episodes, because she is the cousin of Diego and Alice.
«Go Diego!» sure to appeal to those children who love the series «Dasha the Traveler».

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Playhouse Disney, USA, 2006-present. 4 seasons, 114 episodes in total. The duration of one series is 20 minutes. The audience is 2-5 years old.

A huge number of series in which Mickey and his friends Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald, Daisy teach children to count, more-less concepts, recognize geometric shapes and much more. In addition, Mickey and his friends teach children friendship and mutual assistance.

A distinctive feature is the interactivity of the series (viewers must choose figures on the screen, etc.) and the presence of Mousetools in the hero — magic tools, with the help of a certain set of which it is necessary to solve the problem facing the characters in each series.

Useful educational cartoon, excellent quality, bright characters. Fans of Disney animation should love it.

Zoo mix

USA, directed by One Linares, 2008. 30 episodes, 5 minutes each. Age 2-7 years.

Each episode of this series is about two animals. Their habits, way of life, interesting facts are given in just a few sentences. Very concise drawings compare favorably with the sweet cartoons that are usually used in children’s programs and films.

My children and I really like this wonderful cartoon. Moreover, the eldest enjoys watching it even now, at the age of 12.

«Three Kittens»

Russia, 2009 3 seasons, 30 episodes in total. The duration of the series is 2 min. For children 3-6 years old.

Funny short cartoons made in the form of illustrated songs. They tell about the rules of behavior and give lessons in caution — kittens get into different situations from which they manage to get out unscathed.

Lessons from Aunt Owl

Manufactured by TO «Maski», Russia-Ukraine. 2002-2008 26 issues. Duration from 50 min to 145 min. The audience is 2-7 years old.

A large cycle of cartoon lessons on a variety of topics. From learning the alphabet, arithmetic, geography for kids, to lessons in behavior and caution, getting to know painting and various artists for older children. There is even a series “The ABC of money. How to Help Your Child Grow Rich. You can view the list of all episodes on the official website of Aunt Owl usovi.ru.

Fairy-tale characters understandable to children, a lot of information on a wide variety of topics, you can choose series for any age. The only negative, in my opinion, is a somewhat boring explanation. But the kids love to watch.

«Entertaining Lessons», «Encyclopedia of Know-It-All», «World History»

This is a series of educational cartoons by Robert Saakyants.
Produced by Berg Sound, Russia, dir. Robert Sahakayants, 2004-2009 21 series. The episode is about 45 minutes long. The audience is 3-7 years old.

Huge coverage of subjects and topics: ABC, mathematics, geography, astronomy, biology, etc. «, etc. Unfortunately, specifically in this series of cartoons, the visuals cannot be compared with his past works: sketchy characters, half of the screen time just talking from the screen (the so-called «talking heads»).

Many parents love these educational cartoons. But I stopped showing them to children after I heard a fundamentally wrong explanation of why the seasons change on Earth in a series about astronomy. The cartoon claimed that the seasons change due to the fact that the Earth moves around the Sun in an orbit, then moving away from it, then approaching. Therefore, when the Earth’s orbit is closer to the Sun — we have summer, when further — winter. But this is complete nonsense! Everyone knows that the change of seasons is due to the tilt of the earth’s axis. And since I have neither the time nor the desire to watch all the series for such errors and then explain them to the children, then I decided not to show these cartoons at all.

Fixies

Produced by Aeroplan studio, Russia, from 2010 to present. 3 seasons are planned, with a total of 156 episodes (currently there are 61 episodes). The duration of one series is 6 minutes. Age of spectators from 3 to 10 years.

The series is based on the novel by Eduard Uspensky «Guaranteed little men». Little funny creatures, Papus, Masya and their children Simka and Nolik live in household appliances in the house of eight-year-old boy Dim-Dimych and help him deal with any technical problem.

On the official website of the Fixiki fixiki.ru you can find the entire list of episodes, as well as a lot of interesting additional information.

Both of my children watch this cartoon with great interest and are completely delighted with it.

Hurray for Huckle!

Produced by Cookie Jar Entertainment, Canada, dir. Ken Cunningham, Larry Jacobs, 2007-2010 2 seasons (52 episodes). The episode is about 10 minutes long. The audience is 4-7 years old.

The kitten and his friends are real detectives. In each episode, they have to solve some riddle. To do this, you need to understand the cause-and-effect relationships, the properties of various objects and use logical thinking.
The idea of ​​the cartoon is very original, and my daughter really likes to participate in the investigation together with the kitten.

Micropolis

Manufactured by Pan-Terra, Russia. Dir. A. Khramtsov. 2005-2006 7 series. The duration of the series is 10 min. Age of spectators from 3 years to 10 years.

A story that can only be seen under a microscope takes place in an ordinary kitchen. Its inhabitants are divided into two warring groups: good microbes Little Mi, Microshka and their friends are opposed to evil microbes Taxonchik, Boss, T-70.

Little viewers will learn from a fascinating and educational cartoon why you need to wash your hands, which bacteria are useful and which are not, and much more.

From the age of three, I would not recommend watching, but at the age of five — what you need. When you search, do not confuse with the American cartoon of the same name about the city of rodents.

«Why»

Channel «Bibigon», Russia, 2009-2012 53 episodes of «Physics» and 26 episodes of «Informatics». The duration of the series is about 25 minutes. The audience is 7-11 years old.

Heroes of the series Seryozha and Lena, brother and sister. Like all children, they are very curious and are always looking for answers to a wide variety of questions. The Great Processor and his assistants Bit and Byte help them in this.

The topics of the series are very interesting: how a monitor works, vector and raster graphics, how information is stored, how weather, earthquakes, electromagnetic phenomena, etc. are predicted. But the terrifying 3D characters make a negative impression. The son did not watch the cartoon, arguing that he was «boring».

The Why Why Family

Produced by Saban Entertainment and CineGroupe, France, directed by Bruno Bianchi. 1996 25 episodes. The duration of one series is about 20 minutes. Age of spectators from 4 to 10 years.

The protagonist of the series is little Victor, who asks endless questions to his relatives on a variety of topics: “How do batteries work?”, “How do they milk cows on a farm?”, “What is the ozone layer and why are there holes in it?” etc. etc.

The series is quite interesting, but very dynamic and somewhat chaotic — everyone is running somewhere, talking a lot, a lot of some awkward creatures. Therefore, it is better to start watching it at a later age.

«We want to know everything» (eng. «The Way Things Work»)

Production Germany-France-UK, dir. D. Zamora, 2005. 26 episodes. The episode is about 13 minutes long. Age of spectators from 5 to 12 years.

Events take place on Mammoth Island. A small group of travelers arrange their life using their power. And the Inventor managed to come up with a thousand and one more uses for mammoths: he builds trains, magnifying glasses, bridges, produces electricity. And all from improvised means!

A very funny and educational cartoon at the same time. Isn’t it all the same on what to explain physical laws — on instruments or on mammoths? My children were delighted with such an unusual presentation of the material.

The Magic School Bus

Manufactured by Nelvana Limited, South Carolina ETV, Scholastic Entertainment. USA, Canada, 1994-1997 4 seasons (total 52 episodes). Series duration 25 min.

The series is based on comics by American artist Joanna Cole.

In each episode, the somewhat insane teacher Miss Frizzly takes her students on a school bus on a new field trip. On the way, many adventures happen to them, but friendship and knowledge of the laws of nature always help children out.

The cartoon, in my opinion, is somewhat chaotic. A five-year-old daughter is a little early to watch it, the optimal age is elementary school. But this does not prevent her, along with her brother, from reviewing it again and again.

«Interesting Facts»

TV company «Bibigon», Russia. 200999 episodes. Episode length 20 seconds!

Short cartoons illustrating some one interesting fact given literally in one sentence. Topics are varied — from the animal world to historical figures.

Very informative even for adults! The main thing is not to watch all the series in a row, so that a mess of facts does not form in your head.

“Historical figures. Animated Hero Classics

Produced by Nest Entertainment, USA, dir. Richard Rich. 1991-1998 20 episodes. The duration of the series is about 30 minutes.

Each episode is a story about some famous historical figure: Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, Joan of Arc, Marie Curie, etc.

Very interesting and well-made series. The choice of heroes for him is a little strange, but it reflects the American view of history.

“Once upon a time there were… Pioneers” (fr. “Il était une fois… les Découvreurs”)

Produced in France, dir. Albert Barrie. 1994. 26 episodes. The duration of one episode is about 25 minutes. The audience is 7-14 years old.

Each episode is built in such a way that a group of children with their teacher Maestro is transported into the past and becomes a witness to the events of the times when the historical characters to whom the episode is dedicated acted. Children will trace the biographies of great scientists and the fate of their inventions that changed the course of human history. From Ancient China and Ancient Greece to Ford, Einstein and Neil Armstrog.

Even my daughter likes the series, although it is too early for her to watch it. And my son has already watched all the episodes twice.

Once upon a time there were… Searchers (fr. “Il etait une fois… les Explorateurs”)

Produced in France, dir. Albert Barrie. 2007 26 episodes. The duration of one episode is about 25 minutes. The audience is 7-14 years old.

Continuation of the series «Once upon a time … the discoverers», but now each series tells about the great travelers and the history of geographical discoveries. From Alexander the Great to the present day.

This cartoon compares favorably with similar biographical series in the selection of personalities. There are stories here not only about Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Fernand Magellan, but also about David Livingston, Auguste Picard, and even one Russian explorer, the navigator Vitus Bereng.

These examples of educational and educational cartoons, of course, are far from exhausted. I invite readers to share their findings and preferences in the comments. What educational cartoons do you like? What interesting educational cartoons and animated series have you already watched? Share your impressions! 🙂

Author: Tatyana Pirozhenko (Tavika)

Recommended: Educational video for children: TOP-20 children’s programs (author — Tatyana Pirozhenko (Tavika))

The best educational cartoons for children up to a year

Maya Makieva

Psychologist, Child Therapist, Colady Expert

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Date of writing: March 23, 2020

Reading time: 4 minutes

Educational cartoons for children under one year old help your child not only relax, but also learn valuable knowledge. The comprehensive development of the baby is the duty of every responsible and caring mother. But sometimes mom needs a little rest. How to distract a child up to a year old in order to win 5-10 minutes of rest for yourself? There are many options — educational toys and cartoons. True, it is worth remembering that watching TV for more than fifteen minutes a day for such a crumb is harmful.

On behalf of the editors of COLADY, I have prepared for you a list of the best educational cartoons for children.

Contents of the article:

• What cartoons can children under one year old watch?
• Toddler development with special cartoons
• Is it worth showing cartoons to children under one year old?
• Rating of cartoons for children under one year old — top 10
• Reviews of parents about educational cartoons for children up to 9 years old0006

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What cartoons should be shown to children under one year old?

All «advanced» parents know that the best cartoons for kids are those that promote all-round development and are able to captivate the child.

For this age there are special educational cartoons, with the help of which kids learn a lot of new and interesting things in a variety of ways. Cartoons for smart kids “tell” about:

• About body parts shown on toys and other characters.
• About towns and villages.
• About flora and fauna.
• About fruits and vegetables.
• About numbers and figures.

Children under one year old and educational cartoons

• Music. Educational cartoons for toddlers up to a year combine video footage and a pleasant sound range. Cartoon characters appear to high-quality classical music, which is ideal for children who are just starting to show interest in the world around them.
• Fauna. Animated cartoons are good for children to see animals, hear their voices and remember the main differences between animals.
• Artists. Cartoons from the field of culture, dedicated to artists, art, introduce children to the process of drawing. Thanks to such cartoons, children begin to draw quite early, already from the age of seven or eight months they feel a craving for beauty.
• Multi-series cartoons for comprehensive development. Such animated series are designed to teach the child the most basic words and introduce objects from the outside world. The usual amount of information in one series is the minimum that is easily absorbed by the baby. Bright characters contribute to faster assimilation of the material.

Is it worth showing cartoons to children under one year old?

Of course, there is no need to talk about the benefits of educational cartoons for children under 1 year old. Undoubtedly, there are benefits from them. Moreover, double — and the baby develops, and the mother can relax a little. But you should not abuse the TV. At such a “young age”, more than twenty minutes of TV viewing every day is glasses that will have to be worn at school.

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Educational cartoons and the mind of a child

Controversy over «Should I watch cartoons for a baby under one year old?» and “If it’s worth it, then what to watch?” will probably never subside. There are no unambiguous answers to such questions — each parent solves this problem for himself. Of course, cartoons are one of the favorite pastimes for the crumbs. But how do they affect the development of the child? And do they influence? What you need to know before putting your child to the screen?

1. A child of this age should not be watching TV for more than twenty minutes a day . Firstly, he is simply not able to concentrate on the cartoon for such a long time, and secondly, it is harmful to children’s eyes.
2. The best selection of cartoons — educational . You can watch online or download them today on many sites.
3. The high level of development of the crumbs, which is achieved with the help of educational cartoons, is a myth. Of course, the cartoons themselves will be able to enrich the inner world of the child with new images, but nothing more.
4. The most effective method of developing a child is a living teacher . And if you really want to take a break, then sit down while watching the cartoon next to the baby and comment on what is happening on the screen. In this case, the benefits will be much greater.

What cartoons do parents choose? Rating of cartoons for children under one year old — top 10

1. Tiny Love
2. Jess Riddles
3. Ruby and Yo-Yo cartoons
4. Ozzy Boo
5. Luntik
6. Toddler Cartoons: Hopla
7. Baby Raccoon
8. The Adventures of Lolo the Penguin
9. Prankster Dino
10. Cheburashka.

Educational cartoons for children — Watch and learn!

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In the section «Educational cartoons for children» you will find the most informative and interesting cartoons for children of different ages. It is with cartoons that the child’s acquaintance with the TV begins. So let this acquaintance bring not only pleasure, but also develop the baby, allowing him to learn more and more useful information. Watch these cartoons every day, but not more than 30 minutes a day. Cartoons should be auxiliary, and not the only means of child development.

Educational cartoons for children by category

Teremok TV Here is a chic collection of educational cartoons that will help kids develop their powers of observation, logic, introduce them to colors and traffic rules, teach them how to use various useful items and much more …

Educational cartoons «Lessons of Aunt Owl» Educational cartoons from Aunt Owl on a variety of topics: ABC, rules of the road, arithmetic, geography, wildlife, pets, seasons, lessons in good behavior, lessons in kindness, wonders of the world, the English alphabet …

Know-It-All Encyclopedia Know-It-All Encyclopedia are educational cartoons for older children, as kids will not be able to perceive new knowledge for a long time in the way in which they are presented in these cartoons. Although it all depends on the child himself …

Tiny Love Tiny Love are cartoons for the youngest viewers that your young explorers will surely enjoy. Here you will find cartoons not only for babies who already know how to walk and talk, but also for toddlers, starting from the age of three months!

Happy Rainbow «Funny Rainbow» is a great opportunity for kids to explore all the colors of the rainbow, just by watching colorful and interesting cartoons. Even the youngest children will enjoy such training, allowing parents to relax a little while the child is busy with the important thing — watching cartoons.

Fixies Fixies are small but very smart people who will teach your children various useful knowledge. Together with the Fixies, kids will learn how various household and electrical appliances work, as well as learn how to use them safely…

Cartoons in English In this section you will find cartoons in English that will teach your children letters, numbers, songs and other basics of the English language. Also here you will find Russian cartoons with English voice acting, which are very effective for remembering the correct pronunciation and translation.

Kapuki Kanuki Funny and educational videos for children: the alphabet, geometric shapes, English and children’s songs. All cartoons are extremely interesting for kids. And most importantly — they are short, so your little one will not have time to get bored when watching, and his vision will not be stressed.

Nosiki-Kurnosiki The heroes of these cartoons will tell and show fascinating and instructive stories. Children will be able to learn how to play with toys, and during the exciting process of the game they will learn letters, colors, numbers, geometric shapes and learn a lot of interesting things from the world around them, receive important tips…

Children’s corner Here we present to your attention children’s educational and educational videos on a variety of topics: learning words, learning colors, learning the alphabet, learning numbers, learning to count, learning to read, getting to know domestic and wild animals, etc. ..

Bunny Znayka For your kids, we try to make bright and creative cartoons that will help the kid learn the basics, explore the world, learn in a playful way, and free up time for your household chores. Together with the heroes of our cartoons, the child can easily learn in an interesting, relaxed way, explore the types of cars, travel …

All educational cartoons for children

Russian colorful, kind and instructive animated series «Once upon a time there was a Princess» for kids and children from 3 years old about a little naughty princess. The collection contains several of the most interesting series in a row…

Watch cartoons about cars «Robocar Poli — Rules of the road», learn all about road safety: Crossing the road is dangerous!, School bus safety, Safe cycling and more..

Educational educational cartoons for kids about kittens Kotya and Katya, all series! This collection contains 10 episodes. Each episode of the cartoon has an instructive story. Kids will learn to play together, see the true cause of the problem, analyze, do everything on time, take responsibility for things…

Once upon a time there was a princess — a multi-part cartoon about a small charming and restless girl. In each series — an instructive story from her life. Although she is a princess, her desires are completely ordinary, like any child — more sweets and less moralizing!

Attention! Attention! POKEMONS IN THE CITY! Whatoooo?! Yes Yes! Look soon! A new amazing game with augmented reality for your phone Pokemon Go (Pokemon Go) will soon be in all gadgets of the country! How to catch pokemon? Where to look for Pokemon? Who are these Pokémon?! Mega-popular manga and anime characters are back with us! Everyone urgently needs to get themselves these cool pocket monsters with supernatural powers! Do you want your Pikachu? What about Charizard? Or are you a fan of cutie Jigglypoof? Well, then you have to get up from the computer, put on your sneakers and run out into the street to arrange a real chase for little monsters! IgroBoy Danya goes hunting! Can he get at least one? Difficult task! If you’re not a slowpoke, then catch it quick! :)))

Watch an educational video for children in Turkish.