70 Best Educational Shows for Kids That Teach & Entertain

Finding the right shows for your kids can feel tricky. You want them to enjoy screen time, but you also want it to be meaningful.

That’s where educational shows for kids come in – they combine fun stories with real learning. This blog is your guide to the best options out there.

I’ll go over classics parents grew up with, exciting new series kids can’t get enough of, and even low-stimulation shows for calmer moments.

You’ll also see breakdowns by subject, age, and streaming platform so you can easily find what fits your child. Ready to turn TV time into learning time? Let’s jump in and see which shows will make the cut for your family.

Educational Kids’ Shows to Check Out

Educational shows make screen time more meaningful by blending fun with learning. They help kids build skills like reading, math, and problem-solving while keeping them entertained.

Classic Educational Favorites

These shows are the gold standard of kids’ programming. They’ve entertained and educated children for decades, and parents love them just as much as kids do.

1. Sesame Street: Colorful puppets, lively songs, and playful skits make Sesame Street unforgettable. Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster help kids learn numbers, letters, and life lessons in a way that feels like playtime.
2. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: Fred Rogers spoke directly to children with warmth and calm. From visiting the “Neighborhood of Make-Believe” to tackling real-world emotions, every episode made kids feel seen and understood.
3. Reading Rainbow: Hosted by LeVar Burton, this show turned books into adventures. With story readings, field trips, and the iconic “take a look, it’s in a book” theme, it encouraged generations of kids to fall in love with reading.
4. Schoolhouse Rock!: Catchy, animated songs made tricky subjects stick. From grammar to history to multiplication, kids still hum along to tunes like Conjunction Junction and I’m Just a Bill.
5. Zoboomafoo: The Kratt brothers and their playful lemur pal brought the animal kingdom to life. With real animals and fun facts, this show inspired kids to care about wildlife and the environment.
6. Barney & Friends: With his big purple smile, Barney sang and danced his way through lessons on friendship, kindness, and imagination. The simple songs made learning fun and easy for little ones.
7. Between the Lions: A family of lion puppets lived in a magical library where words came alive. It mixed silly humor with reading lessons, helping kids build literacy skills while laughing along.
8. Zoom: Run by kids, for kids, this energetic show was all about experiments, games, and challenges. It encouraged kids at home to try hands-on learning and get creative.
9. Clifford the Big Red Dog: Clifford’s enormous size matched his enormous heart. His gentle adventures taught kids about responsibility, friendship, and solving problems with kindness.
10. Arthur: Arthur the aardvark and his friends tackled school, friendship, and growing up. With humor and relatable stories, the show gave kids valuable lessons in empathy and resilience.

Science & STEMAdventures

These shows ignite curiosity and make learning about the world exciting. From wild experiments to big ideas, they turn science into an adventure that kids actually look forward to.

11. Bill Nye the Science Guy: With his quirky humor and wacky experiments, Bill Nye makes science cool. He breaks down big concepts like space, chemistry, and biology into bite-sized lessons kids can understand – and laugh at.
12. The Magic School Bus / The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Hop on the bus with Ms. Frizzle and her class as they shrink, fly, or go into the human body and beyond. Each field trip is a colorful adventure packed with science lessons hidden in the fun.
13. Ada Twist, Scientist: Ada is a curious little scientist who uses experiments to solve everyday mysteries. It teaches kids the power of asking questions, testing ideas, and never giving up.
14. Brainchild: Produced by Pharrell Williams, this series goes into big topics like emotions, memory, and even social media. It’s perfect for older kids who love science mixed with real-world issues.
15. Emily’s Wonder Lab: Emily Calandrelli brings STEM to life with hands-on experiments, explosions, and colorful visuals. Kids see how fun science can be while picking up simple activities they can try at home.
16. Ask the StoryBots: Ever wondered why the sky is blue or how airplanes fly? The StoryBots are silly, curious little creatures who find the answers with humor, music, and big-name celebrity guests.
17. Beakman’s World: A wild and zany classic, Beakman’s World blends comedy with experiments that keep kids glued to the screen. Think of it as a mad scientist’s lab mixed with slapstick fun.
18. Blaze and the Monster Machines: This animated series sneaks STEM concepts into high-energy adventures. Blaze and his monster truck friends use math, physics, and engineering to solve problems while racing around.
19. SciGirls: Real girls take the lead in science adventures, showing kids how STEM is fun and for everyone. Each episode features experiments and projects that inspire creativity and teamwork.
20. Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab: A team of young inventors in Edison’s secret laboratory. With the help of a holographic Edison, they learn science mysteries and inventions in a playful way.

Social & Emotional Learning

These shows go beyond ABCs and 123s – they help kids understand feelings, relationships, and empathy. They make kindness and problem-solving part of everyday fun.

21. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Uses catchy songs and sweet stories to teach kids how to share, manage emotions, and handle everyday situations.
22. Bluey: An imaginative pup whose playful adventures highlight family bonding, problem-solving, and creative fun.
23. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: Fred Rogers gently explained big feelings like love, loss, and kindness, making kids feel safe and understood.
24. Doc McStuffins: A young girl who “heals” toys, showing kids empathy, bravery, and the importance of caring for others.
25. VeggieTales in the House: Goofy talking vegetables deliver fun lessons about honesty, forgiveness, and kindness through silly songs and stories.
26. Sofia the First: A princess-in-training who learns about fairness, friendship, and doing the right thing in magical ways.
27. Pocoyo: A curious little boy who experiences the world with humor, teaching preschoolers about sharing and social skills.
28. Yo Gabba Gabba!: Music, dance, and quirky characters help kids express emotions while having tons of fun.
29. Barney & Friends: The purple dinosaur spreads lessons about friendship, teamwork, and caring through songs and playful adventures.
30. Care Bears & Cousins: Colorful bears (and cousins) who promote sharing, kindness, and helping others through heartwarming stories.

Animal & Nature Shows

These shows bring the animal kingdom and natural world to life. Kids learn about wildlife, habitats, and the wonders of nature through exciting adventures and stories.

31. Wild Kratts: Brothers Chris and Martin Kratt teach kids about animals and their habitats using fun animations and real-life science.
32. Octonauts: A team of underwater learners go deep into the ocean, introducing kids to marine creatures and ecosystems in every episode.
33. Zoboomafoo: The Kratt brothers and their playful lemur friend make learning about animals hands-on, silly, and full of surprising facts.
34. Go Diego Go!: Dora’s cousin Diego rescues animals in trouble, teaching kids about wildlife conservation and problem-solving along the way.
35. Dora the learner: While focused on language and puzzles, Dora’s adventures often include meeting animals and exploring their habitats.
36. Dinosaur Train: Dinosaurs hop on a time-traveling train to learn about prehistoric periods, blending science with kid-friendly storytelling.
37. Animal Atlas: A documentary-style show that introduces children to animals from around the world with real footage and fun facts.
38. Nature Cat: An adventurous cat and his friends head outdoors to learn about plants, animals, and the environment in a playful way.
39. Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Behind-the-scenes at Disney’s parks, this series shows real animals being cared for while teaching about conservation.
40. Planet Earth (kid-friendly episodes): Stunning visuals and narration bring the natural world to life, showing kids the beauty and fragility of our planet.

History, Culture & Global Learning

These shows take kids on time-traveling adventures, introduce them to different cultures, and make history come alive in exciting, kid-friendly ways.

41. Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: Xavier and his friends travel back in time to meet historical figures, learning life lessons from heroes of the past.
42. Liberty’s Kids: This animated series brings American history to life by following young reporters during the Revolutionary War.
43. Molly of Denali: A young Alaskan girl shares her culture and traditions while solving everyday problems with curiosity and creativity.
44. Carmen Sandiego (Netflix): Carmen is a globe-trotting master thief who uses her skills for good, teaching kids geography and global awareness.
45. Little Einsteins: A group of friends use art, music, and travel to learn the world, encouraging kids to learn about different cultures and creativity.
46. Horrible Histories (UK): A kid-friendly version of history with humor, songs, and skits that make even tricky historical topics fun to remember.
47. Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (classic): The original geography-based game show and cartoon that challenged kids to think about countries, cultures, and maps.
48. Adventure Academy: A blend of game and learning experience where kids learn a virtual world filled with history, reading, and cultural lessons.
49. Cyberchase: While focused on math, this animated series also weaves in history and problem-solving as kids battle the villain Hacker.
50. Time Warp Trio: Three friends travel through time using a magical book, meeting historical figures and experiencing famous events firsthand.

Music, Arts & Creativity

These shows inspire kids to sing, dance, and create while learning about rhythm, teamwork, and imagination. They mix music with storytelling to make learning unforgettable.

51. Baby Einstein: Simple visuals, gentle music, and colorful puppets introduce babies and toddlers to art, music, and curiosity about the world.
52. Little Einsteins: A team of friends travels the globe solving problems with the help of classical music and famous works of art, making culture fun for kids.
53. Pinkfong & Baby Shark’s Big Show: The catchy “Baby Shark” world expands into playful adventures with music, dance, and silly problem-solving.
54. Music with Lindsey (YouTube, Ms. Rachel): Ms. Rachel brings songs, instruments, and interactive play to preschoolers, helping them build language and musical skills.
55. StoryBots Songs: These animated characters answer kids’ questions through fun, catchy tunes that stick in your head long after the episode ends.
56. The Wiggles: Bright costumes, dancing, and nonstop singing keep preschoolers engaged while teaching lessons about safety, friendship, and fun.
57. Wonder Pets!: Three classroom pets rescue animals in need, solving problems through teamwork and catchy, opera-style songs.
58. Jim Henson’s The Hoobs: Curious, colorful creatures learn human culture through questions, music, and playful experiments.
59. Fraggle Rock: Jim Henson’s puppets live in a colorful underground world, where they use music and creativity to navigate friendships and challenges.
60. Imagination Movers: A real-life band of friends solves problems with music, humor, and teamwork, encouraging kids to think creatively.

Low-Stimulation, Gentle Learning

These shows have a softer tone, slower pacing, and simple storytelling. They’re perfect for winding down, helping kids relax, and gently learning life lessons.

61. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: Fred Rogers’ kind voice and steady pace create a calm environment where kids can learn emotions, kindness, and the world around them.
62. Bluey: While playful and imaginative, Bluey’s slower pacing and relatable family stories make it both engaging and soothing for kids.
63. Sarah & Duck (UK): With quirky humor and a gentle tone, this British show follows Sarah and her pet duck through quiet, whimsical adventures.
64. Poko: A curious little boy uses his imagination to solve problems in calm, slow-moving stories that encourage creativity.
65. Franklin and Friends: Franklin the turtle teaches kids about friendship, patience, and problem-solving with a gentle, steady pace.
66. Little Bear: Soft animation and calm storytelling make this show comforting, while Little Bear’s adventures teach simple life lessons.
67. Postman Pat: Set in a quiet village, Postman Pat delivers mail while helping neighbors, showing the value of community and kindness.
68. Oswald: This friendly blue octopus goes about his day in a calm, reassuring way, helping kids learn routines and empathy.
69. Maisy Mouse: With minimal dialogue and bright visuals, Maisy introduces toddlers to everyday activities in a very gentle style.
70. Rubbadubbers: Bath toy characters come to life in quiet, playful adventures, encouraging kids to problem-solve in a calm and fun way.
71. Bear in the Big Blue House: This comforting classic features gentle songs, soft voices, and slow pacing. Bear and his friends learn feelings, friendships, and everyday experiences in a calm, nurturing way.

Platform Breakdown

Parents often look for shows based on where they’re streaming, and each platform has its own lineup of kid-friendly educational content.

Netflix: Offers some of the most popular modern picks like StoryBots, Ada Twist, Scientist, Emily’s Wonder Lab, and Brainchild. These shows mix humor, creativity, and real science in ways that keep kids engaged.

PBS Kids: Known for trusted classics, PBS brings Sesame Street, Molly of Denali, and Dinosaur Train. It’s a go-to choice for parents who want safe, reliable programming.

Prime Video: Features beloved titles such as Leapfrog and selected episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, making it a good option for preschool learning.

Disney+: Combines fun and learning with shows like Bluey and National Geographic programs, giving kids both relatable family stories and amazing looks at the natural world.

Conclusion

Educational content today goes far beyond simple cartoons; it can inspire kids to think, question, and imagine in new and innovative ways.

The best educational shows for kids don’t just teach facts; they build confidence, creativity, and social awareness in ways that stick.

By choosing carefully, you can introduce your child to worlds of science, language, history, and more – all from the comfort of your living room.

This blog for educational kids gives you a starting point, but the real impact happens when you learn it together.

Ready to make screen time count? Start with one of these shows today and see how it ignites curiosity and learning in your child.