As a kindergartener and in my early elementary years, I loved watching Nick Jr shows. Nickelodeon has most recently kept the magic of these old adventures alive by partnering with Paramount+ so parents can stream their old-school favorites with their own children at any time. There has also been a handful of new Nick Jr. favorites released in the past 10 years for Gen Alphas to enjoy alongside their exploration of old Millennial favorites.
Paramount+ has a treasure trove of Nick Jr. favorites for little ones to explore. Paw Patrol takes your tykes on adventures filled with suspense and teamwork. Blue’s Clues is a ’90s favorite that keeps kids keen on observations. Dora the Explorer’s bilingual adventures enhance language development and problem-solving.
Whether your little one prefers undersea adventures like Bubble Guppies and Baby Shark’s Big Show or nature-inspired bits with Little Bear, Paramount+ brings Nick Jr. cartoons right to your living room. Each show sparks curiosity, imagination, and confidence as kids learn through laughter and song. All of the shows on this list are rated TV-Y and perfect for children three years and older.
Here are 20 adventure-filled Nick Jr. shows your little one can enjoy right now on Paramount+.
Paw Patrol
The Paw Patrol is a group of 5 dynamic rescue pups with unique abilities. Ryder leads the pack and summons them to the lookout when there’s trouble in Adventure Bay. Skye is the brave aerial pup who solves problems in the sky. Marshall is the clumsy, good-hearted firefighter Dalmatian ready to rescue animals from trees and put out fires. Chase is the German Shepard police pup, prepared to maintain order in a crisis. Rubble is an English bulldog specializing in construction, prepared to make big moves in the field. Zuma is a water rescue Chocolate Labrador, rescuing those in need stuck in the waters of Adventure Bay. Rocky is a mixed-breed rescue pup who gets creative with using different materials to help save the day.
What Kids Can Learn From Paw Patrol: Teamwork and leadership are important components of daily life. Even if there’s a designated leader, everyone can take the lead in special tasks within a group. Children will learn the importance of helping others in their community. I signed my daughter up for Girl Scouts last year, and she’s learning well about helping others through the community endeavors her troops participate in. They wrote letters to kids affected by the wildfires in California earlier this year.
Dora The Explorer (2000)
Join an adventurous Latina girl, Dora, and her monkey friend, Boots, for expeditions to destinations to experience new things or return lost animals home. The map guides the way, and the Backpack keeps them stocked with the necessary items for their journey. Each character has a special jingle so kids know it’s their time to be on the show. The interactive show involves your children by asking them questions about which way to go based on map directions, and for correct answers in various other situations.
What Kids Can Learn From Dora The Explorer: Kids will grasp problem-solving skills, teamwork efforts, Spanish vocabulary, and a sense of direction. Working with a team and navigating a neighborhood are two critical skills for child and adult development. My kids are half Puerto Rican. Besides their paternal family members teaching them some Spanish, I also have Dora on for supplemental learning.
Go Diego Go!
Go Diego Go is the original spin-off of Dora the Explorer (2000). The action-packed elementary cartoon follows the adventures of Diego Marquez, where he saves animals in need throughout jungles, mountains, rainforests, the Arctic, and other settings. Diego reunites baby animals with their parents or rescues injured or lost animals. Every episode highlights a different species and its habitat as Diego ventures to save the animal in need.
What Kids Can Learn From Go Diego Go: Children learn how to be kind to the world’s ecosystem and take care of animals in various habitats. Respecting all living things builds character and kindness. I always instill these lessons whenever the kids and I see insects or small animals while camping in the summer.
Dora The Explorer (2024)
The 2024 reboot of Dora the Explorer is a dynamically CGI-animated show with old characters Millennials remember, like Dora, Boots, Map, Backpack, Isa, Benny, Swiper, and Tico. Gen Alphas will enjoy new characters like Ale the Alebrije, who is a magical jaguar who accompanies Dora on her adventures. There are 3 seasons of this Nick. Jr. cartoon reboot currently available on Paramount+, with the 4th season debuting in late 2025. Dora and friends explore the rainforest while staving off the cheeky antics of Swiper the Fox.
What Kids Can Learn From Dora The Explorer (2024): Curiosity is a healthy trait best for exploring one’s world. Following clues, solving puzzles, and following steps to meet goals will help children learn sequence and enhance their critical thinking skills. My kids are still catching up on the original Dora series, so it will be some time before I show them this installment.
Blaze And The Monster Machines
Blaze is a red monster truck that journeys on STEM-inspired adventures with his driver, AJ. The show blends fun and education with lessons in science, tech, engineering, and math. Along with Blaze’s monster truck friends and their drivers, they work together to solve problems with creativity and critical thinking. The show’s upbeat songs and catchy delivery keep children engaged from beginning to end.
What Kids Can Learn From Blaze And The Monster Machines: Complex concepts like magnetism, friction, and acceleration are introduced in each episode in a simple way for young children to understand. Since my son loves playing with cars, I’m going to show him Blaze And The Monster Machines when I can get him off his Peppa Pig obsession.
Peppa Pig
Not a day goes by without my toddlers watching Peppa Pig. In addition to Paramount Plus, select seasons are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime. The cute show, created by the same team behind Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom, follows Peppa Pig and her family and playgroup friends. My kids and I love how the show has added a new character, Baby Evie, to “Peppa Pig Tales” this Spring.
What Kids Can Learn From Peppa Pig: Every 5-minute episode teaches little ones lessons about feelings, science, cooking, math, colors, and many other life concepts. Navigating big feelings like jealousy and overexcitement takes time to build emotional intelligence. Any problem can be solved with creative thinking for all parties involved.
Bubble Guppies
Cute mermaid boys and girls learn about the world in their underwater school with their teacher, and an orange fish named Mr. Grouper. The show’s structure mirrors a school day, with story time, pop quizzes, lunchtime, and field trips.
Every episode has a special adventure with classmates Deema, Molly, Goby, Gil, Nonny, and Oona. The catchiest part of each episode is the song that accompanies it, so kids can learn timeless themes like friendship, being a community member, and helping others.
What Kids Can Learn From Bubble Guppies: Social-emotional skills, early literacy, and mathematical concepts are learned throughout the Guppies’ adventures. The Nick Jr. cartoon teaches cooperative listening and how asking questions can further understanding. I discovered Bubble Guppies on a DVD with various Nick Jr. cartoons on it in 2019, to show my eldest daughter. I remember the “Australia” song to this day from “The Wizard Of Oz-traila” (Season 3, Episode 5).
Baby Shark’s Big Show
It’s funny how kids grow up so fast, with their likes changing. I remember my eldest daughter’s giggles as she watched the original viral Baby Shark song on YouTube in 2019 and 2020 during her early toddler days. In 2024, when she was 6, she covered her ears as the Baby Shark song came on at a special event because she didn’t like it anymore.
Baby Shark’s Big Show is a Nick Jr. cartoon that expands on the Baby Shark universe (called Baby in the show) as he and his small orange fish friend, William, explore Carnival Coral. Their familial and friendship connections with other characters promote family bonding and community involvement. The catchy songs emulate the energy and charm behind the original YouTube installment that made the brand famous.
What Kids Can Learn From Baby Shark’s Big Show: Children learn how others have physical and personality-based differences that make them unique. These lessons build emotional awareness and understanding of the world around them. A community is only as strong as the individuals present, working together to make it a better place. I’m so proud of my daughter appreciating her classmates’ differences and being a great friend.
Blue’s Clues
I grew up on Blue’s Clues, Powerpuff Girls, and Big Comfy Couch on repeat from ages 5 to 7. I think watching Blue’s Clues is the main reason I overanalyze every situation and “collect clues” to figure out why something is happening. Follow Blue, an endearing puppy who leaves three clues for Steve (and later Joe) to collect in their handy dandy notebook.
Kids join in by answering questions along the way, fostering an interactive learning experience. Characters throughout the house help kids grasp concepts about cooking (Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper), time (Tickety Tock), outside play (Shovel and Pail), practicing good hygiene (Slippery Soap), and more.
What Kids Can Learn From Blue’s Clues: Kids learn how to make observations by spotting the paw prints on clues. Pattern recognition is important for developing logical reasoning and critical thinking skills, which are crucial for solving problems in school and real life. Children will build their confidence by expressing their thoughts.
Blue’s Clues And You
My daughter instantly fell in love with Josh and Blue when I showed her Blue’s Clues and You in 2019 (she was one back then). She would dance every time the theme song came on. The reboot of the original Blue’s Clues takes viewers on reimagined adventures of old episodes, imagined adventures of old episodes, and all-new stories.
For example, I grew up watching “Blue’s Birthday” (Season 2, Episode 9) on Blue’s Clues, and the reboot version on Blue’s Clues And You! had the same episode name, except it was the 8th episode in the 2nd season. This modernized version of a Millennial cartoon favorite still involves beloved characters Mr. Salt, Mrs. Pepper, Tickety Tock, and others. Expect new characters as Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper expand their family, and Josh has his grandma over, just like Steve did in the original series run.
What Kids Can Learn From Blue Clues And You!: Little tykes grasp basic cognitive skills as characters discuss recognition of colors, numbers, patterns, and letters. More observation skills are covered in the reboot, like in the original, showing kids the importance of paying attention to their environment. This is an important lesson I instill in my kids whenever we attend a crowded event.
Little Bear
A close second favorite Nick Jr. cartoon I remember watching was Little Bear. The low-stimulation cartoon involved endearing stories of patience, problem-solving, and imagination. Little Bear imagines swimming with mermaids, blasting off to the moon, and sailing ships through the seas. He also solves problems with his friends, like in “Episode,” when everyone misunderstood what Hen meant by the tasks involved in making a strawberry shortcake.
What Kids Can Learn From Little Bear: Parents can help little ones nurture emotional awareness as they learn about empathy, patience, and sharing. The calm storytelling pace helps kids appreciate the moment and build a sense of nature. My three kids and I went on many camping adventures this summer, and it was beautiful to see them explore their world. Finding new insects, enjoying the forest lake, and simply spending time together in a peaceful natural environment were the highlights of our camping adventures.
Team Umizoomi
Milli, Geo, and Bot use their Mighty Math Powers to help people and animals in need throughout Umi City. The animated characters set against a live-action setting make for a nice contrast. The trio counts numbers, measures lengths, and identifies patterns to make math a more hands-on and fun endeavor for younger children. Every adventure solving a problem also introduces different types of mathematics for preschoolers and elementary students to implement in their education.
What Kids Can Learn From Team Umizoomi: Children will build confidence in their cognitive abilities through problem-solving that teaches spatial awareness and various mathematical concepts. The show encourages and empowers kids to recognize how math is all around them. I make a math lesson for my daughter about giving a cashier money and getting change. I count out loud to my toddlers to show them how many of something we have in our grocery cart.
The Tiny Chef Show
I didn’t know about The Tiny Chef Show until after I saw some Facebook memes about the Tiny Chef. The caption said something along the lines of “How your girlfriend acts after her boyfriend raises his voice at her.” This lovely green chef is a herbivore who shows viewers how to cook plant-based dishes.
Food diversity is important because not everyone has the same diet preferences or needs for a healthy lifestyle. Tiny Chef serves up vegan versions of delicious dishes like tacos, showing the world you can enjoy a plant-based diet with a little creativity.
Fun fact: Josh Dela Cruz, the prominent character in Blues Clues And You! has made appearances as himself in a couple of The Tiny Chef episodes. He is the chef’s “blazing pal”. That’s a tight-knit Nick Jr. cartoon relationship!
What Kids Can Learn From The Tiny Chef Show: Trying new foods can be exciting and inspirational. Many kids turn their noses up at foods they have never tried. Instead, little ones should have an open mind in trying at least a bite of something before proclaiming whether they like the food or not. The show also promotes environmental awareness about how the cattle population is affected by not following a plant-based diet. I was vegan for 8 months with my late husband. My eldest daughter (his stepdaughter) was also vegan for the first year and a half of her life. While we still eat meat, we enjoy plant-based dishes like bean chili, fruit salad, and veggie tacos or soup.
The Backyardigans
Five animal friends embark on imaginative adventures right from their backyard. Pablo, Tyrone, Uniqua, Austin, and Tasha pretend to be in the Renaissance Era, pirates on a ship, and many other colorful characters situated in creative storytelling. It’s like listening to a Broadway show for kids, with as much singing as the characters do. When I was home from school sick during my elementary years, I remember watching The Backyardigans.
Fun Fact: While her other friends are specific animals, Uniqua isn’t a traditional creature. She’s her own being, hence her name.
What Kids Can Learn From The Backyardigans: Imagination has no limitations. This Nick Jr. cartoon showcases how any adventure can happen in an ordinary place as long as you have the power of your unique imagination. It’s been so long since I’ve been in touch with my childhood imagination. I remember drawing, walking, and talking about food characters and creating cardboard box robots between the ages of 8 and 10, between 2002 and 2004. It was a great time to be a kid!
Paddington
Paddington is a witty and inquisitive bear from Peru who wears a trademark blue coat and red hat. The show chronicles his adventures with the Brown family as they enjoy London. His curiosity lands him in humorous situations, which he solves with good manners and honesty. This overly formal bear eventually warms up to those closest to him. To this day, I still have a Paddington Bear bank from childhood and a couple of onesies with him on them that I passed to my toddlers.
What Kids Can Learn From Paddington: Be kind to others even when there are cultural differences. It doesn’t matter where you come from. It matters how you play a part in your local community where you are now. Respect others to encourage diversity and inclusion in your community.
Shimmer And Shine
Twin genies-in-training, Shimmer and Shine, grant wishes for their human bestie, Leah. Sometimes Leah’s wishes don’t go as planned, which means they must work together to set things right. Even as they navigate these unexpected issues, the three friends learn patience and conflict resolution tactics. It’s a lovely world of fantasy and magic with endless possibilities, but these conditions can come with consequences.
What Kids Can Learn From Shimmer And Shine: Learning from mistakes and finding creative ways to solve them builds resilience and critical thinking skills. The show teaches gratitude by valuing what you already have, rather than wishing for what you can’t get. I always remind my eldest daughter that making wishes is only part of the work and that hard work is the better payoff.
Oswald
Oswald is a slow-paced Nick Jr. classic cartoon where he explores the Big City with his loyal pet dog, Weenie. His friends, Henry the penguin and Daisy, the flower, add charm and love to Oswald’s daily adventures. The simple, meaningful storytelling pace helps young viewers unwind while encouraging engaged curiosity. While it was a short series with 26 episodes (52 total stories), it’s a memorable cartoon that’s a core part of my childhood memories.
What Kids Can Learn From Oswald: Empathy, emotional awareness, and good manners are highlighted in this endearing show. Handling challenges calmly builds resilience. Appreciating others’ differences enhances kindness and understanding. I have yet to show my kids this Nick Jr. cartoon, but I remember reading an Oswald book to my eldest daughter in 2017 when I was still pregnant with her. I found it at a local thrift store.
Deer Squad
Kai, Bobbi, Lola, and Rammy are four deer who protect Platinum City with their nature-inspired special powers. Together, they’re the Deer Squad, four unlikely heroes who solve environmentally-themed problems to help out their community. Kai has water powers, while Lola controls the wood. Bobbi uses the Earth as his power, and Rammy is a fire wielder. The Nick Jr. cartoon gives off Paw Patrol and SuperKitties vibes because of its action-adventure superhero storyline, except with deer.
What Kids Can Learn From Deer Squad: Teamwork balances reaching goals promptly. Everyone’s unique skills can contribute to achieving a collective goal. When my daughter wants to do a special activity (last night, we decorated a spooky graveyard made of cookies and icing), she has to work with me to get a few chores done before I’m ready to sit down and do it. She helped me put pantry groceries away and gathered recyclables to take out for trash night before we all did the food craft as a family.
Wallykazam!
Wally Trollman and his friends explore a world of fantasy and whimsy, all while he wields a magical stick. He brings words to life by wielding this stick and helping his friends, Gina Giant, Bobogoblin, and Norville the dragon through challenges and misadventures. Children who love fantasy and fairy tales, and learning new words, will enjoy watching Wallykazam!
What Kids Can Learn From Wallykazam!: Children can build their vocabulary and reading skills while watching this show. An enhanced vocabulary leads to better public speaking and communication skills. My youngest daughter just turned 2 in July, and now that she’s saying more words, I bet Wallykazam! can help expand her vocabulary in a fun way.
Max And Ruby
Max and Ruby helped me through my sibling rivalry with my little brother, who is 2.5 years younger than I am. The differences between these bunny siblings also remind me of how my eldest two children (a 7-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son) act together. Curious and cheeky Max is the younger brother of the smart and responsible Ruby. Every episode shows the difference between Max’s mischievous nature and Ruby’s linear, organized personality. Their sibling dynamic reflects love, patience, and occasional disagreements. It’s a delightful Nick Jr. cartoon I can proudly recommend to all parents with young children at home.
What Kids Can Learn From Max And Ruby: Preschoolers will learn family relationships and how to solve disagreements calmly. Siblings and other family members can reach resolutions even when they disagree. Encouraging individuality and independence is especially important for children to learn about the world in their own special way.
If you’re looking for more kid-friendly shows, be sure to check out our family-friendly TV shows database, which features a ton of shows rated from TV-Y to TV-14.
