In our house, there is a battle that rages daily. It’s a battle that I’m sure many parents struggle with. The battle to get the kids to eat something other than chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and occasionally mac & cheese. It’s like pulling teeth to get them to try anything new, and in some cases, it’s concerning that a child is only eating one or two things.
I’d love to say I had a magic formula or idea that would help picky kids try new foods, but I’ve tried everything twice, and I’m all out of ideas. Fortunately, there are always cartoons, and we are fortunate to live in a time when they are more than just glorified toy commercials.
These cartoons about healthy eating tell stories that teach kids about the benefits of nutrition and the importance of trying new foods and balancing their meals. Some deal with the anxiety kids sometimes feel over new foods, and others stress the idea of moderation instead of restriction.
Regardless of their lessons, they are all fun to watch and may just crack a doorway or two that leads to conversations about better eating with your kid.
Where To Watch Note: Some streaming services may list episodes in a different order or split episodes into multiple parts. I suggest searching by episode name if the episode isn’t located in the same position I have noted. I’ve included recommended age ranges for each show along with the streaming services where they’re currently available in the United States. Streaming availability and age recommendations in this guide reflect platforms commonly used by families in the United States. International availability may vary by region due to licensing.
Cyberchase — “A Recipe for Chaos” (Season 10, Episode 2)
Cyberchase stars kids Jackie, Matt, Inez, and Digit as they traverse Cyberspace using math and teamwork to stop the nefarious villain, Hacker, and save digital worlds. In “A Recipe For Chaos,” The CyberSquad enters a cooking competition, only to find Hacker sabotaging recipes by changing ingredients and portions. As chaos unfolds in the kitchen, the team must use math, logic, and teamwork to fix the meals. By correcting measurements and understanding how ingredients work together, the kids save the competition and send Hacker back to the
How “A Recipe for Chaos” Teaches Kids About Healthy Eating: The key takeaway from “A Recipe for Chaos” is the importance of balanced eating. Kids can see that making food requires precise thought and measurement, and when that’s ignored, the food (and the eater) tend to suffer. The episode frames food choices as problem solving task that kids can approach logically and thoughtfully. This will lead to better food, smaller portions and better outcomes.
Age Range: 6–11
Where To Stream: PBS Kids
Arthur — “To Eat or Not to Eat” (Season 15, Episode 5)
The adorable show Arthur follows Arthur Read, an eight-year-old aardvark, as he navigates school, friendships, and family life with kid-friendly humor and gentle lessons. In “To Eat or Not to Eat,” Arthur and his friends are introduced to new eating habits at school and at home. Arthur is a little scared about trying healthier foods versus sticking with familiar favorites. Arthur talks things over with his friends and family and learns that healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up enjoyment. The episode uses relatable situations to show how small changes can lead to better habits.
How “To Eat or Not to Eat” Teaches Kids About Healthy Eating: This episode of Arthur uses a relatable situation (trying new foods) to show how small changes can lead to better habits. My own kids have a lot of trouble trying new foods and, like Arthur, need a little bit of gentle encouragement before diving in. “To Eat or Not To Eat” also shows kids the benefits of taking things one little bit at a time and seeing gradual changes in their habits. It shows kids that it’s good to keep an open mind rather than be restricted to certain foods.
Age Range: 5–9
Where To Stream: Amazon Prime Video
The Magic School Bus Rides Again — “Waste Not, Want Not” (Season 2, Episode 11)
This update/sequel to the original Magic School Bus show stars Ms. Fiona Frizzle and her curious class as they embark on imaginative science field trips to explore how everything from appetites to zephyrs work. “Waste Not Want Not” sees Ms. Frizzle taking the class on a journey through the food waste system to learn what happens to uneaten food. The students see how leftovers, composting, and recycling affect the environment. By observing the consequences of wasted food, the kids come to understand how smarter food choices can help both people and the planet.
How “Waste Not, Want Not” Teaches Kids About Healthy Eating: There’s a lot to unpack in “Waste Not, Want Not,” as it offers environmental and food-habits lessons. The episode highlights the importance of valuing food and reducing waste, and also encourages mindful meal planning. This shows children how to reduce waste and take a bit of ownership in the meals they eat. By linking healthy habits to environmental responsibility, kids feel like they are helping the planet by eating healthy, and that can’t be a bad thing! I particular like this cartoon about healthy eating because it focuses on so many aspects of the foods we choose to eat and how they affect us beyond just consumption.
Age Range: 5–10
Where To Stream: Netflix
Sid the Science Kid — “Sid’s Health Day” (Season 1, Episode 20)
Sid the Science Kid stars Sid, who asks big questions and uses observation and experiments to understand the science of everyday life. In this episode, Sid wants to understand what it means to be healthy, so he investigates exercise, hygiene, and, of course, food with help from his teacher and friends. Through simple experiments and questions, Sid learns how nutritious foods fuel the body and support growth. “Sid’s Health Day” presents health science in an accessible way for preschoolers.
How “Sid’s Health Day” Teaches Kids About Healthy Eating: For preschoolers, “Sid’s Healthy Day” provides a simple, easy-to-understand explanation of how food becomes energy for the body. The episode also introduces the food groups and which foods are healthier than others. Kids and parents are encouraged to foster curiosity about food, including the types of food eaten, as well as the added double-bonus of promoting exercise and maintaining good hygiene.
Age Range: 3–6
Where To Stream: PBS Kids
Nutri Ventures — “Little Big Hero” (Season 1, Episode 1)
This is a larger entry, as the entire show, Nutri Ventures, focuses on healthy eating, nutrition, and balanced diets. When food balance disappears worldwide, young heroes Theo and Lena discover they have a mission to restore healthy eating. In “Little Big Hero,” they meet villain Alex Grand, who has replaced all food with his “Genex 100” paste. Theo and Lena then discover real bread, gain superpowers, and uncover a plot to destroy real food, setting them on a quest with their friends to find the lost Food Groups and restore nutrition to the world. As children learn about food groups and nutrients, they begin their journey to help build a world where unhealthy habits threaten people’s well-being.
How “Little Big Hero” Teaches Kids About Healthy Eating: Nutri Ventures introduces healthy eating and nutrition as sources of strength. “Little Big Hero” explains the importance of balanced meals and frames healthy food as empowering. As the kids learn about food groups and nutrients, they begin their own journey to eat healthy. The additional lesson of this episode is the importance of a varied diet that doesn’t rely on a single source. Kids learn that healthy eating means mixing it up now and again, and it encourages them to try new foods. If you’re kids like this episode they may appreciate the entire show which at its core is a cartoon about healthy eating.
Age Range: 5–10
Where To Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Kidoodle.TV
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood — “Daniel Tries a New Food” (Season 1, Episode 16)
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood stars the adorable Daniel Tiger as he learns social and emotional skills with help from his family and friends in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. In the episode “Daniel Tries a New Food,” Daniel is hesitant to try a new food at dinner, feeling unsure and scared about its taste. With help from his parents and a catchy song, Daniel learns that starting with just one bite can be a good way to start trying new things. By the end of the episode, Daniel feels proud of himself for being brave and open to new experiences at mealtime.
How “Daniel Tries a New Food” Teaches Kids About Healthy Eating: The hardest lesson to teach a kid about eating is that new things aren’t that scary and that a single bite to taste is always a good idea. “Daniel Tries a New Food” encourages kids to try unfamiliar foods and reduces anxiety around new things at mealtime. The episode also promotes positive family mealtime habits, such as eating together and table manners, which, in our busy world, can sometimes be hard for children to understand.
Age Range: 2–5
Where To Stream: PBS Kids
Caillou — “Food-A-Licious” (Season 2, Episode 8)
Caillou is about a curious preschooler named, well, Caillou. He experiences everyday life and learns important lessons with his family in a gentle, relatable way for younger children. In “Food-A-Licious,” Caillou gets to go with his neighbor, Mr. Hinkle, to visit a farm. As he sees how food is grown, Caillou becomes excited about trying different foods, even vegetables! As he explores tastes, textures, and colors, he learns that food can be fun and nutritious. With guidance from his family, Caillou discovers how meals are made and why eating a variety of foods helps him grow.
How “Food-A-Licious” Teaches Kids About Healthy Eating: The episode is designed to help children recognize “how many yummy things there are to eat.” “Food-a-Licious” focuses on curiosity, participation, and learning by showing where some foods come from. This encourages kids to try a variety of foods, both new and old, while promoting balanced, healthy eating. It also teaches balance, with a segment that addresses Caillou’s initial refusal to eat vegetables, choosing cookies instead.
Age Range: 2–5
Where To Stream: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video
The Amazing World of Gumball — “The Diet” (Season 5, Episode 24)
The bizarre Amazing World of Gumball centers on young Gumball Watterson and his brother Darwin as they navigate absurd adventures in the town of Elmore. “The Diet” finds
Gumball and Darwin discover that their Dad can’t lose weight because of his diet. He’s on ten of them and eating a meal for each one. Together, they help him get on a proper diet, slim down, and get pretty buff! Through comedy, the episode explores extremes in food choices and the importance of moderation, showing that balance is healthier than restriction.
How “The Diet” Teaches Kids About Healthy Eating: “The Diet” is a great resource for older kids looking to develop healthy eating habits. The episode stresses moderation over extreme measures and shows the consequences of poor food choices, and the consequences of good ones, too. Through crazy situations and silly jokes, the very real lesson being taught is one of balance and how kids can achieve it in their eating.
Age Range: 7–12
Where To Stream: Hulu, Disney+
Ask the StoryBots — “Why Can’t I Have Dessert All the Time?” (Season 2, Episode 2)
Ask the StoryBots follows the curious robotic StoryBots as they travel to different places and consult experts to answer kids’ biggest questions. “Why Can’t I Have Dessert All The Time?” is a question most parents have probably heard at length. The StoryBots answer it by traveling through the human body. They explore how sugar affects energy levels, teeth, and overall health. Along the way, experts explain the importance of nutrients found in different foods to answer the question and make nutrition understandable for kids.
How “Why Can’t I Have Dessert All the Time?” Teaches Kids About Healthy Eating: “Why Can’t I Have Dessert All The Time?” combines humor, music, and science to encourage kids to make smart dessert decisions. It also stresses the importance of a balanced diet with a variety of foods. By showing the effects that too much sugar can have on the body, the episode gives kids the hard facts in a fun way that they will definitely remember. The StoryBots always bring a ton of energy to their lessons making this cartoon about healthy eating one of the more energetic and amusing options on my list.
Age Range: 2-7
Where To Stream: Netflix
Peppa Pig — “Lunch” (Season 1, Episode 34)
Peppa Pig centers on Peppa, her family, and friends as they navigate everyday experiences familiar to young children. In the episode “Lunch,” Peppa and her friends sit down for a midday meal, where food preferences quickly become the focus. Some children are eager to eat what’s served, while others are hesitant or outspoken about what they don’t like. Through lighthearted dialogue and gentle humor, the episode captures the kinds of lunchtime dynamics many kids experience at home or school.
How “Lunch” Helps Kids Understand Food Choices and Mealtime Routines: The key takeaway from “Lunch” is that it’s okay for kids to have preferences, and that mealtime doesn’t need to be stressful. By showing children calmly expressing what they like or don’t like, the episode normalizes picky eating without rewarding negativity or turning it into a power struggle. It frames lunch as a regular, low-pressure part of the day where kids can observe others, discuss food, and gradually become more comfortable with different choices.
Age Range: 2–5
Where To Stream: YouTube, HBO Max
At the end of the day, taking a calm and measured approach to healthy eating choices can set our kids up for better choices in the future, hopefully these cartoons about healthy eating can help you start those conversations with your kids when they are still young and learning about food choices.
