Finding kids’ shows that are both entertaining and tolerable (or even enjoyable) for parents can feel like striking gold. As a dad of four, I’ve spent countless hours navigating the world of children’s programming and learned that not all shows are created equal.
Some children’s programming is mind-numbing, while others are surprisingly delightful, offering humor, creativity, and even life lessons that resonate with both kids and adults.
In my opinion, the best kids’ shows strike a perfect balance between keeping little ones engaged, and giving parents a break from the chaos.
From the heartwarming adventures of Bluey to the quirky and imaginative adventures of Sarah & Duck, these shows are more than just entertainment—they’re tools for teaching, bonding, and even sneaking in a laugh or two for the grown-ups.
I’ve listed what each show is about, why I love them, why my kids love them, and the lessons they teach children.
Bluey
Bluey follows the adventures of a lovable Blue Heeler puppy and her family as they navigate everyday life with creativity and humor and it’s the number one favorite show in my household.
Why I Love Bluey: As a dad, I appreciate how Bluey captures the chaos and beauty of family life in a way that’s both relatable and hilarious. The parents, Bandit and Chilli, are refreshingly real—they’re not perfect, but they’re always trying their best, which I can connect with. The show’s humor is also clever enough to keep me entertained, and the heartfelt moments often leave me reaching for the tissues. It’s a show that reminds me to embrace the messiness of parenting and find joy in the little moments. Blue is so popular among adults that there are “Adult Bluey Fan” Facebook pages with followers in the hundreds of thousands.
Why Kids Love Bluey: Kids adore Bluey because it’s packed with imaginative play, funny scenarios, and characters they can see themselves in. Bluey and Bingo’s adventures are always exciting, and the show’s vibrant animation and relatable stories keep them hooked.
Lessons Bluey Teaches Children: Bluey teaches kids about creativity, problem-solving, and the importance of family. It also emphasizes empathy, resilience, and the value of play in learning and growing.
We love this show so much in my household that I wrote an article about the 20 Best Bluey Episodes and the lessons they teach children.
Spidey and His Amazing Friends
Spidey and His Amazing Friends bring Spider-Man, Ghost-Spider, and Miles Morales together for action-packed, team-driven adventures. I live in a Marvel household; our entire living room is decorated with Marvel items, so it’s no surprise that this show is my two-year-old daughter’s favorite. She regularly dresses up in her Spider-Man costume to watch the show.
Why I Love Spidey and His Amazing Friends: As a dad and huge Marvel fan, I love how this show combines action with positive messages about teamwork and helping others. The pacing is quick enough to keep kids engaged but not overwhelming or overly chaotic. Plus, the superhero theme is a win for kids and parents who grew up loving Spider-Man.
Why Kids Love Spidey and His Amazing Friends: Kids are drawn to the excitement of superheroes and the fun of seeing Spidey and his friends save the day. The colorful animation, catchy theme song, and relatable characters make it a favorite. There are also many books based on the show’s episodes, which my youngest children also love.
Lessons Spidey and His Amazing Friends Teaches Children: The show emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and the importance of helping others. It also teaches kids about responsibility and using their abilities for good.
Puffin Rock
Puffin Rock is a gentle, beautifully animated show about a curious puffin named Oona and her life on a picturesque Irish island. It was the first Netflix original animated series I watched, and I was immediately captivated by its charm.
Why I Love Puffin Rock: I appreciate this show’s calm, soothing tone. It’s a welcome break from the high-energy programs that sometimes feel overwhelming. The animation is stunning, and the narration by Chris O’Dowd adds a touch of humor that parents will enjoy. As a huge IT Crowd fan, I admit O’Dowd’s voice sometimes sends me back to another viewing of his hit British sitcom.
Why Kids Love Puffin Rock: Kids love Oona’s adventures and the charming animal characters. The show’s gentle storytelling and beautiful visuals captivate their attention without being overstimulating.
Lessons Puffin Rock Teaches Children: Puffin Rock teaches kids about nature, curiosity, and kindness. It also introduces concepts like problem-solving and the importance of family and community.
Sarah & Duck
Sarah & Duck follows a quirky little girl and her pet duck as they explore their whimsical world with curiosity and kindness. A quick warning: this show is super weird but in a magically creative way.
Why I Love Sarah & Duck: As a dad, I enjoy the show’s quirky humor and imaginative storytelling. It’s refreshingly different from other kids’ shows, and the gentle pace makes it easy to watch without feeling overwhelmed. Not only does Sarah & Duck not talk down to children, but it also offers clever jokes and whimsical stories that adults love. This is another show with a huge adult following, even among adults who don’t have children.
Why Kids Love Sarah & Duck: Kids are drawn to the show’s quirky characters and the fun, imaginative adventures Sarah and Duck go on. The simplicity and charm of the show keep them entertained.
Lessons Sarah & Duck Teaches Children: The show encourages curiosity, creativity, and kindness. It also teaches kids about problem-solving and the value of friendship.
Sesame Street
Sesame Street needs no introduction, with its iconic mix of education, humor, and beloved characters like Elmo and Big Bird. I loved this show as a kid and I still love it today.
Why I Love Sesame Street: I appreciate how Sesame Street has stood the test of time. It’s educational, entertaining, and inclusive, with lessons that resonate with both kids and adults. The humor is clever, and the celebrity cameos are always a fun surprise. It’s also a piece of my past that I can share with my children, with new episodes that are more relevant to the world they live in today.
Why Kids Love Sesame Street: Kids love the colorful characters, catchy songs, and fun skits. Elmo, Big Bird, and the gang make learning feel like play, which keeps them engaged and excited.
Lessons Sesame Street Teaches Children: The show covers everything from letters and numbers to social skills, empathy, and diversity. It’s a comprehensive educational tool that helps kids learn about the world around them.
Curious George
Curious George is the timeless tale of a mischievous monkey whose curiosity leads to fun and learning. It’s also a masterclass in storytelling, which isn’t a surprise considering it was executive-produced by Hollywood legend Ron Howard!
Why I Love Curious George: As a dad, I love how the show encourages curiosity and exploration. George’s adventures are always fun and lighthearted, and I aspire to the Man in the Yellow Hat’s patience as a parent. My one complaint is that the Man in the Yellow Hat lets George get away with mischief way too much.
Why Kids Love Curious George: Kids love George’s mischievous antics and the excitement of his adventures. The show’s humor and relatable scenarios keep them entertained.
Lessons Curious George Teaches Children: The show teaches kids about curiosity, problem-solving, and the consequences of actions. It also emphasizes the importance of kindness and helping others.
Peep And The Big Wide World
Peep and the Big Wide World introduces young viewers to science and nature through the adventures of a chick, a duck, and a robin, as narrated by Joan Cusack!
Why I Love Peep and the Big Wide World: I appreciate how the show makes science fun and accessible for young kids. The humor is clever, and the characters are endearing, making it enjoyable for parents to watch.
Why Kids Love Peep and the Big Wide World: Kids love the colorful characters and the fun, exploratory nature of the show. The mix of humor and learning keeps them engaged.
Lessons Peep and the Big Wide World Teaches Children: The show teaches kids about science, nature, and problem-solving. It also encourages curiosity and exploration.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Daniel Tiger teaches emotional intelligence and social skills through the experiences of a young tiger and his friends. I love this show, but it has divided parents, including my wife, who refuses to watch it.
Why I Love Daniel Tiger: As a dad, I appreciate how the show tackles big emotions and social situations in a relatable way for kids. The catchy songs are helpful tools for teaching life lessons, and I often find myself singing them, too.
Why Kids Love Daniel Tiger: Kids love Daniel’s relatable adventures and the catchy songs that help them remember important lessons. The characters are friendly and easy to connect with.
Lessons Daniel Tiger Teaches Children: The show teaches kids about empathy, emotional regulation, and social skills. It also covers topics like sharing, kindness, and dealing with frustration.
Paw Patrol
Paw Patrol follows a group of rescue pups as they work together to protect Adventure Bay.
Why I Love Paw Patrol: As a dad, I appreciate the show’s focus on teamwork and problem-solving. The action-packed episodes keep kids entertained, and the positive messages are a bonus.
Why Kids Love Paw Patrol: Kids love the adorable pups and the excitement of their rescue missions. The show’s fast pace and colorful animation keep them hooked.
Lessons Paw Patrol Teaches Children: The show teaches kids about teamwork, problem-solving, and helping others. It also emphasizes bravery and responsibility.
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood is a classic show that fosters kindness, empathy, and self-worth through Fred Rogers’ gentle guidance. I mostly watch clips of the show with my children, showing them my favorite scenes from the past.
Why I Love Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood: This was my childhood! Also, the show teaches timeless lessons, and who doesn’t love the calming presence of Fred Rogers? The show’s focus on kindness and emotional intelligence is something I want my kids to learn.
Why Kids Love Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood: Kids love the gentle storytelling and how Mr. Rogers makes them feel seen and valued. The show’s simplicity and warmth are comforting.
Lessons Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Teaches Children: The show teaches kids about kindness, empathy, and self-worth. It also covers topics like dealing with emotions and understanding others.
Ask The Storybots
Ask the Storybots is an interactive, educational series that explores curious questions with fun and creativity. This show is not calming; in fact, out of all the shows on this list, this is the children’s series that best plays to my ADHD brain. It’s a bit wacky, totally wild, and all kinds of awesome!
Why I Love Ask the Storybots: I love how the show answers kids’ questions in an educational and entertaining way. The humor is clever, and the celebrity cameos are a fun touch. They also have a ton of clever songs which I love.
Why Kids Love Ask the Storybots: Kids love the catchy songs, funny characters, and excitement about learning new things. The show’s interactive format keeps them engaged. I just realized that I basically love all the same things on this list that make kids love these shows, and maybe that’s the point.
Lessons Ask the Storybots Teaches Children: The show teaches kids about science, history, and how things work. It encourages curiosity and a love of learning.