When I was growing up, educational TV shows for kids tended to be just that: Educational. Most were pretty bland, with the occasional fun character or zany setting thrown in. Fortunately for my children, modern kids’ show creators know the value of teaching kids as well as entertaining them, and science in cartoons has, in many cases, become very enjoyable.
Science-based TV shows are the core of this development, as many cartoons seamlessly work science into their stories and characters’ lives. Kids can see that science is everywhere, and the entertainment factor is a terrific vehicle to spark the natural curiosity of children to explore the scientific world around them even more.
Here are some of the best science cartoons that teach kids important lessons about how things work and how to discover why they work, too! I’ve included recommended age ranges for each show and where to watch information with links to each streaming service where they are available to enjoy.
The Magic School Bus / The Magic School Bus Rides Again (Recommended Ages 5-10)
The Magic School Bus and its modern reboot, The Magic School Bus Rides Again, stars the fabulous Ms. Frizzle and her class as they explore science and educational topics via a shape-shifting magical bus. The Bus takes them inside the human body, into outer space, under the ocean, and even turns them into things they are studying, like bees. The Magic School Bus is a fun, entertaining show that kids won’t even realize is teaching them!
Overall, The Magic School Bus teaches that the keys to learning anything are curiosity and exploration. The show encourages kids to ask questions and get in the mud to find the answers. What I love most about the show is that it highlights that science is everywhere in everyday life. All a kid has to do is be open to looking for it. There are other themes of teamwork, tolerance, and problem solving woven into the episodes, and with Ms Frizzle at the controls, it’s never, ever boring!
Where To Watch: Netflix
Ada Twist, Scientist (Recommended Ages 4-7)
Another show that pushes the idea of asking questions to understand how the world works is Ada Twist, Scientist. The show stars Ada, a curious and determined young girl who absolutely loves science and discovering how things work. Alongside her friends, Iggy, Rosie, and Benny B, Ada investigates everyday mysteries and conducts experiments to find logical, evidence-based solutions. It’s also Executive-Produced by a couple of folks with the last name “Obama.”
Not only does Ada Twist, Scientist teach kids about everyday scientific concepts, but it also teaches them the valuable skill of critical thinking. Ada always takes a fact-based approach to her experiments with her friends, providing different perspectives. Ada listens, tests, and ultimately concludes, teaching kids that it’s ok to listen to different ideas and incorporate them into their discovery.
Where To Watch: Netflix
Earth To Luna! (Recommended Ages 3-6)
A preschool entry into this scientific list is Earth to Luna! This adorable show stars Luna, a curious six-year-old with an insatiable passion for science. Joining her in her discoveries are her younger brother Jupiter and her pet ferret Clyde. The topics Luna digs into are usually derived from everyday wonders that all kids encounter. Topics such as why ants are strong or how rainbows form. The scientific answers to these and many other questions are worked out using both real experiments and playful imagination.
Along with having an earworm of a song that Luna sings (“What’s happening here? What can it mean?”), Earth To Luna! teaches kids that the first step to exploring is asking the question. The series encourages younger kids to explore and ask questions, and to find answers in creative ways. Plus, the animation style is wonderfully unique, and Jupiter and Clyde are both adorable.
Where To Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Peacock
SciGirls (Recommended Ages 8-12)
SciGirls is an Emmy Award–winning children’s STEM series on PBS Kids that combines real-life footage with the animated characters Izzie and Jake. Izzie and Jake take viewers through real-world science and engineering projects, showcasing actual students conducting the experiments and exploring STEM concepts. This is fantastic because it gives kids not only some fun animated characters to enjoy, but also shows them real kids they can identify with.
SciGirls shows kids how to ask questions, design experiments, and solve problems (like building a turtle habitat or creating solar-powered systems) in a real-world setting. That allows kids to start to look at the world around them and see the science in their own day-to-day lives. There is also a terrific website component, with extra videos, games, and profiles on the students from each episode.
Where To Watch: PBS Kids, Amazon Prime
Elinor Wonders Why (Recommended Ages 3-6)
Another preschool entry, Elinor Wonders Why, follows Elinor the bunny and her friends Ari the bat and Olive the elephant as they investigate natural science, community life, and nature’s “ingenious inventions” in the fictional Animal Town. Each episode contains two stories bookended by shorts featuring Señor Tapir or Ms. Mole. It’s a fun, quirky show with an environmental and natural lean, but rooted in science and engineering.
Elinor Wonders Why teaches kids that the natural world contains a ton of scientific concepts that can be applied to all kinds of aspects of their daily lives. While the show is rooted in fact-finding and observational investigation, it also teaches important lessons about teamwork, kindness, and being respectful of one’s community and environment. This show proves that science in cartoons can involve endearing stories that children love to watch on repeat.
Where To Watch: PBS Kids, Amazon Prime
Sid The Science Kid (Recommended Ages 3-6)
From the one and only Jim Henson Company comes Sid the Science Kid! The titular character, Sid, is an inquisitive kid with a curiosity about the science of everyday life. In each episode, Sid asks a “BIG” question that kids can completely relate to. Questions like “Why are my shoes shrinking?” and “Why are teeth different shapes?” Through songs, experiments, and discussions with his teacher and classmates, Sid spends the day at school answering these big questions.
Sid the Science Kid is a terrific blend of humor, music, and relatable characters learning about science at the same time the viewers are. It stresses the scientific method and promotes collaboration, communication, and persistence in learning. Kids learn that the process of discovery is just as important as the answer and in taking on a classroom setting, it shows kids that their teachers and school are an amazing resource. It might seem obvious, but it helps to remind kids that school isn’t just textbooks and tests.
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV
Octonauts (Recommended Ages 3-7)
A personal favourite of mine, Octonauts follows the marine biology undersea adventures of Captain Bartholomew Bear and his team of adorable animal Octonaut experts as they traverse the ocean floor. The Octonauts learn about creatures, solving their problems and protecting all species they encounter. The show presents the creatures of the sea as relatable, even if they are scary sharks or vampire squids.
Octonauts teaches kids about the vast and vibrant world under the sea. Rooted in the real science of marine biology, it studies migration, environment, and social aspects of all the creatures of the sea. It also teaches teamwork, compassion, and helpfulness, as the Octonauts’ first priority is to keep everyone safe. The end of each episode features a fact-filled musical number about the creature of the day that you will have a hard time getting out of your head. Octonauts highlights the fun science in cartoons can achieve in unique ways that resonate with young audiences, and i’m here for it.
Where To Watch: Netflix
Blaze and The Monster Machines (Recommended Ages 3-6)
Of all the educational and “scientific” shows out there, Blaze and the Monster Machines is probably the best at blending traditional cartoon fun with interactive STEM and science-based lessons. Watching the show is kind of like a video game, with Blaze and AJ encountering problems while on an adventure that require coding, engineering, or other scientific concepts to solve. The show invites the viewer to shout out the answers and figure things out along with the characters.
Blaze and the Monster Machines introduces kids to the concepts of Coding, physics, construction, and more by breaking the fourth wall and including the kids watching in the problem. This gives kids a feeling of accomplishment as they discover the correct answers and experiment results along with the characters. Coupled with some great storytelling, this is a show kids can enjoy without even realizing its educational!
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime, Paramount+
Wild Kratts (Recommended Ages 5-10)
For the animal lovers, Wild Kratts stars animated versions of real-life zoologist brothers Chris and Martin Kratt. They use their creature power suits to meet and interact with cute and fun animals to teach viewers about animal biology, ecology, and conservation. The brothers go on exciting missions all over the world, helping animals defeat dastardly villains who might use the animals’ characteristics or skills for nefarious purposes. Wild Kratts features a wide variety of animals and the science behind their unique adaptations, habitats, and survival strategies.
Wild Kratts is an important show, not just because it’s full of fun and adorable animals to learn about. The Kratts also teach about the importance and delicate nature of ecosystems and why they need to be protected. Also, through the adventure stories, kids learn to think critically and use creativity and scientific facts to solve problems. Also, lots of very cute animals. Did I mention that?
Where To Watch: PBS Kids, Apple TV, Amazon Prime
Dinosaur Train (Recommended Ages 3-7)
I don’t know if it’s the size of the creatures, or knowing that they were real, or just the “cool” factor of a giant reptile, but just about every kid I’ve ever met has had a fascination with dinosaurs. Dinosaur Train follows a young T. rex named Buddy, who has been adopted by a Pteranodon family. Together, they travel on the magical Dinosaur Train to different prehistoric periods to learn about the animals and environments within them.
In addition to the paleontology and history that Dinosaur Train teaches, it also includes valuable lessons about inclusion and tolerance. Buddy is an adopted dinosaur who doesn’t look like his brothers and sisters, but is accepted as one of them. Plus, at the end of each episode is a segment with educational consultant and paleontologist Dr. Scott D. Sampson, who explains the show’s real dinosaur facts with visual examples and classic “Dad-humor”
Where To Watch: PBS Kids, Amazon Prime, Apple TV
These shows prove that science in cartoons can capture our children’s imagination and teach them important lessons. I hope your kids find these TV shows to be as fun to watch as my children have over the years.
