Do you remember being a kid and trying to stay up late to catch a glimpse of the big man in the red coat? Even if you did your best to stay on the nice list and try to go to sleep before Santa came down the chimney, the excitement of Christmas morning was palpable. While it seems like everything has changed since we were kids, that feeling has stood the test of time.
So, what is a parent to do when the visions of sugar plums just won’t dance in your kiddos’ heads? Turn to calming Christmas TV shows and specials to help your kids calm down on the big night might be the way to go!
Even though nostalgia isn’t always what kids are looking for, a few classic Christmas cartoon TV shows and specials have stood the test of time. This list includes both old and new items to find something for everyone.. The list is based on my personal experience as a dad and general public sentiment that has turned many of these options into Christmas classics.
Hopefully, with some warm cocoa, cuddles, and a few of these shows, your kids will go from having enough energy to guide a sleigh to taking a long winter’s nap.
Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (1962)
There is no shortage of adaptations of the Charles Dickens classic, but few are as light-hearted and entertaining as this. Even Mickey’s Christmas Carol, arguably the most recognized adaptation, includes scenes that could be considered scary, especially for young children. This special brings all the charm of the hard-of-sight Mr. Magoo to the story of three ghosts visiting a miser. Mr. Magoo’s animation style and humor make this a much less intense retelling of the story. This special is also packed with original music that is just as catchy today as it was when it aired in the sixties. If you put this on, your kids are all but guaranteed to fall asleep thinking about “razzleberry dressing”.
Music plays a role in this show. While it isn’t going to make kids jump on the couch like Tom Cruise, it isn’t as calming as some other shows on the list. Instead, this show will help calm the kids by taking their minds off the moment and getting lost in the absurdity of Mr. Magoo. It is also a great way to introduce the Christmas Carol story in a way that doesn’t have cigar-smoking cats or extra-mean versions of Scrooge.
My six-year-old son is all about Jurassic World, AstroBot, and Brian Rot, so it legitimately surprised me when he asked to watch this special this year. It felt amazing to cuddle with him while we watched, and his little giggles poured out. Just don’t tell him that the show is as old as his Grandpa.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
There are few characters more iconic and immediately recognizable than the Peanuts gang. Although they had a wildly popular newspaper comic strip for decades, and many other specials, one could argue that this movie is part of the larger Peanuts success. For readers who may not have seen it yet, the story follows a young boy named Charlie Brown who seeks to cut through the commercialism of Christmas and find the true meaning of the season. If you are familiar with the Peanuts, this is quintessential Peanuts gang shenanigans from Lucy’s help booth to Pig Pen’s signature dust bowl; it’s all there.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is calming because it features soothing music and lacks high-energy, heart-pumping scenes. Some kids may even describe it as a little “boring”, but that’s exactly what you want from a show meant to calm. The (sometimes subtle) message of kindness and friendship will also help to ease the excited mind.
I was never into Charlie Brown as a kid, but this special has grown on me a bit as I’ve gotten older. My kids pretend they don’t like it, but every time they hear the Charlie Brown Christmas song (you know the one where they hold hands and sway around the tree), my oldest says, “Wait, isn’t this the Charlie Brown Christmas song?” So, somewhere deep down, this special holds a place in their hearts.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
This may be the most iconic Christmas special of all time, but it also deserves a spot on this list for starting out with a bunch of energy before gradually slowing as the movie progresses. For those who haven’t seen this special or the live-action movie, it follows the titular Grinch, who hates Christmas and all the Whos in Whoville. He hatches a plan to ruin their Christmas by stealing all the presents, but is foiled when he realizes that Christmas isn’t about the presents; it’s about spending time with the people you love. He returns the gifts, and his heart grows three sizes that day, making for the perfect ending of a heartwarming story.
Although the movie is not consistently calm and the Grinch is a rather abrasive character, it still earns its place on this list for the second half. Between the “Welcome Christmas” song, Cindy Lou’s innocent demeanor, and the happy ending, kids will love sitting still and watching this timeless classic.
I don’t know if I’ve met anyone who hasn’t at least heard of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This special is so woven into pop culture that we’ve all seen it being watched by characters in other Christmas movies. In our house, this is always one that we watch to kick off the season, but there is nothing wrong with waiting until Christmas Eve.
The Small One (1978)
I personally love Small One because it walks a perfect tightrope between an important message and engaging content for kids. The story is about an older donkey who is no longer valuable to his owner, so the owner sends his son with the donkey into town to be sold to the highest bidder. At first, everyone laughs at the miniature, old donkey and the boy asking far too much for him. The town tanner offers the asking price, but he’s only interested in the donkey’s hide. When all hope seems lost, a man offers to purchase Small One, as he is perfect for the trip he and his wife are making from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
This show is calming for two reasons. The first is that there aren’t many exciting scenes in this short special. Aside from escaping the tanner, most of the show is calm and quiet with muted colors. The other is the calming music throughout the show, which can help stimulate dopamine release and reduce stress hormones.
The whole family enjoys watching this one because it is such a charming story. Despite being a prequel to the Christmas story, it doesn’t feature heavy religious symbolism. At its heart, it’s the story of a boy wanting what’s best for his animal friend, and as animal lovers, our house resonates deeply with it.
The Snowman (1982)
Not to be confused with Frosty the Snowman, which didn’t make the list, this 1982 short is the quintessential sleepy-time Christmas show. Based on a children’s board book, this cartoon shares many similarities with Frosty, showing a young boy building a snowman that comes to life. When a young boy wakes up to see the snow falling, he immediately gets dressed and runs outside. After playing around for a while, he decides to build a snowman, complete with legs. After he is called in for dinner, he still can’t stop thinking about his snowman and keeps checking on him through the windows. In the middle of the night, the snowman awakens, and the two go on many adventures around the house before flying to the North Pole and hanging out with Santa and a bunch of other snowpeople. This one does end on a bit of a sad note as the Snowman eventually melts at the end of the story.
Despite the sad tone at the end, this is still a fantastic show to wind down to. It’s the perfect length at 27 minutes, and there isn’t a single letter of dialogue in the whole show. Gorgeous hand-drawn scenery and a calming, consistent score are all kids will need to help their bodies relax and drift off to dreamland on the big night.
I have always been a fan of this animation style, so I’ve played these kinds of movies for my kids before bedtime, regardless of the time of year. Our family has had The Snowman in a couple of formats over the years, but it is easy to find on streaming today. Even without dialogue, my kids will watch this special in silence from start to finish.
A Garfield Christmas Special (1987)
Much like Charlie Brown, Garfield transcends time: the titular orange cat began as a comic strip and continues to be reborn for every generation. This special is nearly as old as I am, but it is just as good for my three kids in 2025 as it was for me in 1987. John, Garfield, and Odie go to Jon’s parents’ house for Christmas, much to Garfield’s chagrin. While there, Garfield finds old love letters to Granny and delivers them to her as an extra-special Christmas present. Of course, there are plenty of other plot points, but this show is really about appreciating what you have and how material goods aren’t always what make the perfect Christmas.
I have been falling asleep to this show during Christmas time my whole life because it’s relatively calm and has soothing music playing continuously in the background. The calming voices talking about love and kindness lull you into a sense of safety and security. Aside from a few crashes, it is a relatively quiet show, and the pace slows as it progresses.
I can’t remember a time when this Christmas special wasn’t a part of my life, so it just naturally became a part of my kids’ lives, too. It seems like every year, there are new specials to watch, and it’s getting harder and harder to get to them all, but chilling on the couch with the family and watching A Garfield Christmas Special will never be replaced.
Elmo Saves Christmas (1996)
You can’t talk about calming shows without slipping in at least one Sesame Street special. This special is fantastic because it talks about how Christmas is special because it only comes once a year. After Elmo saves Santa from a chimney he’s stuck in, Santa gives Elmo a magic snowglobe with three wishes. Of course, Elmo wishes it could be Christmas every day, with monkey-paw-like results. At first, everyone is excited, but they quickly realize that Christmas every day isn’t as great as it sounds. In another movie trope, Elmo goes back in time and prevents himself from making the wish that changes everything.
This special has all the elements that make Sesame Street endearing. It’s perfectly paced with a dash of easily resolved conflict, so the littles won’t get too anxious. Friendly adults and adorable monsters, combined with smooth conversation and relaxing music, will have the kids drifting off to dreamland in no time.
This special may have been released in 1996, but my son, who was born in 2019, introduced it to our home. He went through a massive Elmo phase, which is when we discovered Elmo Saves Christmas. As someone described as grouchy and an It’s a Wonderful Life fan, I appreciate how Oscar revels in the movie being played on repeat all year long.
Little Bear “Gingerbread Cookies” (1997)
Parents who grew up with Little Bear will tell you how much empathy and compassion they learned by watching this little cub, and now you can share it with your own kids. In this short episode, Little Bear makes Gingerbread cookies with Emily and her grandma. However, these aren’t your everyday gingerbread cookies as they come to life and run outside to be mischievous. It is up to Little Bear, Emily, and their friends Cat, Owl, and Duck to gather the naughty cookies up and bring them back inside.
It’s not just the Christmas episode that is calming. Little Bear is well known for its calming effect on children, thanks to its slow-paced storytelling and whimsical music. This episode is remarkable: it is a little funny, sparks kids’ imaginations, and still delivers the slow pace and calming music parents want when they are trying to calm excited bodies.
I remember watching this quite a few years ago with my kids. Little Bear was never my nostalgia core, but it was close enough in proximity that it ended up in a lot of Christmas collections I’ve acquired. You never know what kids will accept, so maybe you’ll have a Little Bear lover in your life after watching the gingerbread cookies come to life.
Bear In The Big Blue House: A Berry Bear Christmas (1999)
It is my personal opinion that Bear in the Big Blue House is one of the most underrated children’s shows ever created. It’s not like no one has ever heard of it, but it doesn’t get the same recognition as other children’s classics that it is on par with. This Christmas special is as direct as they come, as Bear and his friends prepare his house for the holidays while discussing the true meaning of the season. As this show has always aimed to be inclusive, it also discusses what makes Hanukkah and Kwanza special to people. When a stray dog arrives at the house, the group brings him in to warm up, and they all understand that the spirit of Christmas is more rewarding than presents.
Bear is always a calming presence, so it’s no surprise that his holiday special would reflect that. The Big Blue House is also a familiar, calming presence that kids who know the show will recognize. Most importantly, there is no conflict in this episode whatsoever, so all the anxiety melts away.
Each of my kids watched copious amounts of Bear in the Big Blue House growing up because I felt it was important. Although they have all outgrown him, I would still totally put this on for one of them if they were having trouble sleeping on Christmas Eve. There is something so reassuring about the kindness of a giant bear, especially at Christmas time, that just gives you the warm fuzzies.
Franklin’s Magic Christmas (2001)
Franklin is so much like Little Bear that I cross them over in my head every once in a while. Unlike Little Bear’s Christmas cookies, Franklin’s special is almost an hour long. An hour is a lot of time to fill, so there are a few story arcs in this movie. Most significantly, Franklin and his sister Harriet do not get along, and Jenny builds a sleigh that becomes a significant part of the show. Ultimately, this special is all about the joy of sharing Christmas with those you love, even if they can get on your nerves every once in a while.
This show is calming for many of the same reasons Little Bear is. It has wonderful music and slow-paced storytelling that allows kids to relax into their seats. This one may be a little more adventurous, but it’s still right in the wheelhouse for calming Christmas nerves.
I’ve always had an affinity for Franklin because of his accessibility. Not only is the character kind and gentle, but Franklin also shows up on PBS. When my family was younger with limited resources, PBS was there for my kids, which is why they will always look at Franklin fondly.
A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
Winnie the Pooh is one of those properties that transcends generations. From our great-grandparents to our kids (though I don’t love the latest CG-animated version), Pooh and the Hundred Acre Woods have given us all childhood memories. This particular story has a lot happening, as most Hundred Acre Woods stories do. It starts at Christmas when Pooh misplaces Piglet’s present right before the gang shows up for a Christmas party. As the story unfolds, Christmas is celebrated, Rabbit gets into a sticky situation with some bees, and Christopher Robin explains to Pooh the significance of New Year’s. The show wraps up nicely with Pooh finally remembering where he hid Piglet’s gift of a music box that plays Auld Lang Syne while the group sings along.
Aside from Tigger’s frantic energy, all the animals in the Hundred Acre Woods have a calming tone and demeanor. Gentle music throughout the show also contributes to the calming effect. At just over an hour long, this is the perfect nightcap show for small kids who will fall asleep to the kind and gentle words of Winnie the Pooh.
As my kids grow older, they are beginning to outgrow Pooh, but he will always hold a place in our family’s hearts. The reason I like A Very Merry Pooh Year is that Rabbit also does a quick recap of another Winnie the Pooh Christmas special from when I was a kid, so it included my nostalgia in something that would eventually become my kids’ nostalgia.
Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas (2004)
I much prefer the hand-drawn animation of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, but it doesn’t quite fit the narrative for this list. The original contains much more action and depictions of smoking, so it isn’t as calming as you’d want on a calm night. Twice Upon a Christmas uses computer animation, but its stories are calmer and accompanied by calmer music than the original. The most exciting vignette comes early in the movie, when Huey, Duey, and Luey travel to the North Pole. For the most part, each story is about sometimes funny, sometimes unfortunate mishaps that could happen to anyone over Christmas, but they all end with a happy resolution.
This special is calming because of its soothing music and familiar characters. In classic Disney fashion, they manage to pair story with music to create a joyful ambiance. This one features brighter colors and a few faster-paced vignettes, making it a good choice for older kids earlier in the night.
I have been playing this special for my kids to fall asleep to every Christmas they’ve been alive. It has always been one of my favorite Christmas shows for winding down this time of year. Even when they object, objections usually subside quickly as the movie captures their attention.
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas (2009)
George is another shared experience for many of us over generations, and much like Santa, he always delivers. This particular George story tugs at the heartstrings because it is a happy tale of George and the Man in the Yellow Hat struggling to find the perfect gift for each other. This special captures the spirit of Christmas by showing George and the man enjoying the season’s traditions, such as caroling and tree decorating. It also highlights the importance of thoughtful gifts over commercial ones.
This special is calming for many of the same reasons as others on this list. It has a fantastic soundtrack of smooth, melodic music, calming voices, and a happy story. George’s curious noises are also a familiar friend to kids who grow up with the TV show.
Curious George was one of the few shared experiences my kids, ages 6 to 15, had. My oldest was born a year after this special was released, but they were all raised on PBS Kids and Curious George, so they’ve enjoyed this special many times. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one ends up being one my grandkids also get to enjoy.
The Snowy Day (2016)
This is another “newer” Christmas special that is based on a beloved children’s book. The story is about a boy named Peter who wakes up to see a blanket of snow. Everything about the book is observational as Peter notices the snow crunching beneath his feet, how snowballs melt if they get too warm, and the joy of simple things like snow angels and snowmen. In a slight departure from the book, Peter experiences all of this and more on the way to his Grandmother’s house. The story is beautiful in its simplicity, as it strips away the worry we carry and reminds us how powerful the little things can be in the moment.
This is the perfect show to turn down to because it is all about the calm wonder of a fresh snowfall. It has minimal dialogue and nearly ASMR-like sound effects. Since the story is more about the journey than the destination, it moves at a meandering pace, with Peter’s red coat as one of the few bright pops of color throughout the show.
I can’t remember ever reading the original Snowy Day book, but I do know I used to turn this show on for my kids all the time when they were younger. There is something about children’s books turned into animated specials that is so magical. Kids get that cozy feeling of reading without having to put in work, which is fantastic when you’re trying to calm the mood.
Click Clack Moo Christmas On The Farm (2017)
It turns out the Christmas specials that are based on books make for great, calming Christmas shows. This one is fun and goofy, but still fits nicely in the calming category. While Duck spends his time looking for good things to do to increase his chances of getting off the naughty list, the cows struggle to figure out how they are going to buy Farmer Brown’s dream washing machine. Of course, high jinks and hilarity ensue, but all of it is low-stakes with no serious conflict.
This show uses a toolbox of calming tools to give kids a fun yet relaxing experience. The atmosphere is cozy with the farm setting and soft winter colors. The story is fun, but not so exciting that it gets kids amped up. All of it is blanketed by delightful music that will make a warm blanket on a comfy couch a recipe for Christmas Eve sleep.
Our first experience with Click Clack Moo came from my oldest, who really enjoyed the books when they came out. When I saw Amazon wheeling out a Click Clack Moo series, I was intrigued, and it delivers. Not only are they fun to watch, but they also have a fun cast of voices for parents to enjoy, including Patton Oswalt and Pete Davidson.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)
It’s not surprising that Disney created endearing characters that will outlive us all, but Olaf is something special. His goofy naivety and genuine heart make you always want to root for him. In this special, Olaf brings his signature charm as he helps Anna and Elsa discover new family Christmas traditions. After the town of Arendelle leaves Anna and Elsa’s Christmas party to enjoy their own family tradition, the princesses realize they don’t have any of their own. Rather than watch them be sad, Olaf devises a plan to go around town collecting other people’s Christmas traditions for the Princesses to adopt. Of course, there are a few sad moments and a lot of laughs that will keep kids engaged from start to finish.
It can’t be Frozen if there isn’t any music, so this short comes with four original songs and smooth instrumentals throughout. While the music helps, what makes this special so calming is Olaf’s demeanor. His calm and confident personality, even in the face of adversity, makes kids feel safe and grounded.
Frozen was the first movie my oldest daughter ever saw in the theater, so we’ve always had an affinity for these characters. This short was originally attached to the movie Coco but has since developed a life of its own. Even though she’s fifteen now, we’ll still put this show on in the background at least once a season.
Llama Llama “Snow Show/Secret Santa” (2018)
The Llama Llama book series has been popular since its debut in 2005, but it wasn’t until 2018 that Netflix optioned the characters to make their own series. Both episodes tell compelling stories and are calming. In “Snow Show,” Llama Llama is faced with the dilemma of choosing between two friends’ snow sculptures, and in “Secret Santa,” Llama Llama and his friends have troubles keeping their secret Santa gifts secret. They are both silly and heartwarming episodes that the whole family can enjoy.
These slow-paced Christmas episodes are perfect for calming kids because there isn’t much action. Even the conflicts in these shows are light and quick, so they won’t excite the kids. With twenty-three minutes of runtime between the two, these shows offer the perfect length for a downtime show.
My oldest was born in 2010, so all of my kids grew up with Llama Llama Red Pajama. My youngest was born in 2019, so he is the perfect age to have experienced both the books and the Netflix show. While the show has run its course in our home, he has watched the Christmas episodes more than once.
Bluey’s Christmas Swim (2020)
Does anything even need to be said here? Bluey came out of nowhere and became a darling like the world has ever seen. Parents and kids alike adore this show, so it is no surprise that they would pump out a Christmas Episode that is as calming as it is educational. In ”Christmas Swim”, Bluey gets a new toy and introduces it to the family, but she doesn’t like how they play with it. In true Bluey fashion, things are resolved after a small tiff between Bluey and everyone who is playing too roughly with her new stuffed animal.
Bluey is a great way for kids to calm their bodies, no matter what time of year it is. There is a reason parents often catch themselves watching the show even after their kids have left the room. The calming nature of the entire Heeler family makes this a great one to enjoy, even if there is some fighting involved. This is also an excellent way to teach kids about geography and how Australians celebrate Christmas during their summer season.
I had my six-year-old son rewatch this episode for the most authentic feedback possible, and he said it’s a little sad because Bluey’s toy breaks, but then it’s happy because she fixes it and everyone is nicer. When asked why it is calming to watch, he said that seeing everyone get along at the end makes you feel good. This episode is only 8 minutes long, so it is a great bridge between the two other shows, or it can be paired with Bluey’s other Christmas episode, “Verandah Santa”.
A Trash Truck Christmas (2020)
Trash Truck is a short-lived but much-loved Netflix original that spawned one of the greatest sleepy-time Christmas specials of all time. It follows a pretty standard Christmas trope of Santa crashing into the junkyard on Christmas Eve, and it is up to Hank and Trash Truck, along with a few friends, to save Christmas.
This has become a favorite Christmas Eve show for children because it includes all the elements needed to help them relax. The animation is soft and muted, the voices are calm and quiet, and the pace isn’t rushed. The best part is that at only twenty-eight minutes, it’s the perfect length – some kids probably won’t even make it to the end.
Trash Truck only lasted two seasons on Netflix, as most of their shows do, and it’s run its course in the pop culture lexicon, except for this special. Despite sounding somewhat unremarkable on paper, this special has something intangible that sticks with kids and makes it an episode they search out every year, even when they’re a little older.
Frog and Toad: Christmas Eve (2023)
Again, based on a book, this is the newest entry to the list and perfect for a calm winter’s night. This is an adorable story meant to help kids understand self-control in a time when sweets and gifts surround them. When Frog and Toad settle down for Christmas, even with snow falling outside, they realize that the only thing they need to make the night perfect is a batch of cookies. After baking the cookies and sitting down with tea, the duo realizes they’re too good and can’t stop eating them. After repeated attempts to hide the cookies from themselves, they finally gave them to the birds. Proud of themselves for giving the birds a gift and relieving themselves of their dilemma, the two settle back in for a quiet Christmas Eve of Tea and conversation.
It makes sense that this episode would be calming, considering the entire show is meant to offer stillness and emotional safety. The pacing and delivery of dialogue are intentional so kids don’t feel rushed or anxious. Pair the intention of the show with the calm joy of the Christmas season, and you get the perfect show to wind down on the big night.
As we rapidly approach 2026, this show is just about three years old, so many parents may not have heard of it. I wish this show had been around when my anxious teenager was a kid; I imagine it would have helped immensely. At six, my son has seen this episode a few times, but it doesn’t hold his interest as it used to because he’s more into fast-paced video games and YouTube shows. We may try one more time this year to see if it helps calm him the night before.