I understand many parents don’t want to sit their children in front of a TV for long periods. They are generally concerned that screen time is bad for kids and should be avoided. I get it, and we’ve even written articles about how to manage screen time for kids. However, many cartoons for kids make learning numbers, shapes, and patterns feel like an exciting adventure!
If you’re looking for shows that will help your child grasp math concepts while they enjoy fun stories and colorful characters, you’re in the right place. From counting to solving big problems, these cartoons take the fear out of math and show kids how important and fun it can be. Plus, they’re educational without feeling like school!
My 13-year-old daughter is taking college-level math, and my 10-year-old son is a few years ahead in school. Growing up, they both watched many of these shows, with a special interest in Peg + Cat, Sesame Street, and StoryBots. I’ve also introduced my two youngest to these shows to help them develop the same interest and proficiency in math.
Whether you have a preschooler or an elementary-age child, there’s a math-based show for every age group. I have noted whether each show focuses solely on math or if math is just one area of study that is combined with other learning experiences such as reading, STEM, etc.
Here are the best cartoons for kids to learn about math, at least according to my kids.
Team Umizoomi (Nick Jr, Amazon Prime)
Recommended Ages: 3-6
Team Umizoomi follows a dynamic trio of tiny superheroes—Milli, Geo, and Bot—who live in the colorful city of Umi City. Together, they solve everyday problems, using math as their secret weapon. Whether counting cookies or figuring out which shape fits where, this team tackles it all by breaking down the math in fun and interactive ways. The episodes are packed with simple math challenges that kids can help solve alongside the team.
Team Umizoomi’s Focus:
This show primarily focuses on foundational math concepts like counting, shape recognition, pattern identification, and basic measurements. The math is integrated into each story, making it easy for children to grasp and apply in real-life situations.
Why Children Love Team Umizoomi:
Kids love the energetic, superhero-like characters and the chance to “be a part of the team” during each mission. The interactive elements and catchy songs keep them engaged while learning. Plus, the bright, engaging animation makes it a visual treat.
Numberblocks (Netflix, YouTube, CBeebies)
Recommended Ages: 3-6
In Numberblocks, each episode introduces kids to the magic of numbers through a group of colorful blocks. As these blocks combine and split, they demonstrate how numbers work and grow, helping children understand key math concepts like addition, subtraction, and place value. The show’s adorable characters and simple, bright visuals make abstract math ideas feel tangible and fun.
Numberblocks’ Focus:
The show teaches children the basics of number theory, focusing on helping kids understand number value and addition and subtraction operations. By watching the blocks combine and transform, children get a hands-on feel for how math works.
Why Children Love Numberblocks:
Numberblocks is a visual and auditory delight with its bright colors and playful characters. The repetitive nature of the episodes makes it easy for young kids to follow along, while the transformation of numbers feels like a magical experience.
Peg + Cat (PBS Kids)
Recommended Ages: 3-6
Peg + Cat is a delightful series about a creative little girl named Peg and her cat, Cat, who tackle huge problems using their knowledge of math and a little bit of music. Each episode presents Peg with a new challenge, whether figuring out how to organize her toys or calculating how much time she has to complete a task. Math helps her solve problems, and kids are encouraged to work alongside her.
Peg + Cat’s Focus:
This show focuses on using math to solve real-life problems, heavily emphasizing counting, shapes, patterns, and basic operations. It also introduces kids to time, measurement, and sorting, making math accessible through fun scenarios.
Why Children Love Peg + Cat:
Children love the catchy tunes and Peg’s optimistic, creative problem-solving style. Peg’s adventures with Cat are always entertaining, with kids getting involved in helping her solve math problems. The humor and light-hearted approach to math make it fun rather than intimidating. My oldest was obsessed with Peg + Cat, and in my opinion, it’s the best cartoon for kids to establish math skills at an early age.
Elinor Wonders Why (PBS Kids)
Recommended Ages: 3-6
Elinor Wonders Why centers on a curious rabbit named Elinor who explores the world around her by asking questions, making observations, and figuring out how things work. Throughout the series, Elinor solves problems with her friends, often using basic math concepts such as sorting, pattern recognition, and understanding measurements.
Elinor Wonders Why’s Focus:
This show emphasizes inquiry-based learning and logical thinking, with math concepts woven into real-world problems. While it’s not exclusively focused on math, it introduces children to key ideas like measurements and patterns in a way that makes learning feel natural.
Why Children Love Elinor Wonders Why:
The show’s calm, gentle pace makes it perfect for younger children. Elinor’s inquisitive nature sparks kids’ curiosity about the world. The focus on observation and discovery engages children in problem-solving without the pressure of rigid lessons.
Cyberchase (PBS Kids)
Recommended Ages: 6-10
In Cyberchase, a group of tech-savvy kids travels through a digital world, using math to stop the evil Hacker from causing trouble. They solve problems requiring quick thinking and strong math skills, from geometry to algebra. It’s an exciting, fast-paced show incorporating complex math concepts in a fun, adventurous setting.
Cyberchase’s Focus:
Cyberchase explores logic, geometry, algebra, and data management, introducing kids to higher-level math concepts. Problem-solving is the show’s heart, and math is the key to each adventure.
Why Children Love Cyberchase:
Kids love the action-packed adventures and the clever ways math is used to save the day. The characters are fun, and the digital world they explore is both captivating and thought-provoking.
Monster Math Squad (CBC, YouTube)
Recommended Ages: 3-6
Monster Math Squad features a trio of lovable monsters who solve everyday problems using math. Whether counting marbles or sorting different shapes, the monsters use math skills to find solutions. It’s a fun, imaginative show that helps children practice math skills in a playful setting.
Monster Math Squad’s Focus:
This show focuses on basic math concepts like counting, sorting, comparing, and operations. Each episode features a new challenge where math is the key to solving the problem.
Why Children Love Monster Math Squad:
Kids love the silly, colorful monsters that make learning math fun and approachable. The friendly nature of the characters and the playful math challenges make this show a hit with younger viewers.
Ask the StoryBots (Netflix)
Recommended Ages: 4-7
Ask the StoryBots is a colorful, musical show in which a group of curious robots explores how things work in the world around them. While it covers various educational topics, select episodes dive into basic math concepts like counting and shapes. The show uses catchy songs and fun animations to keep kids entertained while they learn.
Ask the StoryBots’ Focus:
The show introduces math as part of a more extensive educational experience. Counting, numbers, and patterns are explored light and musically, blending math with general knowledge.
Why Children Love Ask the StoryBots:
Kids are drawn to the lively music and adorable robots, which make every episode a fun, interactive experience. The show’s upbeat, energetic vibe keeps kids engaged while they learn.
Blaze and the Monster Machines (Nick Jr., Paramount+)
Recommended Ages: 3–6
Blaze and the Monster Machines follows Blaze, a monster truck with a need for speed and a passion for problem-solving. Alongside his best friend AJ, Blaze uses math and science to overcome obstacles and outsmart rivals. Each episode blends fast-paced racing fun with early STEM concepts, including measurement, trajectory, and counting.
Blaze and the Monster Machines’ Focus:
While it’s generally known for STEM, the show sprinkles in essential math lessons about numbers, angles, and measurements. Kids learn how math helps solve real-world problems, even in high-octane races.
Why Children Love Blaze and the Monster Machines:
It’s action-packed and energetic, with vibrant animation and fun characters. The interactive questions keep kids engaged, and who doesn’t love watching monster trucks save the day?
Umigo (YouTube)
Recommended Ages: 5–7
Umigo (You Make It Go) is a lesser-known but wildly engaging animated series combining math skills, music, and quirky storytelling. Each short episode features characters solving weird and wonderful problems using specific math concepts, often paired with a catchy song.
Umigo’s Focus:
The show targets slightly older kids than your average preschool series, covering place value, fractions, time, and geometry in short, digestible bursts.
Why Children Love Umigo:
The humor and music are offbeat and catchy, and the characters are fun and relatable. It’s a great mix of silly and intelligent.
Wild Kratts (PBS Kids)
Recommended Ages: 5–9
At first glance, Wild Kratts isn’t a math show, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll see tons of embedded math concepts. Brothers Chris and Martin Kratt transform into animated versions of themselves to explore wildlife and use logic, categorization, and data collection to understand animal behavior.
Wild Kratts’ Focus:
The show uses nature-based exploration to teach classification, data patterns, spatial awareness, and basic logic. It’s a gentle way to develop critical thinking that is also math-adjacent.
Why Children Love Wild Kratts:
Animal lovers go wild for this one. The mixture of real-life footage, animation, and cool “creature powers” keeps the excitement high while slipping in stealthy math moments. If your child is really into animals, this is the best cartoon for kids who are also animal lovers.
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum (PBS Kids)
Recommended Ages: 4–8
In this adventure-filled series, Xavier and his friends time travel to meet real-life historical figures who help them solve present-day problems. While not strictly math-focused, the show incorporates logical thinking, sequencing, and cause-and-effect—all foundational math skills.
Xavier Riddle’s Focus:
Math is represented by problem-solving steps, organizing information, and logical reasoning—great precursors to structured math thinking.
Why Children Love Xavier Riddle:
The time-travel concept, fun characters, and clever storytelling make this show a hit with kids who like a bit of mystery mixed with learning.
Curious George (PBS Kids, Peacock)
Recommended Ages: 3–6
In each episode of Curious George, the beloved little monkey gets into mild mischief while learning about how the world works. Along the way, he encounters math situations—like measuring how tall something is or figuring out how many apples fit in a basket—that kids can easily relate to.
Curious George’s Focus:
The show gently introduces math through everyday activities like cooking, shopping, and building. Expect lots of counting, sorting, and spatial problem-solving. While math problems are not presented in every episode, when they are, the concepts are simple to understand and often apply to real scenarios children may encounter in real life.
Why Children Love Curious George:
George’s playful curiosity mirrors how preschoolers learn naturally. The warm storytelling and visual humor make the math feel organic and accessible.
Tumble Leaf (Amazon Prime Video)
Recommended Ages: 3–6
Set in a beautifully animated stop-motion world, Tumble Leaf follows a blue fox named Fig, who uses everyday objects to explore how things work. While the show is more broadly about STEM discovery, math pops up in hands-on activities like counting steps, sorting objects, and identifying patterns.
Tumble Leaf’s Focus:
It reinforces foundational math skills like classification, measurement, and sequencing—all key early concepts.
Why Children Love Tumble Leaf:
The soothing visuals and sweet storytelling make it ideal for winding down. This sensory-rich show gently encourages learning through play. Tumble Leaf has earned excellent reviews, making it one of the best cartoons for kids on Amazon Prime Video and on streaming in general.
Dora the Explorer (Nick Jr., Paramount+)
Recommended Ages: 2–5
Dora is always headed somewhere with her monkey friend Boots, and on the way, she faces fun problems that often include counting steps, choosing paths, or sequencing actions. While Dora is primarily known for teaching Spanish, math shows up in every episode, too.
Dora the Explorer’s Focus:
The show weaves in early math through repetition, logic, and counting during Dora’s many quests.
Why Children Love Dora the Explorer:
The show’s interactive nature makes kids feel part of the adventure. The format is predictable in the best way so little ones can build confidence with every episode. Dora the Explorer has long been considered among the best cartoons for kids in terms of education, and now, with an updated look and new stories to tell, it’s offering a fresh perspective on the series.
Sid the Science Kid (PBS Kids)
Recommended Ages: 4–7
Sid is a curious little boy with big questions about how things work. He spends time at school with his friends and teacher, exploring those questions through observation, comparison, and experimentation—often using data collection and math thinking.
Sid the Science Kid’s Focus:
Sid explores patterns, makes predictions, uses graphs, estimates, and compares sizes or quantities—essential math tools for science learning.
Why Children Love Sid the Science Kid:
Sid’s jokes and songs make learning feel like fun, not school. The show’s structure follows a familiar classroom rhythm, which resonates with kids just starting school.
Based on my children’s recommendations and favorites, those are the best kids cartoons for early math education. Thanks to a big lineup from PBS Kids, your children can enjoy many of the cartoons on this list for free!
Just looking for a bit of fun viewing? If you have a dino-loving kid, check out our article about the best dinosaur shows on streaming that kids love.