Flip through any television channel or streaming device these days, and you’ll see a plethora of choices for children’s educational programming. Familiar favorites are always on-hand, like Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Thomas and Friends, and PAW Patrol, but we all know there are a few cringe-worthy shows that parents avoid (we’re looking at you, Caillou!). Here are a few picks for educational preschool shows that even parents won’t mind tuning in for.
Creative Galaxy – Amazon Prime
Creative Galaxy follows the adventures of alien artist Arty and his sidekick Epiphany as they search the galaxy to solve problems with art, music, and dance. Not only can kids see how the arts are important in everyday life, but they can also join in by doing a simple craft project at home, with instructions provided by Arty. The adorable animation, upbeat music, and unique storylines are something that all parents can appreciate. Episodes can be streamed through Amazon Video, and are geared towards ages 4 and up.
Spin Master’s Mighty Express – Netflix
Hop on board Spin Master’s Mighty Express, a show in which a team of trains and kids work together to solve problems and complete missions. Mighty Express has all the elements of an awesome show. Vivid, quality animation, upbeat background tunes (kids will love the cleanup/tune-up track, for sure), fun storylines, and cute characters keep viewers interested. There are a diverse variety of characters in Mighty Express, too, including Jubilee, an adorable little girl in a wheelchair. The concept of the trains getting “mega missions” for each episode adds an element of surprise and helps teach kids about responsibility, too. Each episode runs about 11 minutes and can be found on Netflix. It’s geared towards kids ages 3 and up.
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum – PBS Kids
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum is a unique show that teaches kids about important historical figures and events while also exploring character traits like courage and resilience. It’s a show that recognizes children’s potential and wants them to recognize their talents and potential. The best part is that the show’s historical figures are presented as children themselves, so kids can meet a young Marie Curie and Harriet Tubman, to name a few. Geared toward kids ages 4-7, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum can be found on PBS Kids.
Doc McStuffins – Disney Junior
Doc McStuffins has become a classic Disney Junior children’s show, but she’s particularly important now when kids are faced with the scary concept of a pandemic and illness. Doc McStuffins is an animated series about a young girl who aspires to be a doctor like her mom. She heals broken toys and stuffed animals in an “office” in her backyard, teaching kids about healthy habits and dealing with injury and illness. Doc McStuffins is for kids ages 2-7 and can be found on Disney streaming channels.
Ask the Storybots – Netflix, YouTube
Netflix’s quirky animated series, Ask the Storybots, is one of my all-time favorites. The Storybots (colorful, pieced-together robots) help answer life’s big questions, such as, “how do computers work?” and “why can’t I eat dessert all the time?” It’s fun to see what questions the Storybots attempt to answer in each episode, and adults will love the celebrity voices that make special cameos, too. Ask the Storybots is perfect for kids ages 3-8 and streams on Netflix.
No matter which shows your kids choose to watch, there is always something fun and interesting to learn, and hopefully, you’ll be learning right alongside your little ones!
