Top Educational TV Shows for Preschoolers
Finding the right TV shows for young children can feel like a big task, especially for parents trying to manage daily routines through tough times. Striking a balance between offering a bit of screen time and making sure that time is actually helpful to a child’s learning and growth can be tricky.
Parents of preschoolers often look for shows that make learning fun and spark curiosity. With options available for a range of ages, including two to six-year-olds, educational programs help children pick up new ideas in a way that feels like play. The following article shares entertaining and educational TV shows that families can feel good about, providing ideas for anyone looking to combine screen time with learning.
StoryBots
The StoryBots are colorful, curious characters who help kids explore big questions in a fun and engaging way. Through their adventures on Netflix, they turn tricky topics into interactive learning moments. With catchy songs, silly stories, and easy-to-understand explanations, the show makes learning both exciting and memorable.
Sesame Street
Sesame Street features a mix of humans and friendly muppets who use jokes, music, and games to teach young children. It covers early learning topics and is available on YouTube.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood shares stories about Daniel and friends as they grow up in a friendly, imaginative town. The series draws inspiration from the next generation of characters from a classic children’s television world. Families can stream episodes on platforms like CBC Gem and Netflix.
Wild Kratts
Chris and Martin Kratt travel around the world in Wild Kratts, discovering different animals and sharing interesting facts about wildlife. They teach viewers about animal behaviors, habitats, and simple conservation ideas in a fun and engaging way. The show is available on PBS and Netflix.
If I Were an Animal
Emma and her older brother Tim watch animals grow and change in If I Were an Animal. The show highlights important moments in animal lives, including birth and growing up. This series is available on Netflix and is suitable for young viewers.
Dino Dana
In Dino Dana, Dana is a curious 9-year-old who uses her special Dino Field Guide to learn about prehistoric creatures. This guide helps her bring dinosaurs to life in her imagination, letting her explore them up close. The show appears on TVO, using a mix of science and creativity to help viewers discover more about dinosaurs. For kids interested in dinosaurs, Dino Dan is another series to consider.
Dinosaur Train
A group of dinosaurs travels on a train through various prehistoric periods in Dinosaur Train. They explore new places, meet other dinosaur species, and learn interesting facts during each adventure. The show is available on the PBS Kids’ YouTube channel.
Octonauts
The Octonauts, a group of eight animal explorers, travel the sea looking for adventure. Their leader, a brave polar bear, joins a bold kitten and other skilled animals. Each episode shows their teamwork and ocean missions. Octonauts can be watched on Netflix.
Sid the Science Kid
Sid the Science Kid follows a young boy who explores science questions each day. Each episode shows Sid’s excitement and curiosity as he tries to find answers. The show is available on Netflix.
Peg + Cat
Peg and her friend Cat team up to tackle everyday problems. They use basic math ideas together, making learning fun and simple for young viewers. The show is easy to find online, including on YouTube.
Super Why
A team of fairytale heroes in Super Why jump into storybooks to solve preschool problems. Each character uses special reading skills like spelling, word recognition, and rhyming to help. The episodes are about 22 minutes long and are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
The Magic School Bus
Ms. Frizzle and her students go on science-filled journeys in The Magic School Bus. They explore outer space, travel under the sea, and even go inside the human body. The series is available to stream on Netflix and is known for making science fun and easy to understand for kids.
Luna & Friends
Leo the wombat, Carmen the butterfly, and Andy the frog visit different countries with Luna, who is the moon. As they travel, they discover new customs, explore music and food, and meet local people together.
Blippi
Blippi teaches with a playful approach and a cheerful personality that attracts young viewers. His videos often feature colorful settings and creative lessons that help kids engage with new topics in entertaining ways.
One Strange Rock
One Strange Rock tells Earth’s story from the viewpoint of astronauts who have seen the planet from space. The show explores why Earth is so different from other planets and highlights how life began and survives despite harsh conditions in space. Available on Disney+, the documentary features real-life experiences and vivid visuals to show what makes our planet unique.
Puffin Rock
Puffin Rock is an animated series set on a pretty and wild Irish island. Oona and her younger brother Baba explore nature and learn about the world around them. The show highlights family, friendship, and discovery. Viewers can find this gentle educational show on Netflix.
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
Children learn about the world alongside the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, Thing 2, and Fish. The show uses songs, games, and interactive adventures to explore new topics. Kids can find The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Space Racers
Students at Stardust Space Academy work together on different space missions, learning about science as they go. The team features interesting characters, such as Eagle and Hawk, and lets viewers discover new facts while watching their adventures. The show can be watched on Netflix.
Molly of Denali
Molly of Denali features a young Alaska Native girl named Molly Mabray. Alongside her dog Suki and close friends Tooey and Trini, she explores Alaska and faces daily challenges. The series blends comedy with adventure, showing teamwork and creative problem-solving in a beautiful setting.
SciShow Kids
SciShow Kids is a YouTube channel that offers short videos, usually around four minutes long. The energetic host covers a wide range of topics that keep viewers interested. Its fast-paced style and bite-sized episodes make it easy for children to follow and enjoy learning about new things.
