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Over the course of the last few years, many of us had to adjust our daily agenda — especially where our kids are concerned. Between busy schedules and unexpected circumstances, having a fallback plan when it comes to making sure kids stay engaged in learning is always front-of-mind. And, well, for a lot of us, that includes trying to fill in educational gaps whenever we can. But with so much out there to watch, it can feel a bit overwhelming trying to figure out the best educational TV shows for kids. And let’s be real, we also need ones that will actually keep our kids entertained enough to stay tuned in. So, we decided to round up a few favorites to help out.
If you’re worried about the uptick in screen time, give yourself some grace, Mama. These are trying times, and many of us are trying to juggle work and life outside parenthood with keeping our growing kids from ping-ponging off the walls with all the energy they have. Letting them watch a little more TV isn’t just understandable, it’s totally acceptable. Just make sure you’re rounding out your days with other non-screen-related educational activities, and you (and your kiddos) will be just fine.
Besides, we’re fortunate to parent during a time filled with some seriously impressive programming — including plenty that won’t melt your kid’s brain. For instance, Noggin comes equipped with a number of favorites for pre-school aged kids. Noggin is home to more than 1,000 episodes of TV that’s thoughtful, educational, and teaches kids valuable lessons that will last a lifetime. Between science, literacy, and math, you can find anything and everything for your little scholar! Here are some of the best educational TV shows for kids to watch right now.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Noggin is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
A version of this article was originally published in March 2020.
‘Paw Patrol’
Join your favorite pack of pups and Ryder for new adventures on Paw Patrol. Through teamwork, anything is possible for these rescue dogs, and your kids will surely learn a new lesson with every adventure they go on.
‘Blippi’
In full disclosure, Blippi should come with a warning label in the sense that your preschooler will get hooked and, by proxy, you won’t be able to get Blippi’s voice out of your head. There could be worse fates, though! A YouTube personality, Blippi encourages kids to explore and ask questions as he tours places like factories, parks, playgrounds and zoos. He also incorporates a decent amount of early learning skills into the show, such as counting and shape recognition.
‘Blaze and the Monster Machines’
Your preshooler will learn so much about science, technology, engineering, and math with the help of Blaze and the Monster Machines. With each new episode, Blaze, the world’s most amazing monster truck, and his driver AJ go on adventures through Axle City to solve problems. Nothing can stop this dynamic duo!
‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’
Although this show is geared for preschoolers, my 7- and 8- year old both still occasionally request it, and I’ll never complain. “You get what you get and you don’t get upset” is just one mantra in our household picked up from this sweet series. Based around little Daniel Tiger, the show is produced by The Fred Rogers Company and inspired by — you guessed it — Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
‘Blue’s Clues & You’
A longtime favorite for generations of kids, Blue’s Clues & You features a slew of great ways to engage with literacy, arts, math, and more. With this show, your little one will help Josh and Blue solve problems so they’re ready for their next day of school.
‘Peg + Cat’
Another PBS gem, this preschool series centers on the quirky namesake duo — a smart and spunky girl and her BFF, aka best feline friend. Not only do their unique journeys foster a strong sense of imagination, but they also sharpen math skills. Each day, Peg and Cat solve a math problem to help save the day.
‘Dora The Explorer’
Dora The Explorer is another longtime favorite of preschoolers. In this series, your kids can learn math, reading comprehension skills, and even a few Spanish words and phrases!
‘Planet Earth’
You can never go wrong with Planet Earth! This high-def series features the wonders of the world, and it will leave both you and your little ones in total awe. Some scenes do show the proverbial circle of life with predators and prey, so be prepared for that convo. But the stunning docuseries is a must-watch for what it illuminates as far as nature, conservation and geography.
‘Wild Kratts’
I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that my 7-year-old son is an encyclopedia of nature trivia thanks to this series. Did you know that there’s a chameleon so small it could sit on your thumbnail with room to spare? I do now, because my son told me! This show — created by brothers Chris and Martin Kratt — teaches kids fun facts like that and so much more about biology, zoology, ecology, and how to make a difference.
‘Sesame Street’
Now, we couldn’t end this list without adding Sesame Street! From interpersonal skills to math, science, reading, and more, you and your child can hangout with longtime favorite characters and learn more about the world around them with this beloved series.
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