18 Educational Shows on Netflix That Your Kids Will Actually Want to Watch
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As long as my kids are learning about letters, outer space, healthy food, and being kind to each other, it doesn't matter where they learn it, right? With more parents working from home and homeschooling, educational TV shows are an invaluable tool to keep our little ones happy, entertained, and engaged. When screen-time rules go out the window, you might as well make it educational!
Netflix is known for its amazing original movies and TV series — please stream "Yes Day" now! — but it also has a fantastic selection of educational kids' shows for toddlers to elementary school (and beyond). From "Waffles + Mochi" starring Michelle Obama to the interactive "You vs. Wild" and the addicting "CoComelon," there's something for everyone. Check out a few of the best educational kids' shows you can stream right now on Netflix in the slides ahead.
"Waffles + Mochi"
Cute puppets learn about food, cultures, and healthy eating in this entertaining show featuring Michelle Obama, famous chefs, celebrity guests, and fun songs. It's just as entertaining for adults! Watch "Waffles + Mochi" on Netflix.
"Ask the StoryBots"
After binge-watching "Ask the StoryBots" with my kids, the show's catchy songs got stuck in my head for days! This entertaining show features five little creatures who track down answers to life's biggest questions, often by asking celebrities and making up cool tunes — you might just learn something, too! Watch "Ask the Storybots" on Netflix.
"Bill Nye Saves the World"
Famous scientist and Emmy-winning host Bill Nye stars in "Bill Nye Saves the World," which explores scientific issues in a kid-friendly way. Watch "Bill Nye Saves the World" on Netflix.
"You vs. Wild"
Video game meets nature documentary in this interactive show, "You vs. Wild"! Kids will love helping host Bear Grylls make decisions to survive and complete missions all around the globe. Watch "You vs. Wild" on Netflix.
"Llama Llama"
If you read the award-winning "Llama Llama" books by Anna Dewdney to your kids, then you already know the lessons Mama Llama (voiced by Jennifer Garner) and others impart on kids in this heartfelt animated series. Watch "Llama Llama" on Netflix now.
"CoComelon"
Kids can learn letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more while watching "CoComelon," another show with fun music (and cool merch!). Watch "CoComelon" on Netflix.
"Jim Henson's Word Party"
Learn words from cute baby animals in "Jim Henson's Word Party." Toddlers will also learn how to use their imaginations and interact with others. Watch "Jim Henson's Word Party" on Netflix.
"The Magic School Bus Rides Again"
As a former watcher of "The Magic School Bus," I love the Netflix original series "The Magic School Bus Rides Again" featuring Ms. Frizzle's sister, Fiona (voiced by Kate McKinnon). A new generation of kids will go on an adventure to learn about science in cool new ways. Watch "The Magic School Bus Rides Again" on Netflix.
"Learning Songs by Little Baby Bum"
Preschoolers will go crazy for "Learning Songs by Little Baby Bum," a show that mixes colorful animations with simple songs to teach about numbers, letters, colors, animals, and more. Watch "Learning Songs by Little Baby Bum" on Netflix.
"Little Baby Bum: Nursery Rhyme Friends"
Are you ready for more songs about manners, getting dressed, fairy tales, and more? Put "Little Baby Bum: Nursery Rhyme Friends" on for hours of educational entertainment for your toddlers. Watch "Little Baby Bum: Nursery Rhyme Friends" on Netflix.
"Emily's Wonder Lab"
Emily Calandrelli, an American scientist known as the Space Girl and former engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, hosts "Emily's Wonder Lab." She makes STEAM fun with activities, demonstrations, and fun at-home experiments you can try. Watch "Emily's Wonder Lab" on Netflix.
"Mother Goose Club"
Adults dance and sing in silly costumes in the "Mother Goose Club," all while teaching kids about sports, dinosaurs, the solar system, the alphabet, doctor visits, and so much more. Watch "Mother Goose Club" on Netflix.
"Numberblocks"
Travel to Numberland in "Numberblocks," where kids will learn about math through adding, subtracting, and singing with the animated characters. Watch "Numberblocks" on Netflix.
"Brainchild"
Everything from germs to emotions to social media is explained in "Brainchild," a Netflix original series. Note: there are free lesson plans and handouts parents can print to complete while watching the show! Watch "Brainchild" on Netflix.
"The Who Was? Show"
History has never been more entertaining! See Benjamin Franklin, Joan of Arc, King Tut, Sacagawea, Marie Curie, Susan B. Anthony, George Washington, and more historical figures come alive in "The Who Was? Show," based on bestselling books. Watch "The Who Was? Show" on Netflix.
"Absurd! Planet"
Each episode of "Absurd! Planet" dives into different incredible animals on Earth, inspired by Wired magazine's "Absurd Creature of the Week." Animals featured range from penguins and fish to monkeys and birds and everything in between. Watch "Absurd! Planet" on Netflix.
"If I Were an Animal"
"If I Were an Animal" follows siblings Emma and Tim on an adventure as they watch different animals go from birth to adulthood in this fun docuseries. Great Pyrenees, swans, wildebeests, hedgehogs, brown bears, cats, lemon sharks, and more are featured. Watch "If I Were an Animal" on Netflix.
"Charlie's Colorforms City"
The creator of "Blue's Clues," Angela Santomero, is behind "Charlie's Colorforms City," a fun animated show that takes Charlie to outer space, the Wild West, and other places to learn about shapes and more. Watch "Charlie's Colorforms City" on Netflix.