Are you looking for some educational TV while you and your children are isolating at home (or anytime at all)? This list of educational shows on Netflix for kids details the best educational shows for preschoolers, right up to high school students.
The Need for Educational Television
These days, you may be working from home, but also caring for children who are out of school and daycare. It is a challenge to get your own work done while caring for kids!
One solution is to allow your kids to watch a bit more television than normal.
But you don’t want your kids to turn into screen-zombies, right?
The solution? Have them watch some stimulating, educational television shows, made just for kids.
Educational Shows on Netflix
Because Netflix is the most popular streaming service, I’ve rounded up the best educational shows for kids on Netflix, divided into sections for preschoolers, elementary-aged children, middle schoolers and high schoolers.
Obviously there will be some overlap between age groups. I’ve divided them up based on the recommended age level, but that’s not to say some middle schoolers would not enjoy shows listed in the elementary school section, and plenty of high schoolers will enjoy some of the shows designated for middle schoolers.
So without further ado, here’s the list of best educational shows on Netflix for kids
Educational Shows for Preschoolers
Here are my favorite educational shows for preschoolers on Netflix:
Word Party
Word Party is a vocabulary-building show for toddlers and preschoolers created by Jim Hensen
Splash and Bubbles
Splash and Bubbles is all about learning about the ocean and ocean creatures. It’s a good introduction for kids who are a bit young for Octonauts.
Octonauts
The Octonauts are a team of underwater heros who save various aquatic animals. Each show features a different sea creature and packs in lots of education amidst the rescue action! This is a more in depth show, suitable for four and five year olds.
Super Why!
Super Why! is a series that combines different fairy and folk tales with reading skills. A great way to reinforce concepts like the alphabet and rhyme.
Charlie’s Colorform City
Charlie’s Colorforms is based on the Colorform toys and teachers about colour, shape and size.
Dora the Explorer
Dora offers a fun adventure in each episode, and an introduction to the Spanish language.
Little Baby Bum
These cute nursery rhymes and educational songs are great for toddlers and preschoolers (did you know being able to recite nursery rhymes is linked to reading success?). Encourage your child to sing a long, and sing the songs even without Little Baby Bum playing.
Mother Goose Club
Another collection of nursery rhymes and songs that are perfect for toddlers and young preschoolers. Even my five year old likes to sing along. Mother Goose Club features older children performing the songs, which makes it a draw for slightly older preschoolers.
Bo on the Go
Bo on the GO is a unique show which focuses on physical activity. The main character, Bo, asks children to do many exercises along with her. Perfect for if you’re stuck inside the house!
Treehouse Detectives
Treehouse Detectives is a super sweet mystery show, in which a brother and sister bear solve the mysteries of their forest friends. It talks about reasoning skills and is so appealing to children (and parents!).
Julie’s Greenroom
Julie Andrews leads a performing arts workshop for children. This series is full of engaging puppets and star-studded guest appearances.
The Beat Bugs
The Beat Bugs are a group of cartoon insects who live life and explore a backyard. It’s set to the music of The Beatles, which makes it great exposure to the arts and musical appreciation! A great way to expose your child to some of the greatest songs of all time.
Motown Magic
Similar to The Beat Bugs, Mowtown Magic features the music of, you guessed it, Motown. Human characters, rather than bugs, are the characters featured in this show. The draw is definitely the catchy tunes (some of which you’ll fall in love with all over again)!.
Educational Shows on Netflix for Elementary Students
Here are my favorite shows for elementary school students on Netflix:
Ask the Storybots
The Storybots are a hilarious group of five robots, In this series, they answer kids’ questions ranging from ‘how do you make music?’, ‘why do people look different?’ and ‘where do planets come from?’.
Wild Kratts
Wild Kratts is a PBS-created show in which the two Kratt brothers have animal adventures focusing on science, learning and fun!
The Magic School Bus
Magic School Bus is the same zany show you remember from your own elementary school days. Mrs. Frizzle, a.k.a. The Frizz, leads her class on the most ‘interesting’ field trips you can imagine. Don’t you remember wishing your teacher had a school bus that could shrink you small enough to go inside Ralphie’s body? A classic show packed with learning and excitement!
The Magic School Bus Rides Again
While nothing could beat the original, the reboot of the Magic School Bus is almost as fun, with all the education stuffed right in.
Octonauts
Mentioned already for preschoolers, Octonauts has appeal to early elementary-aged students as well. This series is based on the books, perfect for your 5-7 year old.
If I Were an Animal
Each episode of this show talks about a different animal. Learn all about animal life cycles, habitats, food sources, etc.
Justin Time
Justin and his friends travel back in time to different eras and locations around the world. This is a really cute show!
Pablo
Pablo is a show originally from Norther Ireland, which stars a five year old boy who is autistic. Interestingly, the voice and writing team of this show are all on the autistic spectrum. It’s a great way to introduce children to the fact that all children are different, but special in their own way.
Painting with Bob Ross
Throw in some art appreciation along with relaxation watching a timeless classic. The show you remember from your childhood is back on Netflix. Bonus points if you have paints and a canvas so your kids can try out their artistic skills!
You Vs. Wild
This popular, interactive Bear Grylls show allows the viewer to make decisions in this survival based show. Lots of great information about survival skills and different environments!
Educational Shows on Netflix for Middle School Students
Here are the best educational shows for middle school students on Netflix:
Brain Games
Originally a National Geographic series, Brain Games examines cognitive science and explains how our brains can be fooled by using illusions, psychological experiments and counter-intuitive thinking. This is a super interesting show that your tween will love!
The Who Was Show
Based on a series of books, this sketch comedy series features historical vignettes and songs. Each episode explain ‘who was’ two historical characters.
Bill Nye the Science Guy
This is the same Bill Nye I remember watching in my own middle school science classes. Bill Nye has a way of covering abstract topics and making them easy to understand and relatable to preteens. Plus the catchiest theme song!
Bill Nye Saves the World
Your favorite TV scientist is back for a new series that premiered in 2017. Bill Nye discusses current scientific issues like climate change with a panel of five correspondents, including supermodel, Karlie Kloss, Youtuber, Derek Muller, and comedian Nazeem Hussein. I love that this series is relevant to teens while tackling scientific issues!
Brainchild
Brainchild is a comedic science series executive-produced by Pharrell Williams. Its producers previously worked on Brain Games. It deals with topics like space, germs, memory and dreams.
Our Planet
Our Planet is Netflix’s version of Planet Earth. Stunning footage and tons of information about a variety of animals and ecosystems.
The Big Family Cooking Showdown
This British cooking show is family friendly and fun! Your kids will pick up some real-life skills in the kitchen and might even surprise you with supper!
Project MC2
The protagonists of the fictional series, Project MC2, work for NOV8, a group of highly skilled female operatives. Although this series is fictional, it’s based in the world of STEM, and I love that it features strong, educated female role models!
Night on Earth
This fascinating six part nature series uses amazing technology to capture what life is like for nocturnal animals.
NOVA
NOVA is a PBS docuseries with a huge range of topics from, cyber security to the Thai Cave Rescue, to floods to dinosaur extinction. Your tween/teen can pick a topic of their interest.
Educational Shows on Netflix for High School Students
Educational options for high school students really expand, as they are old enough to watch the vast majority of adult shows on Netflix. Looking at the documentary category and you’ll find dozens of incredible options. Below are some of my favorite educational shows for high school students, as well as documentaries that align with high school subjects.
White Rabbit Project
This is another science-based show, this time from the Build Team from Mythbusters, who cover a range of topics from jail breakers to heists, to crazy WWII weapons.
Adam Ruins Everything
Adam Ruins Everything is a educational comedy series starring Adam Conover. Its goal is to debunk misconceptions that pervade U.S. Society. Through skits, time travel and animated segments, Adam debunks myths and cites peer reviewed sources to back up his claims. In the age of ‘fake news’ this series backs up its claims and still has fun doing so.
World War II
This documentary contains footage and background information on the most important events of World War Two. Footage is in colour and HD. A perfect complement to any modern history course.
13th
This Ava DuVernay documentary is about the mass incarceration of black people following the passing of the 13th amendment. Again, this doc complements a US history course and will help students understand past and current American society.
The Universe
This series, originally aired on The History Chanel, presents information on our universe, including our solar system, the stars, and extraterrestrial life.
Abstract
This Emmy-nominated docu-series features artists in the field of design. It features architects, automotive designers, photographers, interior designers and even a Nike show designer.
Living Undocumented
This series follows eight undocumented families living in America. A perfect intro of a hot topic in American society and a perfect extension for a social studies, political science or current events class.
The Story of God with Morgan Freeman
The perennial favorite, Morgan Freeman, takes a deep dive into world religions and cultures. I love that this series is organized by theme and discussed the perspective of multiple religions, rather than separating religions into one episode each.
The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman also narrates this series, which examines the fundamental forces of humanity (including love, freedom, peace, factionalism, power and rebellion). The series’ thesis is that as humans, there is more that unites us than divides us. A perfect intro into sociology and social anthropology!
Well, those are my favorite educational shows on Netflix for kids. I hope this helps you keep your kids occupied and learning!
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