As long as my kids are learning about letters, outer space [1], 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 [2], educational tv shows [3] are an invaluable tool to keep our little ones happy, entertained, and engaged. When screen time [4] rules go out the window, you might as well make it educational!
Netflix is known for their amazing original TV series [5] and movies [6] — please stream Yes Day [7] now! — but they also have a fantastic selection of educational kids shows for toddlers to elementary school (and beyond). From the new Waffles + Mochi starring Michelle Obama [8], to the interactive You vs. Wild and the addicting CoComelon, there is 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 the entertaining show, featuring Michelle Obama [9], famous chefs, celebrity guests, and fun songs. It's just as entertaining for adults!
Watch Waffles + Mochi on Netflix. [10]
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. [11]
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 Billy Nye Saves the World on Netflix. [12]
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. [13]
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 [14]) and others impart on kids in this heartfelt animated series.
Watch Llama Llama on Netflix. [15]
CoComelon
Kids can learn letters, numbers, animal sounds, and more while watching CoComelon, another show with fun music (and cool merch [16]!).
Watch CoComelon on Netflix. [17]
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. [18]
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. [19]
Learning Songs by Little Baby Bum
Preschoolers will go crazy for Learning Songs by Little Baby Bum, a show that mixes colourful animations with simple songs to teach about numbers, letters, colours, animals, and more.
Watch Learning Songs by Little Baby Bum on Netflix. [20]
Little Baby Bum: Nursery Rhyme Friends
Are you ready for more songs about manners, getting dressed, fairytales, 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. [21]
Emily’s Wonder Lab
Emily Calandrelli [22], 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. [23]
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. [24]
Alphablocks
Cute characters with alphabet letters on their heads — what could be better? Alphablocks is a fun show set in Alphaland, where characters learn to read, write, and spell together.
Watch Alphablocks on Netflix. [25]
Numberblocks
Travel to Numberland in Numberblocks, where kids will learn about maths through adding, subtracting, and singing with the animated characters.
Watch Numberblocks on Netflix [26].
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 [27] to complete while watching the show!
Watch Brainchild on Netflix. [28]
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 best-selling books.
Watch The Who Was? Show on Netflix. [29]
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 to fish to monkeys to birds and everything in between.
Watch Absurd! Planet on Netflix. [30]
Monster Maths Squad
Turns out, maths is useful in everyday life! Put your kid's skills to the test while watching Monster Maths Squad, a show about creatures who use maths to help them solve problems.
Watch Monster Maths Squad on Netflix [31].
Charlie’s Colorforms City
The creator of Blues 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. [32]