Ask anyone who grew up in a bilingual household [1], and they'll tell you that Dora the Explorer is overrated and the Gingerbread Man scene in the Spanish dub of Shrek is an absolute masterpiece. As a first-generation American, I was encouraged at a young age to be "a citizen of the world," which meant reading not only The Cat in the Hat, but also its foreign-language counterparts, El Gato Ensombrerado, Le Chat Chapeauté, and Il Gatto col Cappello. That, of course, was long before Netflix even existed. Back then I thought it was pain to do so much extra reading, but honestly it's the whole reason I speak four languages now.
So when I was an au pair [2] in college, the biggest piece of advice I gave parents was to let their kids watch Netflix in the language they were learning. Netflix is an incredibly powerful tool — second only to immersion — especially for learning Spanish. It has a huge selection of dubbed and original Spanish television shows for kids, all of which offer subtitles in multiple languages to facilitate learning — all you need to do is change the audio. Here are 15 of the best ones currently available to stream — trust me, I spent my childhood watching Bob Esponja on repeat (Spongebob in Spanish).
Pocoyó
This show follows the adventures of Pocoyó, a preschool boy who is discovering the world for the first time. Accompanying Pocoyó on his day-to-day adventures are his playful animal friends Pato the duck, Elly the elephant, and Pajaroto the bird.
Watch Pocoyó on Netflix. [4]
Robocar Poli
Led by Poli, the city's head police car, the Robocar team of transformer vehicles is always prepared to help whenever disaster strikes. In every episode, the Robocar team performs amazing rescues, protecting the citizens of Broom at all costs while teaching viewers about safety and decision-making during emergencies.
Watch Robocar Poli on Netflix. [5]
Llama Llama
Set in a small, friendly town, a Llama and his neighbours navigate familiar everyday activities. From going to the grocery store to putting on red pajamas, everything Llama Llama experiences turns into a new adventure.
Watch Llama Llama on Netflix. [6]
Pororo
There's no shortage of fun in the Porong Porong Forest. Along with a dinosaur, a polar bear, a fox, and a beaver, Pororo the penguin encounters new challenges while learning important lessons about friendship and life in his snowy hometown.
Watch Pororo on Netflix. [7]
¡Kazoops!
Monty Kazoops and his pet pig Jimmy Jones are all about thinking outside of the box. Boundless curiosities and big imaginations carry these two best friends through tons of unforgettable moments.
Watch ¡Kazoops! on Netflix. [8]
Simòn
The premise of this show revolves around a funny bunny named Simòn who lives in a world where it's springtime all-year round. With his loving family and his cat Milou by his side, Simòn always goes out of his way to enjoy childhood to its fullest.
Watch Simòn on Netflix. [9]
Cleo y Cuquin
Cleo is trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up, and luckily her baby brother, Cuquin, is there to support her on her journey of self-discovery. Throughout the series, Cleo and Cuquin try out different professions and learn fun lessons about responsibility.
Watch Cleo y Cuquin on Netflix. [10]
Kid-E-Cats
Kid-E-Cats follows the lives of three kitten siblings who love to play, socialise, and explore the town of Catspolis. With their inquisitive minds and the wisdom of their caring parents, Cookie, Pudding, and Candy figure out how to be independent and solve problems.
Watch Kid-E-Cats on Netflix. [11]
Leo y Tig
Leo the leopard and Tig the tiger are best friends living in a Siberian forest. Together they embark on wild adventures and heroically save other animals.
Watch Leo y Tig on Netflix. [12]
Pablo
A boy with autism uses crayons to draw a special world just for him. Through his bright imagination and endless creativity, Pablo and his imaginary animal friends explore real-life situations in a safe learning environment.
Watch Pablo on Netflix. [13]
Ya Llega Noddy
Travelling to all four corners of Toyland, Noddy the kid detective investigates important mysteries and locates missing objects. By using strategies and asking questions, Noddy becomes a better detective every day.
Watch Ya Llega Noddy on Netflix. [14]
Luna Petunia
This series chronicles the adventures of Luna Petunia, an optimistic young girl who prides herself on being fearless and independent. Set in her own fantastical dreamland, Luna encourages everyone she crosses paths with to see the best in every situation, no matter the circumstances.
Watch Luna Petunia on Netflix. [15]
Gigantosaurus
Dinosaur pals Mazu, Tiny, Bill, and Rocky are in search of a legendary creature, and they need all the help they can get. As they uncover all the mysteries of Gigantosaurus, they face their fears head-on and cultivate a strong friendship.
Watch Gigantosaurus on Netflix [16].
Morphle
Morphle is a magical pet who loves spending time with his best friend Mila. Through the power of Mila's imagination, Morphle can transform into anything and everything, and together the two of them make the impossible possible.
Watch Morphle on Netflix [17].
El Gato Ensombrerado
El Gato Sombrerado is the Spanish version of the PBS Kids show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That. Featuring 6-year-old Sally and her new best friend Nick, the Cat in the Hat returns with plenty of unexpected hijinks in store.
Watch El Gato Ensombrerado on Netflix [18]
