Update: Check out our new list of 27 more educational TV shows available on Netflix as of August 2016.
Absorbing an incredible amount of information is something children are known for being exceptionally good at. And while we heartily believe that kids should spend most of that absorption time up, moving around, and interacting with their environments, sometimes that’s just not possible. Perhaps it’s a rainy or cold day outside or your child doesn’t feel well enough to get out of bed but needs something to do.
Many kids just plop down in front of the television when this happens—and unfortunately, many of the shows they watch may not be very educational. For those who have access to Netflix, though, there are some great options:
Math:
LeapFrog: Numberland, Numbers Ahoy, and Math Adventure to the Moon
Emily’s First 100 Days of School
Reading & Phonics:
- Martha Speaks
- LeapFrog: The Amazing Alphabet
Children’s Literature:
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- The Mouse and the Motorcycle
- Runaway Ralph
- Ralph S. Mouse
- The Wind and the Willows
- Danny and the Dinosaur
- I Spy
- Three Little Pigs
- The Cat in the Hat
- Scholastic Storybook
Science & Nature:
- The Magic Schoolbus
- Peep and the Big Wide World
- DisneyNature: Wings of Life and The Crimson Wing
- Wild Kratts
- Animal Planet
- National Geographic
- Planet Ocean
- Blue Planet
- Schoolhouse Rock! Earth
- Dr. Seuss: The Lorax
- How It’s Made
- Microcosmos
- Animal Atlas
- The Jeff Corwin Experience
Others:
- LeapFrog: Adventures in Shapeville Park, Let’s Go to School, and Museum of Opposite Words
- Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
- All About…
- Sesame Street
- Kipper
- Arthur
- Curious George
- Charlie Brown
