Parents are constantly looking for educational screen time opportunities for their children. With screen time recommendations limited to less than an hour a day for younger children, many parents want to use this time for educational and entertainment purposes. Below are five educational cartoon recommendations that will engage and delight your children.
Ask the StoryBots (2016-2019)
Ask the StoryBots is an educational adventure. Each episode focuses on a different question asked by kids. How do people catch a cold? Why is the sky blue? How are planets made? Are all questions that are explored in this series. The show is three seasons long with 6-8 episodes a season. Each episode is about half an hour long. If you enjoy this series there all StoryBots specials, as well as, other StoryBots shows. You can visit the StoryBots website to find other educational content as well.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Wild Kratts (2010- present)
Wild Kratts follows zoologist brothers Chris and Martin as the explore the awesome creatures on our planet and their incredible powers. Each episode focuses on a specific animal, exploring what makes that animal special. This is an animated series, but the Kratt Brothers have various non-animated series as well. The show is currently ongoing with seven seasons and many specials. Regular episodes run 25 minutes.
Where to Watch: PBS Kids, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV
Number Blocks (2017-2024)
Number Blocks is a great way to help kids learn to count and well as learning other basic math principles. Number Blocks teaches math with fun characters and adventures. Number blocks has six seasons with episodes that run for 5 minutes.
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Magic School Bus (1994-1997) and The Magic School Bus Rides Again (2017-2021)
Tide the magic school bus with Ms. Frizzle as she takes her students on the field trips of their dreams. Explore various fields of science while using critical thinking skills and learning fundamental scientific principles. The Magic School Bus is a classic many of us enjoyed as children. For a newer adventure you can also check out The Magic School Bus Rides Again, a reboot made by Netflix.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Octonauts (2010-2021) and Octonauts Above and Beyond (2021- present)
Octonauts is a great way for children to explore the amazing creatures of our oceans. Each episode focuses on a different creature that lives in the oceans or seas. It presents facts about these creatures while exploring with the Octonauts, who are usually helping or saving the creature. Netflix is currently making a reboot of Octonauts, called Octonauts Above and Beyond, which also explores creatures on land.
Where to Watch: Netflix
