Guilt-free TV: Our favourite educational shows for kids

Screen time doesn't have to make you feel guilty, especially when your little ones are learning life skills and valuable lessons through educational TV shows.

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And, actually, even if they’re not, you still shouldn’t feel guilty! Sometimes you just need to chop veggies for dinner or put your feet up with a cuppa without little people crawling all over you.

Here’s our round-up of the best educational shows for kids.

The low-down on TV that teaches

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What exactly makes a show ‘educational’?

If you were raised in Australia in the ’80s or ’90s, chances are, your go-to show was Play School.

Educational, entertaining and jam-packed with lessons – as well as adventure – many of us grew up ‘looking through the windows’ and hanging out with Big Ted and Little Ted (the famous teddy bears).

Play School was the OG of educational kids’ shows that didn’t bore little kids – with its catchy songs, exciting adventures and creative craft, it kept little people enthralled and still does to this day.

The best educational content provides entertainment while teaching various subjects and skills, such as maths, science, literacy, social skills and emotional development. They are typically designed to engage a specific age group and teach them critical skills lightheartedly.

Online educational kids shows

Back in the day, you tuned into Play School or another classic show, Sesame Street, on free-to-air TV at a certain time, but things look very different today.

Many of us have access to more streaming services than you can shake a dummy at. Netflix, Disney+, ABC iView, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube … our kids are spoilt for choice. But it can make it harder to sift through the weeds to find the good stuff.

The benefits for our children

Educational shows for children offer a variety of benefits that support their development and learning in multiple ways.

From cognitive and social development to fostering curiosity and promoting diversity and inclusion, kids learn important lessons about the world … and are often taken on magical adventures at the same time.

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Our favourite brain-boosting kids' shows

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From crowd favourite Bluey to the maths hit Numberblocks, these are some examples of cracking TV content that takes your children’s IQ up at least 10 points. (Here’s hoping …)

Science and learning

Magic School Bus Rides on Netflix: This show explores the wonders of the universe, building on the legacy of the iconic kids’ show The Magic School Bus. Perfect for young science enthusiasts and adventure lovers, this animated series continues the tradition of learning through captivating storytelling.

Best for: preschoolers

Wow That’s Amazing on ABC iView: Children can discover awesome experiments, magic tricks and mind-bending puzzles to wow their friends. Join Owain and Tilly as they present amazing science tricks to try at home and showcase cutting-edge technology innovations from around the globe!

Best for: older kids

Play School Science Time on ABC iView: Yep, our favourite show has a science-y spin-off, where kids can learn about everything from spaceships to snot!

Best for: preschoolers

History and culture

Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum on Apple TV (PBS Kids): Based on the renowned book series Ordinary People Change The World, this is an adventure-based show that explores history lessons and change-makers worldwide. Each episode features a famous individual’s life story.

Best for: kids aged 4-7

Know It Alls: History on ABC iView: Hosts Adelaide, Chenelle and Marianne take one smart kid and one adequate adult on a fact-finding mission through all things ‘history’.

Best for: older kids

Maths and literacy

Numberblocks on ABC iView: A show that teaches kids about maths and numbers through fun animations and catchy songs (warning: you will get them stuck in your head). An entertaining way to introduce kids to basic maths concepts.

Best for: preschoolers

Super Why! on Apple TV: Kids will learn about literacy, language and critical thinking in this TV show that follows a group of fairytale characters who use literacy skills to solve problems. Perfect for improving a child’s reading skills.

Best for: preschoolers

Social-emotional learning

Sesame Street on ABC iView: We don’t need to tell you how to get to Sesame Street! This beloved program is the go-to show for learning skills such as counting, spelling, problem-solving and more. Moreover, it teaches empathy and helps kid build their social and emotional intelligence.

Best for: preschoolers

Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood on ABC iView: Don’t we all wish we could be as patient as Daniel Tiger’s mum?! This show helps young children manage emotions and develop key social, emotional and life skills while exploring, growing, singing and creating with Daniel Tiger and his preschool friends.

Best for: young children

Creativity and imagination

Little Einsteins on Disney+: This educational TV show teaches kids lessons about creativity and teamwork. Each episode focuses on a new adventure where characters drop gems of knowledge within a normal conversation. It has an interactive element, asking kids to participate and find specific objects.

Best for: preschoolers

Bluey on ABC iView: How could we not mention one of the most entertaining, enriching and educational TV shows of all time? Bluey teaches brilliant lessons to adults and children alike – the most important one being that playing with kids fosters their creativity.

Best for: kids and adults of all ages!

Honourable mentions for educational shows must go to YouTuber Ms Rachel (best for teaching toddlers language skills) and the animated series Wild Kratts, a wildly entertaining show that educates children on animals. Oh, and our beloved Wiggles, of course!

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How to choose the right show for your children

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Choosing the right educational TV show for your kids involves looking for content that is age-appropriate, engaging and aligns with their interests.

Opt for shows like the ones above that balance entertainment with learning, feature positive role models, and have interactive elements that encourage active participation.

Wrapping it up

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There are a lot of programs out there that are the TV equivalent of fast food (we’re looking at you, random YouTube shows).

But there’s also a wealth of high-quality TV content that can expand your child’s thinking and provide them with valuable knowledge about the world (while you cut up zucchini in peace). Pass us the remote!