Looking for something entertaining to watch with the little ones? The best kids' TV shows are here and they're better than ever — and this season of new Netflix shows (and beyond) even includes some of the greatest throwbacks to everyone's favorites. After all, there's nothing easier to do to keep the children entertained — or to even fill up some of that extra time on your own schedule — than to sit back on the couch, cue up your favorite channel and then throw on a couple episodes of a family-friendly show on the TV. And now, thanks to streaming services like Disney+, Apple TV+, and HBO Max, it's easier than ever to quickly find the best family-friendly shows at your disposal, so you're never stuck fumbling for something your kids can watch. (And you can always consult our opinions on the best Netflix kids' shows and shows on Netflix for tweens, too).
If you’re in the mood for series debuts and new episodes from old faves, here are some exciting new premieres of all the greatest children's and family TV shows that are available — or will be available soon — on various networks and streaming services. Whether you’ve got big kids or preschoolers, superhero fans or inquisitive minds, there’s something for everybody — and even if you're not a big fan of binge-watching with your kid, you can always check out one of the best kids’ movies of all-time. And remember: Even if you’re all staring silently at a screen together, it still counts as family bonding.
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DC Super Hero Girls
Netflix
Network: Cartoon Network
Created by Lauren Faust, who gave us My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, this show follows an all-teen, all-female team of famous superheroes who have to keep Metropolis safe — and still find time to have fun as friends. Ages 8+
Developed by The Shape of Water director Guillermo del Toro, this series completes the sci-fi/fantasy epic trilogy that started with Trollhunters and 3Below. In it, one of Merlin's wizards-in-training has to go on a time-bending journey to gain control of the magic that binds the worlds of trolls, aliens, and wizards. Ages 7+
For the fourth season of Netflix's Super Monsters, which began in early August, a new class of kids arrived at Pitchfork Pines, ready to learn how to use their monster powers. Ages 4+
Bugs, Daffy, and all the rest are back with some brand-new cartoons, drawn in a new style for HBO Max. You can also find classic Looney Tunes on the service, too. Ages 6+
True, an 8-year-old-girl, and her cat, Bartleby, are the only ones that Rainbow City's citizens can rely on when something goes wrong. In every episode, True shows off her problem-solving skills. If kids enjoy it, there are also three spin-off series — True: Magical Friends, True: Wonderful Wishes, and True Tunes — along with a handful of one-off specials. Ages 4+
This show is about the Tiny Ones Transport Service (or T.O.T.S.) — aka the birds who bring babies to new families. When a penguin and a flamingo join the previously-storks-only service, they challenge traditions while delivering adorable infant animals. New episodes are coming in August. Ages 4+
This series, aged for preschoolers, is about a lovable Blue Heeler puppy and her family. The episodes are gentle, but cover challenging situations that kids face, like cheering up a sick family member and saying goodbye to a friend. The second season premiered on July 10. Ages 2+
Anne and Sprig are an unlikely pair: One is a Thai-American girl, and the other is a talking frog. They cross paths when Anne discovers a magical music box that transports her to Amphibia, a land of talking insects and reptiles, and adventures begin. New, second-season episodes will air all summer. Ages 7+
Abby Hatcher is a 7-year-old girl who moves into a hotel, only to discover funny creatures called the Fuzzlies. She spends her days trying to keep them out of trouble! The first season of the show is also available on Netflix. Ages 4+
It's not just a novelty book anymore. Now, Waldo and his friends are part of a Worldwide Wanderer Society that goes on international travel missions to earn its stripes. Ages 6+
The little Muppets are in daycare together, just like they were when parents were kids — and they're still learning how to use their imaginations to solve problems. Summer the Penguin, a new friend, joins Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie, and the others. Ages 4+
This show follows twins who were raised by dragons and can speak their language. If you have a How to Raise Your Dragon fan who is sad the movie franchise is complete, you can keep them in the world of dragons and vikings a little longer. A 45-minute musical special, DreamWorks Dragons Rescue& Riders: Secrets of the Songwing, premiered in July. Ages 5+
The Fraggles are back, and still dancing their cares away. Special guests like Neil Patrick Harris, Tiffany Haddish, Ziggy Marley, Alanis Morissette, Jason Mraz and Common turn up along with friends Gobo, Red, Boober, Mokey, Wembley and Uncle Traveling Matt. (And, in accordance with social distancing, the whole thing was shot on iPhones.) Ages 4+
This animated series is about a school where kid superheroes can learn to master their powers, like flight and teleportation. Along the way, they also learn about STEM concepts, so your kids might sneak in some learning, too. Ages 5+
The fourth season of this favorite kids' show kicked off in May with a four-part episode that doubles as a mini-movie called "Heroes of the Sky." New episodes will air throughout the summer. Ages 4+
If you're subscribed to Apple TV, you can watch this pre-school series from the makers of Sesame Street. In it, a team of vibrant monsters come together to help solve problems for others. The channel also has "Helpsters Help You," a series of shorts meant to help kids deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Ages 2+
Also new to Apple TV+ is this re-boot of the famed children's series from the '90s. It follows four kids who team up to solve an exciting mystery surrounding a ghost’s unfinished business — with the help of works of literature. Ages 8+
Geena Davis joined the cast for the third season of the show, which is way more nuanced than the She-Ra from the '80s. In it, She-Ra has to unite fellow princesses to join a conflict against the evil Horde. The final season premiered in May 2020. Ages 8+
This series follows a 12-year-old girl named Tulip, her robot pal, and a talking Corgi as they make their way through a seemingly endless train searching for a way to get Tulip home. Along the way, they must solve puzzles, making it a brainy workout for your kids, too. Ages 8+
This reboot of the 1986 series Amazing Storieswill have Steven Spielberg returning as executive producer — and will feature today's most imaginative filmmakers, directors and writers in an exciting sci-fi/fantasy anthology. Ages 10+
She's on the case! Mira is a regular girl appointed to the post of royal detective so she can help solve (not-too-intense) crimes around the palace, along with the help of her mongoose friends. Ages 4+
Parents may remember the old geography-oriented computer game, but this series delves into the backstory of the globe-trotting thief. There's even an interactive special, Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal. Ages 7+
Based on the book series, Pinkalicious & Peterrific follows a young brother and sister. She lives to be creative, and he likes to go along for the ride. Ages 4+
Veep's Tony Hale stars in this series based on the beloved book character. The show is about. an enthusiastic chick who wakes up every day and goes on an adventure in the world around him. Ages 5+
So many things go on in a LEGO city, and this animated series follows the cops, firefighters, and other yellow denizens on their wacky adventures around town. Ages 5+
Spirit fans enter a whole new world when Lucky, Pru, and Abigail head to riding school at the prestigious Palomino Bluffs. But the girls soon learn that starting at a new school has its challenges. Ages 7+
This reality competition pits LEGO masters against each other in a series of building challenges. It'll inspire your family to get their bricks out again. Ages 9+
Filmed in front of a live studio audience, this show combines elements of a sitcom with improv comedy, and in-studio viewers are called upon to vote on what's going to happen next. Ages 7+
Blue's Clues has returned, with a new host (Josh) but the same old Thinking Chair. The series has gotten an update, with new CG animation for Blue and Magenta and other new touches (the Handy Dandy Notebook now has smartphone technology, for example). Ages 3+
Disney+ has revived this beloved cartoon for one final season. It explores events in the Star Wars universe in the lead-up to Revenge of the Sith. Ages 8+
Based on the book series, Last Kids on Earth follows a typical suburban 13-year-old — living in the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse. Together with his middle-school friends, he battles monsters and spends time in his treehouse. Ages: 8+
From DreamWorks Animation comes a new fantastical adventure series Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, which tells the story of a young girl named Kipo as she's undertakes an exciting adventure on a post-apocalyptic Earth. Ages 7+
Beloved by kids and parents, this show follows five cute robots as they find answers to real-world questions. Celebs that parents know fill in to help! Ages 3+
Kids who grew up in the '90s remember Nickelodeon's classic sketch-comedy show. Since everything '90s is coming back, All That has returned with an all-new cast, produced by alums Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. Ages 8+
It's time to gear up for more adventures with everyone's favorite Big Red Dog, as Emily Elizabeth and her dog Clifford are returned for Season 1B in early February — complete with a new cast of characters and brand-new original songs. Ages 3+
This newly-premiered series on Disney+ follows a young girl's journey through middle school — and her path to become the future president of the United States. A second season has been announced, but no premiere date has been set. Ages 8+
Buckle up for Netflix's new preschool show based on the hit toy line, which features adorable kid car Cory Carson as he explores the roads of Bumperton Hills — and has many adventures along the way. Ages 4+
Prepare for magic and adventure with this new animated fantasy-comedy series from Disney Channel, which follows a teenage girl named Luz who stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm. Ages 8+
This new animated preschool series on Universal Kids features two parakeet siblings, Ace and Polly, as they embark on heroic superhero adventures to save their city. Ages 4+
Kids can now join in on the race car craze with this animated TV series based on the Fast & Furious film franchise, which follows teenager Tony Toretto as he's recruited by a government agency to infiltrate a criminal street racing circuit. Ages 9+
Bingo and Rolly, two boisterous pug brothers, go on zany adventures to help their human, Bob. Along the way, they often learn about different places around the world. Ages 3+
After the last season of the groundbreaking show Steven Universe (and the following movie), the story continues with this epilogue limited series aired just this past December, which resumes Steven's adventures as he ties up all the remaining loose ends. Ages 10+
In a new Disney+ series inspired by the hit film franchise High School Musical, the Wildcats are back on the prowl at East High School, this time with a new group of teenage theater enthusiasts. Ages 8+
Just when you thought you knew everything about the Dr. Seuss classic, along comes a 13-episode series to show you more of the wacky world of Sam I Am. Adam Devine, Michael Douglas, Ilana Diane Keaton, and Keegan-Michael Key provide the voices. Ages 4+
DuckTales is back — woo-ooh! In addition to an updated animation style, the story is also tweaked to focus more on the action and adventures of Scrooge and his gang. Ages 5+
Also a show that premiered on Disney+, this one has Jeff Goldblum — aka Dr. Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park — delving into the story behind everyday objects. Ages 8+
If your kids are avid animal lovers or have furry friends of their own, try this new original docu-series from Disney+ based on the film of the same name — it follows the heartwarming stories of six loveable dogs as they embark on a quest to become Guide Dogs For the Blind. Ages 7+
Mickey Mouse and his pals have adventures all over Hot Dog Hills. In each episode, there's even a half-time dance break, where kids can boogie to an updated version of the "Hot Dog" song. Ages 2+
Based on the Ordinary People Change the World book series by Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos, this show teaches kids about influential historical figures. In each episode, Xavier faces a problem, and he and his buddies have to go to the secret museum, travel through time, and meet heroes from the past to find solutions. Ages 4+
This animated adventure-comedy has returned for a second season, following the exploits of a 10-year-old who moves from the country to the big city. Ages 7+
This stop-motion TV show follows a forest's can-do handyman, but the real draw is that there will be original Broadway-inspired songs in each episode. Ages 4+
Kids who can't get enough of horseback riding are thankful that Free Rein has returned for a third season. In it, a pregnant moor pony starts an adventure for the gang at Bright Fields. Ages 6+
In this series on PBS Kids, Molly Mabray helps run the Denali Trading Post with her family, and then goes on exciting dog-sledding, ice-fishing, volcano-watching adventures with her friends. Molly is an Alaskan native (Gwich’in/ Koyukon/Dena’ina Athabascan to be exact), and the series was made by Alaska Native screenwriters and producers, making it a first of its kind. Ages 4+
This 10-episode Netflix series is a prequel to the movie we remember from the 1980s, about the struggle for power between fantasy creatures Gelflings and Skeksis. Ages 8+
This show, about a magical moon baby who visits a dollhouse at night to play, is entirely made with stop-motion animation and puppets — no CGI. Ages 2+
The eighth season of Peppa Pig finds Peppa and her friends heading to a festival, celebrating World Book Day, and, of course, jumping in muddy puddles! Ages 2+
With the pop-culture phenomenon My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic having wrapped up its final season recently, watch the last stretch kick off in an episode where Pinkie Pie seeks her life's purpose with the help of her friend, the super silly Cheese Sandwich, played by “Weird Al” Yankovic. (You can see the rest on Netflix.) Ages 5+
Network: Prime Video All nine seasons of the beloved '70s show are available on Amazon Prime. Set in the 1800s, Little House on the Prairie follows the Ingalls family and their life on farm in a small town in Minnesota. Ages 7+
Marisa LaScalaSenior Parenting & Relationships EditorSenior Parenting & Relationships Editor Marisa LaScala covers all things parenting, from the postpartum period through empty nests, for Good Housekeeping; she previously wrote about motherhood for Parents and Working Mother.
Hannah JeonEditorial FellowHannah is an editorial fellow at Good Housekeeping, where she loves to cover home, health, entertainment, and other lifestyle content.
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