As schools and businesses close to slow the spread of the coronavirus, parents and children are spending a lot of time together at home. And while that has plenty of upsides, parents may quickly run out of ways to entertain their little ones — while also looking out for their own mental state.
Luckily, kids’ programming is no longer just for kids. It takes a bit of searching, but much of the family-friendly content today has something for both children and adults to enjoy. Who knows? The parents might even enjoy some of the “kids” shows a bit more.
Variety has compiled a list of some of the best kid-friendly shows out there from just about every streaming service. Just because you’re entertaining your children, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun too.
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'Odd Squad'
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fred Rogers Productions This wonderfully clever live-action PBS Kids show is about a secret agency — called the Odd Squad, duh — of blue-suited tweens tasked with investigating “odd” phenomena. The plots, usually two cases per episode, are smart, fun and educational, focusing on math and puzzle-solving. The actors are winning, and the stories are actually good — I have also laughed out loud at the jokes! You can watch it on PBS Kids, I’m sure, but “Odd Squad” is among the kids shows Amazon Prime has unlocked as an aid to parents. — Kate Aurthur
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
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'Gravity Falls'
Image Credit: DISNEY CHANNEL “Gravity Falls” has often been described as “‘Twin Peaks,’ but for kids” — and while that’s not entirely wrong, adults can find plenty to enjoy in the smart, weird, brilliantly crafted supernatural mystery. Dipper and Mabel Pines are two of the most endearing and lovable children’s show protagonists in years, balancing genuine humor with surprising twists. — Alex Stedman
Where to stream: Disney Plus, Hulu
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'Avatar: The Last Airbender'/'The Legend of Korra'
Image Credit: Nickelodeon “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and its sequel, “The Legend of Korra,” aren’t just two of the best kid-friendly shows in recent TV history; they’re some of the best examples of animated storytelling. The characters are sympathetic, the animation is distinct and lovely, the humor is genuinely funny and the story is epic and emotional. And while it may have been hard to follow up “Avatar,” “Korra” is a worthy sequel and, with a slightly older cast of characters, tackles themes that its predecessor couldn’t. — Alex Stedman
Where to stream: Both available for purchase on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes and Google Play; “Korra” available to stream on CBS All Access
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'The Dragon Prince'
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix If you’ve already finished “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “The Legend of Korra,” “The Dragon Prince” acts as a wonderful spiritual successor. Co-created by “Avatar” head writer Aaron Ehasz, “The Dragon Prince” combines beautiful animation, deep lore and complex characters to make for one of the most intriguing fantasy stories on TV today. — Alex Stedman
Where to stream: Netflix
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'Rugrats'
Image Credit: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock There is a reason “Rugrats” lasted so long — and still holds up. The adventures of Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster and Phil and Lil DeVille are timeless, with truly touching coming-of-age moments (even if it takes the babies awhile to actually, well, come of age). There’s a ton of humor sprinkled in for the adults as well, and those who haven’t watched since they were kids may pick up on a few things they missed when they were younger. — Alex Stedman
Where to stream: Hulu
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'Tumble Leaf'
Image Credit: Amazon This beautifully animated Amazon Prime series follows a blue Fox named Fig who learns the mechanics of objects in colorful stop motion. The award-winning show is filled with teachable moments, stunning visuals and an entertaining cast. — Brian Steinberg.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
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'Mira, Royal Detective'
Image Credit: Courtesy of Disney Junior Disney’s new animated show centers on an 8-year-old detective, Mira, who solves mysteries around the fictional, India-inspired kingdom of Jalpur. The show features an all-South Asian voice cast including Kal Penn, Freida Pinto, Jameela Jamil, Aasif Mandvi and Utkarsh Ambudkar and puts Indian culture front and center, featuring Bollywood dancing, Indian food and episodes centered on traditional holidays like Diwali and Holi. — Audrey Cleo Yap
Where to stream: DisneyNow
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'Steven Universe'
Image Credit: Courtesy of Cartoon Network If you watch “Steven Universe” and don’t weep out of the sheer creative joy that is this harrowing journey of loss and love that grips each character, consider yourself dead inside. This brilliant series takes place in the fictional Earth town of Beach City, following Steven and his alien caretakers, the Crystal Gems, made of up Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl. “Steven Universe” is a compelling drama that tackles modern-day issues with beautiful song — literally, much of this series’ greatness is due to the original tunes the characters sing. Representation and kindness is at the forefront of this series that features several LGBTQ characters and relationships. — Meredith Woerner
Where to stream: Hulu
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'Sarah & Duck'
Image Credit: CBeebies This delightful British animated series follows a young girl named Sarah and her pet duck named Duck as they interact with the citizens of their serenely eccentric small town. Episodes often have a lackadaisical, almost stream-of-consciousness vibe, and can lean heavily into the magical — Sarah often has lengthy conversations with the moon, a rainbow, or a wonderfully good-natured cake. The attractive animation style is at once childlike and far more sophisticated than your average kids show, and makes for a supremely cozy, and highly re-watchable, viewing experience. — Adam B. Vary
Where to stream: Available for purchase on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes and Google Play
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'Forky Asks a Question'
In an effort to beef up Disney Plus’ original offerings, Pixar Animation Studios created 10 episodes featuring the breakout “Toy Story 4” character voiced by Tony Hale exploring a series of big picture topics with the help of some other standout “Toy Story” supporting characters. In “What Is Money,” piggy bank Hamm (John Ratzenberger) tries to teach Forky about currency, while in “What Is Love,” Forky finds himself in the middle of a love quadrangle between Chairol Burnett (Carol Burnett), Melephant Brooks (Mel Brooks), Carl Reineroceros (Carl Reiner) and Bitey White (Betty White). The episodes aren’t what one would call “educational,” per se, but they do embrace the wry, madcap wit we’ve loved from the rest of the “Toy Story” movies. — Adam B. Vary
Where to stream: Disney Plus
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'Lego Masters'
Image Credit: Fox There are Lego fans, and then there are Lego Masters: The people who have turned Lego bricks into an art form, and can build pretty spectacular creations under pressure and a tight deadline. The contestants on this show are adults, but most of them are relatable kids at heart. And then there’s host Will Arnett, who has a bit of fun with the format and pokes at traditional reality competition tropes. — Michael Schneider
Where to stream: Hulu
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'Phineas and Ferb'
Image Credit: DISNEY CHANNEL There’s 104 days of summer vacation — and now there’s at least 104 days of corona isolation as well. It’s the perfect time to get reacquainted with “Phineas and Ferb,” the animated series from Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh that celebrated the imagination and ingenuity of two step-brothers and their pals as they launched daily adventures from their own backyard. Smart, satirical and filled with some of the catchiest songs ever written for television, “Phineas and Ferb” lives on via 126 episodes on Disney Plus — and a new, upcoming movie for the streamer, set to debut later this year. — Michael Schneider
Where to stream: Disney Plus
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'Adventure Time'
Image Credit: Cartoon Network The brilliant and bizarre series set in the “Land of Ooo” follows 12-year-old boy Finn and his magical talking dog, Jake. Together they go on wild adventures, usually battling off the weird evil plot of the villainous Ice King. You’ll be charmed by the deeply creative characters like Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen. But you’ll truly fall for “Adventure Time” when the deeply harrowing backstory behind each friendly faced animation is slowly revealed. — Meredith Woerner
Where to stream: Hulu
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'Over the Garden Wall'
Image Credit: Cartoon Network This 10-episode miniseries was helmed by the creative director of “Adventure Time,” Patrick McHale. It’s a moody meditation and celebration of the wonderfully weird animation renaissance we’re currently experiencing. Plus, if you need something just to be on in the background to phase out the madness, you won’t find a better soundtrack. — Meredith Woerner
Where to stream: Hulu
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'The 10th Kingdom'
Image Credit: Hallmark Some might call this five-episode miniseries from the Hallmark Entertainment channel weird, and those people would be right. If you’re tired of the same cute platypus talking to the same cute cop dog — and your children are a little bit older — then this is the epic fantasy series for you. Come for the dark retelling of classic fairy tale stories, stay for “Gilmore Girls’” Mr. Medina playing a half-man-half-wolf character, with a tail! Starring Ed O’Neill, John Larroquette, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Dianne Wiest, this is the strange, cheesy production quality, 10-hour distraction you need. — Meredith Woerner
Where to stream: Available for purchase on Amazon Prime
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'Ask the Storybots'
Image Credit: Netflix Remember JibJab? The shop that cranked out a handful of crudely animated viral videos in the early Middle Ages of the internet (George W. Bush and John Kerry singing “This Land Is Your Land”) went on to create a kids cartoon franchise so successful that Netflix bought it outright last year. “Ask the Storybots” employs a generation-spanning goofy humor — while also teaching kids the answers to questions such as “Why is the sky blue?” that adults probably would like answered, too. — Daniel Holloway
Where to stream: Netflix
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'Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood'
Image Credit: Courtesy of PBS Kids “When you feel so mad that you want to roar, take a deep breath and count to four.” Words to live by. Based on characters created by the late, great Fred Rogers, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” brings emotional intelligence to preschoolers in the form of catchy, rhyming phrases and songs that grown-ups will find just as useful as children do. — Daniel Holloway
Where to stream: PBS Kids
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'Batman: The Brave and the Bold'
Image Credit: Cartoon Network Since the mid 1980s, Batman has with every new iteration become more gritty, more dark, and more tedious. “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” which aired on Cartoon Network for three seasons beginning in 2008, was a rare exception. Ostensibly designed for a younger audience (but constantly winking at the grownups in the room), “Brave and the Bold” took its cues from the Adam West live action show of the late 1960s. Every week featured a refreshingly un-moody Batman teaming up for adventure with another hero — a bombastic Aquaman, a snarky Green Arrow, a teen-angsty Blue Beetle. The show is now accessible via the vast animation library on WarnerMedia’s DC Universe streaming app. — Daniel Holloway
Where to stream: DC Universe
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'The Who Was? Show'
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix This Netflix show is based on a popular series of kid-focused biographies, and acts as something of a “Saturday Night Live” built around the stories of popular historical figures. With executive producer-showrunner Richard Korson (“Great Minds With Dan Harmon,” “The Daily Show”) and writer-executive producer Brian McCann (“Conan”), it combines industry veterans with young, up-and-coming comedic actors. — Brian Steinberg
Where to stream: Netflix
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'Liv & Maddie'
Image Credit: Courtesy of Disney Channel This family-friendly Disney Channel series, now on Disney Plus, tells the story of identical twins, one athlete and one actress (both played by Dove Cameron), and their quirky Minnesota family. It takes a tender, humorous approach to teen issues while staying consistently entertaining. — Brian Steinberg
Where to stream: Disney Plus
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'The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia'
Image Credit: Netflix This Netflix series centers on a super-smart teenager making her way among “regular kids.” Anchored by a stellar leading performance from Paulina Chávez, “The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia” serves as an entertaining teen sitcom that also empowers young girls who may be interested in STEM fields. — Brian Steinberg
Where to stream: Netflix
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'Diary of a Future President'
Image Credit: Courtesy of Disney Plus This new series, executive produced by Gina Rodriguez, follows the 12-year-old Elena, who will someday become the President of the United States — but for now, is just navigating the ups and downs of middle school. It’s a wholesome and often clever story that’s a worthy addition to Disney Plus’ original line-up. — Brian Steinberg
Where to stream: Disney Plus
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'Chopped Junior'
Kids with knives, what could go wrong? “Chopped Junior” is just like regular “Chopped,” but the chefs are kids and the tension — believe it or not — is much higher. — Meg Zukin
Where to stream: Hulu
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'Bewitched'
Image Credit: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock I have very clear memories of binge watching “Bewitched” with my family as a child. Part witchy magic, part married life, and part suburbia, this classic is a must-watch for families. — Meg Zukin
Where to stream: Crackle