Team KidsBaron’s favorite TV Shows For Kids And Families

In this high-tech age, it's never been easier or more crucial for kids to watch TV. Why? Because the best shows for kids on TV today are not only entertaining and educational, but they're also interactive and social. And according to a new study from Common Sense Media, children who watch these types of shows have better life skills than those who don't.

What does that mean? The data show that kids who spend time watching quality programs like Search and Explore and Dora the Explorer are more likely to be successful in school as well as socially responsible adults—meaning they'll do things like recycle their old electronics instead of tossing them into the trash! So why is watching TV so good for your child? It's because when they're in front of the TV, they're in a relaxed and receptive state and taking in information—and for young children especially, that's where learning begins.

Here are the favorite shows from everyone here at KidsBaron.com that our kids and we as families love to watch:

1. Search and Explore

Watch as your young one follows the adventures of ABC Mouse, 123 Mouse and Do-Re-Mi Mouse around the world. Each 12-minute episode is designed to stimulate curious little brains and short attention spans. You may stream the two, eight-episode series for free from ABCmouse Early Learning Academy's website. Little adventurers between 2-10 years absolutely love this show.

2. Phineas and Ferb

The series is set in the summer and follows Phineas and his stepbrother Ferb, who are between eight and ten years old, on their holiday. The boys go on a new adventure every day during the summer vacation. Candace, the protagonist's controlling older sister, frequently attempts to expose their disturbances to her and Phineas' mother, and rarely Ferb's father. The show follows a pattern. The jokes keep happening in each episode. A “subplot” happens most of the time where Perry the Platypus is working for OWCA (the Organization Without A Cool Acronym) to stop Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz's latest evil scheme (although he is not really evil). The two plots intersect at the end to erase all traces of the boys' project just before Candace can show it to their mother. This happens very often and makes Candace very frustrated. Overall, this is just a super fun show to watch for the whole family and people from all ages will have their fun watching this show.

3. Paw Patrol

The PAW Patrol is a group of dogs who help people. Ryder teaches the dogs how to do that. They mostly save people from fires or water or other things that can be dangerous. Each dog is trained to perform a certain set of tasks that are dependent on emergency services professions, such as a fireman, a police officer, and an air pilot. They all live in doghouses that transform into specialized vehicles, or “pupmobiles,” for their assignments. They're also equipped with high-tech backpacks called “pup packs”. This show is especially great for children up to 6 years who love dogs.

4. Ask the StoryBots

StoryBots is one of the best TV shows for kids around. Period. The series follows Beep, Boop, Bing, Bang, and Bo as they try to find out how eyes work or why we recycle. Why do we recycle? How do you catch a cold? The strange story telling is lighthearted and enjoyable, yet the answers are quite serious—no surprise it won several Emmys. What makes this show so fun for adults alike is that several famous guys stars take part in the little sketches. This show is great for kids between 3-10 years.

5. Peppa Pig

She is a happy, funny little piggy who lives with her Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, and little brother George. Each of the episodes follow Peppa as she has funny adventures with George. They play games like puddle-splashing in the winter or building sandcastles on the beach in the summer. There are also several “Mr. Potato” and “Mrs. Goat” episodes to teach kids about friendship, personal space, and the like. Peppa is a very positive little role model (and she even has her own movie that you can watch with your kids).

6. Shaun the Sheep

Shaun is different from all the other sheep in the flock. Instead of following the crowd, he prefers taking his own path and doing things his way. With a little ingenuity and some well-timed tricks, Shaun has fun causing mischief and mayhem, but there's always time for family and friends too! This show is great because it teaches the importance of individuality and having fun. It also emphasises what it means to be a good friend, family member, and overall good person. This show is best for kids ages 4 and up who love silly humor.

7. Sofia the first

Sofia, is a little girl who becomes a princess overnight when her mother marries the king. She has to learn how to be a fine lady and in time she will become the best queen in all the land! The show teaches kids good manners, how to properly speak different languages, eat at formal dinner parties, and other fancy things. The show is very educational, but it's fun for the entire family. Kids will enjoy watching Sofia go on magical adventures to faraway lands with her animal companion Minimus the flying pony. The show is designed for little princesses between 2-7 years of age.

8. Bubble Guppies

The Bubble Guppies are a group of preschool fish who have lots of fun and learn new things every day. They're lead by Mr. Grouper, who teaches them important concepts throughout the day. He assigns the little fish tasks that are designed to be easy enough for even preschool children to understand and complete successfully. This show is great for kids ages 3 and up who are too young to read on their own but want something more interesting than Barney or Sesame Street.

9. Sid the Science Kid

Sid is a young scientist in training who wants to learn everything there is to know about science—hence his name, Sid! Each episode revolves around him learning how one of the core concepts of science works in real-life situations, which he compares with past experiences. The show features kid-friendly explanations of everything from whether you could drive a car underwater to how the solar system works. Kids get to see how their world runs and learn about why things are the way they are in a fun, easy-to-understand format. The show is great for kids ages 3-7 who have an interest in science.

10. Beat Bugs

A music group of ladybugs, beetles, butterflies, and grasshoppers? They're probably the coolest bugs you've ever seen. And if their names don't give it away, yes—they are all named after famous Beatles songs. The show is based on the lives of these little insects and how they learn to play music in a band together. The show teaches children about friendship, teamwork, and believing in yourself while also providing a fun musical experience that everyone can enjoy. Kids ages 5-10 will especially love it.

11. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Do you or your kids like Star Wars? Then this is the show for you. The Clone Wars takes place in the prequel universe and follows a younger Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker as they fight the dark warrior Asaaj Ventress and Count Dooku (two Sith Lords). Kids can learn about something they love while also learning that good will always triumph over evil. This show is great for kids ages 9 and up who love action and adventure, especially if they are also Star Wars fans!

12. Hey Arnold!

Arnold's a big kid with a heart of gold. Never forgetting where he came from, Arnold uses his wits and strength to protect his neighborhood from gangsters and other bad guys who threaten the safety of those around him. This show is great for kids ages 7 and up because it has silly characters, fun adventures, and a pervasive sense of love and kinship. It's also a good show for those who like the art style of the 90s!

13. Sesame Street

Sesame Street is a classic that has withstood the tests of time. It's the longest-running children's show ever, and for good reason. Memorable characters like Big Bird, Elmo, Grover, Ernie and Bert, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, and Zoe teach kids important lessons in friendship, compassion, how to cope with adversity, and more. Kids will love spending time with these fun characters as they learn the alphabet, numbers, and how to count money. The show is perfect for kids of all ages and can help them start learning important skills at a young age!

14. SpongeBob Squarepants

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea… and why is he so happy all the time? SpongeBob lives in Bikini Bottom and works at the Krusty Krab, a fast food restaurant. He spends his days making cooking jokes and looking for fun with his best sea creature friend Patrick. Kids are sure to love the silly humor, creative characters, and lighthearted atmosphere of this show. The show is great for kids ages 8 and up who laugh at jokes about cooking, dancing, and looking for fun!

15. Steven Universe

Steven thinks he's just your average kid—until he discovers that his mother was part of a powerful group called the Crystal Gems. Now, with help from Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, he uses his gem powers to fight for Earth against monsters who are trying to destroy it. Kids can learn about good triumphing over evil as well as the importance of teamwork and the true meaning of family through this show. Plus, it's a great show for those who love action-packed adventures!

16. DuckTales

DuckTales is a fun animated series that follows Scrooge McDuck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie on their many adventures around the world. If you or your kids love action and adventure, especially in exotic settings like ancient castles and African mines, then this show is perfect for you! It's a great show that kids of all ages will enjoy.

17. Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat is a happy, singing cat who always tries his best and believes in himself. With every episode, kids see Pete learn a lesson about sharing, kindness, and believing in yourself. Kids will love joining this cool cat on an adventure as he learns how to be the best that he can be! The show is great for very young children who are just learning about the world around them.

18. Adventure Time

Adventure Time is a show that follows Finn and his best friend Jake, a talking dog with magical powers who can change shape into anything he wants! They go on crazy adventures to help people in their land of Ooo while also exploring their friendship and immersing viewers in a wonderful fantasy world. Many of the characters Finn and Jake meet are funny, weird, and fun to watch! Kids will love joining this dynamic duo on their many adventures.

19. Arthur

In this show, kids join young Arthur as he deals with the “real world” for the first time. He learns lessons about life while also learning about friendship, family, and more. Kids learn lessons while enjoying Arthur's funny antics. This show is great for kids ages 6 and up, especially those who are just starting to realize that the world is a much bigger place than they thought!

20. Team Umizoomi

Umi City needs your help! There are bad guys in the city, and Team Umizoomi will help you solve math problems that can stop them! This playful team has two members: Milli, who's good with measurements, and Geo, who's great at figuring out shapes. Together they use their knowledge of numbers to save the day. Kids will love this show for its educational elements and the fun, action-packed plots that will keep them on their feet.

21. Dora the Explorer

Dora is a brave little girl who's on an adventure to find her mom! Along the way, she sees many wonders around the world and learns how to solve puzzles with help from her monkey friend Boots. This show is great for kids ages 4 and up because it uses imaginative plots that younger children can get lost in while also teaching basic math and geography concepts.

22. The Adventures of Paddington Bear

Paddington is a polite little bear writing letters to his aunt Lucy telling her about the amazing things he discovered throughout the day in England. Kids will love joining him on these adventures as they learn about great literature, history, and geography. This show is wonderful for young children who are just learning to read because it uses literary concepts throughout each episode.

23. Where's Waldo?

Take a trip around the world with Waldo and his friends! Try to find him in classic scenes from different countries while watching Waldo solve some problems along his way. This show is great for kids who love brain teasers and solving puzzles, but it's also wonderful for children of all ages because it uses big, imaginative worlds that will take kids on a journey they'll never forget.

24. The Magic School Bus

In this show, kids join Ms. Frizzle and her class as they travel in a magic school bus all over the world! They learn about different subjects, from astronomy to zoology, while having fun learning with their teacher and friends. This is a great show for kids of all ages because it uses scientific concepts and also makes learning fun and entertaining for children with comical plots and relatable characters.

25. The Backyardigans

When the Backyardigans aren't exploring their imaginations, they're saving the day! They come together every episode to solve problems using teamwork and creativity, while also immersing viewers in a wonderful world of music and adventure. Kids will love joining this “tagonic” cast as they imagine themselves as heroes and use their musical talents to save the day!

26. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Mickey Mouse has a clubhouse where he invites his friends to have fun adventures! Kids will love joining Mickey and his friends as they solve problems by using teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. This show is great for young children who are just learning basic math concepts because it uses the importance of numbers in each episode.

27. Doc McStuffins

The toys at Doc McStuffins' house come to life when their owners aren't around! When a toy gets a boo-boo, Doc will fix them by giving them great advice and using her tools to get the job done. This show is wonderful for kids ages 3 and up because of its fun, imaginative plots that younger children can get lost in and the comical, relatable characters.

28. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

Daniel is a little tiger who's learning how to navigate through his neighborhood and learn important lessons along the way. Every day he meets with friends, family members, and teachers as they teach him new things about life. This show is great for kids ages 2 and up because of its emphasized educational elements that will help them develop healthy habits with comical stories that younger children will love.

29. Thomas & Friends

Join Thomas the Train on his many adventures through Sodor Island as he meets new friends and chugs along to solve problems! Kids will love being a part of this wonderful world where anything is possible. This show is a great pick for a wide range of ages because it's extremely easy to watch and follow, but also uses basic problem-solving skills and teamwork lessons.

30. Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure

After six months of fleeing Mother Gothel and reconnecting with her birth parents, King Frederic and Queen Arianna of Corona, Princess Rapunzel is unable to properly adjust owing to her father's overbearing care. When she and her handmaiden Cassandra flee the castle, they discover some mysterious black rock spikes that magically restore Rapunzel's long blonde hair as they, Eugene Fitzherbert, Pascal the chameleon, Maximus the horse, and a young alchemist Varian solve the mystery of her hair's return and its link to the black rocks. Finally, Rapunzel learns that the power of Sundrop Flower is hidden within the black rocks, which point her to the Dark Kingdom. Little princesses of ages 5 and up will love this new adventure of the tough princess.

We hope you've enjoyed reading about the best TV shows for kids and families. If your favorite series wasn't mentioned, let us know! We would love to hear which show is your child's or family's favorite so we can add it to our list of recommendations.