Let’s admit it. It’s very rare to find a kid these days who does not spend time in front of a screen. While the boons and banes of screen time have long been a subject of debate, we, as guardians and parents, can at least make the inevitable screen time productive.
How?
By encouraging kids to watch science shows on TV! An hour or two of screen time can be fun and educational when kids watch science shows on TV instead of just playing games or watching poor-quality videos.
Why is watching science shows on TV good for kids?
Science TV shows have the following benefits for kids:
- sharpens logical thinking and creativity
- satisfies curiosity
- enhances brain development
- helps children associate fun with learning
If you’re clueless about what shows would be best for your kids, worry not. We’ve listed the 11 best science shows on TV.
For young kids:
Sid the Science Kid
Combining animation and puppetry, this show centers on preschooler Sid and his funny antics. As he goes about his daily routines at home and in school, Sid observes the world around him while laughing and learning a lot with his family and friends.
Where can you watch it? PBS Kids
What’s the best age to watch this show? 2 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: The colorful and funny characters of this show will surely make kids enjoy learning about science. Parents and kids can also visit the website (https://pbskids.org/sid) for additional games and videos, or download the app (for iOS users only) for additional learning and entertainment materials.
If I Were an Animal
Follow brother-and-sister pair, Emma and Tim, as they observe different animals grow from babies into adults in their natural habitats. The stunning visuals and playful narration make this a truly entertaining watch!
Where can you watch it? Netflix
What’s the best age to watch this show? 2 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: It’s a wildlife documentary told by kids for kids.
Ada Twist, Scientist
If you want to start them young in practicing science, then this is the right show. This animated series is about Ada Twist, an 8-year-old scientist. Along with her friends, Ada tries to answer questions about the world.
Where can you watch it? Netflix
What’s the best age to watch this show? 5 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: The show features a diverse set of characters. It is also based on a book series of the same title, so you can extend the learning experience off-screen.
The Magic School Bus
Fancy going on a trip inside the human body, down to the Earth’s crust, through the cold Arctic regions, or way up high into outer space on a school bus? Originally shown from 1994 to 1997, this animated series features Ms. Valerie Felicity Frizzle, a teacher who takes her class on amazing adventures using a shapeshifting magic school bus that takes them to lots of awesome places, like the prehistoric world of the dinosaurs, inside a beehive, and into the middle of a tornado.
Where can you watch it? Netflix
What’s the best age to watch this show? 5 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: The Magic School Bus book series is perfect for little scientists who are also bookworms. Get the books here: https://www.amazon.com/magic-school-bus-books/s?k=magic+school+bus+books
The Magic School Bus Rides Again
Professor Valerie Felicity Frizzle PhD has retired, but the adventures continue. Her sister, Ms. Fiona Felicity Frizzle, got the keys to the magic school bus and takes her fourth-grade students on more fun-filled trips. The class gets to have exciting experiences while learning about genetics, marine biology, and many more subjects.
Where can you watch it? Netflix
What’s the best age to watch this show? 5 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: The sequel is just as good as the original classic.
Earth to Luna
Along with her brother, Jupiter, and their pet, Clive, 6-year-old Luna learns all sorts of interesting things about the world we live in. With her passion for science, Luna answers questions and learns more about science topics like the northern lights, the Dead Sea, the pyramids of Egypt, and the solar system.
Where can you watch it? Amazon Prime Video
What’s the best age to watch this show? 5 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: Each episode of this American-Brazilian animated series is just 15 minutes long, and the theme song is lit.
For older kids:
Operation Ouch
Hosted by twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken, Operation Ouch deals with medicine, biology, and the human body. It uses a unique combination of laughter, lab experiments, and visits to real hospitals to entertain and educate young viewers.
Where can you watch it? Amazon Prime
What’s the best age to watch this show? 7 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: The program also includes easy home experiments that kids can do.
Emily’s Wonder Lab
Want to get more girls interested in STEM? Let them watch this show. Before hosting the show, Emily Calandrelli was an MIT engineer. She does interesting science activities and experiments, and her passion and enthusiasm for science are contagious.
Where can you watch it? Amazon Prime
What’s the best age to watch this show? 7 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: Emily Calandrelli provides a rock star example for girls in STEM as she hosts the program while heavily pregnant.
Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab
Thomas Edison is famous for his many great inventions. In this animated show, Edison had also invented a virtual version of himself and a robot named Von Bolt. They lived in a secret lab waiting to be discovered. When Angie, a young science prodigy, cracks the code left by Edison himself, she uncovers the lab and earns the guidance of Edison as she and her friends explore the world of science.
Where can you watch it? Netflix
What’s the best age to watch this show? 7 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: The fun science factoids are easy to digest and perfect for kids.
One Strange Rock
Explore our beloved planet and gain a deeper appreciation of how precious life on Earth is with this series.
Where can you watch it? Netflix; Disney+
What’s the best age to watch this show? 7 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: This show is hosted by Will Smith. Though this show is all about Earth, the visuals are out of this world.
Weird But True
This documentary series hosted by siblings Charlie and Kirby Engelman explains the how’s and whys of life on Earth. The answers are always weird but true.
Where can you watch it? Disney+
What’s the best age to watch this show? 7 years old and above
What you’ll love about it: It includes an arts and crafts segment that will keep kids busy and improve their creativity.
