The 25 All-Time Best Educational TV Shows for Children

This show centered on Franklin, a young turtle, and his friends, who were other animals. as they faced the challenges of childhood. Through their adventures, the series addressed themes like friendship, problem-solving, and growing up.

23. Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000-2003)

Based on Norman Bridwell’s book series, this show featured Clifford, a lovable oversized red dog, and his adventures on fictional Birdwell Island. The show emphasized themes of friendship, empathy, and problem-solving, making it a favorite among young viewers. Clifford’s distinctive size and cheerful disposition made him an iconic character.

22. George Shrinks (2000-2003)

Source: Politics and Prose Bookstore / Wikimedia Commons

Source: Politics and Prose Bookstore / Wikimedia Commons

“George Shrinks” was an animated series based on a book by prolific writer, illustrator, and filmmaker William Joyce. The series revolves around the experiences of a 10-year-old boy who’s just three inches tall. Despite his diminutive stature, George embarks on numerous adventures, aided by miniature machines crafted by both him and his musician father. His family and friends, including his closest companion and neighbor, Becky Lopez, are recurring characters.

This children’s series, featuring a kind and caring bear, was created by Mitchell Kriegman and produced by Jim Henson Television for Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney. Each episode presented a unique theme, exploring life skills and social lessons through adventures, songs, and jokes. Characters including Bear, Tutter the Mouse, Ojo the bear cub, Treelo the lemur, otters Pip and Pop, and storyteller Shadow, engaged young viewers with their dynamic interactions.

This show revolved around the adventures of three otter siblings – Peanut, Butter, and Jelly – living in fictional Lake Hoohaw. Each episode featured their everyday escapades, emphasizing problem-solving and sibling relationships. “PB&J Otter” was celebrated for its engaging storytelling, catchy songs, and positive life lessons.

“Cyberchase” is an animated science fiction series that made its debut on PBS Kids more than 20 years ago and is still going strong. The storyline revolves around three young Earthlings, Jackie, Matt, and Inez, who employ their problem-solving abilities and scientific knowledge to thwart the malicious Hacker within a digital realm. Assisting them in their endeavors is Digit, a “cybird” created by Hacker. Together, the heroes work to safeguard Cyberspace, which comprises a collection of diverse themed planets, and restore the health of Motherboard, the central system’s brain, which had been infected by a virus unleashed by Hacker. The series explores various themes, including those inspired by Ancient Egypt, the American Old West, and Greek mythology.

This educational children’s program showcased an animated dog named Blue with distinctive blue spots who would provide clues for both the host and the audience to decipher her daily activities. The series was groundbreaking in its adoption of cutout animation, its engaging narrative structure, the use of repetition to reinforce learning and its encouragement of active viewer participation. It played a pivotal role in the expansion of Nickelodeon’s audience, earning the distinction of being the top-rated preschool show on American commercial television. Additionally, it enjoyed international success, airing in 120 countries, translated into 15 languages, and even inspiring a live stage show and spin-off series.

17. The Backyardigans (2001-2013)

“The Backyardigans,” conceived by Janice Burgess and brought to life by Nickelodeon through computer animation, was a musical show. It stars five animal friends who embark on imaginative journeys in their own backyard, taking cues from diverse genres and settings, sometimes playfully satirizing action-adventure movies. Each episode highlights a distinct musical style. It was renowned for its clever storytelling and exceptional music.

“Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat” was an animated series based on a book series by Amy Tan. It followed the adventures of Sagwa, a Siamese cat in ancient China. Sagwa’s curiosity often led her into humorous escapades, while she learned important life lessons. The show highlighted values such as the importance of loyalty, and showcased Chinese culture, making it both entertaining and educational for young viewers.

This animated series revolves around the adventures of George, an inquisitive little monkey with an endless thirst for knowledge, and his companion, the Man with the Yellow Hat. Adapted from the beloved children’s books by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey, the show harnesses George’s escapades to acquaint young audiences with the principles of mathematics, science, and engineering. Each episode immerses George in a fresh setting, transforming his innate curiosity into enjoyable and educational learning journeys.

The series is famous for its personified fruits and vegetables that engage in creative, morality-centered narratives. These stories frequently draw inspiration from biblical tales, using humor and catchy songs to communicate ethical teachings. Central characters like Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber serve as hosts for each episode, based in their kitchen. Throughout its 22-year duration, “VeggieTales” presented 47 episodes, captivating young audiences with its distinctive combination of educational, faith-based, and entertaining content.

Produced by the Fred Rogers Company, this show is a derivative of the enduring classic “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Geared toward preschoolers, the series employs musical techniques to impart socio-emotional lessons that assist young children in their daily experiences. The central character, Daniel Tiger, is the offspring of the original series Daniel Striped Tiger, and he engages with a variety of characters within the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

12. Arthur (1996-2022)

“Arthur” is adapted from the highly popular children’s book series created by Marc Brown, with its primary character being Arthur Read, a third-grade anthropomorphic aardvark. Over its long duration, “Arthur” delved into a diverse array of subjects, encompassing social matters and the experiences of daily school life. The series consistently underscored the significance of values such as friendship, empathy, and education.

“Zoboomafoo” was an educational series whose hosts, Chris and Martin Kratt, shared the screen with Zoboomafoo, an animated lemur known for its playful antics. This show was created to educate young viewers about animals and their environments, and incorporate live-action segments, claymation clips, and puppetry. “Zoboomafoo” gained significant acclaim for its fusion of entertainment and education, offering children captivating insights into the wonders of the natural world.

In “Wild Kratts,” viewers follow the animated journeys of the Kratt brothers, Chris and Martin, as they explore the world of wild animals. This series combines live-action elements with animation to provide children with lessons in zoology and ecology. Equipped with creature power suits, the Kratt brothers can immerse themselves in the lives of the various animals they encounter during their global adventures.

The cherished educational animated series “The Magic School Bus” tracks the resourceful and unconventional Ms. Frizzle, portrayed by Lily Tomlin, and her third-grade students as they embark on thrilling excursions aboard a sentient, shape-shifting school bus. In each episode, they delve into a spectrum of scientific topics, from the human body to the mysteries of outer space. Its distinctive combination of wit and learning endeared it to both children and grown-up audiences.

This series, designed to educate children about American history, tracks the escapades of three youthful correspondents: an American teenager, an English lady, and a French boy, all employed by Benjamin Franklin during the American Revolutionary War. Spanning 40 episodes, it explores pivotal historical occurrences, ranging from the Boston Tea Party to the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. The show is celebrated for its captivating narratives and incorporation of significant historical figures, delivering an enjoyable and informative glimpse into the early days of America.

7. Carmen Sandiego (2019-2021)

In the Netflix series, Carmen Sandiego, the renowned world-traveling master thief, takes on a new role as a vigilante. She employs her talents to thwart the sinister schemes of V.I.L.E., the nefarious organization that once groomed her. This show, recognized for its educational value, blends elements of adventure, mystery, and geography, offering viewers insights into diverse cultures and global locations.

“Sesame Street” is a pioneering educational series that employs a distinctive combination of puppetry, live-action segments, and animation to impart fundamental academic and social skills to preschool-aged children. The program is celebrated for its vibrant and captivating Muppet characters, including Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster. “Sesame Street” has been broadcast in more than 150 countries, solidifying its status as one of the most globally watched children’s shows.

“Schoolhouse Rock!” employs memorable melodies, featuring noted jazz musicians Dorough and Sheldon, and captivating animations to educate children on a wide range of intricate topics, including mathematics, grammar, history, and science. Recognized for its iconic tunes like “Conjunction Junction” and “I’m Just a Bill,” the series has left a substantial cultural imprint and continues to hold a cherished place in many childhood memories.

Hosted by scientist and comedian Bill Nye, the program sought to impart scientific principles to a preteen viewership through an engaging approach. Across five seasons encompassing 100 episodes, the show covered a wide array of subjects, spanning physics, biology, earth science, and chemistry. It gained recognition for its dynamic presentation style, humor, and the inclusion of educational music videos referred to as the “Bill Nye the Science Guy Soundtrack.”

Hosted by LeVar Burton, “Reading Rainbow” had the goal of fostering a passion for reading in young audiences. In each episode, a children’s book was brought to life through narration, often by a celebrity or the book’s author, accompanied by illustrations from the story. The program also featured segments where children shared book suggestions and embarked on field trips connected to the book’s theme. Over its 23-year duration, “Reading Rainbow” secured more than 30 prestigious broadcasting awards. The show was rebooted last year as “Reading Rainbow Live” – an interactive program with multiple hosts replacing Burton.

2. Horrible Histories (2009-2023)

Derived from Terry Deary’s well-loved book series of the same name, the British children’s series “Horrible Histories” provides a humorous perspective on history. It delves into a range of historical eras, from the Stone Age to World War II, employing sketches, songs, and animation to deliver historical information enjoyably and amusingly. This distinctive approach has garnered numerous accolades and established it as a beloved choice for audiences of all ages, both young and old.

The impactful American children’s television series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was brought to life and hosted by Fred Rogers. It was staged in a modest yet welcoming setting, evoking the ambiance of a small town. The program offered valuable insights on themes like love, friendship, and empathy, frequently addressing intricate societal matters. Each episode included Rogers directly engaging with the audience, puppetry segments in the “Neighborhood of Make-Believe,” and excursions to diverse locations or interactions with guests.