So you’re looking for some kid-friendly entertainment options to keep the little ones occupied for a while. Streaming services have come a long way in providing quality content for children, but how do you choose? Whether you’re after educational shows, animated adventures, or just some silly fun, we’ve got you covered. We sifted through the options and found the five best streaming services for kids in 2023 so you can get the most bang for your buck. From on-demand episodes of classic cartoons to interactive learning games, these platforms have something for kids of all ages. Get ready for your kids to be begging you for just one more episode!
Netflix: A Treasure Trove of Kids’ Shows and Movies
Netflix is like a treasure chest filled with kids’ shows and movies. Where else can you find everything from classic cartoons to cool live-action adventures in one place?
With a huge catalog of original programs plus all the stuff kids already love, Netflix has options for all ages. Preschoolers will enjoy shows like Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, and Doc McStuffins. Grade school kids can pick from A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Who Was? Show, and DreamWorks Dragons: Race to the Edge.
For tweens and teens, there’s no shortage of coming-of-age stories and sci-fi thrillers to binge. I Am Not Okay With This and The Letter for the King are great for ages 10 and up. And entire families will love watching crowd-pleasers like Enola Holmes, The Willoughbys, and Matilda together.
A bonus for parents is that Netflix’s kids experience lets you create separate profiles with content ratings so you can choose what’s appropriate for each child. You can also turn off autoplay to avoid surprises when the next episode starts.
With plans starting at just $9 a month, Netflix offers the best value of any streaming service for kids and families. An entire generation is growing up with Netflix, so why not join them for an adventure? The next big obsession for your kiddo could be just a click away.
Disney+: The Best for All Things Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars
If your kids can’t get enough of Disney, Pixar, Marvel or Star Wars, then Disney+ is the streaming service for your family. At $7.99/month, it’s budget-friendly and packed with content for viewers of all ages.
Disney+ is the only place to stream classic Disney movies, plus new original shows and films like The Mandalorian, Loki and Raya and the Last Dragon. They have every Pixar film ever made, all the animated classics you grew up with, and the latest from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
For the superhero fans, Disney+ is the home of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They have over a dozen MCU films, with series like WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and Hawkeye. If your kids prefer a galaxy far, far away, Disney+ has all the Star Wars films, The Clone Wars series and new shows like The Bad Batch.
Disney+ also has a ton of content for preschoolers, including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Puppy Dog Pals, Vampirina and more. They have docuseries like Weird But True and Pick of the Litter that the whole family will enjoy.
With no ads and the ability to set up separate profiles for your kids, Disney+ is an easy streaming service to recommend for families. Download shows to watch offline or set parental controls to restrict what your little ones can see. Whichever magical world your family enjoys, Disney+ has something for everyone.
Hulu: Offers a Nice Mix of Kids TV, Movies and Originals
Hulu is a popular streaming service that offers a nice mix of kids TV shows, movies, and Hulu Originals. ###A Variety of Content for All Ages
Hulu has content for preschoolers through kids up to 12 years old, from classic cartoons like Scooby-Doo and Tom & Jerry to live-action shows like The Hardy Boys and movies like Shrek. Hulu also has fun original shows for kids like The Bravest Knight and Madagascar: A Little Wild.
Parental Controls and Profiles
Hulu allows you to create up to six separate profiles for family members so kids can customize their watchlists. You can also set parental controls to determine what content is available in each profile based on the viewer’s age. These controls let you restrict content by rating, title, and more.
On-Demand and Live TV Options
Hulu offers an on-demand streaming library with thousands of shows and movies as well as live TV with over 65 channels. The on-demand option starts at $5.99/month while Hulu with Live TV starts at $69.99/month. Hulu with Live TV includes Disney channels like Disney Channel and Disney XD along with Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and more.
Downloading for Offline Viewing
With the Hulu app, you can download select episodes and movies to watch on the go without Wi-Fi or data. Downloads expire within 30 days of downloading but this feature allows kids to still enjoy their favorite shows on road trips, flights, or anywhere else.
Overall, Hulu has a lot to offer for kids and families including a huge library of content, parental controls, live TV options, and the ability to download shows for offline viewing. With options for preschoolers through tweens, Hulu is one of the best streaming services for kids.
Amazon Prime Video: A Good Option for Young Kids
Lots of Kid-Friendly Shows and Movies
Amazon Prime Video has a huge selection of shows and movies for little ones, from classic cartoons to original programming. Some of the options for preschoolers and kindergarteners include:
- Peppa Pig – The lovable Peppa and her family and friends teach kids social-emotional skills and more.
- Paw Patrol – Follow Ryder and his team of rescue pups as they help their community.
- Bluey – An animated show about a Blue Heeler puppy named Bluey who loves to play and go on adventures. It’s fun for kids and parents alike.
For bigger kids, you’ll find shows like Just Add Magic, The Stinky & Dirty Show, and Creative Galaxy. There are also kid-friendly movies like The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, and Zootopia. The options span many genres so you’re sure to find something that sparks your child’s interest.
Parental Controls
Amazon Prime Video offers parental control features to help you restrict what your kids can view based on content ratings and maturity levels. You can create profiles for your children and set viewing restrictions to only allow age-appropriate content for each profile. These controls give parents peace of mind that kids won’t stumble upon anything inappropriate.
Offline Viewing
If you’re going on a road trip or somewhere without Wi-Fi, you can download select Prime Video titles to view offline. This is great for keeping kids entertained on the go or in areas with limited connectivity. Look for the download icon on show or movie details pages to see if the content is available for offline viewing.
Low Monthly Cost
An Amazon Prime membership is very affordable at only $119/year. For that price, you get access to Prime Video along with Prime shipping, music, reading, and more. If you’re primarily interested in the video streaming, you can sign up for just Prime Video for $8.99/month. Either way, the cost is lower than most other streaming services, especially considering the amount of content available for kids and families.
PBS Kids: Free Educational Streaming for Kids
Ad-Free and Commercial-Free
PBS Kids streaming is completely free of ads and commercials. Your kids can enjoy their favorite shows without constant interruptions for marketing. This ad-free experience means more uninterrupted entertainment and learning.
Trusted, Educational Content
PBS Kids is known for providing high-quality, educational content that both kids and parents can trust. Shows like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, and Peg + Cat promote social-emotional skills, learning, and problem-solving in fun, age-appropriate ways. The streaming service includes full episodes, games, and activities to extend the learning.
Parental Controls
PBS Kids gives parents and guardians options to customize the experience for their child’s needs and set limits. You can choose age filters to restrict content to shows appropriate for preschoolers, kindergarteners, or school-age kids. There are also options to set timers to limit screen time and turn off autoplay so kids don’t keep streaming endlessly. These controls ensure your child has a safe streaming experience tailored to their development level.
Available on Many Devices
The PBS Kids streaming app is available on a wide range of smart devices, streaming media players, and gaming consoles. You can access the service on smartphones, tablets, computers, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Xbox One. Your child can enjoy their favorite PBS Kids shows on the go or at home on the big screen.
100% Free
The best part of the PBS Kids streaming service is that it is completely free. Unlike many other streaming services geared toward children, there are no subscription fees, in-app purchases, or charges of any kind. Your kids can stream full episodes, play games, and explore activities as much as they want at no cost. For high-quality, educational content without the high price tag, PBS Kids streaming can’t be beat.
why do children have to be guided in streaming
Kids today have access to a ton of streaming content, but they still need guidance in navigating it all. As a parent, you should monitor what your kids watch and set some limits.
1. Set parental controls
Most streaming services offer parental control options to block mature content. Enable a kids mode or set a maturity rating level to filter out anything inappropriate for children. You can also create separate profiles for your kids and manage each one individually.
2. Watch with them
Co-viewing content with your kids is the best way to see what they’re interested in and make sure it’s age-appropriate. You can discuss the themes and topics that come up, and encourage critical thinking. Some services like Netflix and Hulu offer profiles that allow multiple people to watch together remotely, so you can join in even when you’re not home.
3. Set time limits
It’s easy for kids to binge shows for hours, so set daily limits for screen time and streaming. Most services let you put a timer on profiles to cut off access after a certain period. Be consistent with limits on school nights and weekends. While streaming can be entertaining, it shouldn’t take time away from physical activities, social interaction, and sleep.
4. Explore educational content
Look for shows and movies that are both fun and enriching for kids. Many streaming services feature educational programming that teaches letters, numbers, sharing, and more while keeping children engaged. Documentaries can also introduce kids to interesting topics they may not discover on their own.
Giving your kids freedom to explore streaming services comes with responsibility. With some guidance, streaming content can be used to educate and bring families together. But limits and monitoring what your kids consume are equally important for their wellbeing. The key is maintaining open conversations about what they’re watching and making sure content and consumption are age-appropriate.
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You now have all the details on the top streaming services for kids in 2023. With so many great options out there, you really can’t go wrong. But based on price, content selection, parental controls and more, Disney+ is probably your best overall choice. Between all the beloved Disney movies and shows, Pixar films, Marvel and Star Wars content, there are literally thousands of kid-friendly titles to enjoy. And with their robust parental controls, you can rest easy knowing your little ones will stay focused on age-appropriate content. The other services are great too for their own reasons, so you may want to subscribe to a few to give the kids variety. But when it comes down to it, for an unbeatable one-two punch of quality and quantity, Disney+ is the leader of the pack. Your kids will thank you for it!
