With COVID-19 throwing the world into a spin, many of us now find ourselves in the challenging position of simultaneously working from home and home schooling our children as the schools operate with a bare minimum of staff to cater to the children of essential workers.
Parents all over the country and indeed the world are turning to virtual learning and class worksheets to get the job done. But with lockdowns and self-isolations looking to be a long-term solution to keeping the pandemic under control we’re going to need more than that to help us get by.
Fortunately, our old mate, television is prepared to come to the rescue.
Plonking our kids down in front of the box to get a moments reprieve to get stuff done is a common weapon in the parenting arsenal, however it doesn’t have to come laden with guilt.
Streaming services like Netflix are laden with education viewing for kids which keep them entertained and educated.
Parent-guilt, be gone!
We’ve rounded up some of our favourite educational viewing from Netflix that is guaranteed to help you find some time to get to the other tasks on your list while the kids are at home.
The best educational shows on Netflix for kids
The Magic School Bus and The Magic School Bus Rides Again (G)
This one is so fun they might not even realise they are learning! Kids can join Ms. Frizzle as the Magic School Bus travels to outer space, under the sea, through an anthill and even inside the human body as she and her students learn along the way.
Dancing with the Birds (PG)
Narrated by Emmy Award-winner Stephen Fry, Dancing With The Birds visits everyone’s favorite birds-of-paradise and their spectacularly captivating mating rituals from flash dancing to shape shifting. This colourful, quirky documentary explores our avian friends go about their day, from ruffling their majestic feathers to nailing their glorious courtship routines.
Wild Kratts (G)
A firm favourite in our home, Wild Kratts follows Zoologists Martin and Chris Kratt who morph from live forms into their animated selves.
Chris and Martin Kratt are brothers who explore the wild throughout the world to learn more about animals and share conservation information.
The brothers have creature power suits that allow them to experience what it’s like to be the animals they find.
Wild Kratts is a great, educational cartoon adventure show for kids which teaches them about new animals and why conservation is so important.
The Veggitales (G)
In The Veggitales, Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucmber, and their friends are here to help kids learn about life.
Every week Bob invites us to his house where he and the gang answer letters from kids and help them with their problems using their fun and sometimes wild and wacky stories.
You vs Wild (PG)
You vs. Wild is a 2019 interactive reality television series on Netflix. Yep, that’s right … interactive!
Viewers get to help make key decisions to help Bear Grylls navigate in harsh, scary environments to survive and complete missions.
Kids can help Bear decide whether to climb a cliff or scale a coastline and other important decisions to get the job done.
Supported on many newer devices, including smart TVs, streaming media players, game consoles, and iOS devices running the latest version of the Netflix app.
The Story Bots (G)
The StoryBots are curious little creatures who live beneath our screens, offering a world of learning and fun for kids.
These curious little creatures track down the answers to kids’ biggest questions, like how night happens or why we need to brush our teeth.
Wanda Sykes, “Weird Al” Yankovic and more guest-star in this Emmy-winning series
The Who Was Show (PG)
History, but make it cool.
Young, fresh voices bring some of the most famous names in history to life in this live-action sketch comedy show based on the series of best-selling books.
Mister Maker (G)
Mister Maker brings the world of arts and crafts to life for little ones with a mix of live action, graphics and animation techniques.
Kids learn how to create fun things out of simple materials.
Bille Nye, Science Guy (PG)
Comedian/scientist Bill Nye stars as the host of this show designed to get kids interested in the science of everyday, and some not-so- everyday, things.
He covers subjects like ecology, biology, chemistry and physics.
Bill Nye gives an easy-to-understand, yet informative lesson that both kids and their parents can enjoy.
Night on Earth (PG)
Now this is cool! New technology lifts night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of the world’s creatures and we’re not talking gritty night vision content, this is incredible.
Night on Earth is loaded with spectaular images of nocturnal creatures, all caught on tape after sundown.
Brainchild (PG)
Suitable for children ages 7 and older, Brainchild is a new documentary series which everyday topics, such as Social Media and Germs, that kids should really know about but in a unique, funny and smart way that kids will love.
The Universe (PG)
This educational show explores many scientific questions and topics about the universe covering everything, from black holes to how our sun functions. Is our planet as insignificant to the cosmos as a drop of water is to the ocean?
This series investigates the uncharted frontiers of space and explore the possible existence of life-supporting worlds beyond our own.
If I were an Animal (G)
In this gorgeous, educational show, curious kids Emma and her big brother Tim observe different animals as they make their way through various life milestones, from birth to adulthood.
The Cat in the Hat knows a lot about that! (G)
He sure does know a lot! With the help of fish, thing 1, and thing 2; the Cat in the Hat teaches kids about many things through song and games.
A Plastic Ocean (PG)
If your child is passionate about the environment (hello VSCO girl parents!) they’ll be fascinated by this documentary.
A Plastic Ocean begins when journalist Craig Leeson, searching for the elusive blue whale, discovers plastic waste in what should be pristine ocean.
An international team of adventurers, researchers, and Ocean ambassadors go on a mission around the globe to uncover the shocking truth about what is truly lurking beneath the surface of our seemingly pristine ocean.
