If we have to watch kids tv, make it enjoyable.
As a mom of 2 boys, I am subjected to pretty much only kids’ television during the day. Some of it I can steer but for the most part, I let them free range programs.
And for the most part, Kaiden has pretty good taste. Obviously, we’ve hit some duds and some things he doesn’t get to watch anymore. Overall, he’s pretty good.
Here are some of my highlights of the kids’ shows on Netflix that I would be watching even if I didn’t have kids.
Netflix TV Series to check out:
The Last Kids on Earth
This one is based on a book and there are 3 seasons so far and I hope that they’re still making more! Kaiden was really into this one for months. We watched it on repeat every day so I was grateful for the 3 seasons because it meant I wouldn’t go insane. It did mean that I’d see the same episode every day while definitely missing large chunks. Rough summary, one day on the way to school giant wormholes open up and adults turn into zombies and monsters take over. Jake meets up with some friends and goes on epic quests to navigate this new world. It’s a cute show and definitely action-packed. This has everything a kid needs: zombies and monsters and a sweet treehouse. For adults, it’s just well done and well-paced. I enjoy the animation style and the challenges that they have to go through.
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous
I haven’t finished what’s available on Netflix yet because Kaiden fell out of it after 7 episodes of the first season. I was fully invested so I finished it without him. We just started watching this one again so I’m back on the Camp Cretaceous train. I love the way that this show tracks the movie Jurassic World but is seen from a completely different perspective. It follows 6 campers that get a trip to be the first to try out Jurassic World’s Dino Camp before and during the Indominus Rex fiasco in the movie. So far there are 3 seasons and I can’t wait to finish it. I got sucked right in. It has dinosaurs, interesting characters, so much intrigue! Plus the adrenaline of them having to survive on a dinosaur-infested island while adults are absolutely no help and the kid’s personalities all clash. Animation-wise I’m not as big a fan of the full computer graphics but it’s still so good.
Tales of Arcadia (Trollhunters/Wizards/3Below/Rise of the Titans)
This one is such a heavy-hitting series. It’s done by Guillermo Del Toro and has Kelsey Grammer as a voice actor. It started with Trollhunters with 3 seasons. A human boy is chosen to be the Trollhunter and is opened to a world of magic and aliens and trolls and wizards. It’s a pretty epic fantasy that leads into 3Below (with aliens) and Wizards. It culminates the series with the movie, Rise of the Titans. 3Below is 2 seasons, and Wizards is 9 episodes. This series is definitely a little more time-consuming but really well done and honestly, what else would you expect from Del Toro?
Boss Baby: Back in Business
Andrew and I are HUGE fans of the movie so we were pretty excited for the series. We definitely were way more invested than the kids. The series is 4 seasons and follows Boss Baby and Tim still as kids after the movie. There are new threats to the safety of Baby Corp and Boss Baby and Tim have to save the day. I think it’s the humour in the one for me. The plots really aren’t as intriguing but it’s silly and funny.
Miraculous: The Adventure of Ladybug and Cat Noir
I know this isn’t a Netflix one but I was so pumped that this got on Netflix. I’m super behind but I started watching this in 2015 on YouTube because that’s the only place I could find it. And then of course life happens and I fell off it so I definitely am going back and binging it all. It literally has everything to make my heart sing? Animation is great, there’s a Love Cube between the same freaking characters because THEY DON’T KNOW, superhero anime costume changes, set in Paris. It’s 5 seasons on Netflix and it’s just heartwarming.
Netflix Movies of Note:
These aren’t TV shows (obviously) but I figured they definitely deserve a mention.
The Mitchells vs the Machines
Andrew and I find this whole movie just hilarious. Kaiden and Eli love this movie because of the random YouTube clips and the dog. The dad is amazing, the mom is amazing, the whole family together is just an absolute cluster and the humour is on point. This one is definitely aimed at my generation because of the references that are made which is just amazing. Or do I just have the humour of an 11-year-old boy? I dunno.
Over the Moon
This movie. I absolutely love this one. Besides that it’s Asian-inspired which is nice to see, it’s just a bomb soundtrack. A super cute story about family and grief and moving forward. Kaiden really likes this one too. It’s visually appealing enough for the kids and it has fun songs for them to dance to. Of course, I’m usually sitting crying my eyes out while they’re singing along because they don’t quite understand why it’s a sad part.
What do you think of my choices?
Anything you would add? There are definitely a bunch more that should be on the list. Some honourable mentions are:
- Hello Ninja
- The Hollow
- The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants
- Fast & Furious: Spy Racers
J x
