Our planet is a fragile place, and if you want your kids to understand that too, there are a myriad of great shows that teach your kids the importance of protecting the Earth and inspiring awe.
2006, 2016, 2023
3
26
Status
Ended
Planet Earthblew my mind when I was a teenager. It explored so many different biomes on Earth, such as jungles, caves, the oceanandthe deep ocean, deserts, the Arctic, and mountains. And throughout each episode, David Attenborough (or Sigourney Weaver, depending on the version you stream) narrates why each environment is important and how various animals survive in extreme conditions.
As opposed to seasons, Planet Earth is split into sequels—Planet Earth 2andPlanet Earth 3being follow-ups to the original. They’re all worth watching and are readily available on a handful of streaming services.
2013
11
286
Ongoing
For a kids' show,PAW Patrolhas great environmental messaging. Each dog has specialized training, like Marshal being a firefighter or Rocky’s knack for recycling materials to fix a problem. They’ll use their combined knowledge to save the citizens of Adventure Bay.
PAW Patrol also fosters a sense of community. While some episodes can involve a lot of action (or fending off a recurring villain), some episodes are about helping the community in small but substantial ways, like reopening a train station or transport supplies.
2011
7
170
Wild Krattsis a unique twist on educating kids on the environment. The big focus is on animals and their habitats, and how habitats can be affected by people. The unique part is that it’s mostly animated, but the show opens with the Kratts brothers visiting living animals, which are usually the focus of the episode.
The animated part is also very engaging. The Kratt brothers (the cartoon characters, not the brothers) have special suits that let them transform, which they use to get up close and personal with other animals for study.
2010
5
133
Ongoing (with Above & Beyond series)
Octonautsis heavily focused on undersea life found in the real world, whileOctonauts: Above & Beyondis focused on land animals. Using various underwater vehicles and gear, the characters go out of their way to help undersea life, like a stranded killer whale, blobfish, and sea stars.
What’s particularly great about Octonauts is the way it presents real facts about aquatic life in a fun and cute way. Oh, and if you love reading to your kids, it’s also worth mentioning that there areOctonauts books, too.
2024
1
Like the original Octonuats,Our Oceansalso focuses on the oceans of Earth, but more so on the more unusual kind, like cuttlefish, four-eyed fish, and narwhals. Each episode is dedicated to each of the five oceans, showcasing habitats, the creatures that live there, and why each one is important.
Our Oceans can certainly be understood by younger children, but it does dive into higher concepts, like the global ocean current. It’s narrated by President Barack Obama, who narrates in a rather charismatic and humorous way.
2022
8
What kid doesn’t love baby animals—or adult, for that matter?Wild Babiesis all about how wild animals grow up, what they eat, what they’re taught, and what it takes to survive.
Wild Babies focuses mostly on terrestrial animals, like monkeys and elephants. Although it’s only eight episodes, each episode features three different animals.
2020
Here We Are: Notes For Living on Planet Earthis an excellent place to start as a general overview of the Earth and its environments, but done so in a short, wonderfully animated movie. It brushes up on the myriad of biomes on Earth and in space, while also conveying messages of kindness and humanity working together.
The art style is arguably the best part, which emulates the art style of the book of the same name by Oliver Jeffers. So, if you end up loving Here We Are, the author hasnumerous books that cover similar topics.
1980
39
Unconfirmed
We can’t forget that space is also part of our environment, andCosmos: A Spacetime Odysseyis the perfect way to introduce everything going on above us. It’s a continuation of Cosmos: A Personal Voyage from 1980, which still holds up today. It’s okay to start with A Personal Voyage, but it is difficult to find, given its age.
Cosmos goes over some really cool and interesting phenomena that happen in space, some of which can have an effect on the Earth, like meteors, the Earth’s rotation, different ages, and the Tree of Life. Show your kids this show, and there’s a good chance they’ll be asking for a telescope (and you’ll give in, too).
There is no shortage of environmentally friendly shows to stream and watch with your kids. Each one varies in its message—some are focused on presenting the awe of the planet, while others co-op the message with the importance of conservation.
