25 Best Cartoons for Kids (That Parents Actually Like)

Bluey has taken the world by storm, with its hilarious, true-to-life depictions of family life, focus on unstructured imaginative play, and social-emotional learning opportunities in every episode. Featuring a playful and energetic dog, Bluey, along with her parents and little sister, it is truly one of best cartoons for kids that parents love to watch, too.

Alexandra F. said:  My 5-year-old has told me I love Bluey even more than he does (and it’s his favorite show!), and he's not wrong - the whole family gets sucked in when this is on! It is so funny, and we get some great ideas for imaginative play from it.

Inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger is one of the best educational TV shows for toddlers and preschoolers. The animated series follows 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends as they navigate everyday challenges. Through catchy songs and gentle storytelling, the show helps young children learn social-emotional skills like empathy, sharing, and managing big feelings.

Alexandra F. said:  I think Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is children's television at its finest, and hands down one of the best cartoons for toddlers and preschoolers. Inspired by Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, each 11-minute episode follows Daniel through typical preschool experiences like going to the potty, learning to share, or welcoming a new sibling. The same lesson usually weaves across two connected episodes, including a short, simple tune that offers parents a great way to reinforce the good social skills being modeled even after the episode is over. This (and Bluey!) is always what I suggest my kids watch during screen time.

The Magic School Bus is one of those classic educational shows that has stood the test of time - and even earned a popular Netflix reboot, The Magic School Bus Rides Again! Adventurous Ms. Frizzle (or in the reboot, her kid sister Fiona) takes students on fantastical field trips to unlikely places aboard a magical bus, including inside a human body, into the depths of the ocean or the far reaches of outer space. Each episode explores science concepts in fun, imaginative ways that make learning fun and accessible for kids.

chi_parent4 said:   While it is an older show, we watch this on Netflix with our kids during dinner and there really is nothing quite like it! The kids actually learn about important science topics in a fun/clever way and ask lots of good questions after the show!

Streaming on Tubi & Peacock

One of the most fun educational shows for elementary kids, Wild Kratts follows brothers Chris and Martin Kratt as they explore the animal kingdom. Using "creature powers," they introduce fascinating wildlife from around the world and teach science concepts about biology, habitats, and conservation.

Michael Farina said:  Chris and Martin Kratt lead a team of curious and animal friendly adventurers, as they explore the globe, using their "creature powered" inventions (inspired by the animals they meet) to solve problems and right wrongs. The show is good natured and funny for both kids and adults, appealing to fans of both cartoons and nature shows. Recommending this as a cartoon may be cheating, since each episode is bookended by the real life Kratt brothers interacting with live animals to learn about the origins of the creature powers.

Curious George is an animated series based on the children's picture book about the adventures of an inquisitive little monkey and his friend, The Man with the Yellow Hat. Through George’s curiosity and playful mischief, young children learn about problem-solving, science, math, and discovery in everyday life.

Alexandra F. said:  This show on PBS Kids is based on the classic children's picture book about that lovable, curious monkey and his friend, The Man in the Yellow Hat, and in my opinion is one of those rare instances where the show is actually (much) better than the books! Wonderful characters and short, well-written stories that are funny, engaging and easy-to-follow make it one of the best kids cartoons, and our family's favorite for many years. My teens and I still enjoy watching it as much as our preschoolers! The holiday specials and full-length films are definitely worth checking out as well.

Buddy the T-rex is adopted by a Pteranodon family and they ride the "Dinosaur Train" through the Mesozoic era, meeting and learning about various dinosaur species. Featuring engaging characters, catchy songs, and lots of dinosaur facts, this is a great show to encourage curiosity and exploration.

Jennie Utsinger said:  Dinosaur Train was a favorite of all three of my children when they were preschoolers.

Kids who love trucks will especially love this sweet Amazon Original cartoon featuring two best friends, Stinky the garbage truck and Dirty the backhoe loader. As Stinky and Dirty encounter various challenges throughout their day, they ask themselves, "what if..." and test out a bunch of possible solutions until they find one that works. It's a cute cartoon for toddlers and preschoolers that encourages creativity and problem solving, and the all-vehicle cast has major kid appeal.

Alexandra F. said:  Stinky & Dirty has been a favorite for my little ones, and one I don't mind having on while I am around, either! The songs are so cute.

A sweet animated series about fantasy, adventure, and of course, friendship, this beloved reboot of the classic franchise emphasizes values such as kindness, honesty, and generosity.

Alexandra F. said:  Though I was not a particularly big fan of the My Little Pony franchise as a kid, this revamped version (which has surprisingly wide appeal) is now one of my favorite kids cartoons of all time. It is a sweet, funny and well-written show that I enjoyed watching years ago with my now teen, and which we are both enjoying again with my preschooler and elementary school kids!

British animated series about a playful little pig and her everyday adventures with family and friends. The popular show teaches young children about friendship, family, and simple life lessons through humor and relatable stories.

Masha and the Bear is a Russian animated series that follows the adventures of a curious, energetic little girl named Masha and her gentle, protective friend, a retired circus bear. The show highlights friendship, problem-solving, and humor through playful mischief and heartwarming lessons.

Lisa R said:  This Russian import about a spunky kid and a curmudgeonly bear has an old school Looney Tunes vibe that is entertaining in small doses. Most of the episodes are fast paced capers set to music with limited dialogue. My oldest found some of the episodes too scary as a preschooler, but loved it as a 1st/2nd grader.

Enter into the imagination of six-year-old Doc as she cares for her sick toys, following in the footsteps of her doctor mom. This cute show builds critical thinking skills, and demonstrates how kids can diagnose, solve - and better yet, avoid! - problems. It can also be reassuring and informative about what might happen at kids' own doctor appointments.

Octonauts is preschool learning show that follows a team of adventurous animals who explore the ocean, rescue sea creatures, and protect marine habitats. Combining fun stories with real science, the show introduces kids to ocean life and environmental awareness. The show's sustained popularity since it first aired in 2010 has also led to a popular Netflix spin-off, Octonauts: Above & Beyond, introducing new land-based adventures.

Bahar Gottesman said:  My 4.5 year old and I love watching this. She spits out terminology and meanings that even I didn’t know! The characters and their adventures are adorable and smart!

This cartoon was a wildly popular YouTube channel for kids, garnering hundreds of millions of views before moving over to Netflix, where curious kids can continue to follow the five bots on their adventures to answer kids' questions on a wide variety of topics, such as how people catch colds or why night happens.

Molly of Denali is an animated children's series following 10-year-old Molly, an Alaska Native girl who embarks on adventures that blend traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern technology.The show emphasizes literacy, cultural heritage, and community values, making it both entertaining and educational for young viewers.

Jaclyn Keifer said:  The daily adventures of Alaska native Molly Mabray, her family, her dog Suki and her friends Tooey and Trini. A show that emphasizes the importance of family and community and provides valuable learning opportunities!

Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum teaches kids history alongside social-emotional lessons in an engaging and educational animated series about three young friends who travel back in time to meet historical figures as kids.

Nicole LeClerc Mosher said:  I love that it focuses on short biographies that are based off of Brad Meltzer’s series of children’s biographies. It appeals to young kids because they see the people as little kids and adults. The message that kids can change the world is inspiring.