12 Fascinating Documentaries for Kids

A warm and fuzzy family-friendly documentary following dogs that train to become prestigious seeing eye partners for the blind.

Kelly R:  My family has been watching all of the Disneynature documentaries recently, and this one is my kids' favorite so far. The stories told in these films generally circle around family dynamics and growing up, and the camerawork is always beautiful. You'll recognize well-known voices (this one is narrated by John Krasinski) placing theatrical human storylines on the animal interactions, which can be a little far-fetched for adults but makes them more engaging and relatable for the kids. And like many nature documentaries (and most Disney movies!) note that there are very real and sometimes scary moments that often include loss of a parent.

Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this classic nature documentary is a hit with kids and adults alike. Watch how Emperor Penguins in the South Pole fight for survival on the coldest continent on Earth.

Shila:  Under heavy pressure from parents, teachers, and hometown fans, get a glimpse behind Scripps' National Spelling Bee youth competitors. Watch how these young and incredibly hard-working children advance toward the Olympic championship of spelling competitions.

Learn how professional surfer, Bethany Hamilton, still chases big waves after surviving a shark attack that left her with one arm at age 13.

Kelly R:  This is a truly amazing and kid-friendly Netflix documentary about a man who befriends an octopus off the coast of South Africa. It gives a whole new understanding of how incredible these creatures are...we were captivated!

Shila:  Would you ever want to visit the moon? What mark you leave up there? What would you bring anything back? This documentary can open up a lot of conversation starters with kids! Astronaut Eugene Cernan shares his personal story with audiences in "The Last Man on the Moon."

Disneynature filmmakers traveled to the highest plateau on Earth to document the elusive life of snow leopards in the wild. And, they are not easy to find!

This documentary series for the whole family shares the history of Walt Disney Imagineering, the innovators who dream up the details of the Disney theme parks around the world.

Shila:  Pakistani teenager, Malala Yousafzai, is the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Once shot for speaking up, she continues to never quit advocating for human rights.

Kid-friendly sports documentary following Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt as he approaches competition in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Family documentary chronicling the lives of 4th and 5th graders in NYC as they train in competitive ballroom dance.