Looking for educational kids’ shows that are calming and slow-paced? We’ve rounded up some of the best ones that you can find (including – surprise – some from our own childhood!)
Ah, screen time – can’t do with (too much of) it, can’t do without it. As parents, we understand, and are constantly advised that screen time is a big no-no for very young children. This is especially highlighted in the latest advisory on screen use that’s released by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH). It recommends:
- For children below 18 months old: No screen use except for video calls.
- For children aged 18 months to six years old: Cap screen use at one hour a day outside of school.
- For children aged seven to 12 years old: Cap screen use at two hours a day outside of school and/or school work.
But keeping kids entertained isn’t easy, and sometimes the toys, plus activities we prepared for the day, aren’t to their liking. I see your struggles, my fellow parents. I hear you – I’m living through that as well.
The good news is that some screen time, depending on your child’s age, is fine. MOH did acknowledge that children can benefit from educational and recreational screen use. As long as the content is appropriate for the child’s age, level of maturity, and social-emotional / behavioural capacities. The last bit, in particular, has been a popular discussion topic among many parents, including those in my mum village.
Ever heard of ‘overstimulating’ kids’ shows?
While most kids’ shows are marketed as educational, not all of us are convinced that alone makes it ‘good’ for kids. A popular debate among my parent-friends centres on whether a kids’ show is overstimulating or not.
In simple terms, a show that’s ‘overstimulating’ is one that’s too overwhelming and distracting for a child. This differs for each child based on their age group and cognitive capabilities. Elements that could make a kids’ show overstimulating include: intensity of sound effect, background music, and colour, as well as frequency of scene changes.
You could tell that your child is overstimulated based on their behaviour. Research found that children who watch fast-paced cartoons experience negative effects on their executive functioning skills (e.g. self-regulation, memory, etc.). An overstimulated child may appear ‘zombified’ and glued to the screen (sounds familiar?) while a show is playing and then display challenging behaviour (hello, tantrums) when told that TV time is up. A psychiatrist has also mentioned that overstimulation could be a precursor to addiction.
The alternative: low-stimulating kids’ shows
Some of my friends opt for a complete TV detox, or replacing it with non-screen alternatives like kids’ audio players that play podcasts and audiobooks. But going cold turkey on something isn’t always easy, even for us adults. Hence, there are parents, like me, who choose to go with a ‘gentler’ detox method – by switching the kids’ screentime content to low- or non-stimulating shows.
Unlike its counterpart, low-stimulating kids shows tend to have muted colours, with soft sound effects and calming background music. Scenes don’t change as fast (my husband noticed that certain overstimulating shows change scenes every six seconds and some even faster), there are fewer flashing colours, and characters speak in natural tones.
If you’re thinking of switching your child’s screen entertainment to something low-stimulating, here’s a list of recommendations that are vetted by the HoneyKids team, and received the stamp of approval from our toddlers and preschoolers. You might even recognise some of them from your childhood!
All the best low-stimulating kids’ shows
1. Trash Truck
A delightful Netflix series about a boy and his best friend, a huge trash truck. This was the first kids’ show that I introduced to my son, and he’s been a big fan (of the show and trash trucks) ever since. Trash Truck is the perfect example to show that kids’ shows don’t need to be loud and fast-paced to be interesting. That’s what my husband and I love most about it, not forgetting to mention its educational storylines that touch on problem-solving and moral values. The show currently has two seasons.
Available on: Netflix, there’s also a single-episode podcast on Spotify as part of Netflix Jr.’s Bedtime Stories series. The full episode of its Christmas special is on YouTube too.
2. Kipper
A blast from the past! This beloved TV show is based on the picture book series, Kipper the Dog, by Mick Inkpen. My son is already a big fan of the books, so being able to watch the TV show while we’re flying is a huge bonus for him. Again, we love that the characters speak in soft tones, and that the overall show has a ‘soothing’ feel to it. That’s why it’s also my personal top choice as a kids’ shows for screentime ‘newbies’, and I look forward to introduce Kipper to my baby daughter when she’s older.
Available on: Some episodes are available on Fisher-Price’s YouTube channel.
3. Guess How Much I Love You
We can’t think of an animation more beautiful than this. Based on the timeless children’s book of the same name, the TV show centres on the love between parent and child in the Nutbrown Hare family. A family friend’s daughters absolutely love this series; Guess How Much I Love You is a family treat for them, and every episode is filled with giggles.
Available on: The official YouTube channel
4. The Snowy Day
Another lovely piece that’s adapted from a book, The Snowy Day, is well-liked by parents for its positive message on inclusivity and diversity. With its Christmas theme, it’s a great choice when it’s the holiday season! My son has yet to watch this as he wasn’t ready for longer films (The Snowy Day has a runtime of 40 minutes), but it’s definitely on my to-watch list for him when he gets older.
Available on: Amazon Prime
5. Bluey
How can we not mention this one?! A couple of our teamies (yes, the HoneyKids mums themselves) are big fans. On top of its great animation quality (polished, without being overly bright and sans flashy effects), Bluey is known for its relatability among both kids and adults. Plus, the producers just released a batch of ‘minisodes’ that are just one to three minutes long, which we think are perfect if you’ve just started screen-time for the kiddos.
Available on: Disney+, CBeebies, and its official YouTube channel.
6. Little Bear
Yet another childhood favourite for a walk down memory lane while you co-watch with your little one. Little Bear animation is a mixture of retellings of the book it’s based on, as well as some original storylines.
Available on: Its official YouTube channel
7. Sarah & Duck
Ask my son which is his favourite show of all time and he’ll tell you it’s this. Each episode is quite short, so it’s a good ‘starter’ kids’ show if you’re planning to introduce videos to your kids for the first time. You’ll notice right away that the main character, Sarah, is probably one of the most polite kids you’ve ever seen on TV. Which parent doesn’t like that? But it’s not just about good behaviour in this series; every episode features Sarah and her best friend, Duck, going on an adventure and solving problems together.
Available on: CBeebies and its official YouTube channel.
8. Super Simple Play with Caitie
Super Simple Play with Caitie is another good low-stimulating option for toddlers. The highly effervescent Caitie and her friends know the best way to learn is through play, so here they play all day, learning colours and numbers and exploring the world. This is where you can find trusted preschool shows like Caitie’s Classroom, Sing Along With Tobee, Caitie’s Classroom Sing-Along, Super Duper Ball Pit, and more!
Available on: Its official YouTube channel
9. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
Anyone remembers this icon? Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood has been cherished across generations. The show has been a tender memory for many generations, and we’re looking back fondly. The gentle storytelling and educational elements set it apart from contemporary kids’ shows, making it a delightful experience to share this nostalgic childhood memory with your children.
Available on: Its official website
10. Tumble Leaf
Tumble Leaf is on my son’s current watch list. It’s a delightful stop motion animation that teaches kids about science, and a great series to co-watch with your little ones. You can explain the scientific adventures and mysteries that Fig, Stick, and their friends encounter throughout the series. While he didn’t pick up the theory of aerodynamics, watching Tumble Leaf did give us interesting scientific topics for family discussions, like how can we help Fig make his kite fly higher.
Available on: Amazon Prime
11. If You Give A Mouse A Cookie
Love the book? Then, you and the kiddos will be happy to know that there’s an animated series based on it. On top of original characters, the series also feature seasonal spin-offs like If You Give A Mouse A Pumpkin for Halloween, and If You Give A Mouse A Christmas Cookie for the holiday season. This may not be an instant hit with your kids (it certainly wasn’t for mine), but it grows on them over time.
Available on: Amazon Prime
12. Puffin Rock
Here’s another family favourite! Puffin Rock is a lovely animated series about two pufflings — Oona and Baba — who grow up on Puffin Island. We like the soothing tone and look of the series, and especially love how it integrates trivia about coastal habitat into each episode. I also love the interaction between the puffling siblings: while my husband and I did prep my son for the arrival of his baby sister, having a visual ‘example’ of how he can help take care of a younger sibling through this show definitely helped! A full-length movie, Puffin Rock and the New Friends, was released in August 2023 but it’s not available in Singapore at the moment. Fingers crossed it’ll hit our shores soon!
Available on: Netflix, with sing-alongs on its official YouTube channel.
13. Frog and Toad
Here’s another sweet and mellow kids’ show that’s based on a classic. I’ve heard about this for a while and can’t wait to check it out with my son on our upcoming long haul flight. It’s a slow-paced series where the ever enthusiastic Frog and grumpy Toad go on adventures together, with every episode filled with LOL moments. Definitely not “blah”, as Toad would say. There are currently two seasons and a Christmas special.
Available on: Apple TV+
14. Stillwater
This was highly recommended by my mom village, all of whom love the mindfulness-focused theme that the series revolves around. Stillwater is based on the beautiful Zen Shorts, a book about the friendship between three kids and a giant panda. This is another series that I’m keen to show my son, as each episode talks about empathy and kindness.
Available on: Apple TV+
Do you know of any other low-stimulating kids shows? Drop us a DM on our Facebook or Instagram pages!
