Many families limit their kids exposure to screens, and there’s good reason for that! Compared to reading, imaginative play, and sensory play, screen time can be mindless entertainment that doesn’t enrich the child’s life or help them developmentally. Additionally, when screen time is monitored, kids can pick up bad habits or words or be exposed to inappropriate adult themes.

With that being said, there are some toddler shows that do have value. These shows are often educational from academic or social-emotional viewpoints. When watched in moderation, they can be used to help reinforce learning of ABCs, colors, and numbers in fun and engaging ways or help kids learn ways to regulate their feelings and bodies in healthy ways.

Best Shows for Toddlers in 2025

There are a lot of great shows – both old and new – that can be enjoyable and beneficial for little ones. Consider these options:

1. Daniel Tiger: This award-winning show is modeled after the creations of Fred Rogers. Mr. Rogers Neighborhood left a legacy of kindness that Daniel Tiger has continued. This show teaches great lessons that are relatable for kids, such as water safety, trying new foods, meeting new people, etc. They also have characters who have allergies, autism, and handicaps. They even handle topics like grief and equality with age-appropriate scripts and lots of gentleness. Each episode has jingles that can help viewers remember that episode’s particular lesson. This show is wonderful for teaching kids about complex social-emotional concepts. It can be found on PBS.
2. Super Wings: This show offers a fun way to learn about places around the world. The show follows Jett, a personified aiplane, as he and his freidns delivery packages to kids in different countries. In each episode, they learn to say a new word in the native language of the featured country, and kids can learn about special customs, clothing, and food from different lands. It’s got a bit of action and lots of learning. Super Wings can be watched for free on Tubi, Peacock, Pluto, and The Roku Channel.
3. Molly of Denali: This show is best geared for preschoolers and kindergartners. It follows Molly, a native Alaskan girl, on adventures in her state. She solves problems with her family and friends and teaches kids about unique and beautiful aspects of a Alaska, often little-known place in our country. Kids can pick up on lessons about animals, geography, and language, as well as more conceptual ideas like friendship and service. Molly of Denali cna be found on PBS.
4. Super Simple Songs: This show is great for babies and toddlers! Many of the songs are famialiar, like “One Little Finger” and the “ABC Song.” Some of the other songs are unique. There are a variety of characters and animation styles, and there are even holiday and seasonal versions of most of the songs. Kids can learn about letters, numbers, colors, the weather, the senses, and more. You can find Super Simple Songs on YouTube, Amazon Prime, and other places. They also have their own website and app.
5. Wild Kratts: Chris and Martin Kratt are brothers who have been educating kids about wildlife for decades! Nearly all millennial moms remember Kratt’s Creatures and Zoboomafoo! Wild Kratts in an animated show (with live-action intros) that help kids learn about animals, specifially those that are endangered. The Kratt brothers voice animated versions of themselves; their characters go on missions to learn about animal powers. It’s wholesome and educational while also having some action. You can find Wild Kratts on PBS.
6. Super Why: Super Why is great for kids who are learning their alphabet and putting letter sounds together. In fact, Super Why is ideal for teaching phonics! In each episode, the characters dive into common kids’ stories (like Sleeping Beauty) and use tools like spelling and sound out words to fix problems. In addition to the main show, there is also a series of shorts called uper Why’s Comic Book Adventures. Both of these can be found on PBS.

Moderation is Key

While most health professionals are not going to advocate for hours of screen time a day, small doses can be fine – or even beneficial – for kids. HealthPartners shares this infomraiton on their website:

Screen time actually has a lot of positive aspects that can sometimes be overlooked. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found that in moderation, screen time seemed to have a positive effect on kids. The study was based on data from 35,000 children and their caregivers, and the results suggested that children who spent 1-2 hours per day engaging in digital device activities (including television-based) were likely to have increased levels of emotional and social well-being compared to non-users.

Other benefits to screen time:

• Digital media can be educational and a fun way to learn and engage with new concepts
• It grows kids’ vocabulary and models those new words in ways they can conceptualize and remember (even better if a parent is there to explain it, too)
• Devices and digital tools are valuable in schoolwork from the earliest grades to college and beyond
• Playing video games can improve coordination, fine motor skills and teamwork
• Digital devices and tools like texting, video chats and playing video games can be fun ways to communicate and socialize

If you opt to allow screen time in your home, focus on the quality of the show, movie, or game. There’s a lot of fun options out there that also have enriching, edifying components.