Update: This article was last updated on 14th November 2024 to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
Ditch the textbooks and welcome science shows into your child’s educational journey! If you’re looking to teach your child about science in a fun and engaging way, science shows are the perfect solution. These shows can become a fun way for kids to learn about science and the world around them.
Educational and entertaining, Science shows for kids help in generating a spark of interest in the field of science in several young minds.
What Makes A Good Science Show For Kids?
Most science shows for kids today use animation or take the help of puppets, some even have good narratives to get their young watchers interested. Apart from that, there are a few elements that can make a science show worth a kid’s watch:
i. Engaging and informative content: The show should present scientific concepts in a way that is both accurate and engaging for the audience.
ii. Interactive elements: Including interactive elements, such as demonstrations or experiments, can help make the show more engaging and memorable for the audience.
iii. A focus on the young audience: The show should be tailored to the intended young audience and should aim to meet their interests and needs.
Keeping the above pointers in mind we have specially created a list of five incredible science shows for kids that your little genius would love to watch
1) Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
Age Group: 8+
IMDB Rating: 9.5/10
Where can you watch it?
Amazon Prime Video
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey is a science documentary television series that aired in 2014. It was a sequel to the 1980 television series “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage” and was hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The show explores a wide range of scientific topics, including the origin and evolution of the universe, the history of life on Earth, and the search for extraterrestrial life. It was produced by Seth MacFarlane and Ann Druyan, the wife of “Cosmos” creator Carl Sagan, and was widely praised for its engaging and accessible presentation of complex scientific concepts.
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2) Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab
Age Group: 7+
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
Where can you watch it: Amazon Prime Video
Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab is an animated children’s television series that aired from 2012 to 2015. This science TV show for kids follows a group of young scientists who are given access to a secret laboratory filled with inventions created by the famous inventor Thomas Edison.
Each episode of the show features the kids using Edison’s inventions to solve problems and learn about science and technology. The show was created to promote an interest in science and innovation among children, and it received mostly positive reviews for its educational content and entertaining storylines.
3) The Magic School Bus Rides Again
Age Group: 6+ Years
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
Where can you watch it: Netflix
The Magic School Bus Rides Again is an animated educational television series that is a sequel to the original Magic School Bus series. And it is one of the best science shows for kids it features Ms. Frizzle’s younger sister, Fiona Frizzle, as the new teacher in charge of the class.
Like the original series, this kid’s science show follows a group of students as they go on field trips in a magical school bus, which can transform into various vehicles and can shrink or grow as needed. The show is designed to teach science concepts to children and is known for its entertaining and educational content.
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4) Sid the Science Kid
Sid the Science Kid is an educational children’s television show that aired on PBS Kids. The show follows the adventures of Sid, a curious and energetic young boy, as he investigates the world around him and learns about science and the natural world. Each episode focuses on a different science-related topic, such as plants, weather, the human body, and more.
This science TV show for kids uses catchy songs, humor, colorful animations, and hands-on activities to engage young viewers and encourage them to learn about science in a fun and interactive way.
5) Emily’s Wonder Lab
Age Group: 5+ Years
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
Where can you watch it: Netflix
Emily’s Wonder Lab is a children’s television show. This science TV show for kids follows Emily Calandrelli, a science enthusiast and host, as she conducts experiments and demonstrations to teach young viewers about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Each episode focuses on a different topic, such as electricity, force and motion, and the properties of matter, and uses hands-on activities, experiments, and demonstrations to help young viewers understand and appreciate the concepts being discussed.
The show is designed to be fun and engaging for children and to inspire them to learn more about the world around them.
6) Ada Twist, Scientist
Age Group: 4+ Years
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Where can you watch it: Netflix
This science-based entertainment is one of the best science shows for kids and this show focuses on growing children’s interest through the fun-filled adventures of Ada Twist, an eight-year-old scientist with a giant-sized curiosity. Across four captivating seasons, the narrative of Ada has proven to be one of the best science shows for kids and has captivated young viewers, particularly preschoolers. Ada is portrayed as a highly inquisitive girl in the show who wants to learn everything and anything. Her two greatest friends, Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck, help her on her learning journey. The tagline of the show is: She’s Got the Formula for Fun! Interestingly, Barack and Michelle Obama are the executive producers of this successful show and produced it under their firm, Higher Ground Productions.
7. Tumble Leaf
Age Group: 2+ Years
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
Where can you watch it: Prime Video
The science show for kids, which ran from 2013 to 2019, was quite popular among toddlers. One of the standout features of the show was its inclusion of mini-episodes, each running for a concise 11 minutes.
Created by Drew Hodges, Tumble Leaf is tailored for preschoolers. The storyline follows Fig, a small blue fox embarking on a quest to unravel the mysteries of the world. Two other characters, Stick and Maple, join him on this journey and fun-filled their story unfolds over the course of four seasons.
The names of the three characters—Fig, Stick, and Maple—are inspired by trees. How interesting!
8. The Octonauts
Age Group: 2+ Years
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Where can you watch it: Prime Video
9. SciGirls
Age Group: 8-12 Years
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Where can you watch it: Prime Video
If you have teenagers who aren’t particularly enthusiastic about science, you can introduce them to this show that centers around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, commonly referred to as STEM.
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The premise of the show revolves around inquisitive young girls with a strong desire to expand their appetite for STEM knowledge. These girls embark on exciting journeys exploring various topics, ranging from the environment and engineering to nutrition. It’s a fantastic way to kindle children’s interest in these subjects!
10. Xploration Outer Space
Age Group: 13-16 Years
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Where can you watch it: Prime Video
If you have a teenage child with a keen interest in space science, this show might just be the perfect fit for them. Hosted by former NASA employee, Emily Calandrelli, the program takes viewers on a captivating journey through space science facilities, private companies, and universities.
So there you go!! We have curated a list of 5 of the best science shows that your kid can watch to learn and have fun at the same time.
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I know (Sid the science kid). I think it’s the best.
Even (COSMOS) IS NICE.
I live in Boston and instead of online shows my preference is in person shows. The Science Museum in Boston, for example offers an enjoyable and fascinating experience. The Science Museum also caters to very young children with a designated area, ensuring they can have a good time even if they don’t fully understand everything. Consequently, I believe the Science Museum is the superior choice since it engages older children while still providing enjoyment for younger ones. On the other hand, the Children’s Museum might leave older kids feeling a little out of place due to its target audience being younger children
Have these science shows received any notable awards or recognition for their educational value?
Viewers have given these science shows positive reviews, but no specific information is provided regarding major honors or recognition for their educational usefulness. However, their high audience ratings and popularity prove their value and influence in education.
You can consider the science show Dot. As a parent of a 6-year-old, this science show has captivated my child’s interest. Dot is an animated children’s television series that follows the adventures of a tech-savvy and curious little girl named Dot.
What about complex concepts such as Photosynthesis and Litmus test?
These programs use a variety of strategies, such as pictures, entertaining presentations, storytelling, and more, to make such scientific concepts easy to understand for kids.