OT - kid videos/tv shows

Submitted by Beaublue on August 20th, 2023 at 8:44 AM

We've pretty much kept our 3 year old boy away from screens thus far.   But he is getting exposed as he visits friends and relatives and is now occasionally asking to watch something at home.    Anticipating that we will eventually succumb and allow some screen time I have been looking at what is out there.

It pretty much seems to be garbage.   

And suggestions as to what videos/tv shows are out there for a 3 year old that are not overbearingly silly, low quality and sometimes just stupid?  

Ernis

August 20th, 2023 at 1:49 PM ^

PBS programming is solid across the board

As others have mentioned, Bluey is very good.

Howdytoons music cartoons on YouTube have more interesting music than most young child-targeted programming and are also somewhat educational.

youtube also has a ton of full episodes from the Land Before Time tv series, which my kid loves. She also loves Animaniacs and The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.

Just remember that anything commercially produced is intended to get your kid to get you to buy them stuff. 

bronxblue

August 20th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ^

Bluey seems to be the new hotness now, and my kids really liked Daniel Tiger, Xavier Riddle, Paw Patrol, etc.  Mostly stuff on PBS Kids.  Also, my kids liked some cartoon movies like Ponyo and Kiki's Delivery Service, just for the visual elements.  But at the same time, let kids enjoy some dumb stuff.  I think most people consumed a bunch of dumb, low-quality media in our days and it didn't destroy anyone's soul.  And honestly, this place is full of people obsessed to varying degrees about college sports, and that obsession came about likely when we were exposed to the sport at a young age (probably not 3, but who knows).  

Qmatic

August 20th, 2023 at 3:09 PM ^

Music: Super Simple Songs have some classic songs with pretty neat visuals to go along with them. 

Shows: Bluey, Mash & The Bear, and Curious George. All very fun and not loud and stupid. 

Learning? Sparkabilities

ABSOLUTELY NEVER PUT THESE ON: Ms. Rachel or Blippi

Chaco

August 20th, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^

you can go back into some of the better stuff from Sesame Street and Mr Rogers and also I'd highly recommend The Magic Schoolbus - though he might need to be a little older.  Backyardigans was also recent and not bad

 

I applaud your vigilance.

RGard

August 20th, 2023 at 6:09 PM ^

Invader Zim when your child is a little bit older.  It was the only kid show I could watch with my kids and not be bored out of my skull.

ruthmahner

August 20th, 2023 at 6:30 PM ^

I'm in grandkid mode now, but I definitely concur with the Bluey and Daniel Tiger comments.  Both perfectly pleasant shows, easy to watch for everyone and not a ton of screen time.  

Resilientblue

August 20th, 2023 at 9:07 PM ^

Bluey is the best kids show hands down. My wife and I watch it with the kids (11, 7, 5, and 2) pretty often. 
 

Great messages, fun storylines, and good characters. 
 

Enjoy!