The colorful backpacks are full again as children nationwide return to school. Once classes are out, your kids might need a little downtime, especially in parts of the U.S. where summer heat sticks around into September.
Hopefully, screentime can include some wonder, character-building stories and life lessons along the way. This mix of educational, adventurous and faith-based shows offers something for a range of ages — and parents may even find themselves sitting down to watch along.
Looking for faith-based children's programming? Check out our saint-centric animated series Chime Travelers, streaming on Hallow and Formed.
As families anticipate next summer’s The Bluey Movie, creatives behind the blockbuster preschool show have tried out a longer-form story with Bluey’s Big Play, a stage show written by creator Joe Brumm now seen live by over two million fans.
Released this spring on Disney+, the play revisits some popular series scenes with a few amusing twists. Bluey and Bingo egg on their dad Bandit to play “Keepy Uppy,” but he’s focused on reading his phone – so the kids and Mom steal it and a hunt ensues.
Composer Joff Bush’s new score, returning voice cast and impressive puppetry bring the world of Bluey’s Big Play to life with color and wonder.
Pre-K teachers, including my daughter’s, have embraced Count On June Bug, which blends math concepts and natural-world adventure in personality-driven, three-minute short stories.
Similar to Numberblocks, each short features a half-dozen insect characters whose simple conflicts require a bit of math know-how to solve. The curiosity, gentle music and bug’s-eye view of an average backyard make the series enjoyable for parents, too.
Fans welcomed a recent Emmy-winning revival of The Muppet Show, but many families may have missed this summer’s premiere of a road-trip special that harkens back to some of Jim Henson’s best nature-driven productions.
Filmed on location in Sequoia National Park, the special introduces Ronald, a by-the-book pig who ventures into nature with a checklist, and free-spirited Roxy, who loves the outdoors but needs more direction. Expert performers bring the pair to life as they bicker and encounter the beauty and challenges of the great outdoors, with the goal of sparking awe in kids.
After my recent article about faith-based streamer Minno, a friend pointed out The Dead Sea Squirrels, and it soon made the watchlist with my kids.
On an archaeological dig with his dad, 11-year-old Michael finds two squirrels that have been petrified since the first century. He somehow stows them away — pre-TSA? — but a lightning strike at home reanimates the squirrels, who can talk.
It’s a weird sci-fi premise, but the show’s purpose soon becomes clear. At school, Michael navigates friendships, grades and sports while facing moral decisions about honesty and giving his best. The squirrels coach him toward a good path, often telling a version of a first-century Biblical story to make the point.
In the vein of Jimmy Neutron or Phineas and Ferb, it’s pretty wacky, but kids who stick with it may find plenty to enjoy—and some good lessons along the way.
And while you're there, check out FTP's preschool puppet series,Guillermo & Will, in which bilingual worm besties explore God's world!
The Wingfeather Saga, Season Four (Angel)
The Wingfeather Saga returns for its fourth season, with three siblings, their mother Nia (Jodi Benson of The Little Mermaid) and grandfather Podo (Kevin McNally of Pirates of the Caribbean) venturing into new lands and greater dangers.
Based on Andrew Peterson’s four-book series, this animated high-fantasy adventure finds protagonist Janner and younger sister Leeli sailing north while grappling with the mysterious transformation their brother Kalmar has undergone. The trailer hints at the term “cloven,” once-human figures whose forced change raises difficult questions of identity.
Uniquely, this hero’s journey features parents and children pulling together to face perilous dangers. With each season, the series has expanded the world of Aerwiar with new locales and creatures while deepening its themes of courage and sacrifice.
If your family wants something more grounded and less fantastical, Zorro offers the classic adventure of a masked swordsman fighting for justice. Set in 1820s California, the half-hour Western drama follows Don Diego de la Vega (Guy Williams) as he returns from Spain to find his hometown besieged by a power-hungry dictator.
The young man takes on the persona of “Zorro,” which is Spanish for “fox.” All 78 episodes have been released on Disney Plus, with Season 1 featuring three 13-episode story arcs. Season 2 varies the length of its serialized stories, with some arcs running only four episodes.
The production still holds up as lively family adventure, and hopefully more Walt Disney-era titles will eventually make their way to streaming.
Photo: Disney+
Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith and culture for several media outlets. He and his family live in central Florida.
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