85 Best Educational Netflix Shows for Kids and Teens to Watch Right Now

Because screen time can also be learning time.

Tablet showing title screen for The Who Was? Show, one of the best educational Netflix shows for kids
Netflix

Videos have their place in the classroom and at home, helping bring topics to life for students at any age. Teachers and parents have more options than ever before, including these terrific educational Netflix shows. History, science, animals, travel, early education—it’s all here. Take a look at our top choices and choose some to watch with the kids in your life!

Note to teachers: Some schools block Netflix, which requires you to use Netflix’s offline feature to download preferred shows and use them during class. When it comes to the legality of streaming Netflix in the classroom, the company notes which media are available for educational screenings. Also, grade recommendations were made by our editorial team, but of course, you are always the best judge of the appropriateness for your own children and students.

Best Educational Netflix Shows for Preschool and Kindergarten

Ask the StoryBots

Storybot characters from the educational Netflix show
Netflix

The only thing more curious than the Bots are kids. Celebrity appearances and a music video at the end of each episode only add to the fun.

Beat Bugs

Animated characters from the Netflix show Beat Bugs
Netflix

Against a background of beloved Beatles songs, this series follows five friendly bugs as they learn lessons about the world around them.

Buddi

Animated characters from the show Buddi
Netflix

With kindness, curiosity, and childlike wonder, five best friends explore their colorful world and find the extraordinary in everyday things.

Charlie’s Colorforms City

Characters from Netflix show Charlie's Colorform City
Netflix

Charlie creates fun stories using different shapes, and he needs your help! Follow him on various adventures throughout the world … and beyond.

Chico Bon Bon

Cartoon characters from Netflix show Chico Bon Bon
Netflix

This monkey mechanic tackles new challenges in each episode, coming up with clever solutions for all the people of Blunderburg.

CoComelon

Characters from the educational show Cocomelon
Netflix

Kids who love to sing will beg to watch CoComelon. It’s perfect for the younger crowd still learning their numbers, letters, nursery rhymes, and more.

The Creature Cases

Main characters of Netflix show The Creature Cases
Netflix

Special Agents Sam and Kit travel the world, solving mysteries for their animal pals. Along the way, they meet and learn about a wide array of creatures around the globe.

Deepa & Anoop

Main characters of Netflix show Deepa and Anoop
Netflix

In the Mango Motel, Deepa and her color-changing elephant Anoop solve problems, explore friendship, and have fun adventures together.

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Learning Songs by Little Baby Bum

Little Baby Bum characters singing learning songs
Netflix

If you’re looking for educational Netflix shows for music lovers, check out this option. Kids learn songs about colors, animals, numbers, and vehicles.

Mother Goose Club

Performers in costume from Mother Goose Club
Netflix

These energetic performers put a new spin on classic nursery rhymes to teach toddlers about topics like animals and healthy living.

Numberblocks

One Numberblock pushing another on a swing, from the Netflix show
Netflix

Follow these cheerful blocks as they work and sing in Numberland. This is one of the most popular educational Netflix shows among the pre-K crowd.

Pocoyo

Characters from the Pocoyo show on Netflix
Netflix

Follow the exploits of a fun-loving, curious little boy who loves to play and explore.

Ridley Jones

Characters from the Netflix preschool show Ridley Jones
Netflix

Ridley and her dads live in a tree house in the middle a museum. Each night, the exhibits come to life, creating new adventures for Ridley and her family.

Rhyme Time Town

Characters from Rhyme Time Town
Netflix

Daisy and Cole use music and imagination to solve problems in a town filled with nursery rhyme characters.

Story Time Book: Read-Along

Cartoon characters from Storytime Book: Read-Along
Netflix

Read along as these picture books come to life with songs, animation, and narration. Kids learn about numbers, science, letters, and more!

Word Party

Characters from the Netflix educational show Word Party
Netflix

Meet Bailey, Franny, Kip, and Lulu, four adorable baby animals who want you to join in the fun and help them learn.

Best Educational Netflix Shows for Elementary School

Ada Twist, Scientist

Three main characters from Netflix educational show Ada Twist, Scientist
Netflix

Based on the books, Ada Twist and her two best friends are asking big questions—and working together to discover the truth about everything!

Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices

Scene from Netflix show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices
Netflix

Celebrity readers share kids books by Black authors to spark kid-friendly conversations about empathy, equality, self-love, and anti-racism. The quick episodes (13 minutes or less) are perfect for the classroom.

Brainchild

Host of the educational Netflix show Brainchild with a furry orange puppet
Netflix

This science-based show answers all sorts of questions kids tend to ask. The diverse cast tackles science in an engaging way that’s sure to draw kids in.

Carmen Sandiego

Main character of Carmen Sandiego Netflix Show with a city skyline behind her
Netflix

That’s right, gumshoes! The story of the legendary professional thief has been remixed into a cartoon series. But in this iteration, Carmen is trying to thwart evil. Those of us who grew up playing the computer game and watching the game show will love introducing the globe-trotting Carmen to a new generation of kids.

Emily’s Wonder Lab

Host of Emily's Wonder Lab, an educational Netflix show
Netflix

Emily Calandrelli shares science experiments to help make STEAM fun. She also offers ideas for at-home experiments kids can try (with adult supervision, of course).

The Great British Baking Show: Juniors

Competitors on The Great British Baking Show: Juniors
Netflix

As kids compete to be crowned Star Baker and ultimately the best junior baker in Great Britain, they also demonstrate cooperation, perseverance, and good sportsmanship.

The Hidden Lives of Pets

Large black dog lying on a couch, from Netflix series Hidden Lives of Pets
Netflix

Learn more about the animals we keep as pets, from dogs and cats to goldfish and beyond. These critters are full of surprises!

Island of the Sea Wolves

Sea wolf standing on the beach on Vancouver Island
Netflix

Explore the wild wonders of Vancouver Island and the surrounding waters, where a family of sea wolves fights for survival throughout the seasons.

Izzy’s Koala World

Host of Izzy's Koala World with a small koala
Netflix

Izzy Bee and her family rescue koalas in need and help them head back into the wild on Australia’s Magnetic Island.

Julie’s Greenroom

Julie Andrews with puppets and other characters on her Netflix show Julie's Greenroom
Netflix

The inimitable Julie Andrews mentors a group of adorable puppets as they prepare to stage a musical, with help from celebrity guests like Idina Menzel and Josh Groban.

Justin Time

Characters from Justin Time, an educational show
Netflix

In Justin’s dreams, he and his imaginary friends Olive and Squidgy travel around the world learning about nature and other cultures.

Llama Llama

Characters from Netflix show Llama Llama
Netflix

Beloved children’s book character Llama Llama springs to life in this heartwarming series about family, friendship, and learning new things.

The Magic School Bus

The Magic School Bus screenshot from Netflix
Netflix

When a science concept just isn’t clicking for your students … Ms. Frizzle to the rescue! Stream episodes on the human body, gardening, weather, and more.

Meekah

Meekah and Blippi from the Netflix show Meekah
Netflix

Join Meekah and her best friend Blippi as they head to new places and explore their passions: science and nature.

Octonauts

Characters from the Octonauts educataional show
Netflix

If you teach about the ocean, chances are there’s an Octonauts episode related to your unit. Each episode covers two different creatures from the deep blue sea.

Old Enough!

Japanese toddler running an errand in the Netflix show Old Enough
Netflix

Inspire kids to take on new challenges and responsibilities with this reality show from Japan. It follows children as young as 2 as they tackle chores and errands.

Puff: Wonders of the Reef

Screenshot from Puff: Wonders of the Reef Netflix show
Netflix

A baby puffer fish travels through a wondrous microworld full of fantastical creatures as he searches for a home on the Great Barrier Reef. Think of this as a real-life Finding Nemo.

Puffin Rock

Characters from the Netflix show Puffin Rock
Netflix

Welcome to Puffin Rock, where puffling Oona and her family and friends live. Their adventures teach us all about friendship and nature.

Trash Truck

Cartoon boy riding in a winged garbage truck from the Netrflix show Trash Truck
Netflix

Six-year-old Hank and his best pal, a giant trash truck, explore the world around them on fantastical adventures with their animal friends.

Waffles + Mochi

Main characters from Waffles + Moshi Netflix show
Netflix

Curious puppet pals Waffles and Mochi travel the world exploring the wonders of food and culture while learning how to cook with fresh ingredients.

We the People

Cartoon characters singing songs atop a stack of books
Netflix

Popular music artists sing songs about topics related to American citizenship, including the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment, and immigration.

The Who Was? Show

Characters from The Who Was? Show riding in a boat
Netflix

Based on the popular book series, this live-action sketch-comedy show brings important historical figures, like King Tut, Marie Antoinette, and Pablo Picasso, to life in an entertaining and hilarious way.

Best Educational Netflix Shows for Middle School and High School

72 Cutest Animals

Koala sitting in a tree, as featured in Netflix show 72 Cutest Animals
Netflix

Discover 72 of the cutest animals on Earth and how their adorable features are actually evolutionary advantages. (TV-PG)

72 Dangerous Animals: Asia

Closeup of komodo dragon head, one of the creatures in Netflix show 72 Danger Animals
Netflix

The world’s most dangerous animals have a variety of weapons, from claws to venom to fangs and beyond. Learn more about 72 of them in this educational Netflix series. (TV-14)

100 Humans

Collage grid of various photographs illustrating the Netflix show 100 Humans
Netflix

One hundred people participate in conversations and experiments around a variety of topics, like implicit bias, happiness, the five senses, and more. (TV-14)

A Life on Our Planet

Sir David Attenborough against a forest background
Netflix

This documentary follows famed naturalist David Attenborough, who maps how steeply the planet’s biodiversity has diminished over his lifetime. (PG)

Abstract: The Art of Design

Scene from Abstract: The Art of Design Netflix show
Netflix

Inspire the creatives in your classroom with this eight-episode documentary series on some of the world’s foremost designers, including photographer Platon, graphic designer Paula Scher, and sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield. (TV-14)

Alien Worlds

Scene from Alien Worlds educational Netflix show
Netflix

This series blends science fact and fiction to imagine alien life on other planets, using the laws of science found here on Earth. (TV-PG)

Animal

Baby orangutang clinging to its mother, from the Netflix show Animal
Netflix

Discover incredible facts and amazing footage of apes, birds of prey, bears, and dolphins in this short series narrated by popular celebrities like Bryan Cranston. (TV-PG)

Attack on Pearl Harbor: Minute by Minute

Scene from Netflix show Attack on Pearl Harbor showing footage from Dec 7, 1941
Netflix

Learning about World War II? This short series uses archival footage combined with survivor interviews to bring this historic event to life. (TV-14)

Bill Nye Saves the World

Scene from Netflix show Bill Nye Saves the World
Netflix

In this wacky talk show, the popular educator explores scientific topics in the everyday world, including climate change, video games, and space travel. (TV-14)

Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know

Screen shot from Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know
Netflix

Scientists hope to understand and capture the first image of a black hole while exploring the limits of our knowledge of the universe. (TV-14)

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Two characters embracing, from the movie The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Netflix

Based on the book of the same name, this movie tells the real-life story of William Kamkwamba, who saved his village by inventing a windmill. (TV-PG)

Challenger: The Final Flight

Space shuttle Challenger on the launchpad against a stormy sky
Netflix

Engineers, officials, and the crew members’ families provide their perspective on the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and its aftermath. (TV-14)

Chasing Coral

Underwater camera filming a coral reef, from the Netflix show Chasing Coral
Netflix

Divers, scientists, and photographers around the world mount an epic underwater campaign to document the disappearance of coral reefs. (TV-PG)

Chimp Empire

Group of chimpanzees in the forest, from Netflix show Chimp Empire
Netflix

In a forest in Uganda, a huge community of chimps navigates issues very familiar to humans: politics, family dynamics, and territory disputes. (TV-PG)

Connected: The Hidden Science of Everything

Science journalist Latif Nasser on the Netflix show Connected
Netflix

Science journalist Latif Nasser investigates ways in which humans are connected to one another, the world, and the universe. (TV-14)

Down to Earth

Zac Efron kneeling in a cornfield, from the Netflix show Down to Earth
Netflix

Travel the world with Zac Efron as he explores sustainable, healthy ways to live. In season one, he wanders the whole planet, while season two focuses on Australia and its cultures and habitats. (TV-PG)

Explained

Logo of Netflix Explained show
Netflix

In less than 20 minutes, the show tackles various topics, from the water crisis to the racial wealth gap, in an accessible way. Be sure to preview episodes, as some are not suitable for the classroom. (TV-MA)

High on the Hog

Two men in a colorful boat, from the Netflix show High on the Hog
Netflix

The subtitle of this educational Netflix show is “How African American Cuisine Transformed America.” It’s a powerful look at traditional Black foods, culture, and more. (TV-MA)

High Score

A variety of video game system controllers against a bright green background
Netflix

This docuseries traces the history of classic video games, featuring insights from the innovators who brought these worlds and characters to life. (TV-14)

History 101

Logo of Netflix show History 101
Netflix

These quick episodes combine infographics with archival footage and are the perfect length to show during class. They cover the history of topics ranging from GPS and lasers to dating apps and bottled water. (TV-14)

Human: The World Within

Split screen image of a human embryo in the womb and the Earth in space
Netflix

Biology teachers, take note! These episodes delve deep into the inner workings our incredible bodies. (TV-PG)

Inside Bill’s Brain

3/4 profile view of Bill Gates, with text reading Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates
Netflix

Take a trip inside the mind of billionaire Bill Gates as he opens up about those who influenced him and the audacious goals he’s still pursuing. (TV-14)

Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History

Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History
Netflix

Comedian Kevin Hart uses his irreverent humor to teach about some of history’s unsung Black heroes. (TV-PG)

The Last Dance

Chicago Bulls players celebrating a win in the Netflix show The Last Dance
Netflix

Michael Jordan is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. This docuseries follows his career and the rise of the 1990s Chicago Bulls to dominance. (TV-MA)

Life in Color

A flock of pink flamingoes
Netflix

Stunningly beautiful, this docuseries explores nature from a fresh perspective as animals use color to survive and thrive in the wild. (TV-PG)

Life on our Planet

Large prehistoric reptile with prey in its mouth, from the Netflix series Life on our Planet
Netflix

Imagine a nature documentary filmed millions of years ago, when prehistoric creatures roamed the planet. Through incredible CGI, that’s exactly what you’ll find here. (TV-PG)

The Mars Generation

Group of young science students dressed in flight suits walking toward the camera, at space camp
Netflix

Teenagers at NASA’s Space Camp dream of traveling to Mars, while experts reflect on the future and history of NASA. (TV-PG)

The Mind, Explained

Logo from educational Netflix show The Mind Explained
Netflix

Ever wonder what’s happening inside your head? From dreaming to anxiety disorders, discover how your brain works. (TV-14)

My Octopus Teacher

Man swimming underwater with a small octopus
Netflix

Follow filmmaker Craig Foster as he spends a year forging a relationship with a wild common octopus in a South African kelp forest. (TV-G)

Mystery Lab

Host of Netflix show Mystery Lab in an astronaut's suit
Netflix

Felipe Castanhari and his lab buddies explore science, history, mysteries, and marvels. (TV-PG)

Night on Earth

A pride of lions against a twilight sky
Netflix

New technology showcases the hidden lives of nocturnal creatures. See lions on the hunt, bats on the wing, and more nighttime marvels. (TV-PG)

Our Great National Parks

White monkey perched on the side of a steep rock, from Our Great National Parks series
Netflix

President Barack Obama narrates this inspiring look at national parks around the globe, from Australia and Africa to our own Monterey Bay. (TV-PG)

Our Planet

Group of penguins walking through a forest
Netflix

This Netflix series is a lot like Planet Earth, except it urgently calls for viewers to think about the ways that human actions are putting the nature and animals the series covers in peril. (TV-PG)

Penguin Town

A group of African penguins standing around while tourists take their picture
Netflix

Penguins in Africa? Yup! This series follows a colony of South African penguins as they form families, raise their young, and get help from local humans when things are rough. (TV-PG)

Rotten

Avocado made to look like a grenade
Netflix

Take a closer look at our food supply chain, but be prepared to learn unpleasant truths about some of your favorite dishes. (TV-MA)

Seaspiracy

Fishing net full of fish, with a model of planet Earth on top
Netflix

A filmmaker sets out to document the harm that humans do to marine species—and uncovers alarming global corruption. (TV-14)

Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb

A collage of Egyptian images, including pyramids and hieroglyphs
Netflix

After unearthing a tomb that had been untouched for 4,400 years, Egyptian archaeologists attempt to decipher the history of the extraordinary find. (TV-PG)

The Short Game

Elementary age student teeing off in golf
Netflix

Explore the impacts of going pro at a young age in this documentary about three young golfers who haven’t even hit middle school yet. (PG)

The Social Dilemma

Teen lying in bed looking at a phone, with a collage of images above their head
Netflix

This documentary-drama follows a group of tech experts who sound the alarm on the dangerous human impact of social networking. (PG-13)

Somebody Feed Phil

Phil Rosenthal eating a piece of chicken, from the Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil
Netflix

In this utterly charming docuseries, Phil Rosenthal travels the planet, looking for the best food everywhere he goes. Along the way, he explores culture and makes new friends, all with a sense of delightful enthusiasm. (TV-14)

The Speed Cubers

Max Park and Feliks Zemdegs, speed cubers
Netflix

Follow the lives of speed-cubing champions Max Park and Feliks Zemdegs, culminating with their attending the World Cube Association’s World Championships 2019. (TV-PG)

Spelling the Dream

Family posing together after child has won National Spelling Bee
Netflix

This documentary explores the unbroken Indian-American dominance of the U.S. spelling bee arena, a truly fascinating story. (TV-G)

Taco Chronicles: Cross the Border

Man preparing Tacos al Pastor for Netflix series Taco Chronicles
Netflix

Many of the most popular taco styles have a rich cultural history. Learn more about this beloved food and the stories behind the dishes. (TV-MA)

Thai Cave Rescue

Cast of Thai Cave Rescue Netflix show
Netflix

This limited series explores the true story of the Thai soccer team trapped in a cave by rising water levels. Their rescue captured the world’s attention and imagination. (TV-PG)

Tiny Creatures

Small mouse hiding in a hole as a bird swoops in from above and a person rides past on a dirt bike
Netflix

Small animals embark on big adventures in a dramatic nature series that explores their hidden worlds and epic survival stories. (TV-PG)

Wild Babies

A baby elephant, from the Netflix series Wild Babies
Netflix

Who doesn’t love baby animals? Follow the adventures of species like pangolins, penguins, elephants, and lions as they learn what it takes to survive. (TV-PG)

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Still shot from Won't You Be My Neighbor, a movie about Mr. Rogers
Netflix

This movie tells the story of TV’s beloved Mr. Rogers and his friendly neighborhood. Learn more about this inspiring man and his quest to bring kindness, empathy, and understanding to multiple generations. (PG-13)

What educational Netflix shows, movies, or documentaries do you use in your classroom? Come share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the best TED Talks to spark student discussion.

These educational Netflix shows offer options for preschool, elementary, and middle and high school students, at home and in the classroom.