Videos are a great way to make concepts come alive and to introduce students to new ideas or experiences they couldn’t access otherwise. And for students who are used to accessing information through video (pretty much every student), videos are a great way to engage them. As a teacher, I’ve used videos to model everything from reading to science. When videos are done right, they can inject that level of engagement that every lesson needs. These 85 Netflix shows have the right balance of engagement and information for preschoolers through 12th grade.
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
Netflix
Ask the StoryBots
If you have students who ask 1,000,000 questions a day as I do, the StoryBots are a great resource. In each episode, five bots answer kids’ burning questions, like “How do you make music?” and “Where do planets come from?”
Beat Bugs is a great show for music class or for units about music. In the show, five friendly bugs learn lessons about life while singing and dancing to Beatles tunes.
Preschoolers and kindergartners are always curious, but I don’t have the energy or budget to take them on every field trip. That’s where Blippi comes in. This show features a field trip per episode, taking kids to see everything from monster trucks to museums.
Remember Colorforms? The dynamic shapes are back in a show about storytelling with Charlie and his Colorform friends. I love this show for introducing and reinforcing story elements and sparking kids’ imaginations.
An early STEM show, an engineering monkey and his fix-it force help the people of Blunderburg solve their problems. Stop the show after the problem is introduced and inspire your students to come up with their own way to solve it.
A show that weaves together geography knowledge and problem-solving? Count me in! In each case, animal sleuths solve a problem in another region of the world.
This show is pure fun, just like preschoolers. Deepa and her color-changing elephant make mischief and music at the family’s hotel. Watch it and talk about how the character develops and the various situations they get into.
The dogs from the iconic book Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman have their own show. I love the problem-solving element in each episode and the many characters that kids can talk about.
Another book-to-show adaptation, Anna Dewdney’s lovable llama comes to life in this series of adventure. Kids can join Llama and his friends as they solve common childhood problems.
For all things nursery rhymes and preschool songs, look no further than Ms. Rachel. Ms. Rachel’s show has nursery rhymes and early learning games all cued up for kids.
This early math show teaches core math concepts—counting, number recognition, shapes, etc.—in a fun, whimsical way. It’s a great show to bring in when I’ve already taught a concept and need to reinforce it with a quick video.
I admit, my kids learned a lot about the ocean and ecosystems from the band of Octonauts. (And they can still recite the theme song.) Choose episodes about the barrier reef, Arctic, and other ecosystems to learn more about specific animals and where they live.
Pocoyo is a typical curious, energetic toddler in this series for preschoolers. Kids can join Pocoyo to explore and discover everyday locations like the zoo, backyard, and more.
Daisy and Cole solve problems and have adventures in a town where every character is from a nursery rhyme. I love this show for preschoolers who are familiar with Mother Goose and can get the “jokes” of each character that comes on the show.
This show starts in a museum and then goes anywhere in the world, past or present. The episodes are longer, 45 minutes, so they’re best for kindergarten.
In this show, books are read aloud to kids so they can follow along. Choose an episode based on the theme you want to read about: animals, colors and shapes, and more.
In this SEL show, a team of kids does good deeds around their hometown. I love to bring this show into morning meeting to talk about a problem and how the team solved it with kindness.
Four baby animals invite preschoolers to learn new words through conversation, play, and adventure. When kids are in the language-learning preschool years, this is a great show to get them hooked on words.
Best Educational Netflix Shows for Elementary School
Netflix
Absurd Planet
Facts about animals, told in a way that elementary schoolers find hilarious. Absurd Planet is a great show to bring into life science lessons for kids in grades 4-6.
I love the Ada Twist books, so the show, which depicts the Questioneers solving a variety of problems, was a must-see. The show is as lively as the books, with characters that are invested in STEM topics and learning.
Celebrity readers share books by Black authors. Students can watch I Am Enough read by Grace Byers, I Love My Hair read by Tiffany Haddish, and many more.
This Q&A-style show is all about answering the questions that elementary schoolers have, like “How real is the five-second rule?” and “Why is social media so addictive?”
This docuseries is great for teaching science and inquiry topics through the lens of pets and pet care. I know I always have at least one student who is pet-crazy.
In this real-life documentary, students can learn about animal survival and how it changes across the seasons through the experiences of Vancouver Island’s sea wolves.
Izzy and her family rescue animals and nurse them back to health. The show is full of fun Australian animals and the message about taking care of animals and the environment.
Julie Andrews and a cast of Muppets learn all about show business from the people who write, direct, and star in shows. This is a great show to get kids who love theater involved, or for drama class.
In Justin’s dreams, he travels around the world to learn more about other places and cultures. It’s a fun way to introduce a new unit and build background knowledge.
What list of shows would be complete without Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus? These shows are packed with facts that students can use if they are researching a topic or learning about something as a class.
This show about young children taking on responsibility in Japan is a great way to talk about responsibility and what students are ready for, and to talk about the differences between cultures.
Coral reefs are always a topic of interest among elementary schoolers, and Puff the puffer fish travels through the reef, teaching students all about his home.
Two puppets travel the world learning how to cook and tasting all kinds of food. I use this video in math to reinforce measurements, and in social studies to teach about different cultures and places.
It’s like Schoolhouse Rock for today’s students! In this show, modern artists sing songs about rights and citizenship. Add these to social studies lessons either as a warm-up or ending song.
Based on the biographical Who Was? books, this show profiles different historical figures in a way that elementary schoolers, particularly 4th through 6th graders, can understand.
Best Educational Netflix Shows for Middle School and High School
Netflix
72 Cutest Animals
Ever wonder why baby animals are so cute? There’s science behind it. This series is a great way to introduce students to the concept of survival of the fittest (or cutest) and adaptations in life science. (Rated PG)
In this innovative series, 100 humans participate in experiments about what it means to be human. Use this as a way to talk about research and various topics, like how to be happy, are we biased, or can we trust our senses? (Rated TV-14)
David Attenborough gives a master class in all things related to living on planet Earth through the story of his own life. It’s a great entry point into conversations about evolution, climate change, and other life science topics. (Rated PG)
Students learn from innovative designers who have to tackle various design problems. A great way to talk about the innovation process and creativity. Also a good show to use in art class. (Rated TV-14)
Netflix has no shortage of animal documentaries, and this one is great for teaching about one specific animal. Each episode provides an immersive experience of the animal’s life. There are episodes about marsupials, big cats, dogs, and more. (Rated PG)
This show is a must-see for a World War II unit in history class. It provides all the information students need to know about Pearl Harbor. (Rated TV-14)
Scientist extraordinaire Bill Nye explains science topics ranging from climate change to artificial intelligence. Nye is known for his ability to explain any science topic, so it’s helpful to have a video built into a lesson about a complex topic. (Rated TV-14)
Students can follow along as scientists seek to learn all they can about black holes. This is a great documentary for physics or for students who are researching black holes. (Rated TV-14)
In this biographical film, 13-year-old William Kamkwamba builds a windmill to create electricity in his Malawian town. If students have read the book, or even if they haven’t, it’s a good story to teach persistence and how science can change the world. (Rated PG)
Whether you watch Chasing Coral to teach students about the coral reef ecosystem, climate change, or how people can have a positive impact on the Earth, this is a story that will stick with students. (Rated PG)
Students will really understand the drama that can happen in the animal kingdom after watching this show about the largest chimpanzee community. (Rated PG)
This series explains the various ways we are connected, everything from surveillance cameras to poop. It’s a great option for science or advisory. (Rated TV-14)
Actor Zac Efron explores healthy, sustainable ways to live around the world. It’s an unexpected option for life sciences class, and it brings some geography into lessons too. (Rated PG)
If you need a video to engage students in understanding anything from the world’s water crisis, pay inequity, tattoos, or whether or not we can live forever, Explained has an episode for you. Note: There are topics that are not school-appropriate, so make sure you choose just the episodes you need. (Rated TV-MA for certain topics covered.)
If you have students who are reluctant to engage in history, this docuseries about the history of video games might be the ticket to get them interested. Or you can use the docuseries to show students another aspect of history. (Rated TV-14)
This history series tackles topics from the rise of GPS to how credit cards impact the global economy. A good show to reinforce the concepts that students are learning in high school economics and history courses. (Rated TV-14)
This series takes students inside the body to explore how all the parts we can’t see—the brain, immune system, and more—impact our daily lives. (Rated PG)
The history and future of NASA and our current aspirations of going to Mars combine in this show. It provides an interesting take on how we approach space and how that’s changed over time. (Rated PG)
For middle and high schoolers, whose brains are still developing, this show can provide insight into their own minds, with episodes about anxiety, personality, and the teenage brain. Watch it in life science, psychology, or advisory. (Rated TV-14)
David Attenborough does it again in this documentary all about animals and wildlife around the planet. Watch this to reinforce life science topics or to inspire students as they plan writing or research projects. (Rated PG)
This documentary about what happens in the global fishing trade and how harmful it can be is eye-opening. It’s a good one to assign for either biology or an economics class. (Rated TV-14)
Archaeologists unearthed this perfectly preserved Egyptian tomb. Bring this documentary into ancient history studies to show students how we are still making discoveries about life of thousands of years ago. (Rated PG)
In this David Attenborough series, explore the impact of sound on our world. This documentary makes the invisible visible and would make an interesting addition to units about animal behavior. (Rated PG)
Students already know about social media, and they’re likely using it. So bring this documentary into class to help students understand and think critically about social media’s impact. (Rated TV-14)
This documentary shows how speed cubers solve Rubik’s Cubes so quickly, and the community that is built around speed cubing. This is a wonderful documentary to show to high schoolers who are trying to find their place in the world. (Rated PG)
The story of the international efforts to rescue a soccer team trapped in a cave in Thailand is absolutely riveting. It’s a story that students will not stop talking about and is a great show to bring into an ethics conversation. (Rated PG)
Learn how animals take care of their babies. It’s a show to start conversation about how animals have adapted to take care of their young and ensure their species survives. (Rated PG)
This documentary about Mr. Rogers reinforces the needs for community and kindness. Today’s students may have seen Mr. Rogers as a child, or they may have seen the cartoon spin-off Daniel Tiger, to connect with this documentary. (Rated PG-13)
Get your free video response worksheet printable bundle!
We Are Teachers
We have a video response worksheets to use with any of the Netflix shows above. The free printable comes with sections for students to fill out before, during, and after viewing, as well as a spot to rate the video using a five-star scale.
