These are the shows we use to supplement our homeschool, sorted by subject. Some stream free on YouTube, some are on Amazon, and a few are easiest to find on DVD at your local library.
In this video I walk through 30 of our favorite shows and share how I decide what’s worth our screen time.
A quick note before you press play: Where a show streams can change, so check before you plan around one. Your local library often has these on DVD too. Some of the shows marked Not faith-based may reference evolution at times. We use these as jumping-off points for further conversation, along with any other content that may pop up.
Library last updated October 16, 2026
Each pick is marked Faith-based (made from a Christian perspective) or Not faith-based.
Science, Nature & Agriculture
Katie recommends
The Magic School Bus (1994–1997)
Suggested ages: Elementary · Upper elementary
Not faith-based
Ms. Frizzle and her class take wild field trips on a magical school bus to explore science up close.
Great for studying: field trips, how things work, science
Read Parent Review of The Magic School Bus on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (The Magic School Bus) (opens in a new tab)
Katie recommends
Wild Kratts (2011–present)
Suggested ages: Elementary · Upper elementary
Not faith-based
Zoologist brothers Chris and Martin Kratt meet incredible wild animals in animated adventures that mix science with fun.
Great for studying: animals, biology, habitats
Read Parent Review of Wild Kratts on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (PBS KIDS) (Wild Kratts) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Zoboomafoo (1999–2001)
Suggested ages: Preschool · Elementary
Not faith-based
Zoboo the talking lemur and the Kratt brothers introduce young kids to hundreds of real animals at Animal Junction.
Great for studying: animals, nature
Read Parent Review of Zoboomafoo on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (WildBrain) (Zoboomafoo) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
MythBusters (2003–2016)
Suggested ages: Upper elementary · Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
Special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman put popular myths, urban legends and movie moments to the scientific test.
Great for studying: engineering, experiments, scientific method
Read Parent Review of MythBusters on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (MythBusters) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Brain Games (2011)
Suggested ages: Upper elementary · Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
A fascinating look at the inner workings of the brain, with games and experiments to try along the way.
Great for studying: perception, psychology, the brain
Read Parent Review of Brain Games on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on Amazon (Brain Games) (opens in a new tab)
On my watchlist
Sid the Science Kid (2008–2013)
Suggested ages: Preschool · Elementary
Not faith-based
Curious preschooler Sid asks big questions about everyday science and works out the answers with his friends and teacher.
Great for studying: everyday science, experiments, questions
Read Parent Review of Sid the Science Kid on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on PBS KIDS (Sid the Science Kid) (opens in a new tab)
On my watchlist
SciGirls (2010)
Suggested ages: Elementary · Upper elementary · Middle school
Not faith-based
Real tween girls put science and engineering to work in their everyday lives, with a new investigation each episode.
Great for studying: engineering, investigations, STEM
Read Parent Review of SciGirls on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (SciGirls) (opens in a new tab)
History & Historical Events
Katie recommends
Liberty’s Kids (2002–2003)
Suggested ages: Elementary · Upper elementary · Middle school
Not faith-based
Two teenage reporters cover the American Revolution for Ben Franklin’s newspaper, showing both the American and British points of view.
Great for studying: American Revolution, colonial America, founding fathers
Read Parent Review of Liberty’s Kids on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (WildBrain) (Liberty’s Kids) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Drive Thru History
Suggested ages: Upper elementary · Middle school · High school
Faith-based
Host Dave Stotts speeds through ancient civilizations, the Holy Land and the founding of America, telling the stories that shaped our world and the Christian faith.
Great for studying: American history, ancient civilizations, Holy Land
Geography & World Cultures
We’ve watched
Carmen Sandiego (classic)
Suggested ages: Upper elementary · Middle school
Not faith-based
Classic Carmen Sandiego geography adventures: track the world’s greatest thief around the globe.
Great for studying: geography, mysteries, world cultures
Watch on YouTube (WildBrain) (Carmen Sandiego (classic)) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Rick Steves’ Europe (2000–present)
Suggested ages: Upper elementary · Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
Travel writer Rick Steves explores the history, culture and sights of Europe, one destination at a time.
Great for studying: Europe, history and culture, travel
Read Parent Review of Rick Steves’ Europe on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (Rick Steves’ Europe) (opens in a new tab)
Engineering, Technology & Inventions
Katie recommends
How It’s Made (2001–2019)
Suggested ages: Elementary · Upper elementary · Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
Short segments show how everyday items are made in factories, from aluminum foil to contact lenses.
Great for studying: everyday items, factories, manufacturing
Read Parent Review of How It’s Made on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (How It’s Made) (opens in a new tab)
On my watchlist
Design Squad
Suggested ages: Upper elementary · Middle school
Not faith-based
Real kid engineers team up with the hosts to take on hands-on design and building challenges.
Great for studying: building, design challenges, engineering
Read Parent Review of Design Squad on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (Design Squad) (opens in a new tab)
Mathematics, Logic & Problem-Solving
Katie recommends
Numberblocks
Suggested ages: Preschool · Elementary
Not faith-based
Early math with friendly block characters.
Great for studying: counting, early math, numbers
Read Parent Review of Numberblocks on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Visit the channel (Numberblocks) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Odd Squad (2014–present)
Suggested ages: Elementary
Not faith-based
Kid agents use math to solve odd problems in this live-action comedy.
Great for studying: math, problem-solving
Read Parent Review of Odd Squad on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (PBS KIDS) (Odd Squad) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Get the Math
Suggested ages: Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
Teens visit professionals and use algebra to solve real-world challenges from their jobs.
Great for studying: algebra, careers, real-world math
Read Parent Review of Get the Math on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on THIRTEEN (PBS) (Get the Math) (opens in a new tab)
Language Arts & Literacy
Katie recommends
Alphablocks
Suggested ages: Preschool · Elementary
Not faith-based
Letter sounds and early phonics.
Great for studying: early reading, letter sounds, phonics
Read Parent Review of Alphablocks on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Visit the channel (Alphablocks) (opens in a new tab)
Katie recommends
LeapFrog Letter Factory (2003)
Suggested ages: Preschool · Elementary
Not faith-based
The classic LeapFrog video where Tad visits the Letter Factory to learn the sound each letter makes.
Great for studying: alphabet, letter sounds, phonics
Read Parent Review of LeapFrog Letter Factory on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on Amazon (LeapFrog Letter Factory) (opens in a new tab)
Katie recommends
Signing Time (2002–2008)
Suggested ages: Preschool · Elementary
Not faith-based
Rachel Coleman teaches American Sign Language through songs, with kids signing along.
Great for studying: American Sign Language, songs
Read Parent Review of Signing Time on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on Amazon (Signing Time) (opens in a new tab)
Katie recommends
Schoolhouse Rock (1973–1985)
Suggested ages: Elementary · Upper elementary
Not faith-based
Catchy animated songs that teach grammar, math, science, history and civics.
Great for studying: civics, grammar, math songs
Read Parent Review of Schoolhouse Rock on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on Amazon (Schoolhouse Rock) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Wishbone (1995–1997)
Suggested ages: Elementary · Upper elementary
Not faith-based
A Jack Russell terrier daydreams himself into the lead role of classic stories from literature.
Great for studying: classic literature, stories
Read Parent Review of Wishbone on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
It’s Lit
Suggested ages: Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
Hosts Lindsay Ellis and Princess Weekes explore favorite authors, books and genres, and why we love to read.
Great for studying: authors, books, literature
Content notes for parents
Some episodes cover books written for adults, like horror and fan fiction, so preview first.
Watch on YouTube (PBS Storied) (It’s Lit) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Shakespeare Uncovered
Suggested ages: High school
Not faith-based
Well-known actors, including Morgan Freeman and Christopher Plummer, each take a deep dive into one of their favorite Shakespeare plays.
Great for studying: literature, plays, Shakespeare
Watch on Amazon (Shakespeare Uncovered) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
TED-Ed Public Speaking 101
Suggested ages: Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
A short TED-Ed video series on planning and giving a great speech.
Great for studying: communication, public speaking
Watch on YouTube (TED-Ed) (TED-Ed Public Speaking 101) (opens in a new tab)
On my watchlist
Reading Rainbow (1983–2006)
Suggested ages: Preschool · Elementary · Upper elementary
Not faith-based
Each episode explores a featured children’s book through stories and on-location adventures to encourage a love of reading.
Great for studying: books, reading, stories
Read Parent Review of Reading Rainbow on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (Reading Rainbow) (opens in a new tab)
Economics, Business & Entrepreneurship
We’ve watched
Two Cents
Suggested ages: Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
A short PBS show that explains personal finance and everyday money choices.
Great for studying: budgeting, money, personal finance
We’ve watched
Cool Careers
Suggested ages: Upper elementary · Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
Short HirePaths videos about careers kids can pursue after high school.
Great for studying: careers, life after high school, trades
Watch on YouTube (HirePaths) (Cool Careers) (opens in a new tab)
Health, Nutrition & Life Skills
We’ve watched
Good Eats (1999–2012)
Suggested ages: Upper elementary · Middle school · High school
Not faith-based
Alton Brown explains the science, history and technique behind cooking, with plenty of humor.
Great for studying: cooking, food science, kitchen skills
Read Parent Review of Good Eats on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on Amazon (Good Eats) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Into the Cloud
Suggested ages: Elementary
Not faith-based
NetSmartz’s animated adventure series that teaches kids 10 and under how to stay safe online.
Great for studying: digital citizenship, internet, online safety
Watch on YouTube (NetSmartz) (Into the Cloud) (opens in a new tab)
Bible, Theology & Church History
We’ve watched
Torchlighters
Suggested ages: Upper elementary · Middle school
Faith-based
Animated stories of Christian heroes of the faith, made for kids ages 8–12.
Great for studying: Christian heroes, church history, missionaries
Character & Virtues
Katie recommends
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (2012–present)
Suggested ages: Preschool
Not faith-based
Daniel Tiger and his friends learn everyday social and emotional skills through simple songs, from Fred Rogers Productions.
Great for studying: feelings, kindness, social skills
Read Parent Review of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (PBS KIDS) (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) (opens in a new tab)
We’ve watched
Adventures from the Book of Virtues (1996–2000)
Suggested ages: Elementary · Upper elementary
Not faith-based
Zach and Annie learn life lessons from the classic stories in William Bennett’s The Book of Virtues.
Great for studying: character, classic stories, virtues
Watch on Amazon (Adventures from the Book of Virtues) (opens in a new tab)
Katie recommends
Adventures in Odyssey
Suggested ages: Elementary · Upper elementary
Faith-based
Animated adventures from the town of Odyssey, from Focus on the Family, with faith-based lessons for kids.
Great for studying: adventure, character, faith
Watch on Amazon (Adventures in Odyssey) (opens in a new tab)
On my watchlist
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1968–2001)
Suggested ages: Preschool · Elementary
Not faith-based
Fred Rogers gently helps young children understand their feelings, try new things and learn about the world around them.
Great for studying: everyday life, feelings, kindness
Read Parent Review of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on Common Sense Media (opens in a new tab)Watch on YouTube (Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood) (opens in a new tab)
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