Most parents I talk to don't even think to check Prime Video for kids' content. They're scrolling Netflix or Disney+ while their Prime subscription sits unused beyond the occasional Thursday Night Football game. But Amazon has invested heavily in family content over the past few years, and some of their originals are legitimately excellent—especially for that tricky 8-12 age range where everything is either too babyish or too mature.

The other reason this matters? Prime Video doesn't have the same content saturation as Netflix. Your kids aren't going to fall down a rabbit hole of 47 mediocre shows. The library is smaller, more manageable, and honestly easier to parent.

This one flew under the radar, but it's a gem. Based on the bestselling book, it follows three brothers navigating life after their father's death through imagination and adventure. Created by Bryan Cranston, it's got heart, humor, and actual emotional depth. Fair warning: it deals with grief, but in a way that's accessible for kids and genuinely moving for adults. Think The Wonder Years meets Bridge to Terabithia.

Three friends discover a magical cookbook in one girl's attic, and each recipe has supernatural consequences. It's got mystery, friendship dynamics, and surprisingly good production value. The magic system has rules and consequences (thank you), and the overarching plot actually goes somewhere. Girls especially love this one, though it's not exclusively "girl content" despite what the marketing suggests.

Soccer drama from Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan. A girl moves to a new town and joins a struggling soccer team. It's earnest without being preachy, and the sports action is actually competent (looking at you, every other kids' sports show with terrible choreography). Good for sports-loving kids who need representation beyond the usual suspects.

For the younger crowd, this adaptation of the beloved books is charming and well-done. The animation is bright without being seizure-inducing, and it maintains the circular logic humor of the original books. It's genuinely pleasant to have on in the background, which is more than I can say for most preschool content.

This one's older (2014-2016) but still holds up. Three friends in a suburban neighborhood encounter magical realism in everyday situations. It's quirky, heartfelt, and tackles real issues like divorce, body image, and peer pressure through a fantastical lens. Kind of like if Stranger Things had zero scary parts and was actually appropriate for the age it depicts.

Amazon marketed this as family-friendly teen content. It is not. This is Lost meets Lord of the Flies with teenage girls, and it includes sexual content, intense violence, and trauma. The "teen" rating is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Maybe for older high schoolers with mature parents watching alongside, but this isn't the "family content" Amazon's algorithm suggests it is.

Based on the popular books, this should be a slam dunk. Instead, it's... fine? The animation is flat, Pete's voice is oddly affected, and it lacks the chill vibe that makes the books work. Your toddler will probably enjoy it, but you'll be begging for Bluey within two episodes.

Ages 3-7:

Ages 8-12:

Ages 13+:

The rating system is inconsistent. Amazon uses TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-PG, etc., but their application of these ratings is all over the place. A TV-PG on Prime might be more intense than a TV-PG on Disney+. Always check Common Sense Media or watch a few minutes yourself first.

Prime Video's parental controls are better than people think. You can set up kids profiles with PIN protection, restrict by age rating, and even block specific titles. The interface is clunky, but the functionality is solid once you set it up.

The autoplay is aggressive. Turn it off in settings, or your kid will end up three episodes deep in something you've never heard of while you're making dinner.

Download for offline viewing. One of Prime's best features for families—download episodes before road trips or flights. The selection is way better than Netflix's offline options.

Amazon Prime Video won't replace your primary streaming service for kids' content, but it's absolutely worth exploring if you already have the subscription. The hidden gems are genuinely good, especially for that middle-grade sweet spot where Netflix is either too young or too mature.

The key is being intentional about what you queue up. Don't trust the algorithm, don't assume "family" means what you think it means, and definitely preview anything before letting your kids dive in solo.

Start with Just Add Magic or The Dangerous Book for Boys if you've got 8-12 year olds. For younger kids, Tumble Leaf is actually lovely. And if you've got teens, The Summer I Turned Pretty is the current obsession—just know it's very romance-focused and might spark some conversations about relationships.

Not sure if these shows align with your family's values and screen time goals? Take the Screenwise survey to get personalized recommendations based on your kids' ages, interests, and your family's digital habits. Or ask our chatbot specific questions about age-appropriateness for your particular kids.

And if you're realizing your streaming subscriptions are getting out of hand, here's how to audit your family's streaming services without causing a household revolt.