Ages: 10+

This isn't another Spider-Man origin story—it's a reimagining where Peter Parker gets mentored by Norman Osborn instead of Tony Stark. The animation style is gorgeous, somewhere between Into the Spider-Verse and classic comic book panels, and the writing doesn't talk down to kids.

What's refreshing: it's not tied to the MCU's increasingly convoluted multiverse nonsense. Your kid can watch this without having seen 47 other properties first. It's also notably less violent than recent Marvel content—more problem-solving, less punching through buildings.

Parent heads-up: There's still superhero violence (punching, web-slinging bad guys into walls), but it's stylized rather than brutal. The Norman Osborn mentorship creates some genuinely interesting moral complexity that's worth discussing with older elementary/middle schoolers.

Ages: 12+

If you grew up with the original X-Men animated series, Season 1 of this revival probably destroyed you emotionally. Season 2 continues that tradition of not pulling punches on themes of prejudice, identity, and loss—wrapped in spectacular superhero action.

This is NOT a little kids' show despite being animated. The themes are heavy (genocide, discrimination, political radicalization), and the action can be intense. But for tweens and teens ready for more complex storytelling, it's exceptional. Read more about why X-Men works for older kids.

Ages: 8+

Netflix is adapting Roald Dahl's delightfully gross tale of the horrible Mr. and Mrs. Twit. If your kids loved Matilda or The BFG, this is the same DNA—mean adults getting their comeuppance, clever kids, and that perfect Dahl mix of dark humor and justice.

Early footage shows they're leaning into the book's grotesque comedy without sanitizing it. Mrs. Twit's glass eye in the beer mug? Still there. The wormy spaghetti revenge? Yep. This is Dahl as Dahl should be—slightly unsettling, very funny, and ultimately about outsmarting bullies.

Worth noting: Roald Dahl's humor involves a lot of "gross-out" comedy and casual cruelty (that gets punished). If your kids are sensitive to mean characters or bathroom humor, maybe preview first. But if they're into that classic Dahl vibe, this looks fantastic.

Ages: 10+

This is the continuation of Camp Cretaceous, following those characters as young adults dealing with dinosaurs loose in the world. Season 1 was surprisingly mature—more thriller than kids' adventure, with genuine stakes and character development.

Season 2 promises more of that, with the crew investigating dinosaur-related conspiracies while being hunted themselves. The animation quality is movie-level, and unlike a lot of franchise content, it respects its audience's intelligence.

Parent perspective: This is legitimately tense at times. Dinosaurs are portrayed as dangerous animals, not cute pets. There's peril, some scary moments, and characters in real danger. It's not gory, but it's definitely not preschool content. Great for kids who've outgrown Dino Ranch but aren't quite ready for the original Jurassic Park's more intense scenes.

Ages: 2-102

Do I even need to explain this one? Bluey continues to be the gold standard of children's television—genuinely funny for adults, emotionally intelligent for kids, and somehow making 7-minute episodes about imaginative play feel like profound parenting lessons.

Season 4 apparently includes a longer special episode and continues the show's tradition of occasionally gutting parents with unexpected emotional moments. You know, that thing where you're watching cartoon dogs play "Keepy Uppy" and suddenly you're crying about the passage of time.

Why it matters: In a landscape of overstimulating, fast-paced content designed to hijack attention, Bluey remains proof that you can make something genuinely engaging without being manipulative. It encourages imaginative play, models healthy parenting, and treats both kids and adults with respect. Here's why Bluey works so well.

Ages: 4-8

Netflix is launching a new Hello Kitty series focused on fashion, friendship, and problem-solving. If your kid is drowning in Sanrio merch and needs actual content to go with their 47 Hello Kitty plushies, this is it.

The show features Hello Kitty and friends running a fashion boutique and helping clients with style challenges—but the early descriptions suggest it's more about creativity and self-expression than consumerism. Think more Project Runway Junior energy, less toy commercial.

Real talk: This is very much aimed at younger elementary kids who are into fashion and design. If that's not your kid's thing, they'll be bored. But if you've got a budding fashion designer who's already sketching outfits, this could be genuinely engaging.

Ages: 6-11

If you missed Season 1 of Kiff, it's worth catching up. This show about an optimistic squirrel and her anxious bunny best friend is way better than it has any right to be—sharp writing, diverse characters, and actual humor instead of just noise and chaos.

Season 2 continues the adventures in Table Town with the same creative energy. It's got big Gravity Falls energy in terms of clever background details and jokes that work on multiple levels.

Ages: 3-7

This stop-motion series about a tiny chef (literally a small herbivore creature) cooking recipes is absurdly charming. Season 3 brings more recipes, more gentle problem-solving, and more of that cozy, wholesome energy that's perfect for winding down before bed.

Each episode includes an actual recipe kids can make (with supervision), and the show's pace is refreshingly slow and intentional. It's the anti-Cocomelon—calming instead of stimulating.

Pokemon Horizons: Still going strong if your kid is into the Pokemon universe. Season 2 continues the adventures of Liko and Roy. Ages 7+.

Ninjago: Dragons Rising: The Lego Ninjago franchise continues its approximately 47th season. If your kid is already invested, they'll watch it regardless of what I say. Ages 7+.

Spongebob: Still exists, still basically the same show it's been for 25 years. Your call on whether that's comforting or concerning. Ages 6+.

Preschool (2-5): Stick with Bluey, The Tiny Chef Show, and Hello Kitty: Super Style!. These shows have slower pacing, clear narratives, and age-appropriate themes.

Early Elementary (6-8): Kiff, The Twits, and Hello Kitty work well. You can also start introducing Spider-Man toward the upper end of this range if they're ready for superhero action.

Tweens (9-12): Spider-Man, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, and X-Men '97 (for mature 12-year-olds) are solid choices. These shows offer more complex storytelling and moral questions worth discussing.

Teens: X-Men '97 is excellent for this age group. The themes of discrimination, identity, and social justice resonate strongly with teens navigating their own complex social worlds.

Co-viewing is your friend: Especially with shows like X-Men '97 or The Twits, watching together gives you natural opportunities to discuss themes. "Why do you think people were afraid of the mutants?" goes deeper than "did you like the fight scene?"

Ratings aren't perfect: TV-Y7 can mean vastly different things depending on the show. Spider-Man and Spongebob both carry that rating, but they're completely different viewing experiences. Trust your knowledge of your specific kid over a general rating.

Animation ≠ Kids' content: This should be obvious by now, but just because something is animated doesn't mean it's for children. If you're not sure, check the Screenwise rating or watch an episode yourself first.

The "one more episode" negotiation: Most of these shows are on streaming platforms, which means no natural stopping point. Setting episode limits before you start watching prevents the inevitable "but it's only 22 minutes!" argument. Here's how to set healthy streaming boundaries.

2026's animation lineup is genuinely strong. You've got options for basically every age range and interest, from preschoolers who need gentle, slow-paced content to teens ready for complex storytelling about discrimination and identity.

The standouts are Spider-Man: Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man for its fresh take on a familiar character, X-Men '97 for not talking down to its audience, The Twits for honoring Roald Dahl's dark humor, and obviously Bluey because it's Bluey.

But honestly? The best show is whichever one gives you a legitimate reason to sit down together, actually watch something as a family, and maybe talk about what you saw afterward. In a year where AI-generated content is flooding YouTube Kids and attention-hijacking algorithms are more sophisticated than ever, finding quality animation that respects your kid's intelligence and doesn't treat their attention span as a resource to extract is worth celebrating.

Start with one of these, see what resonates with your kid, and remember: you can always turn something off if it's not working. No show is worth a family battle.

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