Let's be real: Hulu isn't exactly the first platform that comes to mind when you think "kids' streaming service." It's the place you go for The Handmaid's Tale and The Bear, not Bluey and Sesame Street. But here's the thing—Hulu actually has a surprisingly solid kids' section that a lot of parents completely overlook.
Unlike Disney+ (which is basically a fortress of family-friendly content) or Netflix (which throws everything at the wall), Hulu's kids' catalog is smaller but weirdly curated. It's got some absolute bangers mixed in with content you've probably never heard of. The interface has a Kids Profile option that filters out the grown-up stuff, which is essential unless you want your 7-year-old stumbling onto American Horror Story.
The biggest advantage? If you already have Hulu for yourself, you're getting kids' content as part of the deal. No additional subscription needed.
Preschool & Early Elementary (Ages 2-7)
Bluey is here, and honestly, that alone might justify the subscription. If you haven't been converted to the Church of Bluey yet, this Australian import about a Blue Heeler family is legitimately wonderful—funny, emotionally intelligent, and doesn't make you want to claw your eyes out after the 47th viewing.
Sesame Street has a solid library on Hulu. Classic episodes, newer seasons, the whole deal. It's Sesame Street—you know what you're getting, and it's still excellent.
Curious George is that reliable, gentle content that works great for the 4-6 crowd. George gets into situations, solves problems, learns things. No drama, no overstimulation, just a monkey and his adventures.
Pocoyo is weirdly hypnotic for toddlers. The animation is simple, the narrator is soothing, and episodes are short enough that you can use them strategically (like when you need to make dinner without a small human attached to your leg).
Elementary (Ages 6-10)
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is the reboot of the early 2000s classic, and it's actually good. It tackles real issues—racism, identity, family dynamics—without being preachy. The humor works for kids and adults, which is clutch for co-viewing.
Bob's Burgers is technically not "kids' content," but it's one of those shows that's actually family-friendly despite being on the adult side of the platform. The Belcher family is weird, loving, and genuinely funny. There's some mild innuendo that'll fly over younger kids' heads, but nothing that'll make you dive for the remote. Ages 8+ can handle it, and it's honestly one of the better family co-viewing options out there.
Animaniacs (2020) is the reboot, and it's got that same chaotic energy as the original. Fast-paced, reference-heavy, genuinely clever. Better for kids who can handle rapid-fire humor and don't need everything spelled out.
Tweens & Teens (Ages 10+)
The Great North is from the Bob's Burgers crew, and it's got that same wholesome-but-funny vibe. An Alaskan family, quirky dynamics, and humor that doesn't rely on meanness or cringe.
Solar Opposites—okay, hear me out. This one is definitely not for younger kids. It's crude, violent, and very adult. But for older teens (like 15+) who can handle mature animated comedy, it's actually pretty brilliant. Just... preview it first. Seriously.
Hulu's kids' section is noticeably light on some categories:
- Educational content: You're not finding much in the way of science shows, nature documentaries, or learn-to-read programming. For that, you're better off with PBS Kids or Disney+.
- Current popular kids' shows: A lot of what kids are talking about at school (like Ninjago or The Loud House) isn't here.
- Depth: The catalog is smaller than Netflix or Disney+, so you'll run out of new stuff faster.
The Kids Profile on Hulu is decent but not foolproof. Here's what you need to know:
Set up a Kids Profile immediately. Without it, your child has access to everything on Hulu, which includes a whole lot of content you definitely don't want them seeing.
Use a PIN for profile switching. Kids are crafty. If they can switch out of the Kids Profile without a PIN, they will. Go to Settings → Profiles → Edit Profile → Enable Profile PIN.
The age ratings aren't perfect. Hulu uses TV ratings (TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG), but those are pretty broad. A TV-PG show might be fine for your 10-year-old or way too mature—you know your kid better than a rating system does.
Preview anything you're unsure about. Hulu doesn't have the robust parental review system that Common Sense Media provides, so if something looks questionable, watch an episode first.
Hulu isn't a kids-first platform, and that's okay. If you're already paying for it, the kids' section is a solid bonus with some genuinely great shows. Bluey alone makes it worthwhile, and there are enough quality options to keep younger kids entertained.
But if you're shopping for a streaming service specifically for kids, Disney+ or Netflix probably makes more sense. Hulu's strength is that it serves the whole family—grown-up content for you, solid kids' content for them, all in one place.
Just set up those parental controls, preview anything borderline, and you're good to go.
Next step: Set up that Kids Profile right now (it takes 2 minutes), throw on Bluey, and enjoy 7 minutes of peace. You've earned it.