Before we get into recommendations, create a Kids Profile. Seriously, do it now. Max's main interface will absolutely serve up Game of Thrones or Succession content to your 8-year-old if you're not careful.

In the Kids Profile, you can set age restrictions (Little Kids for under 7, Older Kids for 7-12, or Teens for 13+). This isn't perfect—some age ratings are questionable—but it's a solid starting point.

The OG. Still good. Still teaching letters and emotional regulation without being insufferable. Max has a massive library of episodes, and honestly, if your preschooler is watching Sesame Street, you're winning at screen time.

More Elmo, more focused episodes. If your kid is in an Elmo phase (and they will be), this is a safe bet.

The modern reboot of classic Looney Tunes. Slapstick humor, no dialogue, surprisingly well-animated. My only warning: the violence is cartoonish but constant—if you're trying to avoid "bonk on the head" humor, skip this one.

A gentler Looney Tunes option where Bugs and friends build things and solve problems. Think Bob the Builder but with Looney Tunes characters. Less chaos, more teamwork.

This is the sleeper hit on Max that more parents need to know about. It's about a kid named Craig and his friends who have adventures in the creek near their neighborhood. It's wholesome, funny, celebrates imagination and outdoor play, and has genuinely good representation. This show is what we should all want our kids watching.

Chaotic, absurdist humor that kids find hilarious and parents find... tolerable. It's about a blue cat and his family navigating suburban life. The animation style is wild (mixing 2D, 3D, and live action), and the humor is self-aware. Some episodes get a little mean-spirited, but overall it's clever and weird in a good way.

A spin-off of We Bare Bears following the bears as babies. Cute, colorful, and harmless. Not groundbreaking, but solid background viewing.

Technically for slightly older kids, but many 7-8 year-olds love it. It's surreal, creative, and has deeper emotional themes than you'd expect. Adventure Time has become a cultural touchstone for a reason—it's genuinely good storytelling.

Controversial opinion: this show is actually funny. Yes, it's chaotic. Yes, it's nothing like the original Teen Titans. But it's self-aware, packed with pop culture references, and kids absolutely love it. Parents either find it grating or secretly enjoy it—there's no middle ground.

The reboot is fine. Not as sharp as the original, but colorful superhero action that's appropriate for this age group.

This is the one. If your tween hasn't discovered Steven Universe yet, this is their moment. It's about a boy who's half-gem, half-human, learning about his powers and his place in the universe. The show tackles identity, relationships, trauma, and belonging with genuine emotional depth. Fair warning: it gets heavy, especially in later seasons. But it's beautiful, inclusive, and one of the best animated series of the last decade.

Two friends (a blue jay and a raccoon) work at a park and have surreal adventures. The humor is absurdist and occasionally has adult references that'll fly over kids' heads. It's rated TV-PG, and that's accurate—fine for 10+, maybe too weird for younger kids.

Max has a bunch of Scooby-Doo iterations. They're all basically the same: mystery-solving kids and a dog. Safe, predictable, and kids still love them.

Superhero show that doesn't talk down to its audience. Complex storylines, character development, and real stakes. If your teen is into DC comics or superhero content, this is miles better than most of what's out there.

The classic. Still holds up. Dark enough to feel serious, but not gratuitously violent. If your teen is getting into Batman, start here, not with the live-action movies.

Rated TV-MA for a reason—this is NOT for younger kids. But for older teens (16+) who can handle adult humor and violence, it's a surprisingly smart and funny take on the DC universe. Watch it yourself first before deciding if it's right for your family.

Let's be real: Max's kids' library is heavily Cartoon Network and DC-focused. If you're looking for educational content, nature documentaries, or science shows, you're better off with Disney+ or Netflix. Max is for when you want animated entertainment, not when you want your kid to learn about photosynthesis.

Also, the search and recommendation algorithm on Max is... not great. You'll need to actively browse the Kids section rather than relying on "recommended for you."

Max has some genuinely excellent kids' shows—Craig of the Creek, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time are all top-tier content that's actually worth your kids' time. But you need to be intentional about setting up profiles and curating what they watch, because Max's library is a wild mix of preschool content and prestige dramas.

Set up that Kids Profile, browse the library yourself, and add shows to your kids' watchlist so they're not just auto-playing whatever comes next. Max rewards intentional parenting—it's not going to do the work for you.