TL;DR: If you’re trying to pivot your kid away from the 24/7 Skibidi Toilet loop and toward something that actually builds a brain cell or two, historical documentaries are your best friend. They don't have to be dry, dusty lectures. Start with The Who Was? Show for younger kids, Horrible Histories for the middle-schoolers who love "cringe" and gore, and Apollo 11 for a cinematic family movie night.
We’ve all been there: you look over at your kid’s iPad and they are deep in a "Sigma" edit or watching someone play Roblox for the fourth hour today. You want to intervene, but you also just need twenty minutes to finish an email or, let’s be real, stare at a wall in silence.
The "historical documentary" sounds like a hard sell to a kid used to high-octane YouTube pacing, but we are currently in a golden age of history content that actually respects kids' intelligence while keeping them entertained. History isn't just a list of dates to memorize for a test—it’s the ultimate "lore" drop. If they can memorize the backstory of every Five Nights at Freddy's character, they can definitely handle the drama of the Space Race or the absurdity of the Victorian era.
Most of what kids consume today is ephemeral. It’s a meme that’s "Ohio" (weird/bad) today and forgotten tomorrow. History provides context. It helps them understand why the world looks the way it does, why certain people have power, and how technology evolved from steam engines to the iPhone.
More importantly, good historical documentaries foster critical thinking. When we watch these together, we aren’t just absorbing facts; we’re asking, "Who wrote this story?" and "Whose voice is missing?" That is a superpower in a digital world full of AI-generated misinformation.
Ages 6-11 If your kid has a backpack full of the "Who Was?" books from the school book fair, this is a no-brainer. It’s a sketch comedy show that brings historical figures to life. Think Saturday Night Live but for the elementary set. It’s self-aware, funny, and doesn't take itself too seriously. It’s the perfect "gateway" documentary because it feels like a variety show rather than a classroom.
Ages 4-7 For the younger crowd, PBS Kids is still the GOAT. This show uses time travel to meet historical figures when they were kids. It’s great for social-emotional learning because it focuses on the character traits that made these people great—like resilience or curiosity. It’s a much better use of YouTube Kids time than unboxing videos.
Ages 8-14 This is the gold standard. Originally a British series, it has a massive cult following because it focuses on the "gross, fast, and weird" parts of history. It uses parody songs and sketches to explain things like the Black Plague or Egyptian mummification. It’s "edgy" enough to keep a 10-year-old engaged but historically accurate enough that they’ll actually learn something.
Ages 10+ History doesn't always have to be about wars and treaties. This series looks at the history of iconic brands like LEGO, Barbie, and Star Wars. It’s secretly a lesson in economics, manufacturing, and pop culture history. It’s a great way to show kids that the things they play with have a massive, complex backstory.
Ages 8+ This is a cinematic masterpiece. There’s no narrator—just raw, restored footage from the 1969 moon landing. It is tense, beautiful, and awe-inspiring. If your kid thinks "old stuff" is boring, show them this. It feels like a high-stakes sci-fi movie, except it actually happened.
You don’t need a specialized subscription to find this stuff. Most of it is hiding in plain sight on the apps you already pay for.
- Disney+: Check out the National Geographic section. While a lot of it is nature-focused, they have excellent specials on the Titanic and ancient civilizations.
- YouTube: This is a minefield, but there are gems. Crash Course History is legendary for a reason—John Green (yes, the author of The Fault in Our Stars) talks fast and keeps it engaging. It’s great for high schoolers.
- Curiosity Stream: If you have a real history buff, this is a standalone app that is incredibly cheap and filled with nothing but high-quality documentaries.
Learn more about the best educational YouTube channels for kids
When we talk about history, we are often talking about the hardest parts of the human experience: war, systemic racism, and inequality.
Ages 5-8: Stick to "biography-style" content. Focus on individuals who overcame obstacles. Shows like Xavier Riddle do a great job of introducing difficult topics (like segregation or the Underground Railroad) in a way that is age-appropriate without being traumatizing.
Ages 9-12: This is when they start noticing the "gray areas." They might see a documentary on Netflix and realize that the "heroes" they learned about in 2nd grade were actually complicated people. This is a good thing! Use this as an opportunity to talk about perspective.
Ages 13+: They can handle the "heavy hitters." Documentaries like 13th or Ken Burns' series on The Civil War are intense but vital. At this age, the "safety concern" isn't the content itself, but the lack of discussion afterward.
Check out our guide on how to talk to kids about difficult historical topics
No documentary is perfectly objective. Every filmmaker has a point of view. This is actually a great "teachable moment" for intentional parents.
When you’re watching, you can ask questions like:
- "Whose side of the story are we seeing here?"
- "Why do you think they chose this specific music for this scene?" (Music is a huge tool for emotional manipulation in docs!)
- "What would the 'villain' in this story say if they were the ones making the movie?"
Teaching your kids to be "active viewers" rather than "passive consumers" is the ultimate digital wellness goal. It turns screen time from a zombie-like state into a workout for the brain.
Historical documentaries are the ultimate "hack" for parents who want to feel better about screen time. They provide a bridge between the entertainment kids crave and the substance we want them to have.
You don't have to ban Minecraft or delete TikTok to be a "good" digital parent. Sometimes, it’s just about adding a little more "time machine" to the mix. Next time it’s movie night, skip the latest generic animated sequel and try something that actually happened. You might be surprised—they might actually stop saying "Ohio" for five minutes and ask a question about the Cold War instead.
- Audit your watchlists: Add The Who Was? Show or Horrible Histories to your "My List" on Netflix or Hulu so it's there when you're tired and tempted to just let the algorithm choose.
- Try a "History Hack": If your kid is obsessed with a specific game, find a documentary that connects to it. Obsessed with Civilization VI? Watch a doc on the Roman Empire.
- Talk about it: Use our chatbot to find specific talking points for whatever you're watching.
Ask our chatbot for a documentary recommendation based on your kid's favorite video game