If you’ve spent any time on Netflix in the last few years, you’ve seen the thumbnail: a high-definition polar bear or a neon-colored jungle bird. Our Planet is an eight-part docuseries that took four years to film across 50 countries. It’s produced by the same team behind Planet Earth, but with a much sharper edge.

While older documentaries focused on the "majesty" of nature as a static thing to be observed, Our Planet is explicitly about how that majesty is disappearing. It’s half-celebration, half-eulogy. It covers everything from the deep frozen worlds of the poles to the "high seas" and jungles, all while hammering home the message that humans are currently the biggest threat to these ecosystems.

There’s a reason nature docs are the ultimate "safe" screen time choice for many intentional parents. They aren't "brain rot." There are no screaming YouTubers, no loot boxes, and no "Ohio" memes. It’s pure, high-quality educational content that actually holds a child's attention because, frankly, nature is metal.

Kids are naturally curious about the world, and the cinematography here is world-class. We’re talking about drone shots that look like CGI and slow-motion sequences that make a hunting cheetah look like a superhero. For a generation of kids raised on Minecraft and Roblox, seeing the "real" version of these biomes can be a grounding experience.

Plus, Gen Alpha is arguably the most eco-conscious generation yet. They care about the planet. Our Planet speaks their language of activism without being condescending.

Not all nature content is created equal. Depending on your kid's age and sensitivity to "nature being mean," you might want to start in different places.

Ages 4-8 If your kid is still in the "animals are my best friends" phase and isn't ready to see a seal get eaten, start here. It’s animated, educational, and focuses on "creature powers." It’s the perfect primer for the real-world footage they’ll see later.

Ages 8+ (with supervision) This is the main event. It’s incredible, but it contains what is arguably the most traumatizing scene in modern nature documentary history: the walrus scene. If you know, you know. If you don’t, let’s just say it involves walruses falling from cliffs due to a lack of sea ice. It’s heartbreaking and very real.

Ages 10+ This is David Attenborough’s "witness statement." It’s more of a documentary film than a series, where he looks back at his 60-year career and shows how much biodiversity we’ve lost in his lifetime. It’s heavy on the science of evolution and climate change, making it great for middle schoolers who are starting to ask bigger questions about the future.

Ages 7-12 If you want to bridge the gap between digital tech and nature, this book (and the movie) is the perfect companion. It deals with a robot learning to survive in the wilderness and the "brutality" of nature in a way that is accessible and deeply emotional for kids.

Ask our chatbot for more nature-themed book recommendations

While there’s no "inappropriate" content in the traditional sense (no swearing, no drugs, no "spicy" scenes), nature documentaries come with their own set of triggers.

1. The "Circle of Life" (Violence): Nature is not nice. Animals eat each other. In Our Planet, these scenes are filmed with such clarity that it can be jarring. A pack of wolves hunting a caribou or a killer whale tossing a seal isn't "mean"—it’s survival—but for a 6-year-old who loves their stuffed animals, it can be a lot.

2. Climate Anxiety: This is the bigger "safety" concern for older kids. Our Planet doesn't sugarcoat the fact that we are in a climate crisis. For some kids, this can lead to "eco-anxiety"—a feeling of hopelessness about the future.

3. Evolution and Science: The show is rooted in modern science. It discusses evolution, adaptation, and the billions of years it took for these ecosystems to form. For most intentional parents in 2026, this is a plus, but it’s worth noting that the show treats these as fundamental facts.

You can't talk about Our Planet without talking about the walrus scene in Episode 2 ("Frozen Worlds"). It went viral for a reason. Because of climate change and receding sea ice, thousands of walruses are forced onto a small beach. Some climb high cliffs to find space and then, confused and hungry, fall to their deaths.

It is brutal. It is also the most effective way to explain the real-world impact of global warming to a teenager.

How to talk about it:

Check out our guide on talking to kids about climate change

We're all about moving from passive consumption to active engagement. If your kids are obsessed with the visuals of Our Planet, use that momentum to get them off the couch.

Our Planet is a 10/10 piece of media. It is the opposite of the "junk food" content that litters YouTube and TikTok. It’s beautiful, educational, and deeply important.

However, it is not a "set it and forget it" show for younger kids. It requires you to be in the room, ready to explain why the world is the way it is and why David Attenborough sounds so worried. Use it as a tool to spark curiosity, and then use that curiosity to get them outside.

Next Steps: