Complexity without heaviness. Twelve-year-olds can handle nuanced characters, moral ambiguity, and storylines that don't wrap up neatly in 22 minutes. What they don't necessarily need yet: graphic violence, sexual content, or the kind of existential dread that keeps adults up at night.

Humor that doesn't punch down. They're over fart jokes (mostly) but not ready for shows where the comedy relies on sexual innuendo or mean-spirited mockery. The best shows for this age have wit, clever wordplay, and situational comedy.

Characters dealing with real stuff. Friendship drama, family dynamics, figuring out who they are, standing up for what's right—these themes resonate because they're living them. But wrapped in fantasy worlds or mystery plots so it doesn't feel like an after-school special.

If your kid hasn't watched this yet, this is the year. It's not just a great kids' show—it's objectively excellent television. The worldbuilding is intricate, the character development is chef's kiss, and it tackles themes like war, genocide, and redemption without being inappropriate or preachy.

The three-season arc is perfectly structured, and unlike so many shows, it actually sticks the landing. Plus, it's having a massive resurgence with the live-action Netflix adaptation, so your kid can be part of the cultural conversation.

Ages 10-14 | Netflix

This Disney show flew under many parents' radars, but it's become a phenomenon among tweens and teens. It's about a human girl who stumbles into a magical realm and becomes a witch's apprentice. The animation is gorgeous, the humor is sharp, and it features one of the most genuinely sweet LGBTQ+ relationships in kids' media.

What makes it work for 12-year-olds is how it balances lighthearted magical adventures with real emotional stakes. Characters make mistakes, deal with consequences, and grow. The found family dynamics are everything.

Ages 10-15 | Disney+

From the creators of Avatar (yes, them again), this fantasy epic has the same sophisticated storytelling and moral complexity. It's about breaking cycles of violence and revenge, told through the lens of princes, elves, and dragons.

The animation style takes a minute to adjust to, but once you're in, you're IN. It doesn't shy away from showing consequences—characters die, wars have real costs—but it's handled in a way that's appropriate for the age group.

Ages 11-15 | Netflix

This one's a few years old now, but it holds up incredibly well. Twin siblings spend the summer with their eccentric great-uncle in a town full of supernatural weirdness. It's funny, genuinely mysterious, and packed with easter eggs and codes that kids love deciphering.

The two-season run is perfect—it tells a complete story without overstaying its welcome. And the sibling relationship at its core is refreshingly realistic (they bicker but ultimately have each other's backs).

Ages 9-14 | Disney+

This British series about two boys falling in love at an all-boys school is shockingly wholesome. Like, aggressively wholesome. It's the antidote to every gritty teen drama that thinks "mature" means "everyone is terrible to each other."

The show tackles serious topics—coming out, mental health, bullying—but with such warmth and care that it never feels heavy. It's also beautifully diverse and inclusive without making a big deal about it. Characters just... exist in their identities.

Ages 11-16 | Netflix

Here's where you need to know your kid. Stranger Things is rated TV-14 for good reason—there's horror, violence, and some intense scenes. But for 12-year-olds who can handle scary content, it's catnip.

The 1980s nostalgia means nothing to them (which is kind of hilarious), but the friendship dynamics, the mystery-solving, and the monster-fighting adventure are universally appealing. The kids in the show are roughly their age, dealing with middle school drama alongside the supernatural threats.

Consider for mature 12-year-olds | Netflix | Learn more about whether your kid is ready for horror content

The Netflix reboot of this classic series is way better than it has any right to be. It's about a group of middle schoolers who start a babysitting business, but it's really about friendship, entrepreneurship, and navigating the social dynamics of middle school.

What sets it apart is how it handles serious topics—divorce, racism, chronic illness—with nuance and respect. The diverse cast and updated storylines make it feel current while keeping the heart of the original books.

Ages 9-13 | Netflix

Sometimes you just want something low-stakes and pleasant to have on. These aren't going to change your kid's life, but they're solid, enjoyable viewing that won't rot anyone's brain.

The most soothing television ever made. Amateur bakers compete in challenges, but everyone is supportive and kind. No manufactured drama, no mean judges, just people trying their best to make a decent Victoria sponge.

Twelve-year-olds love it because the challenges are genuinely interesting, and there's something satisfying about watching the process of creation. Plus, it might inspire some actual baking, which is a nice alternative to screen time.

Ages 8-adult | Netflix

The anti-Baking Show. Amateur bakers try to recreate elaborate cakes and fail spectacularly. It's funny without being mean—the contestants are in on the joke, and host Nicole Byer is absolutely delightful.

Kids love watching the disasters unfold, and there's something refreshing about a competition show where being bad at the thing is the whole point.

Ages 8-15 | Netflix

These are popular with the 12-year-old crowd, but they come with legitimate concerns:

Wednesday - The Addams Family spinoff is well-made and visually stunning, but it's darker and more violent than you might expect. Better for 13+.

The Umbrella Academy - Superhero dysfunctional family drama with great characters but significant violence, language, and mature themes. Solid 14+ territory.

Squid Game - I know kids are talking about it. I know there are Squid Game Halloween costumes. It's still absolutely not appropriate for 12-year-olds. The violence is graphic and the themes are genuinely dark. Hard pass until high school at minimum.

Anime is huge with this age group, but it's tricky because ratings don't always translate clearly. Some shows marked TV-PG have content that would be rated higher if it were live-action.

Safe bets:

Proceed with caution:

Check out our guide to age-appropriate anime for more detailed recommendations.

Here's the thing about 12-year-olds and TV: they're right at the age where they still sometimes want to watch with you, but they're also establishing independence.

Shows like Avatar and The Dragon Prince are genuinely enjoyable for adults, making them perfect for family viewing. You can have actual conversations about the themes and characters without it feeling like a lecture.

For shows like Heartstopper, co-viewing creates natural opportunities to talk about relationships, identity, and social dynamics. But respect if they'd rather watch alone—that's developmentally appropriate too.

Not all popular shows are created equal. Here's what to be aware of:

Toxic social dynamics presented as normal - Shows where characters are constantly mean to each other "for laughs" or where popularity is the only thing that matters. This stuff seeps in.

Sexualization of young characters - More common in anime, but it shows up in live-action too. If the 14-year-old characters are dressed or filmed in ways that make you uncomfortable, trust that instinct.

Glorified risky behavior - There's a difference between showing characters making mistakes and facing consequences versus presenting dangerous behavior as cool and consequence-free.

Cheap cynicism - Shows that treat kindness as weakness or present a worldview where everyone is terrible and nothing matters. Twelve-year-olds are forming their understanding of how the world works—they don't need that yet.

The best shows for 12-year-olds respect their intelligence while recognizing they're still kids. They offer complexity without overwhelming darkness, humor without cruelty, and characters who grow and change.

Your kid's maturity level, sensitivity to scary content, and personal interests matter way more than any blanket recommendation. A 12-year-old who devours fantasy novels might be ready for The Dragon Prince and Stranger Things, while another might prefer the gentler world of The Baby-Sitters Club.

The good news? This is actually a great age for TV. There's more quality content aimed at tweens than ever before, and much of it is genuinely excellent. You just have to wade through the algorithm to find it.

Next steps:

And remember: even the best TV is still TV. Balance it with other activities, encourage them to watch with friends sometimes, and don't stress if they occasionally binge something that's just pure entertainment with no redeeming educational value. We all need that sometimes.