At this age, kids are developing more complex thinking, starting to understand nuance, and craving stories with actual stakes. But they're still kids—they don't need graphic violence, sexual content, or the nihilistic edge that creeps into so much teen media.

The best shows for this age group have:

This is the gold standard. Yes, it originally aired in 2005, but it holds up completely. The story of Aang, a 12-year-old who must master all four elements to save the world, manages to be funny, action-packed, and emotionally sophisticated.

What makes it perfect for 10s: The show deals with war, loss, and responsibility without being dark or scary. The humor is genuinely funny (not just "kid funny"), and the character development is better than most adult shows. Plus, it teaches actual Eastern philosophy concepts without being preachy.

Parent note: There's some cartoon violence (it's literally about a war), but it's never graphic. Some episodes deal with grief and trauma in ways that might spark good conversations.

From some of the same creators as Avatar, this fantasy series follows two human princes and an elf assassin trying to stop a war. The animation style takes a few episodes to get used to, but the storytelling is exceptional.

What makes it perfect for 10s: Morally complex characters, genuine humor, and a fantasy world that feels fresh. The show doesn't talk down to kids but also doesn't throw in "mature content" to seem edgy.

Parent note: Gets more intense in later seasons. Some character deaths (not graphic but emotionally heavy). Great for kids who loved Avatar and want something similar.

An Australian series about four kids who run a detective agency solving mysteries around their school and neighborhood. Think of it as a modern, diverse take on Encyclopedia Brown.

What makes it perfect for 10s: The mysteries are actually clever, the humor is dry and smart, and the mockumentary style (characters talking to the camera) feels fresh. It's also just... nice? The kids are good friends who support each other.

Parent note: This is genuinely wholesome without being saccharine. Perfect for kids who aren't ready for darker content but want to feel like they're watching something "real."

Based on the graphic novels, Hilda follows a blue-haired girl who moves from the wilderness to the city of Trolberg, where she encounters magical creatures and solves mysteries. The animation is gorgeous, and the vibe is cozy-adventure.

What makes it perfect for 10s: Hilda is brave, curious, and makes mistakes—she's a real kid navigating a magical world. The show balances whimsy with genuine stakes, and the art style is stunning.

Parent note: Some mildly scary creatures (trolls, giants, etc.) but handled in a way that's more mysterious than frightening. Great for kids who loved Gravity Falls but need something a bit gentler.

A British series about Mildred Hubble, a non-magical girl who somehow gets into a prestigious witch academy and is... not great at magic. It's basically Harry Potter meets The Baby-Sitters Club.

What makes it perfect for 10s: The humor is genuinely funny, the magic school setting hits that sweet spot of wish fulfillment, and Mildred's struggles feel real (even if they involve turning people into frogs).

Parent note: Very British sense of humor. Some mild peril but nothing scary. Great for kids who want magic school stories without the intensity of Harry Potter.

Hosted by kid comedian Sahana Srinivasan, this science show tackles big questions like "Why do we have to sleep?" and "What is creativity?" with experiments, expert interviews, and actual kid appeal.

What makes it perfect for 10s: It's educational without feeling like homework. The topics are genuinely interesting, and the format is fast-paced enough to hold attention.

Parent note: Only two seasons (unfortunately), but they're excellent. Great for kids who love Bill Nye or want to understand the world around them.

Based on the beloved books, this darkly comedic series follows the Baudelaire orphans as they're pursued by the villainous Count Olaf. Neil Patrick Harris is perfectly over-the-top as Olaf.

What makes it perfect for 10s: The show trusts kids to handle dark themes (parents die, bad things happen to good people) while maintaining a theatrical, almost campy tone that keeps it from being truly scary. The vocabulary is sophisticated, and the mysteries are engaging.

Parent note: This is dark—that's kind of the point. But it's dark in a Roald Dahl way, not a traumatizing way. Best for kids who can handle the aesthetic of "bad things happening" without getting nightmares.

Six teens get stranded on Isla Nublar when the dinosaurs break loose. It's set during the events of Jurassic World but follows a completely different story.

What makes it perfect for 10s: If your kid loves dinosaurs and adventure, this delivers. The characters grow and develop over five seasons, and there are genuine stakes without being too intense.

Parent note: Dinosaur attacks can be scary (kids are in real danger), but no one dies on screen. More intense than some other picks on this list. Check out alternatives to Jurassic World content if this feels too intense.

Noah, an 11-year-old with social anxiety, gets an emotional support dog named Dude to help him navigate middle school. The show deals with mental health in an age-appropriate, non-preachy way.

What makes it perfect for 10s: It normalizes anxiety and therapy while being genuinely funny. Noah's struggles feel real, and Dude (who we hear the inner thoughts of) is hilarious.

Parent note: Only one season (sadly), but it's excellent for kids dealing with anxiety or just learning about mental health. The representation of therapy and emotional support animals is really well done.

A reimagining of the classic character, this animated series follows Carmen as a Robin Hood-style thief who steals from criminals. The animation is sleek, the heists are clever, and the geography lessons are sneaky-educational.

What makes it perfect for 10s: Fast-paced action, mystery, and a morally complex protagonist. Carmen is cool without being edgy, and the show teaches geography and history through the heist plots.

Parent note: Some cartoon violence (fighting, explosions) but nothing graphic. Great for kids who want action without the intensity of superhero shows.

Let's be real about some shows that 10-year-olds are definitely watching but might not be the best fit:

Stranger Things: Yes, the kids in it are around this age, but this show is genuinely scary and violent. The body horror, jump scares, and overall vibe are too intense for most 10-year-olds, even if "everyone at school" is watching it.

Squid Game: Absolutely not. I don't care that kids are talking about it at school—this is graphic violence and adult themes. Just no.

Wednesday: This one's tricky. Some mature 10-year-olds might handle it, but there's violence, romance, and a generally dark tone that's better suited for 12+. If you're considering it, read this guide to Wednesday first.

For younger 10-year-olds (just turned 10): Stick with Hilda, The InBESTigators, The Worst Witch, and Brainchild. These have the sophistication they're craving without any content that'll cause nightmares.

For older 10-year-olds (almost 11): Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Dragon Prince, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous offer more complex storytelling and can handle slightly more intense themes.

For anxious or sensitive kids: The Healing Powers of Dude and Hilda are gentle while still being engaging. Avoid A Series of Unfortunate Events (the whole aesthetic is "bad things happen") and Jurassic World (dinosaur attacks).

Netflix's rating system is... inconsistent at best. They'll rate something TV-Y7 (appropriate for ages 7+) that has themes better suited for 10+, and vice versa. Don't rely solely on Netflix's ratings—actually watch a few episodes yourself or check out Common Sense Media reviews for more detailed breakdowns.

At 10, most kids can handle watching these shows independently, but co-watching has real benefits:

Co-watch for: Avatar: The Last Airbender (great for discussing themes of responsibility and war), A Series of Unfortunate Events (to process the dark humor together), and The Healing Powers of Dude (opens conversations about mental health).

Fine for independent viewing: The Worst Witch, Carmen Sandiego, The InBESTigators, and Hilda.

If you're looking for more options beyond Netflix, check out these guides:

The sweet spot for 10-year-old content is shows that offer complexity and genuine stakes without graphic content or themes they're not ready for. Avatar: The Last Airbender remains the gold standard, but there are plenty of other options that respect your kid's intelligence while keeping content age-appropriate.

Your 10-year-old is going to push for more mature content—it's developmentally normal. They want to feel grown-up. But "everyone at school is watching it" doesn't mean it's actually appropriate. Trust your gut, preview shows yourself, and remember that saying no to Stranger Things now doesn't mean they'll never watch it—just that they'll watch it when they're actually ready.

And if you're trying to figure out your family's overall approach to screens and content, take Screenwise's survey to see how your family's media habits compare to your community and get personalized recommendations.