Tweens are in this weird in-between space. They've outgrown Bluey (though let's be honest, Bluey slaps at any age), but they're not ready for Euphoria. They want to be treated like they're growing up, but they still need guardrails.

The best tween shows:

Ages 8-13 | Animation

This is the GOAT of tween television. If your kid hasn't watched it, stop reading and go queue it up. The original animated series (not the live-action remake, though that's decent too) is a masterclass in storytelling—complex characters, genuine humor, themes about war and loss that don't overwhelm, and zero romance drama that feels forced.

The show follows Aang, the last airbender who must master all four elements to save the world. It's got martial arts, found family dynamics, and character development that puts most adult shows to shame. Plus, Uncle Iroh is the wholesome father figure we all need.

Parent note: There's cartoon violence (it's a war story) but nothing graphic. Some episodes deal with grief and loss in genuinely moving ways.

Ages 7-11 | Live Action

Australian import about four kids who run a detective agency out of a school shed. It's like Encyclopedia Brown meets mockumentary style, with kids solving age-appropriate mysteries (missing lunches, playground disputes, small-time scams).

What makes it great: the kids are genuinely funny, the mysteries actually require thinking, and there's zero romance subplot padding. It's pure problem-solving fun. The mockumentary format (think The Office but with 10-year-olds) gives it a modern feel that doesn't talk down to kids.

Ages 8+ | Competition

Home bakers who are hilariously bad at baking try to recreate elaborate cakes. It's the anti-perfectionist show—celebrating failure, laughing at disasters, and showing that it's okay to be terrible at something.

Host Nicole Byer is genuinely funny (though occasional mild language—nothing major but FYI), and the show has spawned Nailed It! Holiday and other spinoffs. Great for kids who love baking competitions but find the perfection of Great British Bake Off intimidating.

Bonus: Might actually inspire your kid to bake, which means free cookies (that may or may not be edible).

Ages 8-13 | Educational

Pharrell Williams produced this, which should tell you it's not your standard educational content. Each episode tackles big concepts—social media, germs, emotions, space—through experiments, kid hosts, and actually engaging explanations.

It's what Bill Nye would look like if made today. The production value is high, the pacing is modern, and kids actually want to watch it. Perfect for the kid who's always asking "why?"

Ages 11-14 | Teen Drama

This is for your older tweens/young teens. British high school romance between two boys—one openly gay, one figuring it out. It's based on the graphic novels and is genuinely wholesome in a way that teen shows rarely are.

Why it works: Zero gratuitous content. The romance is sweet, not sexual. It deals with coming out, mental health, and friendship with care. There's no shock-value drama—just real emotions and supportive relationships.

Parent consideration: There are discussions of eating disorders, self-harm (not shown), and homophobia. The show handles these topics thoughtfully, but know your kid. This is best for mature 12+ who can handle heavier emotional themes. Here's more on navigating LGBTQ+ content with tweens.

Ages 6-12 | Animation

Blue-haired girl moves to a city filled with magical creatures. Think Scandinavian folklore meets Adventure Time but less chaotic. The animation is gorgeous, the stories are gentle without being boring, and Hilda is a genuinely kind protagonist who solves problems through curiosity and empathy.

Great for kids who loved Gravity Falls but aren't quite ready for its intensity, or who want something with a female lead who's brave without being a warrior stereotype.

Ages 7-11 | Fantasy

British boarding school for witches. Yes, it's Harry Potter vibes, but with an all-girls cast and lower stakes. Mildred Hubble is clumsy, makes mistakes, and figures things out—relatable protagonist energy.

The magic system is fun, the friendships feel real (including the conflicts), and it doesn't try to be darker than it needs to be. Four seasons of solid entertainment for kids in their magic phase.

Ages 6-10 | Action/Animation

Animated continuation of the Spy Kids franchise. Kids go on spy missions with gadgets, humor, and zero scary villains. It's pure adventure without the intensity of shows like Carmen Sandiego (which is also great but skews slightly older).

Perfect for the younger end of tween who wants action without nightmares.

Ages 13+ | Horror/Sci-Fi

Everyone's talking about it, and your 10-year-old is begging to watch it. Here's the thing: it's genuinely scary. Not "kid scary"—actual horror elements, body horror, intense violence, and psychological terror.

The early seasons are slightly milder, but it escalates. If you have a mature 12-13 year old who handles scary content well, maybe. But this is not for most tweens, despite what they tell you about how "everyone at school watches it."

More on whether Stranger Things is appropriate for tweens.

Ages 12+ | Dark Comedy

The Addams Family spinoff with Jenna Ortega. It's Tim Burton directing, so expect his signature gothic aesthetic. There's violence (a serial killer plot), some gore, and dark humor that might go over younger kids' heads or disturb them.

For mature 12+ who like dark humor and can handle suspense. Not for sensitive kids or anyone under 11, regardless of what TikTok says.

Ages 8-13 | Drama

Modern adaptation of the classic books. It's more progressive than the originals (which is great), tackling divorce, diabetes, transgender identity, and racism with care.

Some parents love that it's updated for modern values. Others find it preachy. Know your family's vibe. The storytelling is solid, the characters are likeable, and it's genuinely wholesome—just more explicitly values-driven than most shows.

Netflix's kids section is... fine. It skews younger than most tweens want to admit they are. Your 11-year-old will tell you they're "too old" for kids' Netflix, and honestly, they're not entirely wrong.

The algorithm there tends to surface:

The move: Use the regular Netflix interface but be intentional about what you add to their profile. Set up a separate profile for your tween with maturity settings at TV-PG/PG, not the "Little Kids" setting.

Here's how to set up Netflix parental controls properly.

The Loud House: Chaotic animation that's just... loud. Not bad, but not particularly enriching either.

Riverdale: Teen Archie reboot that went completely off the rails. Murder, cults, illegal boxing rings—it's absurd and way too mature for tweens despite the comic book source material.

13 Reasons Why: This shouldn't even need to be said, but just in case—absolutely not for tweens. Graphic suicide depiction, sexual assault, substance abuse. It's not appropriate for most teens, let alone tweens.

Big Mouth: Animated show about puberty. It's funny if you're an adult, but it's extremely graphic about bodies, sex, and bodily functions. Not for kids, despite being animated.

Ages 9-10: Focus on adventure and comedy without romance subplots. Think Hilda, The InBESTigators, Avatar. They want to feel "older" but aren't ready for teen drama.

Ages 11-12: They can handle more complex themes and some romance, but keep it light. Heartstopper for mature 12-year-olds, The Baby-Sitters Club for most. They're ready for shows that deal with real emotions but not graphic content.

The "everyone at school watches it" argument: They're probably exaggerating, but even if true, that doesn't make it appropriate. You're not parenting "everyone"—you're parenting your kid. Here's how to handle the peer pressure conversation.

You don't need to watch every episode of everything (you have a life), but consider co-viewing:

First episodes of new shows to gauge appropriateness Any show that deals with mature themes your kid hasn't encountered yet Shows you're unsure about based on ratings alone

Co-viewing isn't about surveillance—it's about being available for questions and processing together. When a character deals with bullying or loss, your kid might have thoughts. Being there creates openings for conversations.

That said, tweens also need some independent viewing time. Not everything needs to be a family event.

The tween years are actually a golden age for TV watching. They're old enough to appreciate good storytelling, young enough that you can still guide their choices, and there's genuinely great content available.

Netflix has its issues (the algorithm is chaos, the interface is overwhelming, and they cancel good shows constantly), but the library for tweens is solid if you know where to look.

Your move:

And remember: perfection isn't the goal. Sometimes they'll watch something questionable, and that's okay. The goal is intentionality—knowing what they're consuming and being available to talk about it.

Explore more age-appropriate streaming content or check out alternatives to Netflix if you're looking to diversify.