Family Movie Time: The Best Streaming Platforms for Kids' Content
It's easy for subscriptions to get away from you.
If you want to keep your kids entertained all summer but don't want to pay for a bunch of different streamers, allow us to recommend our favorites. We'll tell you what they are first, and then break them down below!
- Best For All Ages: Disney+
- Best For Young Children: PBS Kids
- Best For Franchises: Paramount Plus
- Best For Curated Programming: Netflix
Best For Movies: Disney+
Let's start with the most obvious. Disney has been the leader of children's programming since Steamboat Willie whistled his way into our hearts. Since 1928, they have delighted, inspired, and terrified generations of children (yes, terrified – we're looking at you, Return to Oz).
Of course, the true draw of Disney+ is that it doesn't just have kids' content. Buy the subscription for your tykes, and after they're in bed you can keep the Marvel movies, freaky sexy vampires, and network television dramas all to yourselves.
How Much Does It Cost? US$7.99 - $13.99 per month
Where Is It Available? Across 60+ countries all over the world.
Best For Young Children: PBS Kids
Do you feel guilty for making the television your babysitter? Afraid that your kids are going to rot their brains, but don't have time to go to the public library? In that case, definitely check out PBS Kids.
Older children will probably rebel at watching 'educational' content, so PBS has wisely elected to aim their programming at children between the ages of 2 and 8. At that age they'll absorb everything like a sponge, but with PBS you can be assured they're watching appropriate material.
How Much Does It Cost? It's free to use the PBS Kids app. You can also subscribe to the channel through Prime for US$4.99 a month.
Where Is It Available? PBS Kids is not available as widely as the other channels on this list. If you are outside the United States, check online to see if you can access the streamer without a VPN.
Best For Franchises: Paramount Plus
If you want to introduce your children to classic franchises like Spongebob Squarepants, iCarly, Paw Patrol, or Rugrats, your best bet is the newer streamer Paramount Plus.
Although Paramount is late to the streaming game and far from catching up to its bigger sisters, it does have a bit of an edge with these and other children's shows.
How Much Does It Cost? US$5.99 to $11.99 per month
Where Is It Available? Paramount Plus is currently limited to about a dozen countries worldwide, including the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
Best For Curated Programming: Netflix
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Netflix has made the wise move of creating a kids-only profile right on its homepage. While other streamers can limit the settings on its young users profiles, it requires adults to go exploring and adjust the settings. The Netflix way already has a kids profile set up – making it user friendly – but you still have the option of setting up further parental controls and age restrictions.
If you're not sure what your kid might like, you can opt in to biweekly emails with recommendations. Although Disney+ has a lock on a lot of famous kids movies, Netflix has hundreds of titles from the realms of film, television, cooking (!), music, and education.
How Much Does It Cost? US$6.99 to $22.99 per month
Where Is It Available? Netflix has by far the widest reach of these streaming options – perhaps more than the rest combined, with content available in 190+ countries worldwide.