30 Top Baby TV Shows That Are Safe, Fun, and Educational
TV can sometimes be a double-edged sword. When kids are at an age when they can’t distinguish between pretend-play and reality, picking good TV shows for babies can seem like a daunting task. But ultimately, you know what is best for your child, and if you’re looking for TV show ideas or suggestions, our post is here to help. Remember – the simpler and easier, the better. You can also help your infant make connections to real-life concepts from these shows by sitting down with them and mimicking the actions and scenes you see on TV (1). It’ll be loads of fun.
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Best TV Shows for Infants
Children learn best through visual demonstration. The problem is that they can be picky learners, so choosing TV shows that hold their curiosity and aren’t too lengthy are key. If you are looking for a list of educational TV shows, you will be in for a treat since we have plenty of recommendations. We also have themes ranging from cartoon movies to puppets, dinosaurs, trucks, and more. The diversity of these shows is what will give your children a natural learning experience as they pick up new words, concepts, and ideas. By the time they are done with this list, you’d be surprised how smarter and intelligent they’ve become for their ages. So take your time and browse through our list of curated titles below.
1. Sesame Street
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Sesame Street is one of those classics you can’t go wrong with. With funny characters like Kermit the Frog and Cookie Monster making appearances throughout every episode, it’s hours of fun (and learning!)
Why Babies Should Watch It
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There’s incredible music, engaging moments, and interactive learning lessons. This show is one of the old babies shows released around 1969, and even older kids don’t get bored watching it because it’s hilarious.
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IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Platforms to Watch: HBO Max, PBS Kids
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2. Super Simple Songs
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Super Simple Songs is a popular YouTube series for kids with music videos blended with lots of engaging preschool learning lessons.
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Why Babies Should Watch It
It’s one of the most popular baby television shows since infants can sing along to the nursery rhymes they see on screen and work on their speaking skills. Some lessons include counting, letter recognition, and identifying various colours. This is an incredible show for babies under one year of age.
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IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Platforms to Watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
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3. Tayo the Little Bus
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Tayo, The Little Bus, is available on Hulu, and if your kids are into trucks and vehicles, this show will delight them.
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Why Babies Should Watch It
It has lessons that teach infants the importance and meaning of friendship, moral values, trust, and more. It’s a show we recommend to nurture the young mind and build good character.
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IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Platforms to Watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
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4. Word Party
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Want diaper-wearing baby animals to teach your kids how to pronounce new words and have fun doing it? Try out Word Party, a popular kids’ show collaboration between Netflix and the Jim Henson Company.
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Why Babies Should Watch It
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The lessons are easy to digest, and kids are encouraged to follow along and recite what they see. It helps build vocabulary, learn how to write short and simple sentences, and much more.
IMDb Rating: 5.5/10
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Platform to Watch: Netflix
5. Pete the Cat
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There are a lot of toddler TV shows that are educational and downright boring. And then there is Pete The Cat. The show is about how a cat and his friend. They sing along about their daily lives along with any problems that come their way.
Why Babies Should Watch It
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It keeps infants entertained for hours, and the nursery rhymes go along so well with its various themes. Your toddler will be picking up new words for sure.
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IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Platform to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
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6. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
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Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is a show that teaches kids new words through the form of jingles. It also stars the main character Daniel and showcases his adventures. The show also teaches toddlers how to deal with their feelings and express them, thus making it one of the top baby girl TV shows (2).
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Why Babies Should Watch It
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This show is perfect if you’re trying to get your kids to learn new words through repetition.
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Platforms to Watch: PBS Kids, Amazon Prime Video
7. Tumble Leaf
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Follow Fin the Fox on his journey towards scientific exploration and discovery through Tumble Leaf. The gorgeous stop-motion animation, music, and fun adventures with simple science experiments win the hearts of parents and kids alike.
Why Babies Should Watch It
What’s interesting about this show is how it’s set in fantasy-themed environments and covers various science experiments. It teaches your kids vital problem-solving skills and how to think critically. This show is considered a great baby development TV show.
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Platform to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
8. Dinosaur Train
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Kids love dinosaurs, and that’s a fact. If you’d like your kids to go on an adventure with Pteranodons and explore new dinosaur species every episode, welcome to the Dinosaur Train. Kids love to bounce and move around with their dinosaur friends on-screen as soon as the opening theme starts.
Why Babies Should Watch It
It’s a show about an adopted dinosaur and his family of Pteranodons going on adventures together. They hop on a train and travel to new places in search of new dinosaur species. It’s also among the best learning shows out there since it covers a lot about dinosaurs, their behaviours, and lifestyles.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Platforms to Watch: PBS Kids, Amazon Prime Video
9. The Stinky and Dirty Show
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Stinky the Garbage truck tags and Dirty the backhoe loader to go on different adventures. The show revolves around trucks, and the characters are good role models for kids. The stories are taken from Jim and Kate McMullan’s books.
Why Babies Should Watch It
Critical thinking skills are taught through the videos. It shows kids that sometimes when things don’t work out, asking what-if and taking a different approach can make a breakthrough.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Platform to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
10. Timmy Time
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A mischievous young lamb is let loose and causing trouble on-screen. But his journey doesn’t end there. He works on fixing his mistakes and mends his relationships with friends and those he has gotten in trouble with.
Why Babies Should Watch It
It teaches kids essential but valuable social lessons that last a lifetime. There’s just so much it covers that you’ll be amazed by how good it is.
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Platforms to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video
11. Beat Bugs
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Beatles’ music will inspire your kids and teach them about different melodies. The songs covered in this series talk about friendship and teamwork and have special meanings hidden in them.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The songs on this TV are shown based on The Beatles. There are bugs teaching kids lessons which makes watching it fun.
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Platform to Watch: Netflix
12. Nina’s World
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It is an entertaining TV show that uses elements of sign language, American English and Spanish to teach valuable lessons about friendship, culture, and family. Kids build up their vocabulary and learn new phrases.
Why Babies Should Watch It
Toddlers pick up new words in a natural way when Nina is serving up meals on the table and interacting with her surroundings and people daily.
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Platforms to Watch: Hulu, Peacock
13. Alphablocks
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In this show, a group of 26 pals (letters) fall from the sky onto a white world; they learn that magic and a variety of new adventures can occur in Alphaland if they join hands. A new word is formed when the characters band together and come to life.
Why Babies Should Watch It
With the aid of this television programme, your child will be able to read stories, play games, and listen to music while also learning the alphabet, phonics, and spelling. For instance, if they construct the word “kite,” it creates a flying kite. This way, they will not only learn words but also recognise them visually, i.e. how the word looks in the real world.
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Platforms to Watch: YouTube, BBC iPlayer
14. Doc McStuffins
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In this show, Dottie, a little girl, wants to practise medicine like her mother. When Dottie puts on her stethoscope, magic happens, and the toys come to life. Dottie converses with her toys. By sewing or adding batteries, she restores life to broken stuffed animals and broken toys.
Why Babies Should Watch It
This programme will encourage creativity, problem-solving abilities, and the formation of positive habits in your youngster.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Platforms to Watch: Disney+, Hulu
15. Dragon Tales
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Through an enchanted dragon scale, Emmy and Max are introduced to the fantasy realm known as “Dragon Land.” They set out on various tasks in Dragon Land after befriending four amiable, talkative, and colourful dragons named Ord, Cassie, Zak, and Wheezie.
Why Babies Should Watch It
This programme will motivate your child to take on new challenges, improve their problem-solving abilities, and learn the value of perseverance. It is also a fantastic programme for teaching your kids about shapes, numbers, new words, and alphabets.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Platforms to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, PBS Kids
16. Bluey
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Bluey follows a playful Blue Heeler puppy who loves turning everyday family life into imaginative adventures. Each episode is filled with humor, creativity, and heartwarming lessons.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The show encourages imaginative play, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving. The short episodes are perfect for little attention spans, and parents love the positive family dynamics.
IMDb Rating: 9.5/10
Platforms to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video
17. Peppa Pig
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Peppa Pig is a British animated series about a cheeky little pig and her family. Each episode features simple, relatable stories about friendship, family, and everyday fun.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The show introduces basic social skills, manners, and problem-solving in a lighthearted way. The repetitive phrases and cheerful tone help with early language development.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Platforms to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
18. Bubble Guppies
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This musical preschool show follows a group of underwater preschoolers (mer-kids!) as they explore science, math, and social skills through fun adventures.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The catchy songs, interactive questions, and bright animation keep babies engaged while teaching early math, literacy, and critical thinking.
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Platforms to Watch: Paramount+, Noggin
19. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
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Mickey and his friends—Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy—solve problems using basic logic, shapes, and numbers in this interactive series.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The show encourages participation (kids shout answers to the screen!) and teaches problem-solving, counting, and shapes in a fun, Disney-themed way.
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Platforms to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video
20. Baby Einstein
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A mix of puppetry, classical music, and real-world imagery designed to stimulate babies’ senses and introduce them to art, music, and language.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The slow-paced visuals, soothing music, and focus on shapes, colors, and animals make it ideal for sensory development in infants.
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Platforms to Watch: Disney+, YouTube
21. Little Baby Bum
A 3D-animated nursery rhyme series featuring classics like “Wheels on the Bus” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” with colorful characters.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The repetition of rhymes boosts memory and speech, while the bright animations hold babies’ attention. Great for singing along!
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Platforms to Watch: Netflix, YouTube
22. PAW Patrol
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A team of rescue pups, led by a boy named Ryder, work together to protect Adventure Bay using teamwork and problem-solving.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The show promotes teamwork, bravery, and simple problem-solving. The action-packed but gentle storytelling is great for toddlers.
IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
Platforms to Watch: Paramount+, Nickelodeon
23. Pocoyo
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Pocoyo is a curious little boy who explores the world with his friends (an elephant, a duck, and a dog) in a minimalist, colorful setting.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The simple animation, playful narration, and focus on curiosity and discovery make it perfect for early learning and engagement.
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Platforms to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
24. Masha and the Bear
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A mischievous little girl named Masha lives near the forest and has playful (and often chaotic) adventures with her friend, a gentle bear.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The slapstick humor, vibrant animation, and light lessons about consequences and friendship entertain babies while keeping them engaged.
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Platforms to Watch: Netflix, YouTube
25. Hey Duggee
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Duggee, a big friendly dog, leads a group of animal kids (the “Squirrels”) through fun activities, earning badges for new skills.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The gentle humor, simple life lessons, and interactive storytelling (kids “help” Duggee solve problems) make it a hit with little ones.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Platforms to Watch: BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video
26. In the Night Garden
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A surreal, dreamlike show featuring Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, and Makka Pakka in a calming, visually rich world meant to soothe babies before bedtime.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The slow pace, soft music, and repetitive phrases create a relaxing experience, making it ideal for winding down.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Platforms to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer
27. Thomas & Friends
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The classic tales of Thomas the Tank Engine and his locomotive friends on the Island of Sodor, teaching lessons about friendship and responsibility.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The clear moral lessons, cheerful characters, and train-themed adventures make it a timeless pick for toddlers who love vehicles.
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Platforms to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
28. Bing
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Bing is a playful 3D-animated bunny who navigates everyday toddler experiences—like sharing toys, dealing with emotions, and making mistakes—with the help of his caregiver, Flop.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The show models gentle conflict resolution and emotional regulation in a relatable way. Its slow pacing, soft voices, and repetitive phrases (“It’s a Bing thing!”) help toddlers process feelings and social cues.
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Platforms to Watch: Netflix, YouTube
29. Gabbie’s Dollhouse
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Gabbie (played by real-life host Gabbie) shrinks down to enter a magical dollhouse where her toys come to life. Each episode blends live-action, animation, and DIY crafts.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The mix of real-world and fantasy sparks creativity, while the emphasis on “trying again” after mistakes builds resilience. The catchy songs (“Hey Gabby Cats!”) and bright colors keep babies engaged.
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Platform to Watch: Netflix
30. Puffin Rock
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Narrated by Chris O’Dowd, this serene Irish animated show follows Oona, a curious puffin, and her little brother Baba as they explore their island home and meet friendly animals.
Why Babies Should Watch It
The soothing narration, lush animation, and gentle storytelling teach kids about nature and kindness. Perfect for calming screen time—like a warm hug in TV form!
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Platform to Watch: Netflix
FAQs
1. Which is the best educational TV show for babies?
Some popular educational TV shows for babies include Word Party, Beat Bugs, Alphablocks, etc.
2. Can baby TV shows actually help with language development, or is it just background noise?
Quality shows with slow speech and repetition can boost vocabulary when watched together, but passive viewing has little benefit (3). Interactive elements like songs and prompts make the biggest difference.
3. How do I know if a show is overstimulating for my baby?
Watch for signs like fussiness, glazed eyes, or trouble disengaging after viewing. Ideal TV shows for 1-year-olds use soft colors, gentle pacing, and avoid sudden loud noises. Programs with natural pauses help babies process content without overwhelm. If your child seems overstimulated, switch to calmer activities.
4. Should I avoid shows with fantasy elements (like talking animals) for realism?
Fantasy can effectively teach real concepts through engaging stories, but balance with real-world examples. Pair talking animals with shows featuring everyday objects and routines for better learning transfer. The key is whether the core lesson—sharing, emotions, etc.—is clear and relatable. Moderate fantasy sparks imagination without confusing very young viewers.
These infant TV shows are a terrific way to get your child’s mind into education, music, art, and creativity. They have plenty of variety, and every lesson is bite-sized enough to be easily digestible. We highly recommend them for that reason. And kids learn best through cartoons and animation, which is why we think the eye-catching visuals coupled with the music and simple lessons are what make them so much fun. So sit down with your kids and feel free to tag along because even you’ll enjoy it.
References/Resources:
1. American Academy of Pediatrics – Beyond Screen Time: Help Your Kids Build Healthy Media Use Habits
Also Read:
Screen Time and Your Baby
Babies Watching TV – Effects and Safety Tips
Preschool TV Shows Your Kids Will Love
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Aarohi Achwal
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