5 Cartoons I Like to Watch With My Kids
We all know that TV content created for kids can be incredibly hit or miss. A lot of the content out there is most certainly junk. And even if you successfully weed out that junk, it’s even rarer to discover a show that you actually enjoy just as much as your kids do. That’s the Holy Grail, and discovering new favorite shows for bonding together with the kids can be quite rewarding.
I’m not anti-screentime by any means, at least not as much as you might think I am based on articles I’ve written in the past about putting down your phones. I guess I’d say I’m anti-zombified-solo-screentime - the type that effectively separates you from others for prolonged periods of time. But when you share a favorite cartoon together, it can work as a very successful bonding activity. Favorite TV shows and movies were a big part of my childhood, and I love sharing that with the kids.
In the past I’ve reflected on some of the TV shows from my childhood that I was excited about introducing to my kids. And while I was pretty successful getting my son interested in a few of those classic Disney cartoons, there’s something undeniably special about discovering a brand new show to discover together at the same time. And those are the shows I want to focus on with this list.
It’s obvious that the shows on this list skew heavily towards the fantasy genre. It’ll be pretty obvious to see the types of shows we gravitate towards. They have all built these imaginative and creative worlds and they’re all full of endearing characters that are easy to get attached to. And the best part of all is that - on top of being remarkable works of art - they’re also family friendly. While I share most of these shows with our 7-year-old son, and they’re all aimed at kids around his age range, I wouldn’t worry at all if our 4-year-old was watching with us either.
I know that sorting through all of the options available these days can be quite the task, so hopefully you can find at least one new favorite show to share with your kids using our list. If you happen to be fans of exciting and imaginative fantasy worlds, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy all 5. But try not to be too mad at me if you all miss bedtime because you have to finish the season.
5 New Cartoons to Stream with the Kids
1. Trollhunters
Trollhunters was created by executive producer Guillermo del Toro - a gigantic name in the world of fantasy and horror - and that’s all I needed to know to give this one a shot. It’s exciting, funny, and occasionally even scary. In fact, it’s the one show on this list that I found myself wondering if it was too scary for the kids at times. Every once in a while there are segments that are masterfully creepy, and of course that’s part of what makes it fun for me too.
The story itself is classic fantasy fare. A teenage boy stumbles upon a magical amulet that chooses him as the next Trollhunter - a legendary warrior tasked with protecting our world from the monsters that lurk in the shadows. The world-building in this show is impressive, and the story feels quite epic. As with any good show, the character development is done quite well, and we’ve grown quite fond of all of the many characters in this world.
Trollhunters is Available on Netflix
2. Costume Quest
Costume Quest was a show I was personally looking forward to long before it even released. I’m a huge fan of the video games and the picture book, and I just knew I’d love the show. It’s a celebration of Halloween and using your imagination, and what’s not to like about that? Quite simply, if you and the kids are fans of the magic of Halloween, this is a show you should check out.
Like the video games and the picture book before it, the Costume Quest TV show focuses on a group of kids that have to save their town from monsters through the use of magic Halloween costumes. When they put on their costumes, they actually transform into heroes with special powers. Suffice it to say that the show was everything I hoped it would be. It was a great bonding experience with my son, just like it was playing the game together.
Costume Quest is Available on Amazon Prime Video
3. Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
Kipo lives in a fantastical post-apocalyptic world full of very imaginative mutant creatures. As a result, most of the humans now live in hiding underground. But Kipo gets lost when her burrow is destroyed, and the main storyline of the first season is Kipo trying to find her way back to her father - along with the help from the friends that she makes along the way.
I’d say the highlight of this show is the creativity of the creatures. The lumberjack cats that really like pancakes are a personal favorite. As is the hilarious bug that lives in a perpetual cycle from larva to old age and back again. The writing is fantastic and it’s very easy to get attached to the main characters in this show. And that’s especially true for Kipo, who I find to be a fantastic role model.
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts is Available on Netflix
4. Niko and the Sword of Light
I think that Niko is a beautifully-animated show. It simply looks really good, and reminds me of some of the classic cartoons that I grew up with. And the story feels familiar as well. Niko is a warrior known as a hero of light - and he is humanity’s last hope of defeating the evil sorcerer Nar Est. The problem is that Niko was awoken from the crystal he slept in a little too soon - he’s just a little boy.
Luckily he has the help of a princess named Lyra along the way. This dynamic and the storyline itself gives me vibes of The Legend of Zelda as well - which is definitely a good thing. The monsters that they have to fight along the way are spectacularly imaginative, and the whole thing is just a perfect classic fantasy adventure for the family. I’d say that Niko might be the one title on this list that has flown under the radar the most, and that’s a tragedy because it’s brilliant.
Niko and the Sword of Light is Available on Amazon Prime Video
5. Hilda
Hilda has gotten a lot of well-deserved acclaim since it’s debut on Netflix, and that makes me very happy. It’s hard not to love Hilda. She’s an amazing role model, the animation and the music are drop dead gorgeous, it celebrates nature and kindness, and watching the show is like being wrapped in a warm blanket in front of a fire with a cup of hot chocolate. And many times while watching I find myself looking at a frame and wishing I had it hanging on my wall as a painting.
Hilda is based on the graphic novels written and illustrated by Luke Pearson, which I also highly recommend, and the success of the show has also translated into some beautiful chapter books as well. A second season is in the works, as well as a movie - and I’ll take all we can get. It’s impossible to put a finger on what makes the world of Hilda so endearing, but it has a remarkable sense of place and belonging. It’s like a very calm and relaxing version of the magic of Adventure Time - led by a brave girl with never-ending kindness. And I guarantee you’ll be sold once you see the Wood Man walk into Hilda’s house unannounced.
Hilda is Available on Netflix
What cartoons do you like to watch with your kids? Do you share any of our favorites? Let us know in the comments!
