Screen Serenity: Educational and Calming Options for Every Age

Jan 11

Supporting Your Family with Balanced, Thoughtful Screentime During Stressful Moments

During stressful times, it's understandable to utilize screentime for a bit of calm and distraction. It also can be a quick solution when you don’t have a lot of options in front of you.

For parents of littles and elementary children, this may be a time that you rely on screens more than you otherwise would, or you may consider introducing screens for the first time, as you process in this difficult time. This is a time to give yourself and your children grace and know that the choices you make during this time are the best choices for your family, whether they are typical or not.

For teens and tweens, sometimes they need a break from high-energy, action-packed shows – especially when there is enough of that around us. Calming and educational options offer a chance to unwind while still engaging their minds.

There are many thoughtful, quality shows that can help your kid regulate and find their calm (and even help you find yours). Check out this list of options broken down by age group.

Tips for Using Screentime During Stressful Times

Create a Calming Atmosphere: Dim the lights, minimize distractions, and create a peaceful environment for screentime.
Choose Wisely: Select age-appropriate shows and movies that align with your child's interests.
Connect and Discuss: Watch together and engage in conversations about the content, fostering connection and learning.
Limit and Balance: Set limits on screentime and balance it with other calming activities like reading, creative pursuits, physical activity, and social interaction.
Screen with Common Sense Media: Use Common Sense Media's ratings and reviews to make informed choices about age-appropriate and educational content. Their website provides valuable information on movies, TV shows, apps, and games, helping you choose the best options for your child.

Littles (Preschool - K)

Stillwater (Apple TV+): This gentle animated series follows three siblings who learn about mindfulness, compassion, and emotional well-being from a wise panda named Stillwater. Each episode offers soothing stories and beautiful animation that can help children find peace and focus.
Puffin Rock (Netflix): Join Oona and Baba, two adorable puffins, as they explore their island home. This charming show features soft colors, calming narration, and sweet stories about nature and friendship, perfect for winding down.
Beat Bugs (Netflix): This cheerful series follows five little bugs who live in a backyard garden. With catchy songs and vibrant animation, Beat Bugs offers gentle entertainment and positive messages about friendship and teamwork.
Tumble Leaf (Amazon Prime): This imaginative show encourages curiosity and exploration as Fig the fox and his friends discover the wonders of nature. With its calming music and gentle pace, Tumble Leaf is perfect for quiet time.
Bluey (Disney+): This Australian animated series follows the everyday adventures of Bluey, a playful and imaginative Blue Heeler puppy, and her family. With its heartwarming stories and gentle humor, Bluey promotes imaginative play, problem-solving, and family bonding.
Little Bear (Amazon Prime): Based on the classic, beloved books by Else Holmelund Minarik, this animated series follows Little Bear and his friends as they explore the world around them. With its gentle storytelling and charming animation, Little Bear encourages imagination and a love of nature.

Elementary (Grades 1-5)

Brainchild (Netflix): This educational show explores complex topics like dreams, germs, and emotions in a fun and engaging way. With its blend of live-action and animation, Brainchild makes learning enjoyable and accessible.
Ask the StoryBots (Netflix): Have a question? The StoryBots are here to answer it! This Emmy-winning show uses catchy songs and vibrant animation to explain everything from how the internet works to why we need to brush our teeth.
The Magic School Bus Rides Again (Netflix): Ms. Frizzle and her class are back for more exciting adventures! This updated version of the classic show explores science concepts with humor and engaging visuals, making learning an adventure.
Octonauts (Netflix): Explore the underwater world with the Octonauts, a crew of brave adventurers who explore the ocean depths and rescue marine creatures. This engaging show combines action and adventure with educational content about marine life.
Emily's Wonder Lab (Netflix): Join Emily Calandrelli, a science communicator and educator, as she conducts exciting experiments and explores scientific concepts in a fun and accessible way. This show encourages curiosity and a love of science.
Bill Nye the Science Guy (YouTube): This classic science show makes learning fun and engaging with its quirky humor and hands-on experiments. Bill Nye explores a wide range of scientific topics, from the human body to the solar system, inspiring a love of science in viewers of all ages.

Calming & Educational Shows for Middle & High Schoolers

Documentary Series:

Our Planet (Netflix): Experience the wonders of the natural world with stunning cinematography and David Attenborough's soothing narration. This series explores diverse ecosystems and highlights the importance of conservation.
Planet Earth (Discovery+): Another breathtaking nature documentary series that showcases the beauty and diversity of our planet. Each episode focuses on a different habitat, from mountains to oceans, offering incredible visuals and fascinating insights.
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (AppleTV+): Embark on a journey through the universe with Neil deGrasse Tyson as your guide. This visually stunning series explores the wonders of space and time, sparking curiosity and wonder.
Chef's Table (Netflix): Delve into the culinary world with this beautifully filmed series that profiles renowned chefs from around the globe. Each episode offers a glimpse into their creative process, culinary philosophies, and personal journeys.

Reality Shows with Educational Value:

The Great British Baking Show (Netflix): This beloved baking competition features amateur bakers creating delicious treats in a charming and supportive environment. It's a feel-good show that celebrates creativity and the joy of baking.
Blown Away (Netflix): Watch talented glassblowers create stunning works of art in this unique competition show. It's a mesmerizing and educational experience that showcases the artistry and skill involved in glassblowing.
Making It (Peacock): This crafting competition celebrates creativity and DIY skills. Talented makers compete in challenges that involve various crafts, from woodworking and sewing to paper crafting and upcycling.
The Amazing Race (CBS/Paramount+): Teams race around the world, completing challenges and experiencing different cultures. This show can spark an interest in geography, history, and travel, while also highlighting teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Animated Series with Educational Themes:

Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix): This critically acclaimed animated series follows Aang, a young boy who must master the four elements to bring peace to a war-torn world. With its rich storytelling, complex characters, and exploration of Eastern philosophy, Avatar offers a captivating and thought-provoking experience.
The Legend of Korra (Paramount+): This sequel series to Avatar follows Korra, the next Avatar, as she navigates a rapidly modernizing world and faces new challenges. It delves into themes of social change, spiritual growth, and self-discovery.
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (Netflix): After a mutant attack forces her to live aboveground, Kipo explores a fantastical post-apocalyptic world filled with mutated animals. This vibrant series celebrates diversity, friendship, and finding your place in the world.

Engaging and Educational Free Apps for Kids

Looking for ways to keep kids entertained and learning without breaking the bank? Here are some fantastic free apps that offer a variety of engaging activities:

Littles (Preschool - K)

PBS KIDS Video & Games: This app provides a safe and educational environment for young children to explore their favorite PBS shows and characters. With videos, games, and interactive activities, this app promotes learning through play.
Khan Academy Kids: This comprehensive app offers a wide range of activities, including reading, math, social-emotional learning, and creative expression. With its adaptive learning technology, Khan Academy Kids personalizes the experience for each child.
Starfall Learn to Read: This app helps young children develop essential reading skills through phonics-based games and activities. With its colorful animations and engaging characters, Starfall makes learning to read fun and interactive.
Moose Math by Duck Duck Moose: Join the Moose crew for a fun-filled adventure in Moose Juice Store, where kids learn math concepts through interactive games and activities. This app covers counting, addition, subtraction, geometry, and more.

Elementary (Grades 1-5)

ScratchJr: This introductory programming app empowers young children to create their own interactive stories and games. With its drag-and-drop interface and colorful blocks, ScratchJr makes coding fun and accessible.
Duolingo ABC: This app helps children learn to read with bite-sized lessons and engaging games. With its focus on phonics and sight words, Duolingo ABC builds a strong foundation for literacy.
Prodigy Math Game: This engaging math game takes kids on an epic adventure while they learn essential math skills. With its adaptive learning technology, Prodigy Math Game adjusts the difficulty level to match each child's progress.
Toca Nature: This creative app allows children to build and explore their own natural world. They can plant trees, create mountains, and interact with various animals, fostering imagination and an appreciation for nature.

Middle and High School Apps:

Codea is a coding and computer programming app that takes users from the very basics to advanced computer language skills. The example programs are a great platform to get started, but we recommend this for older students as users must be self motivated to continue progressing through each program. The visual popups and immediate error responses ensure users are following the program accurately and leads to efficient mastery of coding skills.
Happy Not Perfect is a mindfulness and meditation app with over 400 sessions users can complete in 10 minutes or less. High school life is stressful; with endless expectations and time demands, it can be difficult for teens to unwind and relax. Happy Not Perfect is a great tool to encourage teens to decompress and make mental health a priority. The guided meditations give users space to focus on inner peace and tranquility.
Evernote helps teens organize notes, assignments, and upcoming projects. This app helps users keep all their tasks and deadlines in one place for easy access, and works well for both homeschool and students who attend brick-and-mortar schools. As an added bonus, this app segues nicely for college-bound students. With intuitive features including checkboxes and assignment reminders, Evernote keeps teens on track as they juggle content for their classes.
Duolingo is an engaging and interactive language app that helps teens practice their foreign language requirements. Duolingo provides users with the opportunity to speak and learn in over 30 languages with bite sized daily mini lessons. Users earn points for passing each new lesson and gain applicable language skills without the pressure of taking tests or quizzes in school.
Khan Academy is a website for learning academic content that has an app as well, which is perfect for on-the-go studying for teens. Whether users need help with math, grammar, or reading, Khan Academy videos and tutorials provide solid foundational skills to reiterate content and simplify complex subjects.
CuriosityStream: Stream documentaries and educational shows on a variety of topics, from nature and history to science and technology. CuriosityStream offers a curated selection of high-quality content to engage curious minds.

Additional Tips for Using Free Apps:

Check for In-App Purchases: While these apps are free to download, some may offer in-app purchases. Be sure to monitor your child's usage and disable in-app purchases if needed.
Set Time Limits: Even with educational apps, it's important to set limits on screen time to ensure a healthy balance of activities.
Choose Apps that Align with Your Child's Interests: Select apps that spark your child's curiosity and engage them in learning.
Engage with Your Child: Use apps as an opportunity to connect with your child, play together, and discuss what they're learning.
Screen with Common Sense Media: Use Common Sense Media's ratings and reviews to make informed choices about age-appropriate and educational content. Their website provides valuable information on movies, TV shows, apps, and games, helping you choose the best options for your child.