movie night? what I recommend as a christian mom.
Christian-Friendly Children’s Shows to Watch This year
As summer comes to an end, I keep thinking about all the wonderful things we did together as a family. Of course, my mom brain still wonders whether I could have squeezed in one or two more activities that would have helped us make more memories. But that is the familiar tug of motherhood especially for me who is always trying to give my children the best childhood I can. I had planned for this to be a television-free summer, but real life quickly sent me to Plan B. As a piano and voice teacher, I sometimes needed something worthwhile to keep the kids occupied while I taught.
Even then, I wanted my children to understand that television could become family time rather than simply their way of turning their brains off.
One of my husband’s favorite ways for us to connect is to choose a movie or show together, put away every other distraction—phones included—and enjoy it as a family.
That is why I am sharing the shows I love. I want my children to watch stories that reflect Christian values, even when God or Jesus is not mentioned directly—and it does not have to be VeggieTales every time. The Magic School Bus is a great example of this: it is fun, explains how science works, and ends with a helpful recap. Those are the kinds of thoughtful, engaging qualities I look for when choosing shows for my kids.
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Shows for Little Ones—Preschoolers and Early Learners
Veggie Tales are the greatest Biblical series. Everyone seems to know the music and it is still in the hearts of every adult that grew up in the Church.
A classic choice for Bible-based humor, songs, and lessons about obedience, forgiveness, and trusting God. If you have spent your whole life in church circles, especially in the United States, you will probably remember this gem! I love the stories the show tells. As you may know from my other posts, I also have Polish roots—my parents are from Poland—so the way VeggieTales incorporates Polish culture and words gives me an extra reason to enjoy it.
Recommended Age: 4 years and up
Watch on: Youtube-Veggie tales
This is a great show that takes a brother and sister on Biblical adventures. This series also includes games that teach kids about the Bible and takes them on their own adventures. It also has many extra tools for parents.
This animated series takes children from the present day into adventures throughout the Bible. That connection helps kids see that Scripture is not only about events from long ago; its lessons still matter in their lives today. The exciting stories make biblical people and events approachable, especially for elementary-age children.
Recommended age: 5 to 12 years old
Where to Watch: Youtube or Super Book
Owlegories is an animated series that follows a group of student owls as they travel on adventures learning about nature, faith, and God!
This gentle animated series uses nature and everyday situations to point children toward biblical truths. At about 15 minutes per episode, it works especially well for preschoolers and early elementary children. Repetition helps young viewers follow along: each episode begins with the owl pledge, gives the students an assignment connected to Jesus and the Bible, and ends with a recap to reinforce what they have learned. The show also uses memorable symbols, such as different egg colors, to represent aspects of God. This show is available through Amazon. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a commission if you sign up for Amazon Prime Video through this link.
Recommended age- 3 to 8 years old
Where to watch- Amazon Prime
This is a great show that was based on bugs who teach kids life lessons through Biblical stories.
I started watching this sweet little Hermie with my son when he was four years old. It reminds me a little of VeggieTales, but with bugs instead of vegetables. The stories use humor, friendship, and everyday challenges to teach children biblical lessons about kindness, honesty, prayer, forgiveness, and trusting God. The characters make mistakes, learn from them, and discover that God loves them and is still helping them grow. That encouraging message, along with the show’s simple storytelling, makes it especially meaningful and easy for young Christian children to understand.
Recommended Age- 4 to 7 years
Where to watch: RightNow Media
Paws & Tales is a gentle, character‑building kids’ show that uses fun animal stories to teach biblical wisdom, courage, and everyday faith in a way children can easily understand.
Paws & Tales feels like Adventures in Odyssey with talking woodland creatures. Set in the town of Wildwood, the series follows a lovable group of animal friends as they learn about life, friendship, and biblical values. Each story combines fun adventures with clear gospel themes and lessons about virtues such as honesty and courage. Produced by Insight for Living, Chuck Swindoll’s ministry, the show offers solid Christian teaching in a format children can enjoy. The animation may feel a little old-school, but it is still a meaningful and entertaining choice for kids.
Recommended Age- 4-10 years old
Where to watch- Paws&Tales.org
The Little House on the Prarie was a beautiful show that we all watched as kids.
Little House on the Prairie — This wholesome family drama explores faith, perseverance, compassion, and community. I remember loving it as a little girl. Its slower pace may feel different from many modern shows, but that gives families room to absorb the lesson at the heart of each episode. It can also introduce children to what daily life looked like in the past. Although the series is fictionalized rather than a record of specific historical events, it can be a useful starting point for conversations about history.
Recommended Age- 9 years and up
Where to watch- Netflix
The Chosen series brings up the realness of Jesus as a human being that was relatable to the disciples as they followed him.
The Chosen — I would recommend this series for older children. My son, who is almost 10, is beginning to take an interest in it, and the episodes we have watched together have opened the door to thoughtful conversations about the Bible and what happened in its stories. Because my children attend a Christian school, I can connect the series to homework discussions and the Bible reading we do before bed. I also appreciate the care the actors bring to their roles. The cast interviews offer additional context and can help families dig deeper into the characters and the choices behind their portrayals.
Recommended Age-Ages 10 and up (some sources say 12 and up) but it also depends on how mature your child is.
Where to watch- The Chosen
Grandparents can also teach us lots about the Bible !!!
Theo Presents- Theo Presents centers on Theo, a gentle, grandfather‑like Christian who guides children through foundational truths of the faith — concepts like forgiveness, grace, and trusting God — in a way that’s simple, warm, and deeply rooted in Scripture. Created by former Disney animator Mike Joens, the series pairs surprisingly rich theology with high‑quality animation and lighthearted humor, thanks in part to two mischievous cartoon mice who help keep the tone playful and accessible for young viewers.
Recommended Age- 5-10 years
Where to watch- Theo Presents
Extra extra- If you go to the Theo Presents website you will find extra curriculum to help your kids learn more about each subject from the episode!!
The Dead Sea squirrels is a show for the littles in your life!
The Dead Sea Squirrels - Now this is a show that I have been hearing about for a long time. It is written by the same guy who helped write “Veggie Tales” Mike Nawrocki. It started out as a book series turned television show for kids. The story follows a 10-year-old boy named Michael who discovers two ancient squirrels in a cave while visiting his dad’s archaeological dig near the Dead Sea. As I am also a music teacher I have to add that they have pretty good music that the whole family can get into.
Recommended Age- 5-12
Where to Watch- Minno and Youtube
Torchlighters
The Torch Lighters is a wonderful show for kids who love heroes and the stories behind them
The Torch Lighters is a wonderful show for kids who love heroes and the stories behind them — it fits my son’s six‑year‑old “adventure vibes” perfectly. Each episode highlights real heroes of the faith, like Corrie ten Boom, Jim Elliot, and William Tyndale, showing how Scripture shaped their lives and the world around them.
Because these stories are rooted in history, some episodes include themes of persecution or hardship. While the show handles these topics gently, they may be intense for sensitive children. I recommend that parents preview episodes and choose the ones that best fit their child’s age and comfort level.
Recommended Age- 7-14
Where to watch- Torchlighters.org
Tips for Parents
With so many shows and YouTube channels competing for our children’s attention, previewing what they watch is not just wise—it is practical. Some programs may introduce mature themes or ideas that conflict with biblical teaching. I am comfortable with my children watching shows that are not explicitly Christian, such as Number Blocks, but I still want to know that the content is not working against the values we teach at home. When my kids want to try a new show or movie, I use a simple system.
1. Always Preview new shows. A program may look exciting and child-friendly at first glance while still including mature material or themes that conflict with your family’s beliefs. One example of this is a show my daughter recently found that looks exciting and kid friendly but after watching about 5 minutes of the show I don’t know if I would let a teenager watch it for the language that it uses.
Some shows that are out there are recommended for a certain age, but it doesn’t mean that this age range is appropriate for all kids, sometimes as the parent you need to make the final judgement.
2. Check a trusted review source. Resources such as Plugged In, Movieguide, or Common Sense Media can alert you to content you may want to consider before pressing play.
3. Balance screen time with other activities. Mix shows with outdoor play, reading, service projects, and family devotionals. To make the limit easier to follow, I sometimes have one of my children ask Alexa to set a timer and turn off the television when time is up. I may also set a timer on the TV or my phone so the screen turns off automatically.
4. Ask questions afterward. I ask who the story was about, what the main idea was, and questions tied to specific moments in the episode. Their answers show me what they understood and turn screen time into a more engaging experience instead of passive watching.
All in all, sharing these ideas does not mean we follow this routine perfectly in our home. As a mom who teaches music lessons from home, I sometimes rely on a good show to keep my children occupied for an hour or two. This post is not meant to tell you exactly what your family should watch. It is simply a collection of suggestions based on my own research and experience as a mother trying to sort through the countless options available today. These shows will not suit every child or every family, and they are certainly not the only worthwhile Christian-friendly programs out there. The list could go on forever! My hope is that these recommendations make your next choice a little easier—and perhaps lead to a meaningful conversation after the credits roll. So grab a blanket, make some popcorn, put away the phones, and enjoy a family show night together.
Proverbs 31:25: "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come,"
