There is some overlap in the shows that a 2-5 year old will like and what an older kid will like. Plus, every kid is different and their interest in TV will vary from age to age.

Here’s what we like:

  1. Pingu is a little penguin. His adventures are short, perfect for the short attention span of a 2 year old. It’s all gibberish, which my kids think is hilarious.
  2. Pocoyo: We found Pocoyo on YouTube but since have acquired a couple DVDs. One of the things I like so much about Pocoyo is that it’s translated into a bunch of different languages. Not only that, there are several Spanish dubs. Also, Pocoyo is cute and the visuals are simple.
  3. Kipper: This is another cartoon with simple visuals. Kipper, a dog, and his friends, have all kinds of adventures. After watching this show, my kids started calling things “Brilliant”l.
  4. Sesame Street: A TV standard for kids for decades, Sesame Street teaches letters, numbers, sharing, etc, in a fun environment.
  5. Curious George: There’s little talking which can appeal to an emerging talker. Of course, the books are my favorites.
  6. Sid the Science Kid: Sid and his friends are in constant learning mode. Through songs, dance, and lots and lots of experiments, these little kids explore topics ranging from plants to how your voice works.
  7. Fraggle Rock is a wild show. This show, with its songs and dance numbers, is fun and fresh, despite its age.
  8. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is the sort of show that moves slower than it’s modern counterparts. Mister Rogers talks about things like friendship and what to do when you’re mad.
  9. The Muppet Show is one of the few that I believe can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages. My parents own several seasons of the Muppet Show and we can all sit down to watch an episode.
  10. The Magic School Bus: Aimed at kids 6-9, The Magic School Bus is quickly becoming one of my kid’s favorite things to watch. Worth a viewing even if your kids are younger.

I’m actually looking forward to watching things like The Dark Crystal, and other movies and TV shows from the 80’s- from my childhood.

My list is limited and biased, so check out other lists and find what you like.

What shows do your kids enjoy?