What are the best streaming services for kids?
Top Picks for Children
Disney+ is a powerhouse for family content, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, with robust parental controls. Netflix has a vast kids' library and allows age-based profiles.
Amazon Prime Video includes many kids' shows and movies, plus you can add channels like PBS Kids. For younger children, PBS Kids and YouTube Kids are free and educational.
Other options: Hulu has a kids' hub, and Apple TV+ offers quality original children's programming. Some services, like Noggin and Khan Academy Kids, are niche but useful.
Features and Costs
Most major services offer kids' profiles with age ratings and PIN protection. Disney+ allows up to seven profiles and has a 'Kids Profile' mode with a simplified interface.
Prices vary: Disney+ starts at $7.99/month with ads, Netflix at $6.99, and Amazon Prime Video is included with Prime. Free options like PBS Kids and YouTube Kids are supported by ads or donations.
- Disney+: $7.99–$13.99/month
- Netflix: $6.99–$22.99/month
- Amazon Prime Video: included with Prime or $8.99/month
- PBS Kids: free
- YouTube Kids: free
How to Choose
Consider your child's age and interests. Disney+ is great for franchise fans, while Netflix has broader educational and entertainment content.
Check parental control options: some services allow you to set maturity ratings and block specific titles. Also, look for offline downloads for travel.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all kids' content is safe; even within kids' profiles, some shows may not align with your family's values, so preview or use ratings.
- Forgetting that ad-supported tiers may show commercials, which can be undesirable for young children.
- Overlooking free educational services like PBS Kids and Khan Academy Kids, which offer high-quality content at no cost.
