What are good educational videos for my toddler or preschooler?

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screen time for children age two and under, and they recommend only an hour or two per day for children over age two; however, we know how unrealistic that can be at times – especially during a pandemic. Kids have limited activities, groups, and social interaction these days, and many parents are trying to balance difficult childcare situations while working from home. It’s almost impossible to keep kids engaged and entertained at home while getting stuff done. That’s a lot of pressure, and it’s ok to turn to technology for help when you need to buy some time.

Of course, you probably don’t want to plop your 18-month-old down in front of the tv for hours at a time, but technology can serve as a great tool when we need it! With thousands of apps and videos labled as “educational” it’s tricky to know which ones are truly age appropriate and developmentally helpful for your little ones. So, here are our top picks for educational videos and educational technology for toddlers and preschoolers. You can also visit  Common Sense Media  to help you research what’s out there.

  Kindle for Kids  – This larger, extra user-friendly tablet (with a colorful case) comes with 1-year free subscription to Amazon Kids+ with over 20,000 apps, games, books, and videos. The Kindle for Kids also comes with lots of reputable educational material from Disney, Nick Jr. and more. Younger toddlers will have fun listening to stories and seeing the pictures. If your child is still too young to operate the Kindle, this is a fun tool for parents and kids to use together to learn shapes, animals, colors, and more. It’s easy to take along to the doctor’s office or while you’re traveling or running errands together.

Leapfrog Chat & Count Emoji Phone  – Does your kiddo copy everything you do? Toddlers do lots of mimicking, and it’s natural for them to want to be just like Mom and Dad! Instead of handing your fragile iPhone over to those curious hands, give you toddler the Leapfrog Chat & Count Phone. It’s a durable toy that looks similar to Mommy’s phone, and your toddler can push the buttons to her heart’s content. Scout, the friendly puppy, chats to your toddler to help her learn numbers. It also has a few basic pixilated videos and games.

Peppa Pig (Nick Jr)

Daniel Tiger (PBS, YouTube TV)

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Disney+ or Disney Channel)

Bubble Guppies (Nick Jr, Amazon Prime)

Super Kids TV (YouTube)

Busy Beavers (YouTube)

Lottie Learns (YouTube)

Blues Clues & You (Nick Jr)

Octonauts (Netflix)

Doc McStuffins (Disney+, Hulu)

Handy Manny (Disney+)

Another favorite is the PBS Kids App with lots of free shows and games. If you have both younger and older kids, this might be a good option for you –  Sesame Street ,  Daniel Tiger , and  Curious George  for the toddler,  Wild Kratts ,  Arthur , and  Molly of Denali  for the preschooler. They even have educational shows like  Xavier Riddle  and the  Odd Squad  for school-age kids.

Cosmic Kids Yoga  (YouTube Channel) – Cooped up at home and need to work out some energy? Or maybe you have a preschooler who’s learning to cope with strong emotions? We are in love with Cosmic Kids Yoga. Brilliant writer Jaime Amor walks your child through different poses by telling a story and immersing your child in a world of make believe through yoga. She expertly teaches mindfulness with each adventure. Cosmic Kids began in 2012 is still going strong! You can even find  Frozen  and  Star Wars  adventures for your tiny movie enthusiasts.

ABC Mouse  – If your little one is learning from home or needs some supplemental reinforcement, ABC Mouse Early Learning Academy is a fantastic Kindergarten prep tool that continues through 2nd grade. The educational games and stories are engaging and interactive. The curriculum is designed for ages 2-8 and includes all of the core subjects, plus art. They offer thousands of games, books, and activities and track your child’s individual learning path to keep him moving forward. You can usually try the first month free.

Osmo Educational System  (for iPad and Fire) – This incredible educational tool allows your child to play, create, and manipulate – even run a pretend business! The system merges tactile learning with technology. Your child can experiment with physical pieces, and the Osmo program scans them and puts them up on the screen to walk your child through the steps – or through a detective story! Osmo offers art studio programs, detective games, coding puzzles, number games, and more! 

Leapfrog: My Own Leaptop  – Your child will enjoy working alongside you with her very “leaptop.” This cute little laptop is durable and comes with a handle so she can carry it along as you run errands together. She can send emails to Scout and Violet, practice her ABCs, spell her name, listen to music, and play games. We love this little laptop for educational purposes and to encourage imaginative pretend play.