Educational Shows That Don’t Suck (and I Might Secretly Enjoy Too)

Look, I’m not going to pretend the telly hasn’t saved my parenting bacon more than once. Sometimes I need a moment to make a cup of tea, or finish a sentence, or cry quietly behind the fridge door — and that’s when a solid TV show swoops in like a screen-time superhero.

But here’s the thing: not all educational shows are created equal. Some feel like watching paint dry while someone sings the alphabet off-key. Others? Surprisingly charming, clever, and dare I say… enjoyable (even when the kids aren’t around).

So here’s a list of educational shows that don’t make me want to peel my eyeballs off — and that my kids genuinely love too.

🧠 1. Bluey

(Disney+)

Okay, not strictly educational — but hear me out. Bluey teaches social-emotional learning, imaginative play, and gentle parenting… all while being absolutely adorable.

Why I love it: It’s genuinely funny, sometimes profound, and honestly? Bandit and Chilli are parenting goals.

🦷 2. Hey Duggee 

(BBC iPlayer)

Short, sweet, and smart. Duggee runs a sort of scout club where kids earn badges — from cooking to teamwork to outer space facts — with lots of silliness along the way.

Why I love it: The jokes often fly over the kids’ heads and land squarely on mine. Plus, there’s a badge for everything.

🌍 3. Maddie’s Do You Know?

(BBC iPlayer)

Maddie Moate takes kids behind the scenes of everyday things — like how toothpaste is made or what’s inside a dishwasher. Educational gold.

Why I love it: It’s fascinating, even as an adult. I now know more about recycling plants than I ever expected to.

🐛 4. Numberblocks & Alphablocks

(BBC iPlayer & Netflix)

These shows make early maths and phonics genuinely fun, with colourful characters and clever stories that help things stick.

Why I love it: I find myself humming the Numberblocks theme song at inappropriate times. Also? It actually helped my kid understand place value before I could explain it.

🧪 5. Operation Ouch!

(CBBC)

Hosted by twin doctors, this show covers everything from broken bones to body functions with humour, real medical footage, and gross-out facts kids love.

Why I love it: It makes science fun without dumbing it down. I’ve learned things too — like what a fart actually is (ew).

🦴 6. Andy’s Adventures

(BBC iPlayer)

From dinosaurs to wild animals, Andy travels through time and around the world to teach kids about nature and history.

Why I love it: It’s got action, animals, and actual facts. Plus, Andy is weirdly endearing, like your excitable uncle who works at a museum.

🌌 7. Octonauts

(Netflix/BBC)

This team of underwater explorers helps sea creatures while teaching marine biology and teamwork. Think underwater rescue meets fun facts.

Why I love it: The creatures are real, the vocabulary is impressive, and I once quoted Octonauts in adult conversation. No regrets.

🚀 8. Ada Twist, Scientist

(Netflix)

A girl with endless curiosity asks questions, builds experiments, and solves problems — with a diverse cast and inclusive storylines.

Why I love it: Ada’s persistence is inspiring. Also, it low-key motivates me to finally buy those science kits I keep eyeing on Amazon.

Screen Time That Doesn’t Feel Like a Mum Guilt Trap

I’m not here to shame anyone about screen time (honestly, we’ve all used Peppa as a babysitter in a moment of crisis). But when you find a show that makes your kids think and maybe even makes you laugh too? That’s a win-win.

So next time the rain’s coming down, the energy is running low, or you just want ten minutes to go to the toilet in peace — try one of these. You might even stay on the sofa to “watch with them” a bit longer than planned.

🎬 What’s your secret favourite educational show? Drop it in the comments or share it over on Instagram or Facebook. Bonus points if you’ve watched it after bedtime just to finish the episode.