According to Nielsen Media, the average American now watches more than four hours of friendly TV a day. That’s a lot of time spent experiencing the world from behind a screen.
Getting out and exploring nature is definitely the best way to spend time as a family.
Ten Friendly TV Shows to Binge Watch
But if it’s a rainy day, or you’ve had a tiring week, then sometimes there is nothing better than cuddling up with some blankets and popcorn to binge watch some friendly TV shows with your family.
Just make sure you choose something worth watching! Check out our list of the best kids friendly TV shows to binge watch for a great family afternoon.
1. House Hunters
Even if you just moved and put up your TV wall mount, watching House Hunters is a ton of fun. You get a peek into what life is like all over the country through the window of the housing market.
While many of the couples are unrealistic and the show has been accused of being scripted, it still remains a great show for checking out what real estate looks like in different parts of the United States and will make your children start dreaming of all the places they might like to move for college or after.
2. One Strange Rock
If your children have to stay home for a snow day and you want them to still learn something, One Strange Rock is an awesome option. The show is hosted by Will Smith and profiles the mysteries of the Earth from the perspectives of six astronauts who have studied our planet in depth from space.
The show is a little dramatic, but then again it is a show about humanity and the world around us. You’ll love this glimpse into just how unique the Earth is and how many different microorganisms have to work together in order to give us life on this planet.
3. Black Mirror
Black Mirror is one of the best friendly TV shows on Netflix. It’s a collection of different stories that all share a theme – a terrifying future. Each episode profiles a different kind of company that is developing fringe technology that changes the way humans interact daily.
Although this is not a reality show, it doesn’t stray far from the research that we are currently doing and really doesn’t take that many liberties with the future. It’s meant to be a lens to get us to question our practices before things go too far.
4. Impractical Jokers
Impractical Jokers may not be the most popular choice for parents who don’t want their children playing practical jokes. But the show isn’t like other practical joke shows where they make fun of others or pull pranks at the expense of others.
The jokes are actually pretty funny. The show is a group of adult men friends who go into various stores and restaurants and act strangely to try to get random people to respond to them in a certain way. Whoever is successful gets points and the friend at the end of the show has to do something really silly.
5. Mars
Mars is a show produced by National Geographic. It premiered on FX but now streams on Netflix, like all of the other shows on this list. The show is based on a fiction book set in between 2033-2037.
The series was filmed in Budapest and Morocco and uses a lot of scientific research to back up its premise. A second series of the show premiered in November of 2018.
6. A Series of Unfortunate Events
A Series of Unfortunate Events was first the name of a book published under the pen name Lemony Snicket. Today, it’s also a television show starring Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf, the villainous guardian of a trio of Orphans, Violet, Klause, and Sunny Baudelaire.
While the show sounds like this friendly TV show might be a bit of a downer, the plot is actually quite a bit ridiculous making it enjoyable for kids to watch. If you can handle watching unfortunate events unfold for a few hours, you just might love it.
7. The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes
This show is imaginative and inspiring. It takes viewers around the world to visit incredible homes built by amazing architects. Each of the homes blends into its landscape and was designed with the family in mind.
Seeing other people’s dream houses exist will help your child feel like they can aspire to their own imaginative home someday.
8. Life Below Zero
Life Below Zero profiles people that who have chosen to live in the Alaskan wilderness. It’s a great way to show your child that there are many different people on this planet who choose unique paths. Show them that they can dream of whatever reality they want and make it home.
9. The Story of Us
The Story of Us is narrated by Morgan Freeman and is a fantastic biographical documentary about all humans. He talks about the forces of love, war, peace, freedom, and rebellion in his profiles of great humans.
Morgan Freeman hopes to inspire others to strive for more in their efforts on Earth. This show will plant a seed in your child’s heart to want to inspire their own form of change.
10. Somebody Feed Phil
If you want to watch a funny travel friendly TV show that keeps you entertained instead of a boring documentary with a monotone voice, then this is the show for you. The jokes are somewhat crude, so be ready for your children to laugh right along with you.
Beyond Shows to Binge Watch
These friendly TV shows to binge watch will not only give your family an entertaining evening, but they also will show your children a new perspective of the world.
Take advantage of a family night as an opportunity to teach your children how to be a better citizen. For more advice on quality entertainment, check out our other family section’s blog posts today.
