Summer vacation is here! For my son that means no more preschool and continuing his education falls on me for the next few months. While I'm excited to spend more time with him, I want to make sure he doesn't experience summer brain drain. I also want to keep him excited about learning! I've made a list of educational shows on Netflix for families to watch together this summer.
When I first heard about summer brain drain, I found the statistics staggering. Kids can lose up to three months of reading and math skills over summer break. Even though my son is just in preschool, I don't want him to lose any of the valuable skills he's mastered this past year. While we have a few summer outings planned where I'm sure he'll learn a lot, I also want to incorporate some educational shows for our whole family to watch together.
Netflix has tons of educational content to stream for all ages. Children seem to absorb information best when they're entertained and don't even realize they're learning. Here are nine shows and movies that are sure to grab your kids' attention and keep their minds sharp this summer!
Defeat Summer Brain Drain With These Educational Netflix Shows
Sid the Science Kid. Young Sid tries to learn how things work with the help of his mom, teacher, and classmates. He explores scientific tools and concepts during each episode.
LeapFrog: The Amazing Alphabet Amusement Park. When Edison finds himself stuck at the top of the Ferris Wheel, his friends must help him by turning on the rides at the amusement park using the alphabet.
The Magic School Bus. This was actually one of my favorite shows as a kid, and I am so excited that it's on Netflix now for me to share with my kids! A classroom full of students under the care of the eccentric Ms. Frizzle take fantastic field trips and learn lessons about the world from different points of view.
Ask the StoryBots. Focusing on answering kids' questions, the StoryBots are little creatures who go on adventures to find solutions.
Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey. Hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, this show teaches all about the cosmos and the known universe.
Growing Up Wild. A Disney Nature program showing life from the point of view of wild animals. It focuses on five newborn animals as they learn to navigate the world.
The Human Planet. This is an 8-part docu-series from BBC that focuses the most extreme environments in the world and how humans survive in them. My husband and I actually watched this before we had kids and it is incredible. It may be a little advanced for our son but kids a little older should find it very interesting.
The Story of Maths. A professor from Oxford discusses the history of math, from the discovery of decimals in ancient Egypt to the great unsolved problems of today.
Brain Games. This show explores how the brain works using a variety of different techniques. It is an interactive show that focuses on psychological experiments and illusions with volunteers.
What shows would you add to this list?
What are your favorite educational shows on Netflix?
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Check out a few of our featured Netflix posts for some streaming inspiration:
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Hannah C says
The Magic School Bus was also one of my favorites as a kid. These are great choices for educational shows.
Amber says
Mine too! It's so fun to re-watch them with my kids!
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
I love watching Netflix!! We are watching Friends right now! I know my kiddos will be watching the Magic School bus this summer... they love that show!
Amber says
Friends is so great! Now I want to re-watch them again 😉
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
It never gets old! Lol
Dana Rodriguez says
These are great shows. We watch a lot of Netflix. We are about to start binge watching House Of Cards as soon as we finsih the final season of Bloodline.
Natalie says
It is important to keep up with learning and reading during the summer so that kids are not starting from square one when the school year starts.
Amber Ludwig says
Love this!! So important to continue learning throughout the summer!! I love that Netflix offers educational shows for both my son and myself!! Really awesome!!
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
Growing up Wild sounds like a really neat show! My kids love animals.. I'll bet they would be very interested to see that!
Deborah D says
The story of math looks great.
Sue E says
We don't have Netflix, but we have On Demand. Sesame Street, Bubble Guppies, Dora and Diego. I know there are more for the younger kids like your son's age. I know teachers have refresher courses at the beginning of the school year, but a lot of times, it's not enough.
Victoria Scott says
I love all the Disney movies you can stream on Netflix!
Chantelle Webber says
I have Netflix but don't have WiFi so I usually just watch shows when I can. But with these great ideas and shows i may do more library days and park days so we can watch educational shows or i can download the ones that are available for download. Thank you
Cynthia R says
We watch a lot of animal planet and PBS shows. Netflix is also a great tool.
Holly Thomas says
Netflix is great for kids shows.
Sarah L says
We always joined the summer reading program at the library. (I still do)
Renee Skoglund says
Oh go jump in the lake cools the boys off so they're ready for reading.