15 TV Shows Parents and Kids Can Enjoy Together

Are you a parent? If so, a feeling that most other parents can relate to is a raw, unadulterated hatred of the TV shows your children watch. 

So if you’re a parent at their wit’s end, and another episode of Caillou or Paw Patrol might push you past your breaking point — fear not!

Now, this shouldn’t be used as a substitute for individual parental discretion, but we’ve compiled a list of some of the best TV shows out there that are enjoyable for kids and adults. 

In no particular order, here are 15 TV Shows Parents & Kids Can Enjoy Together:

1. Full House 

Full House has always been a go-to for parents and kids alike. There are tons of life lessons and episodes that cover tougher topics. Things like bullying, drinking, smoking, body image, and more just scratch the surface of the tough topics that Full House covers. 

For parents, there is definitely some adult humor that most kids miss. But there is plenty of fun, family-centric, nostalgic stories included that makes revisiting Full House a positive experience.

For kids, there is a role model in DJ, and plenty of antics by Stephanie, Michelle, and their friends. Catchphrases like “You got it, dude!” may even make their way into your child’s vocabulary. The Olsen twins being adorable is a timeless element of the show. 

If your kids are disappointed when the show is finished, you can always move on to the sequel series Fuller House!

Full House is streaming on HBO Max. Fuller House is streaming on Netflix.

2. Sofia the First

It’s on Disney Junior, so many folks might dismiss Sofia the First as geared toward young kids. And they’d be right…to a point. 

Upon first viewing, it’s clear that the show is geared toward young kids. But unlike many shows in this category, Sofia the First isn’t the same structure in every episode.

Sofia the First establishes clear lore that it uses throughout the episode, which is entrenched firmly in the larger Disney universe. Characters like Mulan, Ariel, Jasmine, and others make appearances throughout the series (and many are voiced by the original voice actors). The adventures are epic and the stories are well-written.

On top of that, the voice cast is spectacular. Ariel Winter, Wayne Brady, Tim Gunn, and more make up the star-studded voice cast. 

Finally, there’s the music. Sofia the First cranks out earworm after earworm, which will take over your family’s shared Spotify playlist if you’re not careful. 

Sofia the First is currently streaming on Netflix.

3. Bluey

Ask any parent of a young child what their favorite kids’ show is likely to get Bluey as a response. It’s universally beloved by kids and parents alike. 

Australian import Bluey is relatable because it’s *about* a family. Nearly every member of your family can relate to one of the characters. Between Bluey, Bandit, Chili, Trixie, Stripe, and more — there’s a character any family member will love. 

And it’s funny. To kids and adults alike, Bluey is laugh-out-loud hysterical. Because of this – parents like to watch it even without their kids!

Finally, perhaps the best element of Bluey for parents who are on the move or need to get to the next activity — episodes are only 7 minutes long! Even though there are over 100 episodes, they’re short. So you’re not committing to a lengthy bedtime extension with “one more episode.”

Bluey is currently streaming on Disney+.

4. SpongeBob SquarePants

Ahh – the classics.

The humor of SpongeBob SquarePants has cross-generational appeal. Namely because many folks who were kids when SpongeBob SquarePants first hit the airwaves in 1999 are now becoming parents themselves. Plus, since the series has been around since 1999, it has now spanned multiple movies and a Broadway musical.

SpongeBob SquarePants teaches kids lessons in friendship, has songs that are now cultural staples, and has created several characters that have become cultural icons. SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, and more will be forever etched into the cultural lexicon over multiple generations. 

The music is catchy, the stories are fun, and the humor spans multiple generations deftly. What more could you want from a show to watch with your kids? 

SpongeBob SquarePants is currently streaming on Prime Video and Paramount+.

5. Star Wars: The Clone Wars / Star Wars: Rebels / Star Wars: The Bad Batch

It feels wrong to use three slots for all of the Star Wars animated series, but they do provide a large library of content that appeals to both kids and adults. 

Star Wars: The Clone Wars appeals to adults by giving context to some of the prequel films, making Anakin’s slow turn to the dark side all that more devastating. 

Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: The Bad Batch serve a similar purpose but over different periods of Star Wars history and lore. However, each of these series is crafted with younger audiences in mind. They’re a great gateway to getting your kids interested in the Star Wars universe.

Each of these series is fun to watch for kids, but still gives adults mature and important Star Wars stories. 

Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels, and  Star Wars: The Bad Batch are currently streaming on Disney+.

6. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

One thing that has become clear in the Disney+ era is just how great some of the older Disney Channel sitcoms are. At the top of that pack? The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. 

Featuring a young Dylan and Cole Sprouse — The Suite Life of Zack and Cody has plenty of kid-friendly antics and stories, all while teaching life lessons about friendship, love, and growing up. 

While the antics are enjoyable for kids, parents can appreciate the lessons. And frankly, the writing is excellent. The jokes land for both kids and adults. 

If your kids love The Suite Life of Zack and Cody – there’s also the slightly less beloved but still pretty great Suite Life on Deck to revisit. 

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Suite Life on Deck are currently streaming on Disney+.

7. Muppet Babies

Parents born in the 1980’s surely remember the original animated version of Muppet Babies. 

The new version on Disney+ is, admittedly, a little more geared toward younger children and works less on an adult level. However, the songs, characters, and voice talent are more than enough to keep parents engaged. 

Plus, there’s the nostalgia factor. Even though the new Muppet Babies is a Disney Junior reboot, it still has the same flavor as the original ’80s version. 

This is a great way for parents who love The Muppets as a whole to get their kids interested in the larger Muppet universe (and probably more enjoyable for parents than say, Sesame Street). 

Muppet Babies is currently streaming on Disney+.

8. DuckTales

Speaking of rebooting properties from the ’80s — parents and kids alike love the new version of DuckTales. 

Though the premise is basically the same, the newer version of DuckTales has an expansive lore that assumes all of the Disney afternoon shows (like Goof Troop, Darkwing Duck, TaleSpin, etc.) take place in the same universe. This factor alone should have parents chomping at the bit to get their kids interested in it. 

Furthermore — the writing and storytelling are magnificent. Each adventure that Scrooge McDuck takes his nephews on is epic in scope and keeps both young and old viewers engaged in the story. They travel to space, and various remote islands, and you even get to learn about the Huey, Dewey, and Louie’s mother.

DuckTales offers yet another stellar voice cast, featuring David Tennant, Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, Bobby Moynihan, and more! The star-studded cast and expansive universe create another Disney show with cross-generational appeal. 

DuckTales is currently streaming on Disney+.

9. Gravity Falls

Gravity Falls is another show that has cross-generational appeal. Many adults even watch this without their kids!

Kids like the animation, humor, and heart that come along with each character in the Gravity Falls lore. Adults love the mystery and science-fiction elements of the show. 

Gravity Falls is one of those rare animated shows to make end-of-year Top 10 lists galore. It’s well-written and exciting. Fans of The X-Files and Twin Peaks will certainly find something about it to enjoy. 

If you and your kids like adventure, mystery, intrigue, and fun — you’ll enjoy Gravity Falls.

Gravity Falls is currently streaming on Disney+.

10. The Epic Adventures of Captain Underpants

Kids who grew up on Captain Underpants books are now adults who have kids of their own. Luckily, the juvenile humor captured in the book series is perfectly recaptured on The Epic Adventures of Captain Underpants.

Adults who are less into juvenile humor may not appreciate this one as much, but kids love it. Deep down, adults and kids alike appreciate good bathroom humor. And “Good Bathroom Humor” aptly describes the ever-expanding (no pun-intended) Captain Underpants universe. 

Though we can all pretend that adults might be “too mature” to watch The Epic Adventures of Captain Underpants with their kids —  we all need a good fart joke now and again, and this series will deliver every time. 

Much like the other DreamWorks properties, The Epic Adventures of Captain Underpants is well-written and enjoyable for all ages, but especially for parents nostalgic for their Scholastic Book Fair days.

The Epic Adventures of Captain Underpants is currently streaming on Netflix.

11. Phineas and Ferb

It’s rare nowadays for kids to get 104 days of summer vacation. But Phineas and Ferb still stands the test of time when it comes to the epic adventures. the sharp humor, and the relatable characters.

Whether you watch it for the titular characters themselves, or if you’re more interested in Perry the Platypus and his battles against the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz, there’s something in it for everyone.

Among many reasons to love the show — the biggest one is that it’s hilarious. The humor holds up, and both kids and adults find it enjoyable. So whether your kids seek adventure or humor in their shows, Phineas and Ferb is for them and for you!

Phineas and Ferb is currently streaming on Disney+

12. A Series of Unfortunate Events

Based on a series of novels, A Series of Unfortunate Events is exactly the kind of book adaptation that readers and viewers hope to get. It covers everything in the books and more! 

While the slightly darker tone might appeal more to older kids than pre-school age, A Series of Unfortunate Events perfectly captures the spirit of the books in an engaging way. Any kid reading at that level should be interested in these, and this could be a good gateway to getting kids more interested in reading.

Even though the tone of the show is darker than some of the others on this list, the humor still appeals to all ages. The way that the Baudelaire orphans deftly escape Count Olaf time and time again is so exciting and hilarious that it appeals to adults and kids alike. 

For the adults, all of the above applies, but also should enjoy the work of the star-studded cast like Neil Patrick Harris, Catherine O’Hara, Tony Hale, Alfre Woodard, and more!

A Series of Unfortunate Events is currently streaming on Netflix

13. The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers

Elementary-aged kids are the perfect target audience for the original Mighty Ducks films. If your kids enjoy those, then it’s likely they will also enjoy the sequel series, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.

Several of the original film stars reprise their roles in the film, including Emilio Estevez as legendary coach Gordon Bombay. Many of the OG Ducks also return and more are expected in Season 2. 

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers teaches a new generation about the benefits of practice, hard work, and discipline while capturing some of that signature Mighty Ducks humor. 

For adults, the nostalgia factor is a reason to start watching, but the lovable new characters are more than enough reason to finish. For kids, the show is really about the kids and the lessons they learn are geared toward a younger audience.

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers is currently streaming on Disney+

14. Monsters at Work

If your kids enjoy Monsters, Inc. or Monsters University, they will also love the sequel series Monsters at Work. 

Monsters at Work is a workplace comedy set at Monsters Incorporated after the business changed from capturing screams to laughter. It features Billy Crystal and John Goodman reprising their roles as Mike and Sully, as those characters figure out how to run a company that’s undergone a major change. This could be very relatable to an adult audience.

Truly, though, Monsters at Work is focused on a new cast of characters led by Ben Feldman and Mindy Kaling. The signature humor from the films is ever-present in the series, so much like the other Pixar films — it appeals to kids and adults alike. 

Adults can find many relatable stories within the workplace context, and kids who love the monsters from their favorite movies will also enjoy this one. 

Monsters at Work is currently streaming on Disney+

15. Julie and the Phantoms

If your kids are anything like mine, they adore musicals. Earworms from some of the other shows on this list are on parent Spotify playlists nationwide.

Like a few of the shows listed above, Julie and the Phantoms is geared toward older kids. But the music is phenomenal, with plenty of cross-generational appeal. 

Julie is an easy main character to root for, and the supporting cast creates plenty of laughs and enjoyment from all sides. 

There’s no question adults will enjoy this show. Adults were at the forefront of the (unsuccessful) fight to get the show renewed. Though it’s geared toward a slightly younger (older kid and teen) audience — adults adore the show, too. 

Julie and the Phantoms is currently streaming on Netflix

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What shows do you like to watch with your kids (or your parents)? Let us know in the comments!

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