Can My Kid Watch That? 5 Grown-Up Shows That Are Safe For Kids
As parents, there's always a necessary caution that comes into play when determining what kids should and shouldn't watch. I sneakily watched way more teen dramas than I should've when I was a lot younger than the age-appropriate time, but it's always better when parents are the ones doing the introductions. At the same time, different kids might gravitate toward different adult shows for various reasons, like visual effects, even if the subject matter isn't at all appealing to them.
There are a handful of great '80s movies for kids, but if you're specifically wondering if some of the shows you're obsessed with are appropriate for the littles, then we've got you covered with some of the best ones, as well as where to stream them on Prime Video, Disney+, and more.
Star Wars properties, in general, are safe for kids, so long as they're at an age where they understand that what's happening is fiction. Because even the biggest scaredy cats like me were never scared of characters like Darth Maul, Palpatine, or Vader, so a lot of the visuals are on the tamer side. The story is also generally easy to understand, which makes it easier to watch.
But of all the shows, The Mandalorian might just be the most straightforward and appealing, especially with characters like Grogu, aka Baby Yoda. Plus, with The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) releasing in theaters this year, now might be a great time to get kids aboard the Star Wars train in a way that's lighter on the violence and gore.
In every way that it matters, Abbott Elementary is the best sitcom to introduce kids to. Outside of generic shows like Full House (1997), the way Abbott explores pivotal conversations and topics that younger kids could also get a different perspective on is no small feat. While there are moments that might be a tad too advanced for younger kids, there's nothing overtly inappropriate that would prompt them to ask questions ahead of their time.
It's intriguing enough that the kids who might have nerdier humor could especially get a kick out of how dorky Abbott Elementary tends to be. If I had Janine Teagues growing up, I would've been a lot more confident in my nerdier side. And surely, I'm not the only one who wishes she had characters who resembled her personality growing up. Plus, it can be really neat to compare it to shows like Boy Meets World and see how kids react.
A Series of Unfortunate Events is one of the best book-to-screen adaptations we've had, and the kind of series that I wish had more hype while it was airing. Despite the dark and heartbreaking things that happen to the Baudelaire siblings, the series is structured to be palatable for kids, even though adults can appreciate it, too.
Neil Patrick Harris is perfect as Count Olaf, and the casting for every villain also allows them to be equally sinister and wildly compelling at the same time. The show is so riveting in how it spends time with each book, making sure it does the stories justice in a manner that the movies never got around to doing. It's one I've personally rewatched a few times and can confirm it holds up.
Star Trek is a little tricky because matters within are a bit more mature than in Star Wars, but if there's one show to perhaps start with and introduce kids to, then Lower Decks feels like the solid choice. Strange New Worlds (2022) can also be fun, but there are some more mature themes in it that might be better when kids are older.
When presented through animation, some of the more mature content might not hit kids as hard as it would with real people. It's why it's the perfect one to start with, if there are concerns about some of the subject matter. Plus, there's so much nostalgia in the series that it can be a fantastic bonding experience for parents and kids.
I can almost hear parents questioning this inclusion, but hear me out. The adventures in Stranger Things are mostly similar to when we watched The Goonies (1985) as kids, and we were also probably way too young for it. And yet, we turned out fine. While some things are definitely on the creepier side in later seasons, you can always talk to your kids about it, then close their eyes if they're a little more sensitive. If nothing else, they can at least watch the first season.
The series gives the audience enough time to understand what's happening, so we can shield our kids from the kissing scenes if they're too young for it. But ultimately, with parental guidance, the show is fine and one that kids could actually enjoy in the early seasons.
