Lull · Guide

The calmest kids' shows for big kids (5+)

The 15 least over-stimulating picks for ages 5+, calmest first.

Want calmer screen time for big kids (5+)? These are the least over-stimulating titles we've rated for ages 5+, sorted calmest first. Genuine wind-down picks, measured by pace, sound, color, and story tension. How the rating works.

  1. 1
    The Red Turtle Gentle · ages 5+ · Max

    A man shipwrecked on a deserted island encounters a giant red turtle, in a wordless story about survival, love and the cycle of life.

  2. 2
    Art for Kids Hub Gentle · ages 5+ · YouTube

    Follow-along drawing lessons a parent and kids can do together.

  3. 3
    Reading Rainbow Gentle · ages 5+ · YouTube

    Host LeVar Burton explores a theme through a featured children’s book and real-world field trips, celebrating the joy of reading.

  4. 4
    Free School Gentle · ages 5+ · YouTube

    Kid-friendly educational videos on art, nature, and history for elementary learners.

  5. 5
    Doug Gentle · ages 5+ · Paramount+

    A quiet series about a boy navigating middle-school life and daydreams, for grade-schoolers who like grounded stories.

  6. 6
    Homeschool Pop Gentle · ages 5+ · YouTube

    Learning videos on core school subjects for young learners and homeschoolers.

  7. 7
    Mystery Science Gentle · ages 5+ · YouTube

    Question-led science lessons and activities for elementary classrooms and homeschoolers.

  8. 8
    Arthur Gentle · ages 5+ · PBS

    Arthur Read, an eight-year-old aardvark, navigates school, family and friendships in the town of Elwood City.

  9. 9
    SciShow Kids Gentle · ages 5+ · YouTube

    Short science-question videos that teach curious elementary-age kids how the world works.

  10. 10
    Whisper of the Heart Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A bookish girl chases her dream of writing and first love, a tender coming-of-age film for tweens and up.

  11. 11
    Molly of Denali Moderate · ages 5+ · PBS

    Ten-year-old Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native girl, helps run her family’s trading post and solves problems using maps, signs and other texts.

  12. 12
    Wishbone Moderate · ages 5+ · PBS

    A dog imagines himself in classic novels, introducing great literature to grade-schoolers.

  13. 13
    National Geographic Kids Moderate · ages 5+ · YouTube

    Wildlife and science shorts for school-age kids curious about animals and nature.

  14. 14
    The Sandlot Moderate · ages 5+ · Disney+, Hulu

    In the summer of 1962, a new kid falls in with a neighborhood baseball gang and gets swept into their adventures, including a daring plan to retrieve a ball from a legendary dog.

  15. 15
    Craig of the Creek Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A warm series about kids ruling an outdoor creek kingdom, for grade-schoolers who like adventure and friendship.

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