Top TV shows and films to keep your kids entertained

Weekends don’t need to be expensive when you have all this free content to keep the kids happy! Now sit back and relax as your children discover some of your favourite shows as well as some excellent new films! From TV shows for the littlest ones to exciting books brought to life, we’ve rounded up some of our absolute faves!

Films for all | For the little ones | Books brought to life 

Movies for the whole family

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Watch now on ITVX

Grab your shamisen and settle in for something a bit magical. Kubo and the Two Strings is a dazzling animated adventure that follows young Kubo, a brave storyteller who sets off on a mythic quest armed with music, wit and a whole lot of heart. Along the way he faces ancient spirits, fearsome monsters and some very unexpected allies. For ages 10 and up.

Stick Man (2015)

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

Fancy a stick with a serious sense of adventure? Stick Man brings Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved book to life, following one very unlucky stick who just wants to get back to his family tree. From being mistaken for a dog’s toy to starring in a snowman, poor Stick Man is pulled into one mishap after another. Suitable for kids (and grown ups) of all ages!

We're Going on a Bear Hunt (2016)

Watch now on Channel 4

Ready to squelch, splash and stumble your way into an adventure? We’re Going on a Bear Hunt brings the beloved picture book to life as one fearless family heads out across grass, rivers and snow in search of something very big and very furry. It is a simple, playful journey packed with rhythm, imagination and a few gentle surprises along the way... we're not scaaaared! Suitable for all!

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Stream on ITVX

Welcome to a holiday hotspot where monsters can finally put their feet up. Hotel Transylvania opens the doors to a spooky but silly getaway run by Dracula, designed to keep humans out and monsters very much in. Things quickly go BATTY when an ordinary human stumbles in and turns the whole place upside down. Don't let the title fool you - this one is perfect for kids 6+

Dolittle (2020)

Watch now on BBC iPlayer

Ever fancied a chat with a gorilla or a gossip with a giraffe? Dolittle takes us on a big, bright adventure with a famously reclusive doctor who can talk to animals and suddenly has to save the day. When the young queen falls ill, it is all hands on deck for a globe-trotting quest packed with strange creatures and talking beasts.

Wonder Park (2019)

Watch now on Channel 4

Imagination runs the show in Wonder Park, a bright and bouncy animated adventure where a once-magical theme park springs to life. Packed with talking animals, wobbly rides and wild ideas, the park needs a burst of creativity and teamwork to stop everything falling apart. Suitable for kids 8+

Coraline (2009)

Available now on ITVX

Welcome to a world that looks familiar but feels very, VERY wrong. Coraline follows a curious girl who discovers a secret door to an eerie mirror version of her life, where everything seems better at first glance. But shiny buttons for eyes and too-good-to-be-true promises soon reveal something far more sinister. Keep this one for kids 10 and up!

The Gruffalo

Stream on BBC iPlayer

A clever little mouse sets off through the deep, dark wood, outsmarting every hungry predator he meets. But when he comes face-to-face with the terrifying Gruffalo, will his quick thinking be enough to keep him safe?

The Boxtrolls (2014)

Stream on ITVX

Step beneath the streets into a wonderfully weird underground world full of boxes, gadgets and unlikely heroes. The Boxtrolls follows a young orphan raised by a loveable band of rubbish-collecting creatures who scuttle out at night. When a fearsome plot threatens their way of life, it is up to bravery, friendship and a healthy dose of CHAOS to save the day. For kids 9+

TV shows for the little ones

Wallace and Gromit

Available now on BBC iPlayer

A timeless classic that everyone must see! This series centres of Wallace, a warm-hearted, cheese-loving inventor and his loyal human-like beagle Gromit! This clever show with its deep moral messages is suitable for all ages!

Megamind Rules!

Stream on ITVX

This series picks up after the not-so-evil genius hangs up his villain cape and tries to go full time hero – which, spoiler alert, is wayyyyy messier than he thought! With his friend and Al, Megamind attempts to save the day… proving over and over again that being good can be just as chaotic as being bad!

Horrible Histories

Stream on BBC iPlayer

It's history, but not as you learned it at school! Horrible Histories takes the past and turns it into a riot of songs, sketches and seriously silly facts, serving up kings, queens and gruesome goings-on with plenty of gross-out gags along the way. As the title suggests, you might want to reserve this one for kids 7 and up!

Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed!

Stream in BBC iPlayer

Ideal for ages 6 and up, Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed explores the adventures of Dennis, his dog Gnasher, and their best friends JJ, Rubi and Pieface, where mischief is a requirement, and no days go by without a whoopee cushion or two! Dennis and the gang turn everyday in Beanotown into a prank-fuelled adventure with big laughs, big hearts and a very cool catapult!

Pocoyo

Available now on ITVX

This show is perfect for the very little ones! Join little Pocoyo the curious toddler as he enjoys exploring the world around him with Pato the yellow duck, Elly the pink elephant, Loula the dog and many other friends! Loved by children up to six!

Thomas and Friends

Stream now on 5

Located on the imaginary island of Sodor, Thomas the blue steam locomotive and his friends face the most exciting of adventures! From pulling tricks on new engines to playing in the snow, the trains have the best time! Suitable for all ages!

Arthur

Available now on BBC iPlayer

This series is perfect for children ages 4 to 8! Arthur follows the life of intelligent eight-year-old Arthur the aardvark who lives in the exciting town of Elwood City with his chef father David, accountant mother Jane and two little sisters Dora Winifred and Kate, oh and you mustn’t forget his dog Pal!

If you are looking for a show to pop on while you get some chores done or even just to have some time to yourself, Arthur is the perfect show for learning and growing!

Polly Pocket

Stream now on ITVX

Perfect for all ages! There’s no dream too big for Polly! Every time Polly is told she is ‘too little’ to do what she wants, she proves what every kid knows, being little isn’t a limitation! Suitable from five plus!

Thunderbirds Are Go

Stream on ITVX

Set in the year 2060, Thunderbirds Are Go follows the Tracy brothers- Scott, Virgil, Alan, Gordon, and John who work for International rescue: a life-saving organisation that operate from a very secret base in the Pacific ocean! This shows fun-packed and full of adventure, targeted at those aged 8 and older!

Books brought to life 

The Famous Five 

Stream now on BBC iPlayer

Based on the world-famous books by Enid Blyton, The Famous Five tells the tale of four children and their dog Timothy as they solve mysteries and battle sinister forces all whilst having the most magical summer of their lives! For ages 6 and up!

And, of course, all FIVE of the classic adventures are available to stream completely free on BBC iPlayer!

Swallows and Amazons (2016)

Stream now on BBC iPlayer

Pack up the sandwiches and set sail for a proper old-school adventure. Based on the classic novel by Arthur Ransome, Swallows and Amazons heads to the great outdoors, where a group of children turn a summer holiday into a world of make-believe battles, secret missions and island hideouts. Lakes become oceans, boats become battleships and imagination does the rest. Suitable for kids 8 and up.

The Snow Queen (2012)

Available now on ITVX

Dive into a winter tale full of wonder and whimsy with The Snow Queen, an animated adventure inspired by the beloved Hans Christian Andersen story. When a magical shard of ice steals her brother’s smile, a brave young girl sets off on a frosty quest through shimmering landscapes, meeting peculiar allies and chilly challenges along the way.

His Dark Materials

Available now on BBC iPlayer

For the older ones aged 12 plus, this fantasy drama is based on the trilogy of novels by Phillip Pullman. In a parallel world ruled by the sinister Magisterium, a battle rages over a mysterious particle called dust. Can orphan Lyra stop the fight from spilling into our time?

For fans of the books this is a must see! 

Did you enjoy our recommendations? Why not check out our best family films and tv shows article for the slightly older children! And if you want to stay even moreee in the loop then sign up to our Freely Press newsletter!