50+ Educational Documentaries for Kids
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Updated 4/2022
Homeschool-friendly educational documentaries can be a fantastic addition to any curriculum. They can be used to further learning on a topic you are studying or to introduce a new topic all together. They can be written into the lesson plan or turned on when Mom needs a sick day. Finished school early, but it is pouring down rain outside? Snuggle up under a blanket and watch a documentary.
What does it mean to be a homeschool-friendly educational documentary? Well, to me it means a movie or television series that is educational and appropriate for children. They increase knowledge or interest in a topic.
As a child, I remember being bored by documentaries. They seemed so dull and dry. They are so much better now! I would never have willingly chosen a documentary when I was a child, but my kids select one all the time!
Lately, we have been watching documentaries during lunchtime. We have a fairly open first level of our house so we can see the television from our kitchen table. Watching something educational over lunch gives us a ‘break’ from our studies while still engaging our minds.
I have not watched all of these movies, so even though they are homeschool-friendly educational documentaries, use your judgment as to whether it is a good fit for your family. I also can not verify that all documentaries are factually correct.
Netflix and Amazon have a tendency to mix ratings and topics of documentaries together. The documentaries genre page includes a wide range of documentaries – many that are not appropriate for children. Be aware of what might pop up on the screen if your children are in the room. If that is a concern, pull up the chosen documentary before calling your children into the room.
Educational Documentaries for Kids
This list of educational documentaries for kids is accurate as of today, but streaming services update their collection constantly.
Educational Documentaries on Netflix
You will need access to a Netflix account with streaming capabilities in order to watch these educational documentaries.
Guatemala: Heart of the Mayan World – Rated G
Pacificum: Return to the Ocean – Rated G
Puff: Wonders of the Reef – Rated G
My Octopus Teacher – Rated G
Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale – Rated G
Brainchild – Rated G
Old Enough – Rated G
JFK: The Making of a President – Rated PG
Amelia: A Tale of Two Sisters – Rated PG
The Who Was Show – Rated PG
The Speed Cubers – Rated PG
Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb – Rated PG
Mars Generation – Rated PG
The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station – Rated PG
Mercury 13 – Rated PG
The Last Days – Rated PG
Chasing Coral – Rated PG
A Plastic Ocean – Rated PG
A Life on Our Planet – Rated PG
Dancing with the Birds – Rated PG
Human: The World Within – Rated PG
Educational Documentaries on Amazon Prime
You will need access to an Amazon Prime account to watch these titles.
Great Greek Myths – Not Rated
- Zeus and the Conquest of Power
- Zeus in Love
- Hades: A Reluctant King
- Orpheus: A Hymn of Impossible Love
- Theseus: The Ravages of Oversight
- Prometheus: The Rebel of Olympus
- Apollo: Shadow and Light
- Dionysus: An Outsider in the City
- Dedalus and Icarus: A Shattered Dream
- Athena: Armed Wisdom
- Aphrodite: Dictated by Desire
- Hermes: The Impenetrable Messenger
- Psyche: Beauty and The Beast
- Bellerophon: The Man Who Wanted to be a God
- Perseus: The Look of Death
- Medea: Murderous Love
- Heracles: The Man Who Became a God
- Oedipus: The Riddle Solver
- Antigone: The Woman Who Said No
- Tartarus: The Damned of the Earth
Daily Life in the Medieval World – Not Rated
Egypt’s Lost Queens – Rated All
Lost Treasures of the Silk Road – Rated 7+
Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story – Rated G
Closed for Storm – Rated All
Andy Paris: Bubblegum King – Rated PG
Let It Snow – Not Rated
Popular Mechanics for Kids – Not Rated
Inventions That Shook the World – Rated All
The Milky Way – Rated All
National Parks Exploration Series: Yellowstone – Rated All
Idaho: The Movie – Rated All
Borealis – 7+
Red Sea – 7+
Forgotten Ellis Island – All
Hummingbirds – Rated 7+
Zoo Babies – Rated All
Dogs with Jobs – Rated All
Amazing Dinosaurs – Rated All
Travel with Kids – Rated All
Educational Documentaries on Hulu
The Food That Built America – Rated PG
The Biggest Little Farm – Rated PG
Pandas – Rated G
Puppies Vs The World – Rated PG
NASA Television Documentaries – Not Rated
Educational Documentaires on Curiosity Stream
Curiosity Stream is another documentary streaming service. They have a section that is kid-friendly. There is also an option to only show child-friendly titles.
It includes titles such as:
- American Icons (7 episodes)
- Rock the Park (seasons 2 & 3)
- Secrets of the Solar System (8 episodes)
- Nature’s Mathematics (2 episodes)
- A Stitch in Time (6 episodes)
Frequently Asked Questions About Educational Documentaries for Kids
Why Are Documentaries Good for Kids?
Documentaries can teach kids about topics they already find interesting while also encouraging learning about new topics. They usually cram a lot of information into a short period of time. The visual aspect of videos can also keep kids engaged.
Is Watching Documentaries Better Than Reading a Book?
Watching documentaries to learn isn’t better or worse than reading a book. They both serve to inform. They can both be interesting and engaging.
Honestly, you don’t even need to homeschool to benefit from these titles. Families with kids in classroom settings can watch an educational documentary after school or on weekends.
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