The Big List of Low-Stimulating Shows for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Let’s talk about our kids and the TV. Yes, that magical box full of flashing lights and loud advertisements that can either feel like a lifeline or like it's slowly melting your child’s brain.

If you’ve ever found yourself Googling, “Is Blippi turning my kid into a feral squirrel?” while hiding in the pantry because you just want to cook dinner without someone pulling at your leg then you are not alone. We live in a world where overstimulation is everywhere! Flashing colors, rapid scene changes, blaring sound effects. Some of these shows are designed to catch and hold on to the attention of little learning minds. So, I mean it’s no wonder little brains can get hooked on that constant buzz. In fact it can create an actual addiction in the brain which can lead to difficult behaviors. This doesn't mean ALL screen time is bad. It just means we have to use it with intention and if you are here then we know being an intention driven and conscious parent is your goal! Us too.

While the research is clear: overstimulating shows can impact attention spans, increase screen dependency, and make transitions (like turning the TV off) feel like you’ve just ended the world, what do we do? Well here’s the thing, we're not here to shame screen time. We’re here to reclaim it and use it as a tool instead of an enemy. 

Because sometimes you just need a minute! To fold the laundry. To feed the baby. To cry into your coffee. And that's ok! We all do. You are human mama. And in a world where our “village” often looks more like a solo mission in yoga pants and a slicked back bun, having a show you feel good about popping on can make a big difference in your day. It's not just parenting survival, it's a small act of love (for them and for you).

We have all been there so the Little Haven Team curated a list of some of our favorite low-stimulation children’s TV shows available across various streaming platforms. These shows tend to have slower pacing, soft music, gentle visuals, a calm tone, and just overall gentleness.

 

Netflix

• Puffin Rock - Sweet Irish narration by Chris O'Dowd, gentle nature themes, and soothing visuals. Basically a warm cup of tea in cartoon form. We are big fans of this one here at Little Haven. Geared towards preschool aged children.

• Trash Truck - A slow-paced, wholesome series about a boy and his giant talking garbage truck. Surprisingly Zen. Truly such a sweet show.

• If I Were an Animal - Documentary-style show with real animal footage and soft narration. A great alternative to fast cartoons with a wonderful educational element.

• Octonauts - 

Apple tv+

• Duck and goose - a charming nature filled, animated series that follows two feathered friends as they navigate friendship, cooperation, and simple life lessons. Notable for its soft visuals, calm dialogue, gentle music, and unhurried pace.

• Frog and toad - a warm, animated series based on the beloved classic books, following the everyday adventures of two best friends who embrace life's simple pleasures and lessons. Slow paced and perfect for the toddlers.

• Stillwater - Two siblings and their wise and gentle panda neighbor. A very serene animation that doesn't get enough attention. 

• Shape island - another charming stop motion style animation. This one is perfect for little littles. All about three shapes who are friends and live on a sweet and very quiet island. One of the more lower stim shows on the list in our opinion. 

Amazon Prime

• Peter Rabbit - is a gentle, animated children's TV show based on the classic stories by Beatrix Potter, following the adventures of Peter and his woodland friends in a calm, nature-filled setting. With this you’ll find a soft color palette, slow-paced storytelling, and minimal background noise.

• Little Bear - A throwback classic. Gentle stories, soft watercolor animation, and slow narration. Your inner child will thank you.

• Franklin and Friends - Similar calm vibes to Little Bear, with slow plots and teachable moments.

• Tumble Leaf - a stop-motion animated series that follows a curious blue fox named Fig and his friends as they explore a whimsical world. This one has a gentle rhythm and thoughtful storytelling encouraging curiosity without overwhelming the senses. Fun for the bigger kids too!

Hulu

• We Bare Bears - This one is perfect for the bigger kiddos. Gentle humor, slightly more energetic while also being soft and filled with sweet emotional warmth. Elementary aged kiddos might really enjoy the silliness this show has to offer. 

• Curious George - Another cute show based on the classic books of the same title. Sweet curious monkey and his hijinx. Fun for all. 

• Stinky and dirty show - animated adventures of a garbage truck (Stinky) and a backhoe loader (Dirty) as they solve problems through creative thinking and teamwork. Unique art style but as always has the slow pace and low stimulating dialogue we love to see for the littles. 

• Peg and Cat - this is another one we think is great for the older kids, around 5 +. An educational animated series that follows a young girl named Peg and her cat as they solve everyday problems using basic math skills and creative thinking. Some light humor and energetic songs but overall a good lower stim show. 

• Dragon tales - Another one for the older kiddos. Follow a brother and sister into a whimsical and magical world of friendly dragons. Themes of friendship and kindness with shorter episodes and a slower paced story. 

PBS Kids

Most of the shows found on PBS we are big fans of. They are generally pretty low stimulating with wonderful messages for all aged kiddos. But these are some of our team's favorites.

• Daniel Tiger - an animated take on the ever loved and ever classic Mr Rogers Neighborhood. This show is great for emotional intelligence, real world problems, and overall sweetness. Great for Preschool aged littles.

• Sesame street - I mean does this even need an explanation? A long running classic for a reason. Especially the early episodes. Preschool and up. 

• Wild Kratts - The Kratt brothers are back with some fun animated educational adventures. While this show is super fun and educational the story pacing is slightly faster paced than most on this list. So we love it for the elementary aged kiddos or at parents discretion. 

• Clifford the big Red Dog - another book classic turned sweet show. Slow paced story and gentle music makes this another low stim fav. 

• Super Why and Word Girl - both of these are great for introducing language and phonics with a little super hero twist. 

Disney+

• Bluey - We debated adding this to our list for two reasons. One, who hasn't heard of bluey at this point? And two, Its not always low stim. That being said we decided we had to add it. This one is a whole family favorite for many of us here at Little Haven. Big belly laughs, imaginative play, real life parenting, this show is truly a gift to modern parents and their littles. 

• The Book of Pooh - Need I say more? Who doesn't love the gentle honey loving bear and his 100 acre forest friends. 

• Bear in the Big Blue House- Bear and his big blue house full of friends is an older show but perfect for littles. Very slow paced and gentle voices, we love this one. 

You’re doing amazing. No, really. In a world that’s always buzzing, you’re trying to raise thoughtful and grounded little humans. That's amazing! You also deserve a moment to breathe guilt free. Your babies are so lucky to have such a mindful mama like you and don't forget that! So from one mama to another go ahead and take that minute. You’ve earned it! Snuggle up, press play on something soft and slow, and enjoy the five (or twenty) minutes of peace. 

Lots of love!

Tijana W.

 

 

What about youtube? While we have a couple recommendations for youtube we will be posting some tricks to help utilize the youtube app in a safe way for you and your family. So keep an eye out!