History TV

Last updated: June 25, 2026

Television can be a great way to help history come alive for kids. There are awesome scripted series that really put you right smack dab in a bygone time and place. There are reality shows that uncover ancient artifacts, and biopics about people who have shaped the world. Check out our top picks for TV shows that make history interesting and entertaining. And for more history-minded picks, don't miss Best History Movies and Time Travel Movies, and for those in the mood for a page-turner that chronicles a lost moment in time, our Historical Fiction book list is a sure bet.

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The Amazing Professor Ambrosius' Mansion Poster Image

TV

The Amazing Professor Ambrosius' Mansion

age 6+

Engaging animated series blends humor with learning.

Online Kids' Animation (2015)

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Dear America Poster Image

TV

Dear America

age 7+

Books-inspired series brings history to life for kids.

HBO Drama (1999)

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The Who Was? Show Poster Image

TV

The Who Was? Show

age 7+

Fun books-inspired show intros kids to historical figures.

Netflix Comedy (2018)

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Liberty's Kids Poster Image

TV

Liberty's Kids

age 8+

Worthwhile 'toon walks tweens through American history.

Syndicated Kids' Animation (2002)

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Mind-Blowing Breakthroughs Poster Image

TV

Mind-Blowing Breakthroughs

age 8+

Lively, historical science stories are fun and educational.

Starz , Online Kids' Animation (2014)

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The States Poster Image

TV

The States

age 8+

Fun American history snippets for tweens and up.

History Educational (2007)

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Unsolved History Poster Image

TV

Unsolved History

age 8+

Cracking the past's big mysteries with technology.

Discovery Channel , Discovery Times Educational (2002)

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Wow, I Never Knew That! Poster Image

TV

Wow, I Never Knew That!

age 8+

Family-friendly show tells origin stories of everyday items.

Kids Central Educational (2017)

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Horrible Histories Poster Image

TV

Horrible Histories

age 9+

Books-inspired British sketch comedy yields laughs, facts.

Online Comedy (2009)

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American Dreams Poster Image

TV

American Dreams

age 10+

Evocative retrospective drama follows changes of the '60s.

NBC Drama (2003)

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American Pickers Poster Image

TV

American Pickers

age 10+

Hunt for antique treasures is a gem for history buffs.

History Reality TV (2010)

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Behind the Movement Poster Image

TV

Behind the Movement

age 10+

Insightful biopic tells story behind momentous bus boycott.

TV One Drama (2018)

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Cosmos: Possible Worlds Poster Image

TV

Cosmos: Possible Worlds

age 10+

Visually stunning existential explorations dig deep.

National Geographic Channel , Fox Educational (2020)

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History Detectives Poster Image

TV

History Detectives

age 10+

Lively series reveals history's everyday secrets.

PBS Educational (2003)

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How We Got to Now Poster Image

TV

How We Got to Now

age 10+

History's greatest ideas are smart fun for curious families.

PBS Educational (2014)

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The Long, Long Holiday Poster Image

TV

The Long, Long Holiday

age 10+

Wonderful animated series about life in occupied France.

Netflix Drama (2015)

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The Story of Europe with Historian Dr. Christopher Clark Poster Image

TV

The Story of Europe with Historian Dr. Christopher Clark

age 10+

European history docu is rich in detail, imagery.

Max Educational (2017)

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Victorian Slum House Poster Image

TV

Victorian Slum House

age 10+

Past becomes present when modern folk move to an 1800s slum.

PBS Reality TV (2017)

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Where Did It Come From? Poster Image

TV

Where Did It Come From?

age 10+

Glimpse into technology's past is fun for curious families.

History Educational (2006)

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The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Poster Image

MOVIE

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History

age 11+

Lots of historical detail in evenhanded, traditional docu.

September 16, 2014 2014 NR (840 minutes)

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