Shows for Kids While You're Making Dinner

Last updated: September 23, 2020

Let's be honest: Sometimes you just need 15 uninterrupted minutes to get dinner going -- so you put on a TV show. But you don't want to leave your kids hanging on a plot that takes a full 30 minutes to solve. That's where these great shows with short and sweet episodes come in. Between five and 22 minutes long (often two stories are broken up into shorter 11-minute chunks), these shows can give you just enough time to get things organized, and none of them will rile up your preschoolers enough that they won't be able to sit still for a meal. For more options, check out our Best Preschool TV Shows.

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Ask the Storybots Poster Image
TV

Ask the Storybots

age 3+

Kids' big questions get answered by friendly, funny bots.

Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices Poster Image
TV

Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices

age 3+

Virtual book club for preschoolers spotlights Black authors.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Poster Image
TV

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

age 3+

Excellent lessons from Mister Rogers' next generation.

Izzy's Koala World Poster Image
TV

Izzy's Koala World

age 3+

Real life 11-year-old koala rescuer brings the warm fuzzies.

Jessy & Nessy Poster Image
TV

Jessy & Nessy

age 3+

Curious friends reinforce important life skills.

Mighty Express Poster Image
TV

Mighty Express

age 3+

Kids and trains save the day in fun preschool series.

Molang Poster Image
TV

Molang

age 3+

Animal buddies explore their world in delightful series.

Nina's World Poster Image
TV

Nina's World

age 3+

Strong diversity, community, family themes in superb series.

Puffin Rock Poster Image
TV

Puffin Rock

age 3+

Young bird's adventures celebrate curiosity, relationships.

The Stinky & Dirty Show Poster Image
TV

The Stinky & Dirty Show

age 3+

Popular book characters are excellent role models for kids.

Creative Galaxy Poster Image
TV

Creative Galaxy

age 4+

Kindly alien finds artistic inspiration to solve problems.

Fraggle Rock: Rock On Poster Image
TV

Fraggle Rock: Rock On

age 4+

Fraggles make connections in fun, charming musical shorts.

Go! Go! Cory Carson Poster Image
TV

Go! Go! Cory Carson

age 4+

Sweet stories, exceptional messages in toy-inspired series.

Helpsters Help You Poster Image
TV

Helpsters Help You

age 4+

Kindly monster models solving relatable problems for kids.

Mira, Royal Detective Poster Image
TV

Mira, Royal Detective

age 4+

Clever girl's adventures celebrate Indian culture.

True and the Rainbow Kingdom TV Poster: Cartoon girl with blue hair hugs a black cat in front of rainbow background.
TV

True and the Rainbow Kingdom

age 4+

Whimsical world's heroine helps her friends solve problems.

Tumble Leaf Poster Image
TV

Tumble Leaf

age 4+

Vibrant preschool series teaches about science through play.

Elinor Wonders Why Poster Image
TV

Elinor Wonders Why

age 5+

Eager preschoolers' curiosity yields learning opportunities.

Emily's Wonder Lab Poster Image
TV

Emily's Wonder Lab

age 5+

Great STEM series inspires kid scientists to wonder.

If I Were an Animal TV Poster: Young lynx cub on a tree branch with green background.
TV

If I Were an Animal

age 5+

Gentle reality series is charming and family-friendly.

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