8. Hannah Montana

Photo Credit: wallpaperbase.com

Reruns of this classic television series for kids can be seen on the Disney Channel and streaming on Disney+. Most people are very familiar with the concept behind this hit kids’ show. The story revolves around a junior high school student, Miley Stewart, who lives a double life as superstar Hannah Montana but doesn’t want anyone at school to know it. She wears wigs and changes outfits so that no one knows who she actually is. There is a lot of catchy singing, fun fashion, and pre-teen antics that go on in this series, making it one of the top shows for 8 year olds and tweens who find the comedy exciting.

7. Team Umizoomi

Photo Credit:babblingsofamommy.blogspot.com

Nick Jr. offers an engaging series for preschool aged children that seamlessly incorporates early math concepts into everyday adventures. Whether you remember the Nick Hotel Team Umizoomi theme or catch it on streaming, I like how this show demonstrates that math is everywhere around us in the world. This animated series creates a vibrant world filled with colors, counting challenges, and three lively characters: Geo, Bot, and Milli. The streets are paved with origami and the scenes are brightly colored to attract the attention of little kids.

Here are a few key learning elements featured in the show:

6. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

Photo Credit: studentsoftheworld.info

The twin boys in this Disney series for kids reside in the luxurious Tipton Hotel in Boston. They are quite the trouble-making pair, which is what drives most of the hilarious episode plots. Kids can still catch reruns on the Disney Channel or stream full seasons to enjoy watching Zack and Cody get into and out of trouble at the Tipton Hotel. If your kids enjoy secret identity comedies like Hannah Montana, this live-action series is easily one of the best tv shows for 8 year olds looking for family-friendly laughs.

5. Good Luck Charlie

Photo Credit: entertainmentwallpaper.com

This sitcom can be seen on the Disney Channel and is a good series for kids that the entire family will enjoy watching together. Set in Denver, Colorado, the show centers around the close-knit Duncan family as they navigate daily life. The series uniquely consists of video diaries made by older sister Teddy for the newest addition to the family, baby Charlotte (aka Charlie). Each video offers practical life advice to help Charlie grow up, ending with Teddy saying 'Good Luck' to Charlie, hence the name of the series.

4. Dino Dan

Photo Credit: nickutopia.com

This science-oriented television series is an educational favorite on Nick Jr. The idea behind this hybrid animated series is to teach kids how to use the scientific method for solving real-life questions. The show also teaches kids a wealth of fascinating facts about prehistoric creatures. Kids between the ages of 2 to 9 years old will love this show and will constantly share fun dinosaur trivia they’ve gathered from watching. There are plenty of impressive CGI dinosaurs alongside the live-action antics of Dan Henderson and his friends as they uncover clues about how dinosaurs used to live.

3. ICarly

Photo Credit: streamingepisode.com

Carly is the energetic main character on this popular Nickelodeon show designed for young teens. She starts her own web show called iCarly alongside her close friends Freddie and Sam. The show gets started with Carly taking the rap for something Sam does and serves her punishment at school. While Carly and Sam are goofing off during the start of the show, Freddie gets it all on tape and posts it online. There is a huge following for Carly after the video is placed online without her knowing, thus she gets the idea to start her own web show. Similar to hotel antics in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, it stands out as one of the best shows for 8 year olds seeking comedy and friendship storylines.

2. Dora the Explorer

Photo Credit: myfreewallpapers.net

Dora became a beloved staple on Nick Jr. starting in the year of 2000. I think this is an excellent show to use for teaching little kids Spanish vocabulary and active problem-solving skills. There are phrases and various words introduced in each episode. Repetition is used to teach the new words and phrases. Boots is a monkey who wears red boots and who helps Dora on her new trip in each episode. Dora talks directly to the audience, which makes little kids feel like she is actually speaking to them. Most kids find Dora the Explorer to be very entertaining.

1. Sesame Street

Photo Credit: scenicreflections.com

Amazingly, this iconic series is still able to be seen on PBS KIDS and Sesame Street official. I remember watching episodes with Big Bird, Burt, Ernie, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch when I was a little kid. After more than 40 years on television, the muppets haven’t changed all that much, but the live characters certainly have. This kids’ show is chocked full of songs, games, muppety antics, reading skills, and lots of other learning activities that are perfect for kids of all ages, ranking right alongside classics like Dora the Explorer.

Key educational topics covered on the show include:

Out of these 8 good TV shows for kids, I hope you find something that your kids will enjoy. Most of the shows that are now only able to be seen as reruns can also be purchased on DVD for those who don’t have access to paid television services. What are some shows that your kids like to watch and that you actually don’t mind them watching?