The best movies & TV for kids to watch this summer on Kanopy Kids

Looking for the best kids’ movies and TV shows to stream this summer? Whether you're stuck inside on a rainy day or just need a quiet afternoon activity, look no further than Kanopy Kids, a curated collection of high-quality, educational, and entertaining content for children of all ages.

From picture books and short films to full seasons of TV shows and even family-friendly films, Kanopy Kids is packed with screen-time options you can feel good about. Plus, there’s unlimited streaming, meaning you’ll never have to worry about hitting a monthly watch limit! You’ll also never see ads or commercials—a parent’s dream come true.

To help you get started, here are some recommendations of my top movies and shows for kids to watch on Kanopy Kids this summer.

Books (you can watch!)

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
Run time: 9min
Ages 3+

I’m sure many readers around my age are familiar with this popular picture book by Jon Scieszka, which offers an alternate take on The Three Little Pigs tale. But did you know that the animated short from Weston Woods—a production company owned by Scholastic— features Paul Giamatti as the voice of Alexander T. Wolf? Fans of silly stories are sure to delight in this take on the classic tale, while grown-ups will enjoy the expert narration.

This Is the House That Jack Built
Run time: 6min
Ages 3+

Another surprise appearance from a well-known voice, This Is the House That Jack Built features narration by Mandy Patinkin. I’m a huge Patinkin fan, and he truly shines in this silly cumulative tale, but I’m also partial to this classic by Simms Taback because it was one of my sister’s favorites when we were children.

I Want My Hat Back
Run time: 8min
Age 3+

One of my personal favorite picture books, I Want My Hat Back is the first title in author/illustrator Jon Klassen’s The Hat trilogy. It tells the story of a bear who is on a journey to find his missing hat—which he very much wants back. This animated version features a full voice cast, and Klassen himself provides the voice for one of the animal characters.

Mo Willems Collection
Run time: 1hr 19min
Age 3+

From Elephant and Piggie to Pigeon, Mo Willems’s characters are much beloved. This collection of animated picture books features not only three Pigeon books, but the complete Knuffle Bunny series as well as two more great Willems titles. Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs is my personal favorite, but you absolutely can’t go wrong with any of these books. Plus, Willems narrates each title in the collection—and his wife and son guest star in a few as well!

TV Shows

Pop Paper City
Run time: 2hr 12min (1 full season)
Ages 3-8

Follow along with a group of unique paper friends as they adventure through their city, exploring and creating exciting new possibilities. Pop Paper City encourages creativity, collaboration, and problem solving for young viewers—so grab some supplies and get crafting with your new paper pals!

Carl the Collector
Run time: 3hr 52min (1 full season)
Ages 4-7

Carl is a young autistic raccoon with a special interest in collecting who lives alongside a variety of other woodland critters in Fuzzytown. Each episode of Carl the Collector follows the everyday adventures of Carl and his friends, from building lemonade stands to hosting sleepovers. Along the way, they all learn to embrace what makes each of them unique.

Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
Run time: 7hr 55min (2 full seasons)
Ages 4-7

Follow along with Xavier Riddle and friends as they travel through time to learn from younger versions of important historical figures. Based on Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos’s bestselling Ordinary People Change the World picture book series, viewers meet two historical figures per episode ranging from musicians and artists to scientists and changemakers.

Reading Rainbow
Run time: 4hr 33min (1 full season)
Ages 4-8

I’m not sure that Reading Rainbow needs an introduction, but just in case: This award-winning children’s show hosted by LeVar Burton encourages a love of reading by exploring a story’s themes in real-world contexts. You can stream all of Season 4 of this classic series on Kanopy now!

Goombay Kids
Run time: 2hr 56min (1 full season)
Ages 5-9

I first learned about this award-winning series from a fellow librarian I very much admire. Named for a traditional Bahamian style of music, Goombay Kids is a live-action children’s show that encourages exploration and discovery while teaching kids about culture, history, and climate change. Episodes are divided into two parts, each running about 20 minutes, and feature stories about celebrations, sleepaway camp, and even time travel!

Belle and Sebastian
Run time: 3hr 6min (1 full season)
Ages 6+

Based on a 1965 children’s novel, this series follows six-year-old orphan Sebastian and his Great Pyrenees Belle as they head out on adventures throughout the Alps. This series gives me Hilda vibes, without the fantastical elements, and is sure to appeal to kids who enjoy stories with a touch of danger and daring.

MetKids Microscope
Run time: 1hr 2min (2 full seasons)
Ages 8-12

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art comes a show about the science behind the art— and the art behind the science! Explore the science of color, crystals, and more as you dig into the history and process behind famous works of art. The show was originally conceived with older children in mind, but episodes are short—around 5 minutes—so the topics are sure to interest younger art, science, and history enthusiasts too. Plus, each episode features a related science experiment you can try at home!

Movies & Shorts

Ernest & Celestine
Run time: 1hr 19min
Ages 6+

A multi-award winner and nominee—including an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature Film—Ernest & Celestine tells the story of an unlikely duo who, after some hijinks, are put on trial for their friendship. The story is based on a series of children’s books by the same name and is available on Kanopy in both English and French.

Dounia: The Great White North
Run time: 49min
Ages 7+

This animated winter special shares the story of seven-year-old Dounia, a Syrian refugee who has found a new home in Canada with her grandparents but wishes to be reunited with her father. While Dounia learns about the culture and traditions of her new friends, momentary flashes show us Dounia’s father as he follows mysterious signs to find his family again.

Patema Inverted (Sakasama no Patema)
Run time: 3hr 17min
Ages 8+

A multi-award nominated sci-fi anime adventure, Patema Inverted tells the story of two teens separated by opposite gravities in a post-apocalyptic world. Patema is the Chief’s daughter and a well-respected member of her community with an adventurous spirit. When she goes out to explore the “danger zones,” she falls through a tunnel—and up into the sky of another world. Rescued by a boy named Age, the two must work together to evade authorities and solve the mystery of their opposite worlds. Fans of Studio Ghibli films—in particular Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Castle in the Sky—are sure to enjoy this one.

Litterbugs
Run time: 15min
Ages 8+

Bullied by a group of girls, a young inventor named Alice and a self-professed superhero form an unexpected friendship in this 2016 British short film. While the duo’s method for handling their bullies may not be conventional, the film’s message of camaraderie and embracing difference is heartwarming.

*Access to films may vary. Check with your local library to see if they offer access to Kanopy.

RELATED READ: How to get started streaming films for free with Kanopy