The Animals of Farthing Wood was a banger show. It’s because of that show that I began drawing as a kid. I love how epic it is and how it comments on deeper themes that are still important today. Among other things, it’s all about how the animals are forced to immigrate to another park after their forest is turned into a highway for humans. That even after the arrive after a horrible migration, their presence isn’t welcome because they disturb the old ways in the new park. How wars break out, friendships and alliances are formed and how everyone has to find a way to coexist and also keep the ever looming presence of humans at bay. It is truly a brilliant show that teaches you so much about life, death, nature and tolerance. And you know, you can also just watch the show as an entertaining epic for kids about animals without looking into all the political stuff, because it never really tries to cram all it’s themes down your throat in the annoying way that a lot of media does nowadays.

Maybe hold off on showing the little one this show until they are at least kindergarten age. It’s a bit rough sometimes, but it is not damaging.

Also, congratulations on becoming a dad! Glædelig jul ❤️

Bluey and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (of not the remake) for kids shows. Bluey isa. Double hitter as it’s great for kids and adults as well. There’s a few tearjerker episodes in there for adults around life and kids growing up, along with just great ideas on how to parent and play. MMCH is great as it doesn’t subscribe to the overly energetic constant cutting camera angles bullshit that’s super addictive and bad for kids. Shows are calm, involve learning and problem solving, and are very much like ‘okay get up and expend some energy, go play’ at the end. Honorable mention to Tumbleleaf. It’s for kids that are a bit older, is a little more weird, but still fun. Art style is cool on it as well. Best of luck building your library and congrats on being a dad!!

Sesame Street, Muppets, The Electric Company.

Completely dated, but these older shows introduced a white kid in whitesville to a completely different world. Plus fun, educational in a way that kids don’t mind.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder version)

Once Upon A Forest (1993) [idmb:tt0107745]

In the wake of an environmental disaster, the children have to work together to solve problems, and save their friend.

Do not underestimate silent film! My kiddo loved them as a toddler. Here are some great starters:

• The Cook (Roscoe Arbuckle)
• Sherlock Jr (Buster Keaton)
• Gold Rush (Charlie Chaplin)
• A Trip to the Moon (Georges Méliès)

Very engaging with way more visual gags than we usually see nowadays, few title cards, and a chance to talk with your kid about what is happening on screen (Ooh no, Charlie is stuck in the lions cage! How is Buster going to get on that runaway train?)

And eventually when they’re a little older, getting your kid to sit down with you to watch Scorsese’s Hugo (2011). It is an absolutely magical loveletter to early film, particularly Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon.

Cosmos

There’s a very educational show from Denmark called John Dillermand.

…I’ll see myself out. 🤣

Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli For Younger Kids:

• My Neighbor Totoro
• Ponyo
• Spirited Away
• The Secret World of Arietty
• Kiki’s Delivery Service
• Pom Poko

For maybe when they’re getting older?

• Howl’s Moving Castle
• The Wind Risees
• Castle In The Sky
• Princess Mononoke
• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Some other decent ones for kids of various ages:

Animated/Claymation

Series:

• Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
• Alvin & The Chipmunks
• Captain Planet and the Planeteers
• Ducktales
• Gumby
• Inspector Gadget
• Rugrats
• Rescue Rangers
• Scooby Doo
• Yogi Bear

Movies:

• Alice in Wonderland
• All Dogs go to Heaven
• An American Tail
• An American Tail: Fivel Goes West
• The Black Cauldron
• Charlotte’s Web
• FernGully
• James and the Giant Peach
• The Land Before Time
• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Peter Pan
• Pinochio
• RobinHood
• The Rescuers
• The Rescuers Down Under
• The Secret of NIMH
• The Sword in the Stone
• Thumbelina
• Wallace and Gromit (All of them are great)

Live Action Series:

• Bill Nye The Science Guy
• Beakmans World

Movies:

• Beetlejuice
• Casper
• Ernest Goes to School (and all the other ones really)
• Honey I Shrunk The Kids
• Hook
• Jumanji
• E.T.
• Edward Scissor Hands
• Flubber
• Ghost Busters
• The Goonies
• Labyrinth (Creepier vibe than I remember)
• The Little Rascals
• Mary Poppins
• Mr. Mom
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• The Never Ending Story
• Operation Dumbo Drop
• Patch Adams
• Sandlot
• Short Circuit
• Space Jam
• Toys
• Tron
• We’re back a dinosaur story
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Animated and Live Action)

Edit: awful formatting… And typos

Avatar the last Airbender taught me to think when in conflict

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Bluey. It’s a really positive modern show , so not really from my childhood but it beats everything else from my childhood.

Half of the Ghibly movies. The other half i was too old already.

I am going to be a father and am making a jellyfin setup for my child. I want to start early to make a good collection of movies and shows.

Me too!

I have Bluey and The Magic Schoolbus.

Franklin ( the one about the turtle ). For the most part, I feel like almost all the content is good enough to show a young child considering it’s one of those preschool age shows. May look a little old considering it’s 90s animation and also doesn’t have any traditional box sets ( it seems to be nothing but sets based around themes ), but I’m pretty sure every episode is on a Canadian company’s yt channel ( region locked AFAIK, so having a VPN is advised ). Treehouse Direct, IIRC.

Also, for a friendly enough way of teaching religious lessons in a non-preachy way that is actually not eye bleach or racist ( looking at you, FInding Jesus ) or low quality slop maid solely to profit off of religious parents, VeggieTales. There’s a reason why it was popular with Christians and non-Christians alike, besides the silly songs.

They can be fun to watch ( not including the 4th VHS episode where 3 characters get thrown into a furnace and magically survive thanks to a “glowing man” ( probably Jesus ) ) and can be good for opening a conversation on things like being nice to others despite differences or being thankful for what you have or a number of other topics they covered from the Bible. Honestly, one of the greatest Christian animated cartoons ever considering how it is probably the only Christian cartoon parents who are and aren’t Christian could probably both agree on letting their kids watch.

Cannot speak for modern VeggieTales, though, so take my words with a shaker of salt just in case modern VeggieTales isn’t as lesson oriented or anywhere near as good as the originals from the 90s and early 2000s.