11 Best Cartoons and TV Shows for 5-Year-Olds

Posted On June 16, 2021

Finding the right TV shows for your 5-year-old to watch can be quite tricky. You have to find something that will engage them, that will keep them interested and it has to be educational. Not to mention how not every show is appropriate for kids, plus there are so many different TV shows and cartoons for 5-year-olds to choose from. So, in order to help you pick the best shows and cartoons, here is a list of the best cartoons for young children.

Aladdin

Aladdin is one of the Disney classics that your kid should definitely watch. And even though it has been developed during the 90s, it is still one of the best Disney movies that bring joy to every child. The main character is Aladdin and he falls in love with the princess of Agrabah, Jasmine. The plot revolves around them finding a way to be together, while there is plenty of magic and mystery involved. Your kid is certainly going to enjoy the whimsical character of the Genie, while they will certainly wish their carpet could fly just like the Magic Carpet.

Paw Patrol

Paw Patrol became popular among kids only recently and it is the best cartoon for 5 year old girls and boys who want to learn about police and firemen. Besides police and firemen there are other helpful members of the community and all the characters are cute puppies. What is more, they will teach your kids about the jobs of policemen and firemen, how helpful they are and they will teach them about friendships and responsibility.

Peppa Pig

Peppa Pig is a cartoon for 5 year old boys and girls and it is only 5 minutes long. However, in those 5 minutes, she manages to capture any child’s attention and teach them about everyday life. Peppa is a female pig that lives with her family – her brother George and Mama and Papa Pig. They all go through wonderful adventures together and teach children about numbers, colors, friendships, responsibilities and various animals and their sounds.

The Magic School Bus

You probably remember this show from your younger age, and you probably remember it as one of the most educational TV shows for 5-year-olds. That is because this cartoon takes children on adventures they never could have imagined. The plot revolves around Miss Frizzle and her class full of children and she takes them on rides in the Magic School Bus. With it, they explore the space, oceans, valleys and even the human body and learn a lot about it, just like at school, but only with magic included. And if you want to motivate your child to learn more, you should definitely introduce them to this show.

Arthur

Arthur is a charming cartoon for 5-year-olds and older kids and it tackles social situations. These situations include sibling arguments mostly, but they present them in a light way. Arthur is a curious and charming character who speaks openly about his anxieties while he is really determined to solve all of his problems. And he does that in a creative way. Kids can learn a lot from Arthur and his daily problems because he gives his best to navigate friendships and overcome his fears.

Marvel’s Spiderman Animated Series

If you want to introduce your child into the Marvel Universe and all the superheroes, then you should start with this one. Marvel’s Spiderman is an animated TV show that follows daily troubles, heroism and adventures of Spiderman. It is completely kid-friendly and your child can enjoy all the action and fighting scenes and troubles that their friendly neighborhood Spiderman goes through. And like many generations before, this show also teaches today’s kids that with great power comes great responsibility and how they should face their fears and problems. However, your five-year-old boy might like this show better than your girl, but who says these adventures can’t captivate anyone’s attention?

Cyber Chase

This really engaging animated series is one of the best TV shows for 5-year-olds who love space adventures and learning about math. The show focuses on developing math skills and practical problem solving which are skills that your little one should develop well. So, make sure to introduce them to these fun and brainy characters who are also great role models. What is more, they work together and use their intellect in a positive way to solve their problems and it looks really powerful.

Phineas and Ferb

This cartoon that is filled with fun things happening will surely win over the young fans. The creators have packed this show with an exaggerated sense of adventure and they have paired comical stepbrothers. Ferb is somewhat of an engineering guru to his stepbrother and definitely a silent partner in crime to his boisterous stepbrother Phineas. If you let your child watch the show you will allow them to let their imagination run wild along with the characters’ zany schemes. Plus, the show may even catch your attention as well since humor is clever and witty.

Dora and Friends: Into the City

This is one of the TV shows for 5-year-olds that is a spin-off of the very popular cartoon series Dora the Explorer. This show follows Dora into her school-age years and her friends on their daily adventures. The themes involved are friendship and community service, as well as their creative problem-solving skills. Your child will love this show and they can learn a lot about being good, hard-working and devoted to making their hometown a better place. It is safe to say that Dora has always been a good role model and she can teach your kids a lot.

Sid The Science Kid

This animated series will teach kids of all ages how to appreciate and discover the world around them. There is plenty of great music and humor in this show, and it will certainly pave the way for love for the science of your child, at a young age. What is more, the show has a fun and inquisitive way of thinking which can help hone your little one’s intellect and creativity. Plus, they will learn a lot and it might even become their favorite show if your child has plenty of interest in science and is curious, as all kids are.

Elena of Avalor

This is one of the shows that your five-year-old girl might prefer more than your boys. It is about a feisty but very kind Latina princess Elena and she is a great role model. The show focuses on teaching kids about how valuable their family and friends are and how to solve problems within those circles. Also, while following Elena’s adventures, your kids will learn how important it is to be kind and honest and how to value the most important things in their lives. Plus, this show can help your child expand their concept of diversity since it celebrates Latin culture through dance, song and Spanish language.

Every child will love watching cartoons and TV shows, but you need to establish some boundaries and not expose your child to literally everything at this age. So, to help you here is a list of great cartoons for 5-year-olds that will entertain them, keep them focused and inspire their creativity and education.

Author: Catherine Evans

Catherine is a writer from Canada who simply loves toys, collectibles and superhero figurines. Writing is her passion, but she also loves reading, enjoying her “me time” and finding new ways to improve her work and ways to entertain the readers.

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