When schools close, screen time increases. You can feel bad about it, or you can use this list of award-winning shows to make sure it’s time well spent.
Your little one will be enthralled by these 10 shows while you have a chance to get cracking with your holiday family meal planning.
ALSO SEE: 15 fun things to do with your kids over the December holidays
Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood
PBS Kids
Put on your stripes and join Daniel Tiger in the Neighbourhood of Make-Believe. Get ready for adventures with O the Owl, Katerina Kittycat, Prince Wednesday and Miss Elaina.
Age recommendation: 3+
List to the theme song below
Hey Duggee
CBeebies
Duggee is a big friendly dog who runs The Squirrel Club – a place where kids take part in all kinds of activities, have adventures and earn activity badges along the way.
Age recommendation: 3+
Watch the trailer below
Peppa Pig
Entertainment One, streaming on Showmax
Peppa explores her muddy-puddled world with her trademark blend of curiosity and cleverness, along with her little brother George and her best friend Suzie Sheep.
Age recommendation: 3+
Watch the trailer below
Watch S1-2 now, plus three specials.
Puppy Dog Pals
Disney Junior
Fun-loving pug puppies, brothers Bingo and Rolly, have thrill-seeking appetites that take them on exhilarating adventures in their neighbourhood and around the globe.
Age recommendation: 3+
Watch the trailer below
Doc McStuffins
Disney Junior
Doc McStuffins is a six-year-old girl who can communicate with her stuffed animals and toys, and knows just how to heal them.
Age recommendation: 4+
Watch the trailer below
The Highway Rat
BBC One
An adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestseller, The Highway Rat is a swashbuckling tale of a greedy rat who craves buns and biscuits and comes to a sticky end. Animated in Cape Town by Triggerfish.
Age recommendation: 4+
Watch the trailer below
Elena of Avalor
Disney Junior
Princess Elena has saved her magical kingdom, Avalor, from an evil sorceress and must learn to rule as its crown princess.
Age recommendation: 5+
Watch the trailer below
Revolting Rhymes
BBC One
Two half-hour animated films based on the much-loved rhymes written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. Partly animated in Cape Town by Triggerfish.
Age recommendation: 6+
Awards: Revolting Rhymes was nominated for an Oscar this year and won over 15 international awards, including Best Animated Special at the Annie Awards and Best One-Off Special at Kidscreen in 2018.
Watch the trailer below
Spongebob Squarepants
Nickelodeon
The misadventures of a talking sea sponge who works at a fast food restaurant, attends a boating school, and lives in an underwater pineapple.
Age recommendation: 6+
Adventure Time
Cartoon Network
A 12-year-old boy and his best friend, a wise 28-year-old dog with magical powers, go on a series of surreal adventures.
Age recommendation: 10+
Due date: S1 coming to Showmax on 10 December 2018
For a free, no-risk trial, visit showmax.com.
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