Shows to Watch on Netflix for Homeschoolers

Ever consider homeschooling with Netflix? Here is a great list of shows to watch on Netflix for homeschoolers.

At the bottom of this article, you’ll find a homeschool lesson plan example that we use for how to write a report on a Netflix documentary.

We’re on our fifth year of homeschooling our daughters now. We started with Zoë when she was in second grade, and with Kaylee when she was in first grade. Our girls are flourishing and thriving and absolutely love homeschooling.

Homeschooling is what you make of it. If you make it hard, it’s going to be hard… if you make it fun and exciting, it’ll be fun and exciting.

While we do follow a pretty advanced homeschool curriculum with them, we like to mix things up with educational shows and documentaries.

See Lesson Plan – Report Writing Below the Show List

Here are some great shows streaming right now on Netflix that will get your kids psyched about learning via Netflix. Some shows listed are kids shows for a younger audience and some are geared towards older kids and teens.

Without further ado, here are some great titles on Netflix right now along with their trailers so you can see what they’re about too.

1. Brainchild

This show teaches the science of our everyday world in ways that kids can understand. Some topics covered include Social Media, Germs, Dreams, Space, Oceans, Motivation, Emotions and More. Everything is explained in a way that kids can understand and it’s relatable. Not only that, Brainchild does a wonderful job at promoting self-esteem and being your best you.

2. History 101

This series is packed with short lessons to get your kid interested in history! Includes lessons on scientific breakthroughs, world changing discoveries and important social movements.

3. Project Mc2

First off, it’s pronounced Project MC-squared. It’s all about getting girls interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The show follows 4 highly intelligent, diverse teen girls who love STEM. It shows them working together to solve whatever problems they have.

4. The Magic School Bus

If you’ve never heard of The Magic School Bus, you probably had a very sheltered childhood. It’s a cartoon that follows a class that goes on wild adventures on the magic school bus, learning about new things the entire time. It’s really engaging and interactive for kids. It’s definitely a classic!

5. The Magic School Bus Rides Again

This continuation of the classic cartoon, The Magic School Bus Rides Again covers a variety of science-based subjects from space to wingsuits to robots. It’s fun.

6. The Who Was Show

This is a great show to watch on Netflix to supplement your homeschool history curriculum. The Who Was Show is a live-action comedy sketch that brings historical characters to life. It’s pretty funny and the kids like it.

7. DisneyNature – Oceans

Disney always makes such great documentaries that are engaging for kids. Disney Nature Oceans talks about the importance of water in our world, and how the ocean is an important part of our environment.

8. Our Planet

This limited series explores the different regions of our planet. Kids can learn about a variety of topographies, including the desert, oceans, jungles, forests and more.

9. Dino Hunt

In this series, paleontologists and scientists check out dinosaur fossils in Canada. They are even on the hunt for a new species, which can be pretty excited for dino lovers.

10. Untamed Romania

This is a fascinating look at Romania. It has one of Europe’s largest wilderness. This documentary is a great look at the nature and beauty of Romania.

11. Night on Earth

This is one of those addictive series that will draw you into your screen. It’s an amazing look at what happens in different parts of the earth at night.

12. Ask the Story Bots

Outerspace… Dinosaurs… Shapes… and more!!! One of our Happy Mothering fans recommended Storybots and said “both my 6-year-old and 3-year-old love it! Definitely keeps both of them engaged the whole episode. Every show has a different topic.”

13. Explained

Most kids can ask a million questions a minute when they’re interested in something. Explained is a series on Netflix that explores a variety of different topics to give your kids the answers they seek.

14. Leapfrog: Phonics Farm

We have been teaching our girls the basics at home since they were little in our own version of homeschool preschool. Leapfrog shows have always been great for helping with letters and phonics concepts.

15. Mystery Science Theater

Many parents remember this show from their childhood and now it’s back for today’s generation. If your kid is into sci-fi or robots, they may like this show.

16. Unnatural Selection

This show is great for older children to get a grasp of how genetics works. Good information about today’s scientists are hacking biology and editing genes to do things like eradicate disease and select a child’s genetic makeup.

17. Bill Nye: Science Guy

This young adult science show makes a great addition to the homeschool curriculum. It has a great focus on the scientific method.

Didn’t find what you’re looking for here? No worries… Check out these other documentaries streaming right now or try CuriosityStream!!!

Lesson Plan – Report Writing

So their homeschooling doesn’t turn into “just watching TV’ we have our girls take notes with the purpose that the notes will help them write a report on the show after they watch it.

So let’s say a series has 1-hour episodes… I would make sure the report covers no more than 2 episodes or 1 documentary. I feel after 2 hours of screen learning, everything starts to become confusing for the kids to write a report because of information overload.

And here’s a solid tip for you.

The report doesn’t have to be that long, though it could be. When you’re starting out with this, what’s important is the writing conveys what they learned in a manner that shows they comprehend it… as well as it’s important the language arts aspect of it is proper. At first, their reports may only be 1/4 page if that typed out and that’s okay.

Both you and your child are learning a new way to learn, it takes time to get to where they’re busting out a report a day. Count every word they type of their report as a win and you’ll both always be winning. As more reports are done, they’ll get better, longer, more in-depth and start reading out loud very well.

And the BEST TIP ON HOMESCHOOLING EVER… If you or your child is not getting it, feeling frazzled, stressed or any other negative emotion. Stop and take a break, maybe even until tomorrow. If the show is just too much, forget about it and go to another one. And if that doesn’t cut it, go do something fun, like watch a sing-along show or movie. There’s no need to ever stress out about homeschooling.

And after all of that… boom… you have just homeschooled and had the kids write a report that’s based on what they learned from a screen and the lesson is done.

There are many shows streaming on Netflix that you can use the supplement your homeschool curriculum. I hope you found a new educational show or documentary to watch this week!