8 Best Streaming Services for Kids

It can be scary to let kids into the big wide world of the internet, especially if it's for entertainment purposes. Left to their own devices, they can stumble into anything from inappropriate to full-on disturbing content. Thankfully, most streaming services offer parental controls you can use to oversee what your children are watching (you can check our dedicated list for that here). But if you're looking for services targeted specifically at kids, we've gathered the best ones right here. 

Disney+ still tops the list since it has everything from toddlers to tweens to teens, but you might be surprised to see the likes of Apple TV+ and HBO Max here (they have a great lineup of kid-friendly content) as well as Noggin and Hopster TV (their educational features are among the best in the market). Read on to learn more about the best streaming services for kids. 

Read also:

Apple TV+ is an ad-free on-demand stream from Apple that costs $4.99 per month and is accessible in about 150 countries. The Apple TV+ app is accessible via Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac) and Apple TV. While Android phones and tablets are not supported, you can access Apple TV+ via Android-powered TV devices like Chromecast. It can be accessed via web browser and supported by PC, as well as Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV devices, PlayStation and Xbox.

Price: $4.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Roku TV, Samsung TV

HBO Max is a subscription-based on-demand platform that is only available in the US. New subscribers pay $15 a month, with an annual subscription option also available.

When you subscribe, you'll get HBO’s world-class exclusives, such as The Wire and Game of Thrones but HBO MAX also functions as a bundle: you'll get content from DC, Criterion Collection, Looney Tunes, Studio Ghibli, Turner Classic Movies, and Crunchyroll.

Most mobile devices that can stream video support HBO Max, although there is yet no app for Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices.

Price: $14.99/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Samsung TV, Xbox

Disney Plus is a streaming on-demand service owned by the Walt Disney Company available in 59 countries at the time of writing. 

Pricing starts at $8 a month in the US, while plans differ from region to region. New theatrical releases cost up to $30 in addition to the subscription fee.  

Disney Plus can be accessed via a full range of services including Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, Xbox One and is compatible across Apple and PC computers, and Android and Apple phones and tablets. 

Price: $6.99/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, PlayStation, Roku, Xbox

Netflix is an ad-free streaming platform that operates on a monthly, or annual, subscription.

There are three pricing plans – Basic, Standard and Premium – and the one you choose will determine the number of devices that you can simultaneously use to watch Netflix, in case you want to share the account with someone else.

There are three plans, though pricing differs from region to region. First up is the Basic plan, which allows you to watch on one device at a time. Upgrading to the Standard plan allows you to watch shows and movies, and download them for offline viewing, on up to 2 different devices at a time. The top-tier Premium plan lets you watch and download on up to 4 different devices, and comes with the options to watch videos in HD and Ultra HD.

Once subscribed, you can watch movies and TV shows directly on your browser via Netflix.com.

You also have the option of downloading the app on pretty much any mobile device, including iOS, Android, or Windows. The app also works on computers using Windows XP or later and Macs with OS X Tiger or later.

Price: $8.99/month

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Changhong, Chromecast, Haier, Hisense, iOS, LG TV, Nvidia SHIELD, Panasonic, Philips, PlayStation, Roku, Roku TV, Samsung, Samsung TV, Sharp, Skyworth, Sony, TiVo, Vestel, Vizio, Wii, Xbox

Dig deeper:

Amazon Kids+ is a streaming service for kids 3 to 12. it features animation content from Disney, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street and Cartoon Network, but also access to educational apps, games, and e-books. It costs $2.99 if you already have Amazon Prime or $4.99 if you don't. 

Price: $4.99/month

Free Trial: 30 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Fire tablets, iOS

Paramount plus is mostly a Netflix-style streaming service, offering movies and TV shows on-demand like The Good Fight or Yellowstone. 

The premium plan of Paramount Plus gives you access to Live TV from CBS: CBS local channels, CBS News (CBSN), CBS Sports, ET live, and some live sporting events like NFL on CBS Live. It also offers on-demand access to programming from Comedy Central, MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Paramount Pictures and Smithsonian Channel.

Price: $9.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, LG TV, PlayStation 4, Portal TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Vizio, Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Xfinity Flex

Channel lineup: CBS local channels, CBS Sports HQ, CBSN, ET Live

Noggin is a subscription service catered specifically to preschool-age children. Powered by Nickelodeon's sister channel Nick Jr., Noggin boasts an extensive line-up of ad-free shows such as Peppa Pig, Blues Clues, and PAW Patrol. Aside from thousands of titles like this, the streaming service also has educational games, eBooks, and shorts, as well as exclusive Spanish-language content. With access to five accounts and multiple parental controls, Noggin is reasonably priced at $7.99 a month. It's also a strong competitor to YouTube TV and Netflix's own child-targeted content.

Price: $7.99/month

Device availability: Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, iOS, LG, Roku, Samsung, Sony, Vizio

Hopster TV is a kids-oriented streaming service that offers a variety of educational and entertaining shows. It also offers games, books, and songs in the platform, allowing kids to navigate between depending on their mood.

Price: $5.99/month

Free Trial: 7 days

Device availability: Android, iOS

Ready to cut the cord? Here are the 12 cheapest Live TV streaming services for cord-cutting.

More lists

The streaming services on this page were chosen by our editors. If you choose to subscribe to a streaming service we recommend as a result of our research, analysis, and curation, our work is sometimes (but not always) supported by an affiliate commission from the streaming service when you make a purchase.

That's all from us for the 8 Best Streaming Services for Kids!