Netflix Kids Alternatives: Educational Apps That Actually Teach
Netflix Kids is one of the safer streaming options available—curated content, parental controls, no algorithm anxiety. But safe entertainment is still entertainment. If you're looking for Netflix Kids alternatives that offer actual curriculum and learning outcomes, this guide covers the best options for families who want screen time that teaches.
Why Parents Look for Netflix Kids Alternatives
Netflix Kids provides a safe streaming environment, but parents explore alternatives for several reasons:
Entertainment, not education — Netflix Kids curates children's shows, but there's no curriculum, no learning objectives, and no progress tracking. Your child watches; you hope they learn something.
Cost for content you already have — At $6.99-22.99/month, Netflix Kids adds up. If you're primarily using it for kids' content, dedicated educational apps often cost less.
Want curriculum, not curation — There's a difference between "filtered for kids" and "designed to teach kids." Educational apps create content with learning objectives; Netflix aggregates existing entertainment.
No progress visibility — Netflix shows watch history, not learning progress. You can see what your child watched, not what they learned.
Seeking educational screen time — Many parents want to shift screen time from pure entertainment to content that builds skills.
Quick Comparison: Apps Like Netflix Kids
| App | Price | Best For | Ages | Curriculum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kokotree | $4.99/mo | STEAM video learning | 1-5 | Full curriculum |
| Khan Academy Kids | Free | Interactive learning | 2-8 | Full curriculum |
| PBS Kids | Free | Trusted characters | 2-8 | Partial |
| Disney+ | $7.99+/mo | Entertainment variety | 2-12 | No curriculum |
| Amazon Kids+ | $4.99+/mo | Content bundle | 3-12 | Limited |
Best Netflix Kids Alternatives
Kokotree — Curriculum-Based Video Learning
If what you want from Netflix Kids is video content children can watch independently—but with actual learning outcomes—Kokotree delivers exactly that. Every video is created by educators with specific skills in mind.
Netflix Kids shows what's age-appropriate. Kokotree teaches what's developmentally important. Same hands-off viewing, completely different outcomes.
What makes Kokotree different:
- Education by design — Not entertainment filtered for kids, but content created specifically to teach. Every video has learning objectives.
- Full STEAM curriculum — Letters, numbers, phonics, science, social-emotional skills, creativity. Comprehensive preschool preparation.
- Video + interactive — Videos paired with games and 500+ printable worksheets. Learning reinforced through multiple modes.
- Progress tracking — Parent dashboard shows skill development, not just watch history. See what your child actually learns.
- Closed ecosystem — No algorithm drift, no recommendations to questionable content. Complete content certainty.
Why it beats Netflix Kids for learning: Same convenience (videos kids watch independently), but with curriculum, progress tracking, and educational design. At $4.99/month, it costs less than Netflix's cheapest plan.
See our full Kokotree vs Netflix Kids comparison →
Khan Academy Kids — Free Comprehensive Learning
Khan Academy Kids proves educational apps can be free, high-quality, and ad-free. It's the best free alternative if you're looking to add learning to your family's screen time mix.
- 100% free — No ads, no subscriptions, no in-app purchases
- Comprehensive curriculum — Reading, math, social-emotional skills
- Interactive engagement — Children tap, trace, and respond—more active than watching
- Positive characters — Kodi, Peck, and friends guide learning
Best for: Families wanting free, comprehensive learning to supplement or replace entertainment streaming.
PBS Kids — Free Trusted Content
PBS Kids offers what many parents loved about Netflix Kids shows (Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street) without the subscription cost—plus additional educational content.
- Completely free — No subscription required, no ads
- Trusted programming — Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street, Wild Kratts, Numberblocks
- Educational focus — Shows designed with learning objectives
- Games and videos — Multiple content types available
Best for: Families who want free access to the educational shows Netflix licenses, plus additional PBS content.
Disney+ — Entertainment Alternative
If your Netflix Kids alternative search is about entertainment value rather than education, Disney+ offers the richest children's content library.
- Massive library — Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic
- Popular children's content — Bluey, Encanto, Disney classics
- Download capability — Offline viewing on the go
- Family appeal — Content for all ages
Best for: Families seeking entertainment variety. Note: Disney+ is not an educational platform—it's a different entertainment option.
Amazon Kids+ — Content Bundle
Amazon Kids+ bundles videos, apps, books, and games into one subscription for families in the Amazon ecosystem.
- Bundled content — Videos, apps, books, games in one subscription
- Parental controls — Time limits, educational goals, filtered content
- Multiple content types — Not just video streaming
- Amazon integration — Works with Fire tablets and Echo devices
Best for: Amazon-device families wanting bundled content. Educational value varies by content.
Free Netflix Kids Alternatives
If cost is driving your search, these options provide quality without subscription:
- Khan Academy Kids — Complete free curriculum, no ads
- PBS Kids — Free app and website with trusted shows
- Kokotree Free Tier — Sample educational content
- YouTube Kids — Free but with ads and algorithm concerns
- Local library apps — Many libraries offer free educational content
How to Choose a Netflix Kids Alternative
Finding the right alternative depends on what you're actually looking for:
Choose Kokotree if: You want video content children can watch independently AND actual curriculum with progress tracking. You want education, not just safer entertainment.
Choose Khan Academy Kids if: You want free, comprehensive learning and don't mind interactive engagement (more hands-on than video viewing).
Choose PBS Kids if: You want free access to trusted educational shows your kids already love.
Choose Disney+ if: Entertainment variety is the priority and you're comparing streaming services, not seeking education.
Choose Amazon Kids+ if: You use Amazon devices and want bundled content across multiple formats.
The Complementary Approach
Many families find the best solution is using multiple apps for different purposes:
| Need | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Educational screen time | Kokotree |
| Free learning | Khan Academy Kids |
| Family movie night | Netflix Kids or Disney+ |
| Trusted show characters | PBS Kids |
| Complete content variety | Keep Netflix + add Kokotree |
The math: Kokotree ($4.99) + Khan Academy Kids (free) + PBS Kids (free) = comprehensive education for less than Netflix's cheapest plan.
Netflix Kids Alternatives FAQ
What is the best alternative to Netflix Kids?
For educational content, Kokotree provides curriculum-based video learning designed by educators. For free options, Khan Academy Kids offers comprehensive learning, and PBS Kids provides trusted show content. For entertainment alternatives, Disney+ offers the largest family content library.
Is there a free version of Netflix Kids?
Netflix doesn't offer a free tier. For free alternatives, PBS Kids provides trusted children's content, Khan Academy Kids offers comprehensive learning, and YouTube Kids provides free streaming with ads (though with algorithm concerns).
What's more educational: Netflix Kids or Kokotree?
Kokotree is designed as an educational platform with curriculum, learning objectives, and progress tracking. Netflix Kids curates entertainment content—some shows are educational (Sesame Street, Numberblocks), but the platform itself isn't designed for learning outcomes.
Can I use Netflix Kids and Kokotree together?
Yes, and many families do. Use Netflix Kids for entertainment (movie nights, reward viewing) and Kokotree for educational screen time. Total cost: your existing Netflix subscription + $4.99/month for Kokotree.
Why leave Netflix Kids?
Common reasons: cost ($6.99+/month for primarily entertainment), lack of educational structure, no progress visibility, and wanting screen time that builds skills rather than just entertains.
Does Netflix Kids have learning shows?
Some Netflix Kids content is educational (Sesame Street, Numberblocks, nature documentaries), but the platform doesn't organize by educational value or provide curriculum structure. For dedicated learning, use educational apps alongside or instead of Netflix Kids.
Ready for Educational Screen Time?
Add curriculum-based learning to your family's screen time. Kokotree gives you videos, games, and worksheets—all created by educators, all 100% ad-free.
More Alternatives Guides
Looking for alternatives to other streaming content? These guides might help:
- YouTube Kids Alternatives — Safe learning apps
- Cocomelon Alternatives — Calm educational videos
- Peppa Pig Alternatives — Educational content with positive behavior
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