Best Streaming Services for Kids in 2026

Disney+ remains the default kids service for most families because its library of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars titles is unmatched for younger viewers. Kid profiles restrict content by rating, and children cannot easily switch out of a kid profile without the account controls. Downloads on every plan help on trips and flights.

The cheapest plan now includes ads, which many parents prefer to avoid for children, and the price has risen over recent years. Parents should also set a PIN on adult profiles, since the same account holds grown up titles. For pure kids viewing depth, though, no other service on this list comes as close.

Netflix is the best choice when one account must serve children of different ages plus adults. Its kids profiles, maturity settings, and profile PIN locks give parents finer control than most rivals, and its animated originals keep older children watching. The catalogue spans preschool shows through teen series, so one subscription can grow with a family.

The cheapest plan includes ads and limits streams and quality, while higher plans cost much more. Its preschool depth also trails Disney+ and PBS Kids for the youngest viewers. For a household where teens and adults share the account, Netflix offers the best balance of control and variety.

PBS Kids is the best free option for young children, full stop. It carries Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Curious George, and other educational shows, with games and activities tied to the programmes. There is no subscription, no trial to cancel, and no upsell waiting behind a paywall.

The limit is age. Content skews to ages two to six, so older children will outgrow it quickly, and parental controls are minimal because the app is already filtered to kids content by design. Start here for preschool viewing, and add a paid service only when your child needs more.

YouTube Kids gives children a filtered version of YouTube, with parent controls for approved content, search on or off, and viewing timers. It suits children who already ask for specific creators or topics that do not appear on traditional streaming services, and it costs nothing to try.

The trade off is quality control. Even with filters, user generated content varies far more than curated shows on Disney+ or PBS Kids, and ads appear in the free app. Parents should use approved content mode for younger children and review watch history regularly. For older children with clear interests, it is a useful free addition, not a replacement for a curated service.

Paramount+ earns its place through Nickelodeon. Shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles give it a strong kids catalogue, especially for children aged four to ten. Kids profiles and parental controls keep viewing age appropriate, while adults get news, sports, and drama in the same subscription.

The entry plan includes ads, and its parental controls are less detailed than Netflix. Families who only want kids content may also find they pay for a large adult library they rarely use. For Nickelodeon households, though, Paramount+ is a strong single subscription.

Peacock offers a kids hub with family films and shows, including DreamWorks titles, at a lower entry price than several rivals. It works well as a second service for families who already subscribe elsewhere and want extra kids content without a large new bill. Its interface makes it easy to find family titles in one place.

The entry plans include ads, and its kids catalogue is thinner than Disney+ or Netflix for daily viewing. Parental controls rely on profiles rather than the detailed maturity settings some parents prefer. As a low cost addition, Peacock is good value. As a family's only kids service, it may feel thin.

Max, formerly HBO Max, is the cartoon lover's pick for older children. Cartoon Network shows, Looney Tunes, and a strong animation back catalogue give it depth for children aged six and up, with kids profiles and PIN locks to keep adult titles separate. Families who already watch Max for adult shows get kids value without a second subscription.

Preschool content is limited, and the wider service is dominated by adult programming, so profile setup matters more here than on Disney+. The cheapest plan includes ads. For families with older children who love animation, Max is a strong choice. For preschoolers, start with PBS Kids or Disney+ instead.

Hulu includes a kids hub with family shows and films, plus kids profiles, inside a service adults use for current TV and films. That combination suits a household that wants one subscription for everyone, rather than separate kids and adult services. Its library is broad, and bundles with Disney+ can lower the combined cost.

The need for careful setup is real: adult content is prominent on Hulu, so PIN locks and profile settings must be set before children browse. The cheapest plan includes ads. Hulu is best as a family wide service with a kids corner, not as a dedicated kids only app.

Apple TV+ is the ad free option on this list, with no ad supported tier to worry about. Its original family shows are well made, and parental controls through Apple profiles and Screen Time give parents detailed limits on viewing and purchases. Families deep in the Apple ecosystem will find setup especially smooth.

The kids library is much smaller than Disney+ or Netflix, so it works best as a complement rather than a family's only service. The price is also higher than several rivals. If ad free viewing and a small set of high quality originals matter most, Apple TV+ is a calm, controlled choice.