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26 Shows Your Tweens & Young Teens Will Watch With You
Parents say these are the best shows for tweens and younger teens, and you won't mind sitting down to watch them either!
We're compiling a list of tv shows for 9-12 year olds (and into the early teen years) that are entertaining for bigger kids, but without the mature content that should be reserved for older teens and adults.
Have a good series for tweens on Netflix, Disney+ or another streaming platform to recommend? Add your review below!
If you have a little more time to spare, check out a favorite tween movie or even a family-friendly documentary to watch together.
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The Office
A mockumentary-style sitcom that follows the daily lives of employees at the Dunder Mifflin paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The show is known for its dry humor, awkward social interactions, and cringeworthy moments.
Tracy Snyder Molina said: We rewatch episodes with our teen boys. A classic and still makes me laugh out loud.
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The Amazing Race
Pairs of contestants race around the world for a one million dollar grand prize, completing unique and cultural challenges at each destination in order to avoid elimination.
Shila said: Not only is this competition exciting to watch, but it is educational too. This is our can't-miss weekly family tv show!
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American Ninja Warrior
Athletes compete on an obstacle course challenge to win cash in this family friendly show.
Abbott Elementary
Kelly R said: We tried Abbott Elementary after hearing good things, and it totally hooked us! It's a sweet and laugh-out-loud funny show about teachers at an elementary school in Philadelphia. Sort of like The Office, but in a school. The principal is hilarious.
Just Add Magic
Three friends discover a magical cookbook and learn to cook yummy recipes using magic spices to help solve (but also create!) problems in their homes, school and community.
Alexandra F. said: We binge-watched this family show a few summers ago when our kids were 8 and 10, and have continued to follow and re-watch it ever since. Fun characters and a unique storyline made it enjoyable for all of us - and totally got my kids into cooking, too!
Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street
Alexandra F. said: If you’re not hooked by this sweet and quirky Amazon Original series after the first episode or two, keep watching - it’s worth it! It took us a few episodes to get into it but once we did it became a family favorite, and we parents truly looked forward to watching as much as our older kid and tween did. The characters were probably the best part of the show and I appreciated the positive yet realistic relationships it portrayed, particularly between the kids and their families - no need for parent antagonists here! The kids were regular kids going through regular life stuff, but with a unique fantastical spin that made the show truly fun to watch.
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Sugar Rush
Alexandra F. said: My tween and teen love this show, and when they put it on we all inevitably get sucked in. It's always so impressive to see the gorgeous cakes and confections the contestants come up with, and I like that it inspires the kids to bake for the family, too!
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Shark Tank
Contestants sell their brilliant business ideas to a panel of "professional sharks" with deep pockets who are either willing to invest big or pass.
Shila said: Shark Tank is one of the best tv shows for tweens and parents to watch together, especially while promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship, the art of public speaking with solid preparation, and perseverance.
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Stranger Things
This science fiction horror series follows a group of friends in a small town who investigate supernatural events involving a mysterious government agency and a parallel dimension.
Kelly R said: We watched this without kids when it was new, and then I rewatched it with my 7th grader when some of his peers were getting into it. I think it was the first more "grown-up" show he watched, and he loves it. I think season 4 is way more scary than the previous ones...more of a horror feel than sci-fi...but it was never really too much for him.
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Once Upon a Time
Kids will recognize their favorite Disney movies and fairytales in this family tv show which puts a modern spin on everything.
Jeopardy
Trivia fans will love this fast-paced quiz show, and shouting out the answers is a fun way for the family to enjoy a little friendly competition when you're not up for a game night.
Sarah Calamita said: Even though my kids are young, they love watching this with us! There are some questions and answers that they retain, it generates questions and I love that they love a "learning show"!
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A Series of Unfortunate Events
After the death of their parents, three orphans must protect themselves and their inheritance from their sinister uncle, Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris).
Kelly R said: A delightfully dark, clever and funny Netflix family show based on the books - which my tween and I are also enjoying together!
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Survivor
For over 40 seasons, Survivor has traveled far and wide to remote locations around the world filming a group of contestants tasked to "outwit, outplay, and outlast" the others. Participants compete in riveting physical and mental challenges, vote each other out, and ultimately try to be the last person standing.
Shila said: This is an appealing family show to watch together, though, tweens and teens should learn to adequately separate some plays of the game from real life.
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The Mandalorian
Kelly R said: This is a great Disney+ show for tweens and teens that tells a brand new Star Wars story taking place after the events of Return of the Jedi. The series is about a bounty hunter who operates in the lawless outskirts of the galaxy, and encounters an adorable (and familiar-looking) baby alien. My whole family got into this one, and it is really fun to watch together!
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The Twilight Zone (Original Series)
Alexandra F. said: I don’t remember why we started watching this show together but it is now one of my teen's favorites. The eerie and thought-provoking classic is perfect for tweens, teens and parents to enjoy together, as older kids can begin to appreciate some of the social commentary (and get past the fact that it’s in black and white!), and everyone is sure to be intrigued - and probably spooked - by the well-told and suspenseful stories.
Primary photo: Stranger Things, courtesy of Netflix
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.