While some kids play with blocks and trains, others dig for worms outside in the back yard. If your child falls into this latter category, these kids’ shows and films about mistakes are sure to fuel your future entomologist.
Sure, there are plenty of nature documentaries out there that your kids get up close and personal with the wobbly curlicues that live on and under the ground, but these kid-friendly options feature main insect characters and simplified lessons about insect life.
If your child is scared of insects instead of loving them, watching these shows with them can help make the subject a little less scary. Fear of insects is common among children, but helping children safely face their fears can be a good step. And if your child isn’t ready to interact with Bugs IRL, a friendly spider or a brief documentary about insect life might be just the thing.
Whether you’re just trying to nurture an existing love for the smaller creatures among us, or showing your kids that they have nothing to worry about, this list of shows and movies is a good place to start.
Miss Spiders Sunny Patch Kids
Miss Spider’s adorable animation and gang of friendly bugs single-handedly cured my childhood arachnophobia. Full of fun songs and cute lessons, this show is a classic for good reason. We hope it works for the next generation too!
Watch Miss Spiders Sunny Patch Kids on Pluto TV.
The adventures of Hutch the Honeybee
The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee is an anime series about a little cartoon bee and a funny Japanese series that your kids are sure to check out.
Many episodes of The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee are available in English on YouTube.
Antz
How can a worker ant preserve its individuality when it is its job to align with the colony’s mentality? This question is explored by Z (voiced by Woody Allen) in the film Antz. Your kids will love seeing the hundreds of ants in the colony while learning a thing or two about how to be true to yourself.
Antz is available on Amazon Prime Video.
Growing up creepie
This show is a slightly darker series that may be too scary for younger kids. It’s about a little girl who grows up surrounded by creepy crawling animals and tons of Gothic touches that edgier parents will love. If you have a fan of vampirina in your house, this show can be a good fit.
Watch all episodes of Growing Up Creepie for free on the Kabillion Channel.
Creepy crawlers
This show is a little older, but your kids are sure to enjoy this team of monster bugs battling the forces of evil.
The best place to go to find episodes of Creepy Crawlers is YouTube.
The life of a beetle
A Bug’s Life is a natural addition to that list, and full of creepy crawfish of all shapes and sizes. When an ant named Flik leaves his colony to look for a way to stop the constant oppression by a group of locusts, he meets a motley crew of circus insects who do their best to help him.
Watch the life of a beetle Disney +.
Hermie and friends
This show has Christian overtones and is kind of Veggie Tales, but with funny bugs instead of animated products. The characters are fun and entertaining, and your kids will love their endless adventures.
Hermie and Friends is available on Tubi with an Amazon Prime Video membership and a Sling TV subscription.
The buzz on Maggie
Maggie is a rocking teenage bow tie that will guide your kids through the ups and downs of youth with lots of fast one-liners, rocking melodies and timeless lessons.
Many episodes of The Buzz On Maggie are available on YouTube through Disney Replay.
Bee film
Looking for a movie with an interesting love interest between a honey bee and a human? Look no further. Bee Movie is not only fun, it also teaches your kids the important role bees play in the ecosystem.
Watch Bee Movie on Netflix
Defeat bugs
Netflix
This band of musical insects present their rendition of songs by the Beatles and your kids will be humping along before you know it. Expand your musical knowledge beyond Pink Fong and let them rock with the Beat Bugs.
All three seasons of Beat Bugs are available on Netflix.
Atom ant
This show may be older than you parents, but there’s a reason it’s so enduring. A little ant inspired by his favorite comics is the littlest superhero.
Find old episodes of Atom Ant on Boomerang.
James and the giant peach
When a sad little boy steps into a giant peach, he befriends the insects that live there and goes on the adventure of a lifetime. As a cult classic, the next generation will definitely love it as much as their parents.
Watch James and the Giant Peach on Disney +.
Fly stories
This is another older show from the 90s, but if your kid isn’t picky about animation it might just be a cup of tea. The lead fly finds itself in all sorts of difficult situations – like a kitchen, a museum, a chewing gum machine, and much more – but always finds its way out.
Fly Tales episodes are pretty easy to find on YouTube.
Let’s go Luna!
While Luna herself is the moon, she has plenty of buggy friends who will interest your insect fan.
Check out Let’s Go Luna! on PBS Kids.
The princess and the frog
Ray the Lightning Bug is a supporting character in the film and is full of Cajun characters. He offers a fun commentary on the time he spent in the bayou.
Watch the princess and the frog on Disney +.
Bugtime adventure
Another series with Christian undertones, this show teaches that even the smallest of creatures matter – a lesson we can all afford to learn.
Bugtime Adventures episodes can be purchased from Amazon Prime Video.
Anthony Ant
This 90s cartoon is full of fun insect friends that your kids will wish they went to their preschool.
Some episodes of Anthony Ant are available on YouTube.
The ant bully
When a young boy splashes an anthill with a water gun, he gets a taste of his own medicine after shrinking to the size of an ant. After spending time in the colony, he learns how complex and important these tiny creatures are.
Check out The Ant Bully on iTunes.
insects
This show was one of the oldest animated series, the cartoon quality of which was less than Pixar-ready. But it’s still a fun show that revolves around insects fighting crime.
You can buy DVDs from Insektors on Amazon.
Oggy and the cockroaches
‘Oggy and the Cockroaches’ is a fun way to experience bugsOggy / YouTube
Oggy is a lazy cat whose roommate in the cockroach always interrupts his free time. Watch their funny antics and decide for yourself if cockroaches deserve their bad name.
See Oggy and the Cockroaches on Tubi TV.
Strange magic
This inventive animated film from the head of George Lucas follows a little fairy who falls in love with an insect king. Your world is magical and full of adorable bugs.
Check out Strange Magic on Hulu.
Tree Fu Tom
Tom lives in the land of trees and meets a variety of insects and other tiny creatures on his adventures there. Your kids will love the friendships and the close-up view of the forest floor.
Tree Fu Tom episodes are available on YouTube.
The beehive
The friendly bee family will teach your children the lessons in life and the importance of working together towards a common goal.
Watch all episodes of The Hive on AppleTV +.
Pinocchio
For kids who love bugs, Jiminy Cricket will be their new favorite companion. If they can get away from the old animation, this classic Disney movie is sure to be a hit.
Check out Pinocchio on Disney +.
The great book of nature
This series teaches children more than just insects. Before you know it, you have a budding environmental scientist in your hand.
Many episodes of The Great Book of Nature are available on YouTube through a variety of sources.
Roboroach
I know what you thinkin ‘more cockroaches? But listen to me – these are robot cockroaches.
Find episodes of Roboroach on Vudu.
The Glo friends
These adorable little fireflies are cute and simple. Your children will pick up on her heartwarming stories and success in saving the day.
Episodes from The Glo Friends are available on YouTube.
Erky Perky
These two lazy bugs always fight, but they must overcome their differences to survive in the dangerous land of the kitchen.
Check out Erky Perky on Amazon Prime Video.
Minus school
All sorts of little bugs live in this tiny world. Give your children a chance to get a bird’s eye view of all possible places. The realistic animation of these short episodes makes them a breeze to watch.
Check out Minuscule on YouTube.
The world of Eric Carle
The animated versions of your children’s favorite books are more than just a very hungry caterpillar.
You can buy DVDs of The World of Eric Carle on Amazon.
Take a break from digging in the garden for worms and turning rocks for rollie pollies. These shows feature all kinds of insects, bugs, and other creatures with more than six legs. An added bonus, you don’t even have to wash your hands when they’re done! Have fun watching!
