Adventure-y TV shows to watch with kids?

March 7, 2022 3:49 PM

Hi! I'm going to be spending a lot of time with some kids (ages 8 and 11) in the near future and I'd love some TV recommendations that can keep them and me engrossed. Are there any TV series that have the fun adventure vibe of, like, Goonies or Indiana Jones? Or Stranger Things but for younger kids? They've seen The Mandalorian. I'd prefer hourlong shows if any come to mind. Thanks!
posted by Anonymousness to Media & Arts (19 answers total)

Overlord and the Underwoods! (Trailer) Similar in tone to Modern Family or Arrested Development. Super fun family sitcom about a suburban family with an evil alien roommate. It's a modern version of an eighties-style classic alien sitcom, like Mork and Mindy, ALF, or Perfect Strangers. It's genuinely funny for adults, and every kid I know is obsessed with it.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 4:06 PM on March 7, 2022

ADVENTURE TIME. ADVENTURE TIME. ADVENTURE TIME. ADVENTURE TIME.
posted by bleep at 4:07 PM on March 7, 2022 [9 favorites]

That's very specific. Perhaps

Timeless
The Librarians

Also maybe consider

Adventure Time
Warehouse 13
Eureka
Doctor Who
The Orville
Xena: Warrior Princess

which may have various qualities similar to what you're asking about.
posted by jgreco at 4:12 PM on March 7, 2022 [2 favorites]

Rebels is far & away my favorite Star Wars show. My 11-year-old was into it too.

Also (very different vibe, but lots of adventuring): I've had good luck with Gravity Falls around those ages.
posted by miles per flower at 4:14 PM on March 7, 2022 [3 favorites]

How did I miss Gravity Falls? Rebels too.
posted by jgreco at 4:18 PM on March 7, 2022 [2 favorites]

Some of the best shows that are doing this right now are animated shows with 11 minute episodes. If you can abide by that, Adventure Time is the ur-text but is often really out there. Some of the next-generation animated shows (created by people who worked on Adventure Time) that nail the adventure vibe:

Steven Universe
Amphibia
The Owl House
Craig of the Creek
Costume Quest
Over the Garden Wall (this show is a single season and really more like an episodic film)
Gravity Falls

There's this small genre of shows aimed at the same demographic but with some bookish Wes Anderson aesthetics. The top 2 are:

A Series of Unfortunate Events (the netflix show)
The Mysterious Benedict Society
posted by sleeping bear at 4:28 PM on March 7, 2022 [5 favorites]

Also AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER, which is one of the best shows
posted by sleeping bear at 4:30 PM on March 7, 2022 [10 favorites]

Craig of the creek is amazing and very fun.
posted by starlybri at 4:56 PM on March 7, 2022 [1 favorite]

She Ra and the Princesses of Power is also one of the best shows.

Gravity Falls
Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated

Infinity Train (though use your judgement--even it's for kids but it can be a little....intense)
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:53 PM on March 7, 2022 [4 favorites]

The New Legends of Monkey (Netflix)
Julie and the Phantoms (Netflix)
Fate: The Winx Saga (Netflix)
Locke & Key (Netflix)
His Dark Materials (HBO)
Lost in Space (Netflix)
posted by typetive at 6:02 PM on March 7, 2022

Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the 2017 version of Ducktales because Ducktales.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 6:07 PM on March 7, 2022 [3 favorites]

Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts (Netflix)
posted by BrashTech at 6:21 PM on March 7, 2022 [3 favorites]

I loved Series of Unfortunate events with my kids. We also liked Gravity falls.
posted by beccaj at 6:25 PM on March 7, 2022 [2 favorites]

Doctor Who, the 21st century reboot version. Or its spin-off with multiple child characters the Sarah Jane Adventures.
posted by Coaticass at 11:29 PM on March 7, 2022 [2 favorites]

Gortimer Gibbons
Just Add Magic

Both on Amazon Prime.
posted by my-username at 11:47 PM on March 7, 2022

Check for content, it might be a little heavy especially for an eight year old, but Legends of Tomorrow?(season two and onward. Season one just isn't that good.)

Otherwise+1 to everything listed, with the caveat that Julie and the Phantoms will break your heart because Netflix the betrayer of all that is good won't give us a second season!!!!
posted by Jacen at 12:45 AM on March 8, 2022

Strongly seconding Avatar the Last Airbender. You can also add The Dragon Prince into that, but some people have said some things about the creator.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 2:08 AM on March 8, 2022 [2 favorites]

The new Lost in Space on Netflix. I've wanted to borrow kids to watch it with.
posted by Iteki at 3:19 AM on March 8, 2022

Galavant! A hit with everyone in the Corpse household. I think it's age appropriate, if you're okay with kind of jokes that are in the trailer.
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:35 PM on March 10, 2022