We were compensated for this post and are part of the #StreamTeam with Netflix. All thoughts are our own. Summer is here and that means that the kids will be looking for things to do. We’ve crafted out a schedule that includes various summer camps, some home education, lots of play and their television time too. The kids are watching some new programs and I just discovered one that they (AND the parents!) will absolutely love. I also found a couple great films that I’m stoked about seeing again.
Secret Agent Oso
The kids discovered Secret Agent Oso on their own. Initially I thought it was too babyish, but our three year old loves it and it serves as nice comfort food for his brother. Do you like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse? Secret Agent Oso uses the same style music, has the same running time and follows a similar template. Oso is a bear that travels around the world and helps children do things that they need to accomplish in life. It could be tying their shoes, taking a photograph or saying hello to the babysitter. Oso and his team of super spies break it down into three steps for the kids to learn it. The fact that each episode is playfully named after an aspect of a James Bond film is very clever too.
Strange Hill High
We just discovered this show and are in love with it. Strange Hill High is written by Josh Weinstein who also wrote some for The Simpsons, Futurama and other shows that you would recognize. This show is done using a hybrid of techniques that mainly involves real puppets and some digital animation. It’s laugh out loud funny, strange, creative and an utter joy to watch. Think of a calmed down, less manic Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, set it in a high school and make it super kid friendly. That is Strange Hill High; find it now on Netflix and you will not regret it.
Bo on the Go
The kids love this show about characters that derive their energy from the viewers who ‘must’ exercise to keep them going. It’s great for really young viewers.
Oscar’s Oasis
There aren’t many episodes of Oscar’s Oasis on Netflix but the kids love them. Think Oggy and the Cockroaches, but make it a lizard in the desert.
Leapfrog Counting on Lemonade
If you’re a parent then you probably have some Leapfrog learning toys at home. Their videos are as entertaining as they are educational and Counting on Lemonade does a great job of teaching numbers to kids two and up.
The Boxtrolls
We are big fans of stop-animation and The Boxtrolls are more for us than the kids, but if they happen to be in the room…..then we’re OK with that.
Labrynth
Travel back to 1986 for this Jim Henson classic. It’s got elements of Monty Python, stars David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly with lots of puppets and creativity.
Leon: The Professional
Before Taken, Luc Besson cut his teeth on Leon. Leon: The Professional has an absurd plot, but somehow manages to still be very entertaining 21 years after its release.
The Defender
The early to mid-90’s had some fabulous Chinese martial arts movies. The Defender is on the high end of that scale because it’s an early Jet Li film with equal amounts gun play and martial arts. Asian cinema fans will also delight in seeing the usually crop of character actors that were in seemingly every Chinese movie that decade. This was also called The Bodyguard (From Beijing) in some circles, but that title didn’t cross the pond as it might’ve been confused with Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner’s film.
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