As both a parent and someone whose job is to review TV shows and movies daily, I understand more than most how difficult it is to keep kids away from the telly. Especially when it's a staple in our everyday lives. We're all drawn to it like moths to a flame, but it doesn't have to be all bad.
While there are a few TV shows these days, like Bluey, that studies have shown foster positive growth in kids, we've broken down which pay TV services still stream your childhood classics you can all watch guilt-free.
The science behind children and television
Studies have shown just nine minutes of fast-paced viewing can negatively impact a child's executive function.
Executive function is defined as the set of mental skills that assist the brain with memory, focus and regulating emotions, like self-control. These are crucial in forming the basis of problem-solving and planning.
So its understandable that most parents just eliminate screens altogether. And good for them. But for those who can't, there are plenty of safer viewing options for kids to choose from.
Parents in record numbers are alternatively switching to forgotten 90s kids TV shows — well-known for their muted, soothing colours, simpler plotlines and fewer scene changes, which make the overall viewing experience less jarring. As a result, many parents are finding their children calmer and, in some cases, don't even feel the need to sit glued to a screen anyway. They come and go as they please, engaging in the occasional song.
Pay TV options
Disney Plus
|
Disney Plus
From
$9.99/mth
|
|
Disney Plus
From
$17.99/mth
or $179.99/yr
|
|
Disney Plus
From
$24.99/mth
or $249.99/yr
|
It's no surprise Disney Plus is in this list, with its classic films like Snow White and Toy Story. But there are some hidden gems you'll remember from your youth, like Bear in the Big Blue House, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, The Muppets and an assortment of Winnie the Pooh movies.
Technically Disney Plus is ad-free. However, it may preview other shows and movies available on Disney Plus before starting your program. At the time of writing, there is no way to switch these off or skip them.
Prime Video
| Inclusions | Details | |
|---|---|---|
|
Prime Video
|
|
|
|
Prime Video
|
|
If you already have Prime Video for your Blippi-addicted toddler, some more soothing options you'll recognise from 'back in your day' include Clifford the Big Red Dog, Thomas & Friends, Arthur, Charlie & Lola, Mr Bean, My Little Pony and The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and his Best Friend Corky.
Yes. Prime Video costs $12.98 per month to go ad-free. This is an extra $2.99 per month when compared to its $9.99 per month ads plan.
Apple TV
|
Apple TV
Apple TVFree 7 Day Trial
From
$15.99/mth
|
|
Apple One Individual Plan
Apple One Individual30-Day Free Trial
From
$24.95/mth
|
Terms and Conditions: The Apple One free trial includes only services that you are not currently using through a free trial or a subscription. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled. Restrictions and other terms apply.
While Apple TV doesn't typically come across as child-focused, it does have a few all-time 90s kids shows worth checking out. These include The Land Before Time, Little Bear, Art Attack, Animaniacs, The Powerpuff Girls, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, The Magic School Bus, Pingu and Rupert.
Plus, you've got to consider that $15.99 per month for access to all these classic 90s TV shows is a lot more affordable than trying to barter with people for old DVDs and videos on eBay.
Technically Apple TV is ad-free. However, it may preview other shows and movies available on Apple TV before starting your program. At the time of writing, there is no way to switch these off or skip them.
Paramount Plus
|
Paramount Plus
Basic with AdsFree 7 Day Trial
From
$7.99/mth
or $70.99/yr
|
|
Paramount Plus
StandardFree 7 Day Trial
From
$12.99/mth
or $115.99/yr
|
|
Paramount Plus
PremiumFree 7 Day Trial
From
$17.99/mth
or $159.99/yr
|
The original blue pup cartoon, Blue's Clues along with Hey Arnold!, Sponge Bob Square Pants, The Fairly Odd Parents, Rocko's Modern Life, The Wild Thornberrys, Catdog, Invader Zim, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ren & Stimpy and Rugrats can all be found in one place — Paramount Plus.
For $7.99 per month, your kids will also learn the value of patiently waiting for their show to come back on the telly with ads.
Yes. At the very least, Paramount Plus' Standard (ad-free) Plan costs $12.99 per month, or $115.00 per year. This is an extra $5.00 per month when compared to its Basic with ads plan at $7.99 per month, or $70.99 per year.
Premium is also ad-free and offers viewing in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos and the option to stream on four devices at once. Premium costs $17.99 per month, or $159.99 annually.
Stan
| Inclusions | Details | |
|---|---|---|
|
Stan
|
|
Link not supplied
|
|
Stan
|
|
Link not supplied
|
|
Stan
|
|
Link not supplied
|
Move over Paw Patrol and Hey Duggee because Stan is home to loads of classic kid-friendly movies and 90s kids TV shows, including classics like Curious George, Bob the Builder, Bananas in Pyjamas, Brum, Thomas & Friends, Scooby Doo, Caillou, Teletubbies, In the Night Garden and Madeline, just to name a few.
Yes, Stan's Standard and Premium subscription tiers are ad-free and will set you back $17.99 per month or $23.99 per month, respectively.
Free-to-air TV options
ABC iView
ABC iView is a fantastic free streaming service for parents with little ones. While it may be better known for being the home of Bluey and Peppa Pig, ABC iView has a HUGE collection of Play School content.
Play School has managed to stay relevant by keeping its original fun format and expanding into exciting new segments including Make and Create, Science Time, Story Time, When I Grow Up and Playtime with Pets.
You can also catch The Wiggles on ABC iView. While you may think you're now seeing double, since there's two of every colour now, you'll still find Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, and Blue Wiggle Anthony singing familiar tunes like, Fruit Salad and Rock-a-Bye Your Bear.
Technically ABC iView is ad-free. However, it will preview other shows and movies available on ABC iView before starting your program. But you fast-forward through this and even skip intros and credits with a free account.
Plex
Quite possibly one of the most popular 90s cartoons parents are switching their children onto is Little Bear. Currently, this is only available on free-to-air TV via Plex. If you want to pay for it, you'll have to get an Apple TV account. Plex also has Barbar, Franklin, Popeye, My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Wallace & Gromit.
Plex even has some classic movies you've probably LONG since forgotten like Ferngully: The Last Rainforest (aka the original Avatar).
While Plex is free on a Plex Media Server plan, you can opt for one of its two paid plans — Remote Watch Pass and Plex Pass. Both of these offer access to additional features but only Plex Pass comes with the option to can skip ads on Plex DVR content (personal media only) and skip intros (personal media only) and credits.
Please note, however, no tier will allow you to go ad-free on Plex on-demand or Plex Live TV. Here are the pricings for paid Plex subscriptions:
- Remote Watch Pass: $3.00 per month, ;or $30.00 per year
- Plex Pass: $11 per month, $110 per year, or $390 for a lifetime membership
Tubi
For free, you can browse Tubi's kids category, which is choc-full of your favourites like Barney, Mr Bean, Inspector Gadget, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Garfield & Friends, Strawberry Shortcake, Clifford, Barbar, Caspar the Friendly Ghost, Gumby, The Busy World of Richard Scarry and The Adventures of Paddington Bear.
No. Tubi has no option to remove ads but states its ad breaks are short, at one to two minutes on average with a frequency of every 15 minutes or so. This works out to be four to eight minutes of ads every hour.
Christie Graham
Digital Content Editor
Related Articles
Find a Better Pay TV Package
Compare options from Foxtel, Fetch TV, Netflix, Stan and more.
