How would a perfect family evening look? Well, there are a couple of choices, the first one being a long walk while watching the sunset. However, if your kids are still in the toddler phase, a walk could end up as many things but a walk. On the other end of the spectrum—if you're dealing with teenagers, they might spoil the beautiful sunset with their sour physiognomies. Then there's the classy choice of board games, but we all know how a session of Monopoly usually ends, so best just scratch it off of the list entirely. Finally, there's a cinematic choice, but it might take the whole evening just to agree upon a movie. Last but never the least resort is a family-friendly TV series. And it might very well be the winner for an enjoyable evening! It's not like the series runs for 2 hours at a time, so even the smallest viewers can concentrate on an episode. On the other hand, while still sulking, teenagers might find them relatable. And as for you, the adult party of the evening, the series might be a good chance to wind down!
Thus we are presenting you with our list of family TV series that you can all watch together, laugh at, and discuss each episode! From such gems as The Carol Burnett Show from the '60s and Bob Ross's lovable series to the more recent hits like Stranger Things and Lego Masters—there's a choice for every family and each member of the unit. So, check them all out just a little bit further down, vote for the TV series that your family enjoys the most, and share this article with your friends!
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Stranger Things
2016 - | 3 seasons | 25 episodes
Stranger Things is a science fiction horror drama series created by The Duffer Brothers. The events here are set in the 1980s—so, first of all, be prepared for a huge wave of nostalgia. Also, be heavily prepared for supernatural entities trying to rip apart the peaceful community of Hawkins. Also, don't be surprised by falling in love with each and every cast member of Stranger Things, their goofy antics, and unprecedented heroism. This series is the most well-rounded series that you can absolutely watch with your kids while getting hooked on it yourself!
Bob Ross: The Joy Of Painting
1983 - 1994 | 31 seasons | 403 episodes
Bob Ross: The Joy Of Painting is an instructional television show that's as soothing and as invigorating as nothing else on television ever. Here we get to paint following the steps as demonstrated by the one and only Bob Ross. And there are no mistakes when painting with Bob, just happy little accidents! And, by following his tutorials, even a person with two left hands can make something truly beautiful. It also helps that mister Ross always speaks in a soft voice, brings baby squirrels in his shirt pockets, and always talks about the value of good morals. So, grab your kids, an easel, some paint, and immerse yourself into the world of art!
A Series Of Unfortunate Events
2017 - 2019| 3 seasons | 25 episodes
A Series Of Unfortunate Events is a black comedy-drama streaming television series based on Lemony Snicket's children's novels of the same name. Like the book series, it follows the misadventures of the three Baudelaire kids, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, following the deaths of their parents. The kids are moved from one foster home to another, with the evil Count Olaf trying to gain their vast inheritance. There are plenty of events in this series, each one being more unbelievable than the last, so get ready for cliffhangers and plot twists!
The Great British Baking Show
2010 - | 12 seasons | 114 episodes and 32 specials
The Great British Bake Off is a, as the name states, British television baking competition that first aired in 2010 and has 12 seasons as of now. The main thing that makes this series stand out from the crowd is the fact that the competing chefs are all amateurs, and virtually anyone can give this show a try. This series is actually so good that it has even won a BAFTA award (British Academy Television Awards) and reinvigorated the audience's interest in baking throughout the country.
And the contestants are not scheming to undermine the others in the contest. Most drama was when a contestant screwed up a bake, and dumped it in the trash to the gasps of the others. Plus, if you watch the show, better have a cup of tea/coffee with you and at least a cookie or cupcake. You WILL get hungry!
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
2008 - 2020 | 7 seasons | 133 episodes
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a computer-animated TV series created by George Lucas. This series, as the name suggests, is set in the fictional Star Wars galaxy and chronicles the events between prequel films Episode II: Attack Of The Clones and Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith. It follows the wartime days of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-wan Kenobi, and Yoda, while also presenting never-before-seen characters to the roster. Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a completely kid-friendly part of the Star Wars mythology and one that will entertain the adults, too!
Boy Meets World
1993 - 2000 | 7 seasons | 158 episodes
Boy Meets World is a genuine coming-of-age story set throughout the years of middle school to college. Its main character, Cory Matthews, gets to live through many real-life situations, learning about important life lessons. Though the show is inherently funny and warm, it also talks about pressing cultural issues, such as child abuse and underage alcohol use.
The one time I made the mistake of buying a box set before watching an episode- I was very disappointed it didn't live up to the hype, but I guess if you watched it as young kids it might be okay
LEGO Masters
2017 - 2018 | 2 seasons | 10 episodes
Lego Masters is a British reality TV series in which teams compete to build the most impressive Lego project ever. Now, to make it a real competition, there has to be a judge, and in this case, it's Lego designer Matthew Ashton and structural engineer Roma Agrawal, later—Fran Scott. Since Lego Masters proved to be great fun, the series format has been sold internationally—does your country have its version of this fabulous show?
I watched the first season of the Australian one, but I think the novelty wore of rather quickly. Maybe if the episode weren't as long it would be easier to watch.
One Day At A Time
2017 - 2020| 4 seasons | 46 episodes
One Day At A Time is a sitcom based on the 1975 series of the same title. Here we get to meet and observe the life of the Cuban-American Alvarez family, consisting of an army veteran mom Penelope, her teenage feminist daughter Elena, tween son Alejandro, and Penelope's old-school mother Lydia. They all live together, and their different values and outlooks don't make it any easier for them to get along. One Day At A Time is a classic sitcom, modernized for recent times and elevated to new heights by its charming cast. Also, it is completely safe and compelling to watch as a family!
The Goldbergs
2013 - | 9 seasons | 201 episodes
The Goldbergs is a period sitcom that's based on its writer Adam F. Goldberg's childhood and family in the 1980s. The Goldbergs is set in a somewhat alternate version of the '80s in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, showing the reality of the decade through a preadolescent's and, later, teenager's eyes. That teenager being, of course, the version of Adam F. Goldberg himself. Although the first season was a bit of a flop, The Goldbergs soon caught up with the expectations, delivering one hilarious joke after another and stellar performances by the main cast.
Parks And Recreation
2009 - 2015 | 7 seasons | 125 episodes
What do you get if you put quirky characters played by an enormously talented cast into a very stiff governmental environment? Just the funniest, most meme-worthy, iconic show called Parks and Recreation! And if those offbeat characters might seem a bit unrealistic at first, remember that the writers of this series spent loads of time researching local Californian politics and have attended many council meetings. This just goes to show that nothing is more absurd or unbelievable than real life itself. Though filled with unique and hilarious jokes, Parks and Recreation never forgets to address social issues or talk about moral values. All in all, it's a very entertaining and likable series worthy of your time.
A great show. Every staff member on that show was on their A game for the entire run of it.
Doctor Who
1963 - | 26 seasons | 869 episodes
Doctor Who is a science fiction television series that started its run back in the '60s and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. While originally Doctor Who was made as an educational series for kids, it soon grew out of its format and, together with audiences, matured enough to be entertainment for the whole family. And although some of the monsters that our time-skipping alien meets might seem too scary for the smallest viewers, there's always a lesson to learn afterward! And it really doesn't matter from which decade you start your Doctor Who appreciation journey—from the beginning to more recent days, this series has kept its quality and appeal in the best possible way.
She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power
2018-2020 | 5 seasons | 52 episodes
She-Ra And The Princess Of Power is an animated streaming series and a reboot of the 1985 original series She-Ra: Princess Of Power. Same as in the ‘80s, the story centers around a female protagonist named Adora, who can transform into the magic heroine She-Ra. Together with other princesses of her planet, she rebels against the vicious rule of Lord Hordak and his Horde. Besides being great fun for the whole family, She-Ra And The Princess Of Power is also named one of the most LGBTQ-inclusive and diverse shows on television. And that's an A+ from us!
Adventure Time
2010 - 2018 | 10 seasons | 283 episodes
Adventure Time, a truly iconic series of the last decade, follows the adventures of Finn the Human and Jake the Dog, who's Finn's adoptive brother-dog with the ability to shapeshift at will. While Finn is a fiery little boy with strong morals, Jake is a bit more like Bill Murray's carefree character from the movie Meatballs (who was an actual inspiration source for Jake, if you're wondering). The dynamic duo lives in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo, where they interact with various major characters, such as Princess Bubblegum, a sentient piece of gum, the menacing but misunderstood Ice King, and Marceline, The Vampire Queen, who's a huge fan of rock, just to name a few. Just by reading these short character descriptions, you should get a pretty good understanding of the bizarre events that happen in this series and the off-kilter humor it presents. No wonder Adventure Time soon became virally famous, engaging fans from various age groups.
Supergirl
2015 - 2021 | 6 seasons | 126 episodes
Supergirl is a superhero television series based on the eponymous DC Comics character. She's Superman's cousin and one of the last surviving Kryptonians from the planet Krypton. Besides a myriad of unpronounceable names, the Supergirl series is heavily loaded with fun adventures, good morals, and most importantly—it's perfectly family-friendly! Also, it's a great way to get your kids involved in DC Comics fandom; after this, we promise you they will be hooked.
DuckTales
2017 - 2021 | 3 seasons | 69 episodes
DuckTales is an animated television series that's a reboot of the original 1987 series of the same name. While the original concentrated most of the story on Scrooge McDuck and his family as they embarked on various adventures, the reboot offers newer plotlines, deeper character stories, and greater involvement of Donald Duck. DuckTales sticks close to the nostalgia of the original but serves it in a fresh, much bolder way. A worthy addition to a family evening roster!
The Wonder Years
1988 - 1993 | 6 seasons | 115 episodes
The Wonder Years, a coming-of-age comedy-drama, follows teenager Kevin Arnold (played by Fred Savage) as he grows up in a suburban middle-class family in the late '60s. The series' unique storytelling, stellar acting, and relatable happenings gained The Wonder Years many awards and accolades. Today, many critics agree that The Wonder Years is a true classic, having inspired plenty of shows that were created after.
Speechless
2016 - 2019 | 3 seasons | 63 episodes
Speechless is a sitcom with a very refreshing premise—it explores both the serious and the humorous situations a family faces with a teenager with a disability. To make it even better, the whole DiMeo family are basically the polar opposites in their characters, so you just know that comedic situations will be aplenty in their story. Critics had nothing but praises for Speechless and its empathetic exploration of life in a special needs family.
The Carol Burnett Show
1967 - 1978 | 11 seasons | 279 episodes
The Carol Burnett Show is a variety/sketch comedy television show starring, of course, Carol Burnett and plenty of the most significant stars of the time. Now, to describe this show, it is best to use its tagline from the first season. It goes like this—"She sings sensationally, dances divinely, cavorts hilariously, and now she has her own comedy-variety show. It couldn't have happened to a funnier girl!" And that pretty much sums up The Carol Burnett Show—good old-fashioned fun for the whole family!
Bob's Burgers
2011 - | 12 seasons | 231 episodes
Bob's Burgers is an animated television sitcom centering around the lives of the Belcher family. Parents Bob and Linda, together with their three children Tina, Gene, and Louise, run a hamburger restaurant and often go on adventures of various kinds. And although the first season of Bob's Burgers wasn't super promising, by the second, it caught its wind and gained both the praises from critics and a loyal following by its fans. So, if you haven't already tried it, now may be the time to give Bob's Burgers' original humor a chance!
Anne With An E
Fuller House
Gravity Falls
Black-Ish
2014 - | 8 seasons | 170 episodes
Black-ish is a sitcom television series following an upper-class black family. Their family is led by their father, Andre 'Dre' Johnson, and his wife, Rainbow Johnson. They seemingly have it all—four beautiful kids and a big classy house in a good neighborhood. But, there's a catch—what if their success diminishes their ethnic identity and brings too much cultural assimilation? And although this question sounds pretty serious, Black-ish manages to envelop it in heartfelt humor and stellar performances by its cast. So, a pretty good contender for a family evening!
Pee-Wee's Playhouse
Over The Garden Wall
Mythbusters
Wallace And Gromit
Our Planet
This is literally my childhood. My grandpa would play the one with the fruit bats in it every time it was naptime :)
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Mr. Bean
Love him my kids love him too he is so funny his cartoons are funny to should watch em
Young Sheldon
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
3rd Rock From The Sun
Sabrina, The Teenage Witch
SpongeBob SquarePants
Oooooh, who isn't on top although he should be? Damn right, Spongebob..
Malcolm In The Middle
Masterchef Junior
Ngl, I got real annoyed with that one girl "Jalaya" or something like that. She was a prick, not a team player whatsoever, and made one of (in my opinion) the best chefs in the competition lose and get sent home undeservingly. Am I complaining about a possible 12 yr old rn? Yes, yes I am.
Jeopardy!
Psych
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Home Improvement
The Penguins Of Madagascar
The Owl House
Making It
I didn't know there was a US version (though I should have) or that she hosted it. Will have to look it up. The Aussie one was good.
Curious George
Lost In Space
The Middle
Are You Afraid Of The Dark?
Arthur
Bewitched
Mork & Mindy
Bill Nye, The Science Guy
Modern Family
The Legend Of Korra
The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance
I had nightmares for days because of the villains in there. They were scary looking to 6 yr old me
His Dark Materials
The BBC live action isn't 100% accurate, but it's far better than the movie they made years ago, which for whatever reason they named "golden compass" instead of "Northern lights" though there are some dark themes within this series, though younger children might not understand it so much.
Sesame Street
Hilda
I'm watching it right now as we speak. It's such a well put together show(and also movie that got recently released). Words cannot describe how much I recommend anyone to see it if you're into a chill and fantasy type vibe. It's just...*chefs kiss*
Victorious
Pete The Cat
Another one I've included in preschool programs. "I love my white shoes..."
Bluey
My kids love this show surprisingly it my eight yr old that liked it first and the other followed suit
Gilmore Girls
Ask The Storybots
Fresh Off The Boat
Reading Rainbow
I Love Lucy
We Bare Bears
🎵We'll be there! A wink and a smile and a great old time...🎵
The Worst Witch
Heartland
Little House On The Prairie
iCarly
Good Luck Charlie
Harriet The Spy
The Amazing Race
The Baby-Sitters Club
Just Add Magic
The Brady Bunch
The Inbestigators
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Switched At Birth
Holey Moley
Centaurworld
Alexa & Katie
Good Witch
The Bureau Of Magical Things
America's Funniest Home Videos
Full House
The Andy Griffith Show
Watch it every day after school growing up until I loved out a family show all in all
The Pack
Drake & Josh
Raising Hope
Baby Daddy
Even Stevens
The Waltons
Saved By The Bell
All That
Shark Tank
The Masked Singer
Dancing With The Stars
The Voice
The “Family Friendly” label shouldn’t be taken at face value. I think this list is a good jumping off point, and I think a lot of the shows listed deserve to be, but “family” is such a vague word. I took it to mean all these shows would be suitable for young kids and some are just not. Most of these are 12+ friendly IMHO. Some are suitable for all ages.
The “Family Friendly” label shouldn’t be taken at face value. I think this list is a good jumping off point, and I think a lot of the shows listed deserve to be, but “family” is such a vague word. I took it to mean all these shows would be suitable for young kids and some are just not. Most of these are 12+ friendly IMHO. Some are suitable for all ages.