Cape Town - When schools close, screen time increases. As a parent, you can feel bad about it, or you can use this list of award-winning shows to make sure it’s time well spent.
Here are 10 shows that will make you feel like a great parent, knowing your child is watching the best content in the world – literally.
1. DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBOURHOOD (PBS Kids)
Storyline: Put on your stripes and join Daniel Tiger in the Neighbourhood of Make-Believe. Get ready for adventures with O the Owl, Katerina Kittycat, Prince Wednesday and Miss Elaina.
Age recommendation: 3+, according to Common Sense Media
Accolades: Gold: Age 2-4, Parent’s Choice Awards, 2018
2. HEY DUGGEE (Cbeebies)
Storyline: Duggee is a big friendly dog who runs The Squirrel Club – a place where kids take part in all kinds of activities, have adventures and earn activity badges along the way.
Age recommendation: 3+, according to Common Sense Media
Accolades: Best Pre-School Animation, BAFTA Awards, 2018
3. PEPPA PIG (Entertainment One)
Storyline: Peppa explores her muddy-puddled world with her trademark blend of curiosity and cleverness, along with her little brother George and her best friend Suzie Sheep.
Age recommendation: 3+, according to Common Sense Media
Accolades: Best Directing, Kidscreen, 2018
Watch S1-2 now, plus three specials.
4. PUPPY DOG PALS (Disney Junior)
Storyline: Fun-loving pug puppies, brothers Bingo and Rolly, have thrill-seeking appetites that take them on exhilarating adventures in their neighbourhood and around the globe.
Age recommendation: 3+, according to Common Sense Media
Accolades: Outstanding Individual In Animation, Daytime Emmys, 2018
5. DOC MCSTUFFINS (Disney Junior)
Storyline: Doc McStuffins is a six-year-old girl who can communicate with her stuffed animals and toys, and knows just how to heal them.
Age recommendation: 4+, according to Common Sense Media
Accolades: Best Animated Series: Pre-School, Kidscreen, 2018
6. THE HIGHWAY RAT(BBC One)
Storyline: An adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestseller, The Highway Rat is a swashbuckling tale of a greedy rat who craves buns and biscuits and comes to a sticky end. Animated in Cape Town by Triggerfish.
Age recommendation: 4+Accolades: Children & Youth Award, Rose d’Or, 2018 & 3-6 Audience Award, New York International Children’s Film Festival, 2018
7. ELENA OF AVALOR (Disney Junior)
Storyline: Princess Elena has saved her magical kingdom, Avalor, from an evil sorceress and must learn to rule as its crown princess.
Age recommendation: 5+, according to Common Sense Media
Accolades: Outstanding Casting, Daytime Emmy Awards, 2018
8. REVOLTING RHYMES (BBC One)
Storyline: Two half-hour animated films based on the much-loved rhymes written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. Partly animated in Cape Town by Triggerfish.
Age recommendation: 6+
Awards: Revolting Rhymes was nominated for an Oscar this year and won over 15 international awards, including Best Animated Special at the Annie Awards and Best One-Off Special at Kidscreen in 2018.
9. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (Nickelodeon)
Storyline: The misadventures of a talking sea sponge who works at a fast food restaurant, attends a boating school, and lives in an underwater pineapple.
Age recommendation: 6+, according to Common Sense Media
Awards: Favourite Cartoon, Kids’ Choice Awards, 2018. Outstanding Children’s Animated Series, Daytime Emmys, 2018.
10. ADVENTURE TIME (Cartoon Network)
Storyline: A 12-year-old boy and his best friend, a wise 28-year-old dog with magical powers, go on a series of surreal adventures.
Age recommendation: 10+, according to Common Sense Media
Awards: Outstanding Individual In Animation, Emmy Awards, 2018
Due date: S1 coming to Showmax on 10 December 2018