Weekends don’t need to be expensive when you have all this free content to keep the kids happy! Now sit back and relax as your children discover some of your favourite shows as well as some excellent new films! From TV shows for the littlest ones to exciting books brought to life, we’ve rounded up some of our absolute faves!
For the little ones | Books brought to life | Films for all
TV shows for the little ones
Wallace and Gromit
Available now on BBC iPlayer
A timeless classic that everyone must see! This series centres of Wallace, a warm-hearted, cheese-loving inventor and his loyal human-like beagle Gromit! This clever show with its deep moral messages is suitable for all ages!
Megamind Rules!
Stream on ITVX
This series picks up after the not-so-evil genius hangs up his villain cape and tries to go full time hero – which, spoiler alert, is wayyyyy messier than he thought! With his friend and Al, Megamind attempts to save the day… proving over and over again that being good can be just as chaotic as being bad!
Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed!
Stream in BBC iPlayer
Ideal for ages 6 and up, Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed explores the adventures of Dennis, his dog Gnasher, and their best friends JJ, Rubi and Pieface, where mischief is a requirement, and no days go by without a whoopee cushion or two! Dennis and the gang turn everyday in Beanotown into a prank-fuelled adventure with big laughs, big hearts and a very cool catapult!
Pocoyo
Available now on ITVX
This show is perfect for the very little ones! Join little Pocoyo the curious toddler as he enjoys exploring the world around him with Pato the yellow duck, Elly the pink elephant, Loula the dog and many other friends! Loved by children up to six!
Thomas and Friends
Stream now on 5
Located on the imaginary island of Sodor, Thomas the blue steam locomotive and his friends face the most exciting of adventures! From pulling tricks on new engines to playing in the snow, the trains have the best time! Suitable for all ages!
Arthur
Available now on BBC iPlayer
This series is perfect for children ages 4 to 8! Arthur follows the life of intelligent eight-year-old Arthur the aardvark who lives in the exciting town of Elwood City with his chef father David, accountant mother Jane and two little sisters Dora Winifred and Kate, oh and you mustn’t forget his dog Pal!
If you are looking for a show to pop on while you get some chores done or even just to have some time to yourself, Arthur is the perfect show for learning and growing!
Polly Pocket
Stream now on ITVX
Perfect for all ages! There’s no dream too big for Polly! Every time Polly is told she is ‘too little’ to do what she wants, she proves what every kid knows, being little isn’t a limitation! Suitable from five plus!
Thunderbirds Are Go
Stream on ITVX
Set in the year 2060, Thunderbirds Are Go follows the Tracy brothers- Scott, Virgil, Alan, Gordon, and John who work for International rescue: a life-saving organisation that operate from a very secret base in the Pacific ocean! This shows fun-packed and full of adventure, targeted at those aged 8 and older!
Books brought to life
Famous Five
Stream now on BBC iPlayer
Based on the world-famous books by Enid Blyton, The Famous Five tells the tale of four children and their dog Timothy as they solve mysteries and battle sinister forces all whilst having the most magical summer of their lives! For ages 6 and up!
Mallory Towers
Stream now on BBC iPlayer
Another Enid Blyton classic, this series is all about young Darrel Rivers and her exciting adventures at the boarding school Mallory Towers! With a midnight feast or two, many pranks thanks to trickster Alicia and a lot of drama due to drama queen Gwen, Darrel’s first term at Mallory Towers certainly has a lot in store! Age 7 plus!
The Worst Witch
Available now on BBC iPlayer
Broomsticks at the ready? Dive into the magical world with Mildred as she enters her first term at the magical Gradstein’s academy! With an excellent talent for attracting mischief and trouble and not much talent with magic, Mildred manages to create chaotic situations for herself and her friends! Age 6 and up!
His Dark Materials
Available now on BBC iPlayer
For the older ones aged 12 plus, this fantasy drama is based on the trilogy of novels by Phillip Pullman. In a parallel world ruled by the sinister Magisterium, a battle rages over a mysterious particle called dust. Can orphan Lyra stop the fight from spilling into our time?
For fans of the books this is a must see!
Movies for the whole family
Minions (2015)
Stream on ITVX
Did someone say BANNANA? Join minions Kevin, Stuart and Bob as they embark on a worldwide trip to find a new master and find Scarlett Overkill, the world’s first-ever super-villainess! After convincing her of their use, together they hatch a plan to rule the world! Age 5+
Ice Age Collision Course (2016)
Stream now on ITVX
Prepare for laughter all round with this family favourite! Whilst trying to get his acorn, Scrat accidently sends an asteroid to Earth! Manny, Sid and Diego must join forces with Buck to stop the asteroid wiping out their existence! Ages 6+
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Watch now on ITVX
This wonderful movie tells the story of a very clever fox with a taste for stealing (particularly chickens)! After the local farmers get fed up with his thieving ways, they decide to try and destroy the foxes home, however Mr Fox hatches a plan for the biggest heist to date and the farmers soon discover that this is one fox they can’t outfox!
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015)
Stream on Channel 4
In this movie, SpongeBob SquarePants takes a ride to the surface where he heads on an adventure to recover Krabby Patty’s secret formula from the pirate Burger Beard! It’s funny, full of sunshine and the kind of adventures only a talking sponge and grumpy squid can pull off! Ages 6+
Zog (2018)
Watch now on BBC iPlayer
Young Zog is desperate to learn how to fly, roar and breathe fire in his first years at Dragon school and wants to impress his teacher! However, he is an accident-prone dragon and is helped every year by a king young girl who patches up his cuts and bruises. In his fourth year he gets his toughest challenge yet, to capture a princess! Will the young girl help him? Age 5+
Shrek the Third (2007)
Available now on BBC iPlayer
After the passing of King Harold, Fiona and Shrek suddenly find themselves ruling the kingdom of Far Far Away. But Shrek doesn’t see himself as a ruler so he sets off on a wild quest to convince Fiona’s awkward teen cousin, Artie, to take the crown instead. Meanwhile, the ever-scheming Prince Charming is cooking up a plan to steal the throne for himself. Get ready for an adventure full of laughs, magic, and medieval mayhem! Age 6+
Ella Enchanted (2004)
Available now on ITVX
Ella Enchanted sees young Ella (Anne Hathaway) bestowed a magical talent by her fairy godmother Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox) with a spell that requires her to obey anything she’s told to do. When her mother dies and she’s forced to live with the cruel Dame Olga (Joanne Lumley), the spell proves to be more of a cure than a blessing. Accompanied by the handsome Prince Charmont (Hugh Dancy), Ella sets of on a journey to break the spell! Ages 8+
Tabby McTat (2024)
Stream on BBC iPlayer
This wholesome family favourite follows a cat named Tabby McTat a singing cat who busks in London with his friend Fred, the pair are purrrrfectly happy until a thief steals the money and Fred ends up in hospital. When Tabby McTat meets Sock, they fall in love but Tabby McTat continues to wonder if he will ever find Fred and sing again! All ages
Did you enjoy our recommendations? Why not check out our best family films and tv shows article for the slightly older children! And if you want to stay even moreee in the loop then sign up to our Freely Press newsletter!
