Guilt-free screen time for your kids this holiday

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 a few shows that will make you feel like a great parent, knowing your child is watching the best content in the world – literally.

Peppa Pig

Peppa explores her muddy-puddled world with her trademark blend of curiosity and cleverness, along with her little brother George and her best friend Suzy Sheep.

Age recommendation: 3+, according to Common Sense Media

Accolades: Best Directing, Kidscreen, 2018

Watch now » 

Puppy Dog Pals

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

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Doc McStuffins 

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

Watch now » 

The Highway Rat

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.

Age recommendation:4+

Accolades: Children & Youth Award, Rose d’Or, 2018 & 3-6 Audience Award, New York International Children’s Film Festival, 2018

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Disney’s Elena of Avalor 

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

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Revolting Rhymes 

Two half-hour animated films based on the much-loved rhymes written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake.

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.

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SpongeBob SquarePants 

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+

Awards: Favourite Cartoon, Kids’ Choice Awards, 2018. Outstanding Children’s Animated Series, Daytime Emmys, 2018.

Watch now »

Adventure Time 

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+

Awards: Outstanding Individual In Animation, Emmy Awards, 2018

Due date: S1 coming to Showmax on 10 December 2018

This is just a small selection of the animated content on Showmax, which also includes 2018 Emmy nominees like Blaze and The Monster Machines, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, and Wild Kratts. For more, check out the Kids’ Section.