7 December 2018
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
One Weeks on Showmax
The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice: Meet the moms
More Mzansi gold
Must-watch trailer for The Butcher’s Soul coming to Showmax
First look at the explosive trailer for The Butcher’s Soul, starring SAFTA winner Melusi Mbele. Premiering 2 August on Showmax.
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Nonku has positive criticism for the ladies
In Episode 9 of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip SA, Nonku wants to know why Londie arrived so late in Jamaica. Will she get an answer? New episodes every Monday.
Through the storm in Ukuwela: The Crossing
Documentary Ukuwela: The Crossing goes inside how crew from Cape Town’s townships ruled the waves at the 2023 Cape2Rio yacht race. Now read more about skipper Sibusiso Sizatu and the Alexforbes ArchAngel crew.
Ukuwela: The Crossing
An inspiring story following Sibusiso Sizatu’s journey from a carefree herd boy to leading his crew on a gruelling Cape to Rio yacht race – the longest continent-to-continent race in the southern hemisphere