If you have small people in your life, you’ll be all too aware of one of the most dreaded phrases in a kid’s armory: "I’m booooooooooored!"
It often seems like the more choice there is, the more difficult it can be to pick something to watch. And while there’s always a temptation to reply along the lines of 'In my day, we only had two channels and you had to stand on the roof of the shed once a week, holding the aerial at a 62-degree angle to get the cartoons’ - instead, here’s a handy run-down of ten of the best shows on the RTÉ Player that your kiddos might appreciate.
1. Bluey
Hurrah! It turns out you don’t need an expensive subscription to a streaming service to watch one of the best kids’ shows ever made. Bluey is often cited as the GOAT of kids’ animation and it’s not difficult to see why. The Australian show about a family of Blue Heeler dogs is both hilarious, sweet and poignant, gently teaching lessons about life, love, families and friendships. Even if you’re vehemently anti-screens, Bluey is the sort of series that you want your kids to be watching. Season 1 and 2 (over a hundred episodes!) are on the RTÉ Player - we particularly recommend Rug Island, Dance Mode and Sleepytime (watch here).
2. Hey Duggee
Perhaps the only kids’ animation that can go toe-to-toe with Bluey (and another show based around a dog - coincidence?), Hey Duggee is an absolute joy. Duggee is a dog/camp leader in charge of the ‘Squirrels’ - a motley group of youngsters of varying species - as he leads them on many adventures at his clubhouse, problem-solving and having fun as they go. Not only are there some brilliant jokes that even adults will appreciate, there are a plethora of subtle messages about celebrating diversity, acceptance and the importance of kindness (watch here).
What a joy it is to see a show like Dizzy Deliveries being made in Ireland. Joe (played by Joe the Magician) is a hapless delivery man with special powers. In each episode he is aided by his robot Ozzy, his boss Aisling and various kids as he makes deliveries to different locations in each episode, from hospitals to fire stations to zoos and the skate park. Creator and director Nia Ceidiog is the woman behind shows like CBeebies’ Something Special, and the use of lámh signing (a word-signing system used by kids and adults with communication difficulties) alongside the slapstick tone makes for a show that is both educational and entertaining for young audiences (watch here).
4. Storybud
You may have seen CBeebies’ Bedtime Stories - well, here’s the Irish version. A host of well-known Irish names, from comedian Jason Byrne to actress Amy Huberman, Panti Bliss and even Dustin the Turkey, read stories for kids which are often penned by their own fair hand. With narration interspersed by animations, there are stories about Taylor Swift and aliens, Roy Keane’s previous life as a train station announcer, spooky stories about werewolves and headless horsemen, and various spins on well-known fairytales - from Hansel & Gretel to Snow White (watch here).
5. This is Art Club
If you grew up watching Neil Buchanan on Art Attack! and Tony Hart’s Morph, This is Art Club is a show that you’ll undoubtedly enjoy watching with your own kids. Not only does this lovely show teach kids about various materials - from metal, to clay, to paper, plastic and digital art - and methods, but there is an educational aspect to each episode as it delves into famous artists and their practices in a hands-on, fun way, involving kids and young people at every turn (watch here).
6. The Unreal
One for the older kids in the room - think along the line of Goosebumps, Stranger Things or Eerie, Indiana (if you know, you know) - The Unreal tells the story of Kevin, a kid who accidentally unleashes the Pooka after watching an old VHS tape from the 1980s. As a nation, we are celebrated for our folklore, and this show pays homage to that in a wry, witty manner (watch here).
Who doesn’t love Bake Off? Whether you’re a fan of sweet treats or not, Junior Bake-Off makes the prospect of baking less daunting for kids. Although the bakers on the show are undoubtedly talented (and will put your meagre efforts at Rice Krispie buns to shame), they prove that young people can bake just as well grown-ups - and often better, in fact. The competition may be fierce at times, but host Harry Hill tempers it with a sense of fun. And best-case scenario? As well as being entertained, it might inspire your child to rustle up a fancy bake or two. Win-win (watch here).
8. Puffin Rock
A quintessentially Irish show in so many ways, Puffin Rock has been such a success since it debuted on RTÉJr ten years ago that it has also spawned a film (2023’s Puffin Rock and the New Friends). Narrated by Chris O’Dowd, the Cartoon Saloon series not only looks gorgeous but is irresistibly sweet as it follows two young pufflings - Oona and her adorable little brother Baba - as they navigate life with the various other species on Puffin Island (watch here).
The Irish language is having a bit of a moment right now, but if you don’t want your kids listening to Kneecap, perhaps one of the several Irish-language animations on the RTÉ Player might suffice. Alongside the likes of Peppa Muc (Peppa Pig), Tír na nÓg and The Wee Littles, Baile na Samhlaíochta is the Irish-language version of Silly Sundays - which follows the adventures of siblings Sonia, Hugo, Mel and their family in Sundaytown. Another visually striking gem from Kilkenny’s Oscar-nominated Cartoon Saloon studio, you’ll be surprised how quickly your kids may pick up a cúpla focail (watch here).
What first began as a series of books by prolific children’s author Terry Deary really found its footing when they were adapted for TV. If your child thinks that history is boring, this acclaimed series might change their minds. Three seasons of the entertaining series - which uses explainers, puppetry and dramatic recreations to give potted histories of Napoleon, Cleopatra, the Renaissance and lots more - are currently available on the RTÉ Player (watch here).
Find more kids' stuff on RTÉ Player here.
