Documentaries are a great way to shake up screen time. Besides keeping little ones entertained, they also work well for rainy afternoons when you need something a bit more than background noise. Some mini-documentaries are also short enough to fit into the gap between school pickup and dinner, perfect for those busy days.
And there are so many topics to choose from. Whatever your child is into, chances are there’s a documentary for it. Nature, history, animals, space, the list goes on. Here are our picks for the best free-to-air and streaming documentaries for kids.
We’ve pulled together a mix from around the world, including a few great ones created in Australia, that parents will enjoy just as much as the kids. Watch them together as a family, or let the kids settle in on their own for some quiet screen time.
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Wildlife & Animals | Nature & Science | Creativity, Craft & History | Space & Technology | Bite-sized Options
Wildlife & Animals
Built to Survive 🇦🇺
Presenter Paul West travels to Australia’s remote environments to discover how native animals adapt to harsh habitats. Fast-paced, action-packed, and designed specifically for young viewers.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 10
Running time: 25 minute episodes
Best for ages: 6-12 years
Galápagos 3D: Nature’s Wonderland
Explore the remote Galápagos Islands to discover how unique wildlife adapts and thrives in isolated ecosystems. Hosted by David Attenborough, it’s captivating and visually stunning.
View it on: ABC iview & SBS On Demand
Number of episodes: 3 (Mini-series)
Running time: Approximately 50 minute episodes
Best for ages: 7+ years
Kedi
A journey through the streets of Istanbul through the eyes of the thousands of stray cats that freely roam the city. Gentle, visually beautiful, and deeply heartwarming.
View it on: SBS On Demand
Number of episodes: 1 (Feature documentary)
Running time: 79 minutes
Best for ages: 6+ years
Life in Color with David Attenborough
Travel from the rainforests to the oceans to see how animals use vibrant colors to survive, attract mates, and hide from predators. It’s science paired with groundbreaking camera technology.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 3
Running time: Approximately 50 minute episodes
Best for ages: 6+ years
Muster Dogs 🇦🇺
Follows five Kelpie puppies sent to different farmers across Australia to see if they can be trained into working dogs in 12 months.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 4 seasons of 4-6 episodes, plus extras
Running time: 1-hour episodes
Best for ages: 5+ years
The Platypus Guardian 🇦🇺
A Hobart man forms a bond with a female platypus living in a local creek. A Cosy, heartwarming single-story watch. Perfect for a quiet rainy weekend afternoon.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 1 (Standalone documentary)
Running time: 53 minutes
Best for ages: 6+ years
Secrets of the Zoo: Down Under 🇦🇺
Go behind the scenes with vets and keepers at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo as they care for thousands of native and exotic animals. Engaging, educational, and packed with cute animal moments.
View it on: 9Now & 7plus
Number of episodes: 10
Running time: Approximately 45 minute episodes
Best for ages: 7+ years
Wildlifers! 🇦🇺
A fun documentary-style series following two young aspiring filmmakers as they head into the bush to document local wildlife. Relatable and lighthearted, it’s short enough to fit into quick afternoon downtime.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 15
Running time: 15 minute episodes
Best for ages: 6-10 years
Awesome Animals
A quirky National Geographic Kids series packed with fun facts and unusual information about animals. The short episodes make it especially easy for younger kids to watch.
View it on: Disney+
Number of episodes: 10
Running time: Around 4 minutes per episode
Best for ages: 5–9 years
Dolphin Reef
Follow Echo, a young Pacific bottlenose dolphin, as he learns how to survive and thrive among the colourful creatures of a coral reef. This beautiful Disneynature documentary is a good choice for kids fascinated by dolphins and ocean life.
View it on: Disney+
Running time: 1 hour 17 minutes
Best for ages: 5+ years
Tiny World
Tiny World puts the spotlight on some of nature’s smallest creatures and the extraordinary things they do to survive. From tiny animals in the Australian bush to miniature inhabitants of jungles, gardens and coral reefs, spectacular close-up footage gives kids a fascinating look at a world they might otherwise never notice. Apple rates the series G for very mild predatory animal behaviour.
View it on: Apple TV+
Number of seasons: 2
Running time: Around 30 minutes per episode
Best for ages: 6+ years
Born to Be Wild
Follow six rare baby animals as they take their first steps towards life in the wild. The series follows a moon bear cub, elephant calf, penguin chick, lemur pup, cheetah cubs and a lynx kitten as they learn the skills they’ll need to survive. Apple rates the series PG for mild themes.
View it on: Apple TV+
Number of episodes: 6
Running time: Around 35–37 minutes per episode
Best for ages: 7+ years
The Elephant Queen
Follow Athena, a majestic elephant matriarch, as she leads her herd across the African landscape in search of food and water. Along the way, kids meet the other wildlife sharing the elephants’ environment in this beautifully filmed story about family, survival and the natural world. Apple describes the documentary as family-friendly and rates it PG.
View it on: Apple TV+
Running time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Best for ages: 7+ years
Earth at Night in Colour
What happens in the animal kingdom after the sun goes down? Narrated by Tom Hiddleston, Earth at Night in Colour uses special camera technology to reveal nocturnal wildlife in full colour. Kids can watch lions, elephants, kangaroos, polar bears, cheetahs and other animals navigating life after dark. Apple rates the series PG for mild predatory animal behaviour.
View it on: Apple TV+
Number of seasons: 2
Running time: Around 30 minutes per episode
Best for ages: 7+ years
Nature & Science
Australia Remastered 🇦🇺
A classic nature documentary series with visually stunning nature footage in the style of David Attenborough. Showcasing dingoes, ocean creatures, and desert ecosystems. A great one to watch together as a family.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 15 (across 3 thematic series)
Running time: Approximately 50 minute episodes
Best for ages: 7+ years
The Biggest Little Farm
A couple transform a depleted piece of land into a thriving, self-sustaining farm alongside an array of animals. It’s inspiring, beautiful, and a fantastic look at real-world ecology.
View it on: SBS On Demand
Number of episodes: 1 (Feature documentary)
Running time: 91 minutes
Best for ages: 8+ years
The Great Australian Bee Challenge 🇦🇺
Everyday families learn to keep beehives in their backyards, showing how small ecosystems work up close.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 2
Running time: Approximately 50 minute episodes
Best for ages: 6+ years
Ningaloo Nyinggulu 🇦🇺
Dive into one of Australia’s greatest natural wonders with author and conservationist Tim Winton as your guide. This stunning three-part series combines world-class underwater photography with captivating stories. Great for young ocean lovers and future marine biologists.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 3 episodes
Running time: Approximately 1-hour episodes
Best for ages: 8+ years
Weird But True!
A colourful National Geographic series that explores fascinating topics ranging from dinosaurs and space to animals and science. Its energetic presenters, experiments and unusual facts make learning feel fun.
View it on: Disney+
Number of episodes: 30
Running time: Around 22 minutes per episode
Best for ages: 6–10 years
Prehistoric Planet
Travel back 66 million years to discover dinosaurs and other extraordinary creatures that once roamed the Earth. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, this spectacular series combines the latest palaeontology research with state-of-the-art visual effects to recreate dinosaurs and their habitats. It’s a great choice for dinosaur-loving kids who want to learn about prehistoric life rather than watch a fictional dinosaur adventure.
View it on: Apple TV+
Number of seasons: 2
Running time: Around 40 minutes per episode
Best for ages: 7+ years
Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age
Journey beyond the age of dinosaurs into the Ice Age, when woolly mammoths, sabre-toothed cats, giant sloths and other incredible creatures inhabited the planet. This five-part series uses current scientific research and photorealistic visual effects to explore how prehistoric animals survived dramatic climates and changing landscapes.
View it on: Apple TV+
Number of episodes: 5
Running time: Around 40 minutes per episode
Best for ages: 7+ years
Creativity, Craft & History
Gardening Australia Junior 🇦🇺
Short episodes introducing younger kids to worm farms, bugs, and native plants.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 20
Running time: 12 minute episodes
Best for ages: 3–7 years
Tiny Oz 🇦🇺
Jimmy Rees and miniature artists rebuild historic Australian moments in scale models. Great for kids into building and crafts.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 3 episodes
Running time: Approximately 1-hour episodes
Best for ages: 7+ years
Space & Technology
Apollo 11
Experience the historic 1969 moon landing through newly discovered 70mm footage and audio recordings. Apollo 11 is immersive and educational without any added voiceover narration.
View it on: SBS On Demand
Number of episodes: 1 (Feature documentary)
Running time: 93 minutes
Best for ages: 9+ years
Bite-sized Options
Behind the News (BTN) 🇦🇺
Digestible 5-to-10-minute news and science explainers made specifically for primary school kids. Great for quick gaps while dinner is cooking.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: Ongoing weekly releases (30+ episodes per year)
Running time: Approximately 24 minutes (or 5–10 minutes per standalone segment)
Best for ages: 8–12 years
5-Minute Stories
Perfect for younger kids and short attention spans, this National Geographic Kids series introduces fascinating animals through bite-sized stories. Kids can learn about creatures including sharks, penguins, lions and other wildlife without committing to a full-length documentary.
View it on: Disney+
Number of episodes: 8
Running time: Around 5 minutes per episode
Best for ages: 3–7 years
Gardening Australia Junior 🇦🇺
Short episodes introducing younger kids to worm farms, bugs, and native plants.
View it on: ABC iview
Number of episodes: 20
Running time: 12 minute episodes
Best for ages: 3–7 years
If I Were an Animal
Narrated from a child’s perspective, each short episode follows a baby animal (from cheetah cubs to penguins) as it grows up. Perfect for early primary and toddler attention spans.
View it on: Netflix
Number of episodes: 52
Running time: 12 minute episodes
Best for ages: 3–7 years
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