Looking for documentaries that are both eye-opening and age-appropriate? These documentaries for kids are not only educational, but also truly life-changing. Whether you want to spark conversations about the world, introduce your kids to different cultures, or help them better understand nature, these films are perfect to watch together as a family.
I’m a documentary lover, and I’m always on the lookout for ones I can watch with my kids. These are the best I’ve found — powerful, kid-friendly, and guaranteed to teach something new.
5 Life Changing Documentaries for Kids of All Ages
A Plastic Ocean
“In this adventure documentary, journalist Craig Leeson teams up with free diver Tanya Streeter and an international team of scientists and researchers, and they travel to twenty locations around the world over the next four years to explore the fragile state of our oceans, uncover alarming truths about plastic pollution, and reveal working solutions that can be put into immediate effect.”
Where to watch: Amazon Video
Actionable step to take after watching: Start a recycle bin in your home and go to local parks and ponds to pick up litter.
A Place At The Table
“A Place at the Table shows us how hunger poses serious economic, social and cultural implications for our nation, and that it could be solved once and for all, if the American public decides — as they have in the past — that making healthy food available and affordable is in the best interest of us all.”
Where to watch: Amazon Video
Actionable step to take after watching: Look for ways to help those less fortunate in your local community.
Maidentrip
“This riveting documentary chronicles the life and adventures of 14-year-old Laura Dekker, who set out on a two-year voyage in pursuit of her dream to be the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone.”
Where to watch: Amazon Video | iTunes
Actionable step to take after watching: Have your kids write down their biggest goals and dreams and discuss ways they can grow toward them.
Vanishing Bees
“Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry responsible for producing apples, broccoli, watermelon, onions, cherries and a hundred other fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables.”
Where to watch: Amazon Video | iTunes
Actionable step to take after watching: Plant flowers that bees like such as daisies and marigolds.
Bully
“Filmmaker Lee Hirsch examines five cases of youths who endure vicious persecution at the hands of their peers. Ja’meye, 14, winds up in reform school after pulling a gun on the youths who tormented her for years. Cameras record the abuse suffered by 14-year-old Alex as he’s beaten and teased on the bus. Star athlete Kelby, 16, is ostracized and worse after she comes out as lesbian. Most tragic of all, two boys, one 17 and one 12, commit suicide to escape the torture.”
Where to watch: Amazon Video | iTunes | Google Play
Actionable step to take after watching: Pledge never to bully and write down ideas of what to do if you see bullying happening.
This one is for mature kids only. The recomendation is 12+ but I would cautiously take a look here before deciding if your kids should watch or not. It is raw and upsetting but that is all the more reason why it’s important we see it and make change.
Make Family Night Easier
Here are a few things that make watching these documentaries even more fun at our house (affiliate links):
There are so many great documentaries for kids and these are just a handful to get you started!
More movies! Check out these 50 movies to watch with your kids before they grow up.
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
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