Watching TV isn’t usually an educational activity for kids. But when you pair it with language learning, it definitely can be! That’s because foreign language TV shows and cartoons are a great way for kids to pick up basic vocabulary, correct pronunciation, and more. 

If your child is learning Spanish, we’re sure they’ll enjoy at least one of the 12 kids’ TV shows in Spanish included in this blog post! All of these shows are also available online either for free or through a paid streaming service.

Keep reading for more information on each show, including where you can find the show online. Be sure to also check out our tips at the end of the article for more ways to help your child learn Spanish and how to get a free online Spanish lesson for kids!

12 Spanish TV Shows for Kids

#1 Pocoyó

Pocoyó is a lovable and curious little toddler who loves to explore the world around him. He’s joined by his friends Pato (a duck), Loula (a little girl), and YoYo (an energetic yellow ball). Together, they have all sorts of adventures and Pocoyó always manages to learn something new along the way. This show is great for younger kids who are just starting to learn Spanish. 

Where to watch: Pocoyó is available on Netflix.

#2 Robocar Poli

Robocar Poli is a team of rescue cars that work together to help people and protect their city. They’re always there to lend a helping hand, whether it’s rescuing a kitten from a tree or catching a thief. This show is best for children who can already understand some Spanish. 

Where to watch: Robocar Poli is available on Netflix.

#3 Minimalitos

Minimalitos is a show about a group of animals who like to play games, sing songs, and have fun. The animals all live in the same neighborhood and are always helping each other out. This show is great for preschoolers learning Spanish. 

Where to watch: Minimalitos is available on Amazon Prime.

#4 Peppa la cerdita

Peppa la cerdita is the Spanish version of the popular British show, Peppa Pig. The show is about a family of pigs who go on adventures and learn life lessons along the way. This show is great for little children and will help them learn Spanish through music and lots of repetition. 

Where to watch: Peppa la cerdita is available on YouTube.

#5 Bob Esponja

“Bob Esponja” is the Spanish version of the popular American show, “Spongebob Squarepants”. The show is set in an underwater city and follows the adventures of Spongebob, a sea sponge, and his friends. 

The show may use advanced vocabulary. However, if your child is already familiar with the English-language version, you can change the language settings to Spanish and turn on the subtitles. 

Where to watch: Bob Esponja is available on Netflix.

#6 Muzzy

Muzzy is a show created by the BBC specifically to help kids learn Spanish (or French, German, Italian, or Japanese). The show follows the adventures of Muzzy, a friendly alien, and his friends. Each episode is packed with vocabulary, grammar, and cultural lessons.

Where to watch: Muzzy in Spanish is available on BBC.

#7 Oh, Noah!

Oh, Noah! is a TV show and online game about a 12-year-old boy who learns Spanish every day while staying with his grandma in Mexico. This show is entertaining and great for showing kids the benefits of learning a second language. The interactive game component is also a great way for kids to practice what they learn while watching the show.

Where to watch: Oh Noah! is available on PBS Kids.

#8 Plaza Sésamo

Plaza Sésamo is the Spanish-language version of Sesame Street. It’s a classic show that has been around for decades and is beloved by kids and adults alike. As you may remember from your childhood, this show teaches kids about numbers, the alphabet, and basic life skills.

Where to watch: Plaza Sésamo is available on Amazon Prime Video.

#9 Dora la Exploradora

Dora la Exploradora is a show about a young girl who goes on adventures with her monkey friend, Boots. Both the Spanish-version and English-version, Dora the Explorer, are great for teaching kids basic Spanish. The show teaches words and phrases through songs and simple games. 

Where to watch: Dora la Exploradora is available on Amazon Prime Video.

#10 Go, Diego, Go!

Diego is a little boy who goes on adventures to help animals. Like his cousin, Dora the Explorer, Diego teaches kids Spanish words and phrases during his adventures. This show is great for little kids who are just starting to learn Spanish.

Where to watch: Go, Diego, Do! is available on Amazon Prime Video.

#11 Caillou

The original version of Caillou is in French, but there is a Spanish version available. Caillou is a little boy who goes on adventures with his family and friends. Your kids will need to already know some Spanish to understand this show, but they will also pick up new words and phrases.

Where to watch: Caillou in Spanish is available on YouTube.

#12 CoComelon en Español

This show is originally in English, but there is a Spanish version available. CoComelon is an animated cartoon about a little boy named JJ and his friends. The show teaches kids numbers, colors, shapes, and simple words in Spanish. It’s best for younger kids who are Spanish-language beginners. 

Where to watch: CoComelon is available on Netflix.

Pros and Cons of Learning Spanish from TV Shows

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using TV shows and cartoons to help children learn Spanish. Here are the major pros and cons:

Pros

• TV shows and cartoons can be very entertaining and engaging for kids. This means your kids may enjoy passively learning and practicing Spanish from TV shows even at times when they’re not motivated for more formal language learning activities. 
• These shows are a good way to expose children to the Spanish language in a low-pressure environment. They get to watch the shows wherever they’re comfortable, and there’s no pressure for them to speak or do activities in the language. 
• TV shows in Spanish are great for learning new vocabulary, correct pronunciation, and basic grammar structures. Kids get to hear Spanish spoken in authentic ways and often these shows have a lot of repetition, which makes it easy to pick up some basic Spanish. 

Cons

• These TV programs are often not designed specifically for language learning. This means that they might move too quickly for beginners or use vocabulary that is too advanced.
• TV shows and cartoons don’t usually provide any opportunity for speaking practice or interaction. This means that they might not be the best resource for learning how to actually speak Spanish.

Other Ways to Help Your Child Learn Spanish 

If your goal is to raise a bilingual child who can speak English and Spanish fluently, you can’t rely solely on TV shows and cartoons! You’ll need to supplement them with other resources. 

Here are a few recommendations:

• Buy or rent Spanish-language learning materials specifically designed for kids, such as books in Spanish, flashcards, and games.
• Find Spanish-speaking friends or family members who can help your child practice.
• Enroll your child in Spanish-language classes that give your child opportunities to speak and experience Spanish immersion
• Take a trip to a Spanish-speaking country. This will give your child a chance to hear and practice the language in a real-world setting.

For more ideas, check out our blog post on how to learn Spanish as a family!

Final Thoughts

While TV shows can be a helpful resource for kids learning Spanish, they shouldn’t be the only tool used. To give your child the best shot at becoming bilingual, be sure to supplement TV time with other activities, such as books, flashcards, games, or language classes.
At LingoCircle, we have online language classes for children ages 3-15, that make learning Spanish fun and engaging. Visit the rest of our website to learn more, and sign up for a free trial class today!