Entertain and Teach Your Little Ones

There is no shame in using the TV to get some rest time with your kids.  Parenting is hard in normal times.  It is made more difficult while the world is under quarantine.  Little ones have trouble respecting personal space.  They definitely don’t understand when Mom or Dad just needs a few minutes of silence to recharge.  This is where TV time comes in.  It can be helpful to keep everyone refreshed.  Yes, your mom was right when she claimed too much TV can corrupt you.  But you also can be wise in your choices of the media for your child to use it for the Kingdom of God.  The shows and movies your child watches can build them up and encourage them in their faith while also keeping them entertained.  Much like my list of 33 Great Christian Movies to Grow Your Faith, they can work like the parables of Jesus.  You can provide your little one with great Christian messages while also making it fun.

Here is my list of 13 Wonderful Christian Media Ideas for Your Kids to get you started.  These are the ones endorsed by my 4 kids as good entertainment while also screened by me as good Bible teaching.  If you have watched any of the recent video messages here, the oldest 2 kids are the ones singing worship.  Child #3 is running the soundboard.

I hope you are as blessed by these shows and movies as we have been over the years.

1)            Superbook – TV Series

Chris Quantum is your typical Middle School student — except if you take into account one of his best friends is a robot named Gizmo. Add his best friend Joy Pepper into the mix and you have a recipe for adventure. The adventures begin for this trio when a mysterious device appears and takes them on journeys throughout the Bible. Travel back in time and get ready for the journey of a lifetime!

Superbook is a great animated series.  My kids absolutely love it.  I enjoy it myself.  Each episode stands alone and tells a Bible story through Joy and Chris’ trips through the Bible.  Superbook makes the Bible relatable for even the youngest child but does so without skimping on the truth.  It is educational and enjoyable.  There are 5 Seasons available, with two free on Amazon.

2)            Friends and Heroes – TV Series

This series depicts the adventures of a boy named Macky and his friends in the 1^st Century in Alexandria, Jerusalem, and later Rome.  It is at the point in history when the Roman Empire rules over most of the world and Christianity is still a very new religion.  There is also a rebellion ongoing in Judea against the rule of Rome.  Friends and Heroes uses the historical backdrop to provide openings for storylines involving intrigue and suspense.  It then resolves the conflict that develop through Bible stories.

There are three seasons of Friends and Heroes.  I wish they made more.

3)            Adventures in Odyssey – Audio Drama

Adventures in Odyssey is somewhat unique as it is an audio drama.  There are cartoon versions of some of the episodes, but I recommend the audio version.  It presents character-building stories of all types that each of my kids has greatly enjoyed.  The stories are engaging and will connect with your kids right where they live.

4)            The Pilgrim’s Progress – Movie

This recent animated version of John Bunyan’s classic is very well done.  It faithfully follows Bunyan’s allegorical tale of one man, Christian, and his quest for the Celestial City.  One of the best versions of this amazing story I have seen.  I enjoyed it as well despite the fact it is animated.  Christian’s salvation scene is wonderful.  I appreciated they also dealt with Christian’s family in the movie.

Here is the longer review I did of The Pilgrim’s Progress. Pilgrim’s Progress Movie 2019 – Christian Review

Update with Good News – I just saw that Revelation Media is offereing The Pilgrim’s Progress movie for free here Watch Pilgrim’s Progress.  Enjoy!

5)            The Lion of Judah – Movie

Follow the adventures of a bold lamb, Judah, and his stable friends as they try to avoid the sacrificial alter the week preceding the crucifixion of Christ. This quest follows the animals from the stable in Bethlehem to the great temple in Jerusalem and onto the hillside of Calvary as these unlikely heroes try to save their friend. The journey weaves seamlessly through the biblical accounts of Palm Sunday, Jesus turning the tables in the temple, Peter’s denial and with a tense, heart-wrenching climax, depicts the crucifixion and resurrection with gentleness and breathtaking beauty. For Judah, the lamb with the heart of a lion, it is a story of courage and faith.

It is a heart-warming account of the Easter story.  It is a great way to help the kids understand the Resurrection through an adorable lamb, Judah.

6)            The Torchlighters – TV Series

If you truly want to inspire kids to serve the Lord and to see beyond their own, then you’ve got to grab these incredible stories. Torchlighters animated DVD’s feature real-life heroes of the faith and portray their incredible stories with gripping impact.  The stories of incredible sacrifice, courage, and dedication are truly inspiring and will expand your kids’ horizons of what God could do with their own lives.

A warning that some of the content is intense.  The lives of these inspiring Christians were filled with danger and sometimes death.  They still are recommended, with discretion, of course, as they build a foundation of faith in the face of opposition.

7)            Beyond the Mask – Movie

The chief mercenary for the British East India Company, being double crossed by his former employer, has made his way to the American Colonies. Working to redeem his name, William Reynolds now hides behind a different mask in hopes of thwarting his former employer. As his past life closes in on him, Will must somehow gain the trust and the help of his beloved Charlotte, a woman he has been lying to, as well as a colonial intellectual by the name of Ben Franklin. All the while he races against time to defuse a plot that could have devastating effect on the birth of a new nation.

An exciting movie with intrigue, danger, and adventure.  A very fun movie.

8)            The Secret of Jonathan Sperry – Movie

Best buddies Dustin, Albert, and Mark, are twelve-year-old boys looking forward to a summer of fun in 1970.  Dustin has a crush on Tanya and wants to ask her out on a date, something he has never done before. His main obstacle, though, is the town bully, Nick, who also likes Tanya. When Dustin mows the lawn of seventy-five year old Jonathan Sperry a man he has seen at church, a unique friendship develops.  What happens the rest of the summer is something Dustin and his friends will never forget.

The Secret of Jonathan Sperry is a sweet movie about the power of Christ and discipleship.  I love this movie.

9)            Facing the Giants – Movie

An action-packed drama about a Christian high school football coach who uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure. In six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility, Grant discovers that a group of fathers are secretly organizing to have him dismissed as head coach. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He dares to challenge his players to believe God for the impossible on and off the field. When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step up to their greatest test of strength and courage. What transpires is a dynamic story of the fight between faith and fear.

An early Kendrick Brothers movie.  This movie uses football to tell an inspiring story.

10)          Chronicles of Narnia – Movie

The movie versions of C.S. Lewis’ classic children’s books.  Each of the Chronicles of Narnia films are worth watching with discretion recommended for small ones due to some scary or violent content.  My personal favorite is The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

11)          The Star – Movie

A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.

12)          At Jesus’ Side – Movie

Five misfit animals on a journey toward love and forgiveness. Jericho is a vagabond street dog who befriends Jesus and follows him throughout the last week of his life through the resurrection. After Jesus’ arrest at Gethsemane, Jericho rallies an epic charge of animal friends to try to save Jesus from his fate. Jesus is portrayed as he is in the Bible, loving and compassionate, and true events are portrayed such as the Triumphal Entry, overturning of the money changers’ tables, and his false arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection. This is a warm and nice story

13)          Owlegories – Series

Owlegories is an animated series that follows a group of student owls as they travel on adventures learning about nature, faith, and God.  This show is good for very little ones.