Educational movies we enjoy

This post is a list of TV shows we've watched over the last 4 years or so. I know it looks like we watch movies all day, every day, but we really don't :). We prefer to watch things at least slightly educational so here is our favorites! I'd love to hear what you enjoy watching with your children!

Most of these we watched on Amazon Prime or DVD's from the library.

    Fireman Sam

     Fireman Sam is a British animated comedy about a fireman named Sam, his fellow firefighters, and the villagers of a fictional village called Pontypandy. Our children have all loved this show from a very young age. Eldon and I don't exactly mind it either. While it is a lot of fluff, it's strong on teaching fire safety as well as respect for adults.

Wild Kratts

     The basic plot of every single Wild Kratts episode is the 2 brothers saving an animal from someone or something that is destroying said animal or their habitat. Animal facts are weaved into every part of the story and it's unbelievable how much we've all learned. There may be a very small bit of evolution at the beginning or end of each episode when the brothers leave their animated form and talk to kids about how they can make a difference so be prepared for that. This provides us with a perfect teaching moment.

Zoboomafoo

This show is also produced by the Kratt brothers and features a talking lemur. Geared more towards preschoolers, Zoboomafoo interacts with other animals and food is always involved. A great way to sneak some education in!

Kratt's Creatures

We obviously love the Kratt brothers because we've also found this series in which the brothers travel around the world exploring different animals and their habitats. Very little animation is on this show but they keep it interesting enough to capture the attention of my easily distracted Michael so.......Again, be prepared for very small bits of evolution that may occasionally pop up. As soon as our kids hear "millions of years" they correct them by saying "thousands, you mean thousands."

Planet Earth

     This is the most expensive nature documentary ever made and the first to be filmed in high definition. The result is stunning videos and pictures of wildlife and nature. Your preschoolers may get bored but I can assure you they will stop to watch the elephant herd lumbering by or the baby zebra galloping alongside his mother. This is a show that I like to put on while I'm cooking and the children are coloring or playing. Admittedly, it's hard to get anything done because I find it so interesting!

Liberty's Kids

     This highly educational and entertaining show focuses on Benjamin Franklin and four fictional associates of his in their experiences during the American Revolution. The series spans 16 years from the Boston Tea Party in 1773 to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1789. My favorite way to learn History!

Peppa Pig

I can't think of anything educational about Peppa Pig but I can nearly promise that your toddlers and preschoolers will love this charming show. I enjoy the British accents and terminology and my children love going with Peppa and George on their day to day activities. 

Baby Einstien

Baby Einstein consists of pretty pictures and videos set to classic music. Different episodes feature shapes, colors, numbers, animals, vehicles, and more. It's a great option when you're trying to wind little people down and need some background music.

Kipper the Dog

Kipper is another British show that is similar to Peppa. Lots of great accents and I do laugh every time I hear one of my children say something like, "You have a go at it."

Torchlighters

     This series is produced by the Voice of the Martyrs and Christian History Institution. It features stories of heroes and heroines of the christian faith. Corrie Ten Boom, William , Tyndale, and Jim Elliot are only a few characters you will learn about. Each episode is 30 minutes long. They are very literal and may be frightening for young children as real life situations are played out. 

Winnie the Pooh

No list of children's movies complete without good ole' Winnie the Pooh and friends. Also, make sure you know how these stories were born and who Winnie was named after. Great history, right there!

Franklin the Turtle

Franklin the Turtle will take you with him as he deals with jealousy, selfishness, and other issues children face. This is a great show with positive role models and gives examples on kindness, love, and humility. 

The Brady Bunch

Eldon and I enjoy this family show as much or more then the children. It's from the 1970's and the family deals with typical issues - lying, cheating, and unkindness. I've learned a lot myself from watching how Mike and Carol deal with their 6 children. Respect, love, kindness, and honesty are all held in high esteem in this show.

Little House on the Prairie

Another classic show that never gets old. Another show that teaches godly values and history. And, most libraries have this series so that's another plus!

Animal Atlas

Animal Atlas will take you around the globe and teach you about animals, what they eat, and their habitat. Each episode has several quiz questions throughout it and our children find that to be super fun. 

The Waltons

Another old classic with great values. Toddlers and preschoolers may not stick it out but our grade schoolers love this show. 

Berenstain Bears

Will there ever be enough animal show that teach about real life issues? Probably not! We enjoy the later versions of these movies (and books) since the authors met Jesus later in life and that change is reflected in their products.

Bugtime Adventures

We very accidentally stumbled upon this series one day. Amazon loves to bury the good stuff like this really deep so it doesn't just pop up but we found this! Bible stories from a bug's perspective! 

Popular Mechanics for Kids

We've been watching PMK off and on for several years now. Eldon and I like this one too and don't let the children watch unless we're close. They do occasionally have evolution so watch for that. They explore all kinds of crazy things. Follow a tennis ball down the toilet and to the sewer plant, learn how fireworks work, what zookeepers do, why landfills generate gasses, how a roller coaster operates, and much, much more. Highly educational and some episodes are just plain gross but we always go back for more:).

Little Men

A TV series based on the book Little Men. Real life lessons and many hard situations come up. Makayla and I love it but the others get a little bored. 

Animated History

We haven't gotten far in this series yet but so far it's accurate (from what I can tell) and very factual. It starts with early Egypt and covers both world and Bible history. They do talk about each nations god's and what they believed. So be prepared to hear about how the Aztecs considered it an honor to be sacrificed to their god and other similar things. Being a History lover, this is a favorite of mine.

Leap Frog

Ethan jerked a "froggy ddd" out at the library a few months ago and declared that we should take it home. I glanced over it and thought it looked ok, but didn't realize how amazing it actually was! Very educational, fun little movies with catchy tunes. Ethan quickly learned all the alphabet sounds and Michael and Emily love the more advanced ones with little jingles about the tons of phonics rules that I've been trying to teach them for months. Now I keep my eyes open wide for any Leap Frog DVD's at both libraries and thrift stores. Unlike a lot of phonics movies, these aren't even annoying!

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is a huge tourist attraction for hundreds of miles, especially in the summer. I mean, if you live in the desert, why wouldn't you want to go to the lake?! We checked into renting a boat and immediately decided it wasn't for us. Tuesday Eldon texted me from work and said his friend Dave is taking us and another travel nurse out on his pontoon the next day. The excitement around here was sky high and appropriately so!

Beautiful, clear day!

So many cool places that you can only see from the water!

The water was so clear!

Makayla has the coveted co-pilot's seat :).

So much fun!

This guy did much better then I anticipated.

Cruisin' up the canyon!

We pulled off on a sandy beach for lunch. Next time everyone will go dressed a little more appropriately. I'm not sure what I was thinking but Emily and Michael were soaked nearly to the waist and Ethan spent the rest of the day in a life jacket and shorts :). It got hot in the sun and they were sure it was fine to go swimming, even though the water was freezing.

Our pontoon.

Fishing!

1 fish. We caught 1 fish :).

Eldon and I were so impressed with how the children kept on fishing even after the adults called it quits.

We left them on shore while we moved the boat around to shade. They thought it was awesome!

We went exploring into a tiny side canyon.

End of the line!

Trying to get turned around.

     We came home exhausted, sun-burned, dehydrated, and deliriously happy. Also, looking forward to next Friday when another co-worker plans to take us and his family to............The Rainbow Bridge, famous icon of the area. Cannot wait!

German Pancakes - THM S

     I'm not going to go all crazy and turn this into a food blog. Don't worry, I don't enjoy cooking or writing that much. I may however, be posting some recipes from time to time simply to make my life easier. I have a notorious habit of finding a recipe online, revamping it, then losing it. But if I post it here, I'll always be able to find. Also, on the rare occasion someone asks me for a recipe it's as easy as sending a link! 

     We try to eat mostly healthy. By that I mean low-carb, little to no sugar, and heavy on the vegetables. Basically, we follow the Trim Healthy Mama plan for the most part so when you see an S or E, it's referring to that :). 

     German Pancakes is a breakfast food that we all love. Well, we did until this morning when Emily cried because she doesn't like them but thankfully (in this case), her taste buds change multiple times a day. I got the recipe a few years ago at Gwen's Nest.

If you have a spare 6 year old around that spends his free time teasing his sisters, he will work wonderful to measure ingredients. 

Some days he reminds me a LOT of my nephew Dallas.

Blending is especially fun. Note how careful he is to keep a hand on top.

The stick of butter goes in the pan. Don't not read the directions and mix it with everything else. Not that I would ever do that.

The smell is amazing.

This morning we topped it with frozen, chopped strawberries and a little maple syrup.

I don't know why it separated a little but it certainly didn't effect the taste!

And, here is the recipe.

German Pancakes

• 1/2 cup butter (to melt in pan)
• 3 cups oat flour (simple blend oatmeal until fairly fine)
• 12 eggs
• 3/4 cup xylitol 
• 1 tsp stevia
• 4 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp salt
• 3 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup cream or half & half
• 1 tsp nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Place butter into a 9x13 pan (I actually use a 12 inch round) and allow to melt in the oven as you mix up the batter. 
3. Blend oatmeal until fine then pour into mixing bowl.
4. In a blender, combine remaining ingredients, and whisk together until well blended.
5. Add oat flour and stir (or blend) until well mixed.
6. Pour batter into hot casserole dish, and swirl with melted butter to blend it in briefly.
7. Bake for 30 minutes.
8. Serve with fresh fruit and maple syrup.

    This makes plenty for us 1 meal, plus leftovers for the next morning. Just the way I like it! Because I like to save money and calories, I sometimes tweak it a little.
1. Use only half the butter.
2. Use half water for the almond milk
3. Replace the cream with water or kombucha.

Enjoy!