Did you know that great animated shows aren’t just a source of joy for kids, but also a window through which they understand the world? From the teamwork in PAW Patrol to the cultural insights in Chinese Oddities, from the scientific exploration in Star Trek: Prodigy to the emotional management in Peppa Pig, the 8-12 age range is a crucial period for children’s value formation! This comprehensive list features 10 highly-rated animated series, including global classics and gems of Chinese animation, allowing children to gain courage, wisdom, and growth through laughter.
Must-See Classics: Timeless Keys to Growing Up
PAW Patrol
Why We Recommend It: Each 11-minute episode uses “rescue missions” to cultivate teamwork and problem-solving skills. The dogs’ specialized skills (like firefighting and medical care) subtly introduce career concepts.
Highlight: Characters like Chase’s calmness and Rubble’s optimism teach children that “difficulties are not scary; there’s always a solution.”
Super Wings
Why We Recommend It: Global adventures combined with cultural insights. Each time Jett visits a country, he introduces local features (like the Egyptian pyramids or Japanese cherry blossoms). The visuals are vibrant, and the pacing is engaging.
Highlight: Using “package delivery” to connect stories naturally incorporates geographical and historical knowledge, making it more engaging than textbooks.
Growth and Emotional Education: Learning Through Laughter
Peppa Pig
Why We Recommend It: Seemingly simple, it’s actually full of high-EQ conversation models. Peppa and George’s arguments and reconciliations with friends are a “textbook” for children’s social interactions.
Highlight: Daddy Pig’s “mistakes” (like not being able to fix a kite) actually teach children to “accept imperfections.”
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Why We Recommend It: Adapted from classic Disney characters, each episode resolves a “community crisis” (like protecting endangered animals), emphasizing environmental protection and responsibility.
Highlight: Chip’s caution and Dale’s impulsiveness create a charming contrast, suitable for guiding children to discuss “complementary personalities.”
Sci-Fi Adventures: Igniting Curiosity and Courage
Mini Force
Why We Recommend It: Mecha battles + friendship bonds. Four teenagers transform into “X Rangers” to protect the Earth. The plot is exciting without being violent, and the character development is clear.
Highlight: The villain “Dr. Crazy’s” humorous character design reduces tension, making it suitable for children who are timid but love adventure.
Star Trek: Prodigy
Why We Recommend It: A spin-off series from the Star Trek IP, a group of teenage protagonists explores the unknown in the universe, cultivating scientific thinking and a spirit of exploration.
Highlight: Each episode incorporates basic physics knowledge (like wormholes and gravity), making it more accessible for children than typical sci-fi films.
Science and Knowledge: Opening the Doors of Perception with Animation
Sid the Science Kid
Why We Recommend It: A flagship science animation from Nickelodeon, it uses a “question - experiment - conclusion” model to explain natural phenomena (like rainbow formation and seed growth) in simple, easy-to-understand language.
Highlight: Sid’s catchphrase “I have a question!” encourages children to think proactively. Parents can do small family experiments along with the show.
Rating: 6+, parental participation in interactive experiments is recommended.
Octonauts
Why We Recommend It: Produced by the BBC, this is an encyclopedia of marine life in animated form. Each episode focuses on a specific creature (like octopuses or jellyfish), with visuals as stunning as a documentary.
Highlight: Captain Barnacles’ leadership and Peso’s compassion convey the value of “respect for life.”
The Glory of Chinese Animation: Modern Interpretations of Traditional Culture
Chinese Oddities
Why We Recommend It: A new work by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, it uses unit dramas like “Little Pig Demon” and “Goose Goose Goose” to reinterpret myths and legends, with a style as beautiful as traditional Chinese paintings.
Highlight: “Little Pig Demon” resonates with the “working class,” making it suitable for parents and children to discuss “the ordinary and the great.”
Ye Luoli
Why We Recommend It: A benchmark of domestic 3D animation, fairies and human children work together to protect nature, conveying environmental concepts. The characters’ fashionable outfits are attractive to girls.
Highlight: Wang Mo’s growth (from “underachiever” to “environmental warrior”) inspires children that “small people can also change the world.”
Rating: 8+, parents are advised to filter out “excessive makeup” elements and focus on the environmental theme.
Animated shows are a window for children to understand the world and a bridge for parent-child dialogue. Choosing works that make children “laugh, ask ‘why,’ and think” is more important than blindly pursuing “educational significance.” This weekend, why not turn off your phone and watch an episode of PAW Patrol with your child, and listen to their imaginative ideas about “rescue plans”? After all, the imagination of childhood is the most precious “good thing.”