The Best Disney+ Shows & Movies for Parents

by Karly WoodMay 5, 2020

When it comes to Disney+, everyone was excited to feast their eyes on the entire catalogue of classic titles––especially kids. But there are oodles of movies, documentaries and shows that are just as entertaining on the streaming platform for parents, too! From dramatic original shows to behind the scene insights and throwback films, keep reading to see some of our fave adult-friendly content on Disney+.

Drama

The Mandalorian

Disney's The Mandalorian is all anyone could talk about when the platform launched in November. The show that introduced "Baby Yoda" is rife with classic Star Wars planets, garb and characters, not to mention an amazing musical score. You can watch the entire first season, with the second to debut later this year.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 & 2

While we're the first to agree that almost any Marvel film will fit the bill when it comes a binge session, we particularly love the Guardians of the Galaxy duo. The retro 80's soundtrack makes it perfect for Gen Xers, and with a cast that includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Vin Diesel, you can't go wrong.

10 Things I Hate About You

The classic teen romance turned drama film is one for the ages. The 1999 hit takes all of us parents back to a simpler time, with a budding Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles before they made it big.

Documentaries

The Imagineering Story

The six hour original Disney+ docuseries takes guests on a complete behind-the-scenes adventure through the creation of Disney Parks. With original photos and film of Walt himself, tons of interviews with Disney Imagineers and an entertaining historical timeline, the Imagineering Story will quickly become a fave.

One Day at Disney

Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney+ have collaborated on One Day at Disney, a 52-week documentary series that highlights the men and women behind the magic. The series kicks off with a feature film showing 10 influential people in the Disney industry, followed by 52 shorts, ranging from four to seven minutes long on diverse cast members.

Free Solo

The Academy Award winning documentary Free Solo follows free solo climber Alex Honnold and his attempt to climb El Capitan. The heart-stopping film will keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch a man without fear tackle his dream.

Throwbacks

The Parent Trap (1961)

The OG Parent Trap features a young Hayley Mills and will undoubtedly bring up childhood memories as you watch. The classic tale follows two girls who find out they're identical twin sisters at the age of 13 at summer camp, with lots of wackiness to ensue.

The Flight of the Navigator

See you later, Navigator! The 1986 indie sci-fi classic follows 12-year old David Freeman who falls down a ravine and wakes up eight years later and abducted by aliens. David's spaceship is one we all dreamed of flying as a kid!

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Wayne Szalinski has really done it this time! When the inventor accidentally shrinks his own kids, the journey begins to find and restore them to normal size. The late 80's classic had us all craving for a few oatmeal creme cookies by the end!

Splash

Tom Hanks + mermaids? Yes, please! The 1984 fantasy rom com follows Hank's character with a mermaid who's come to shore and his attempts at keeping her out of the local scientist's evil clutches.

Comedy/Cartoons

The Simpsons

If you're looking for a binge-watch sesh, then settle in for 30 seasons of the Simpsons! The history-making series that started in 1989 will make you laugh just as hard as it did when you were a kid, and you just might finally get some of those adult-themed jokes.

Who Framed Rodger Rabbit?

The 1988 blockbuster that parents weren't quite sure was appropriate for kids (thank you, Jessica Rabbit) is prime viewing on Disney+. The three time Academy Award winning film depicts cartoons living alongside humans, and brings Toontown to real life.

Musicals

Newsies

It's a fine life! Fans of a young Christian Bale can relive their glory days with Disney's cult classic, Newsies. The unforgettable musical is full of dance-worthy songs and tons of stars before they were famous.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Disney+ unless otherwise noted

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Netflix’s Newest Shaun the Sheep Film Is Out of This World Fun

by Karly WoodFebruary 11, 2020

This Valentine’s Day you could settle in for a romantic film with your partner, or you could round up the entire fam for a Netflix sesh because A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon hits homes on Feb. 14!

Mossy Bottom Farm has a new visitor when an alien named LU-LA crash lands from outer space. Shaun the Sheep and his buds soon learn all about this adorable, yet magical visitor in the whimsical trailer below.

In an attempt to get LU-LA back to her spaceship, Shaun and his flock embark on an out of this world journey, only to discover that an alien-hunting agency is in their wake. Can the gang prevent Farmageddon?

To get the entire family excited for the newest installment of Shaun, Netflix is sharing a few fun ways to get into the Farmageddon spirit. If your kiddos love drawing, you’ll want to check out tutorials on how to draw LU-LA and Shaun. Stay tuned for three activity sheets to download to get your kiddos even more excited about the film!

A Shaun of the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is only available on Netflix and drops this Friday, Feb. 14.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Netflix

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This Sweet “Star Wars” Themed Ad About Inclusion Will Give You All the Feels

by Shahrzad WarkentinDecember 3, 2019

If there’s one thing you can count on during the holiday season it’s plenty of heartwarming moments, like the sweet scene in this Star Wars-themed ad that shows why inclusion matters.

The ad for Filipino phone company Globe Telecom follows two young boys as they go door-to-door in their neighborhood collecting materials, like old cellphones and tires. The boys appear to be building some kind of a spaceship with all the materials, but it appears to be missing something so they grab some more materials and enlist a young girl to help.

Working together the three engineers create a contraption that provides a fully immersive movie-watching experience. The girl sits in the bouncing, moving seat with water spraying and a fan blowing as Star Wars plays on screen. It’s not until the very end of the ad that we discover that––spoiler alert––the girl is deaf.

The ad, which is meant to show that “the wonder of Star Wars can touch the lives of everyone, even of those who can’t hear it” is part of Globe Telecom’s holiday campaign to raise funding for virtual schools for people with disabilities. You can learn more about it here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Globe via YouTube

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LEGO Wants Fans to Design a Brick Spaceship to Mars

by Shahrzad WarkentinJuly 14, 2019

Do your master builders dream about jetting off to the red planet? NASA wants them to create the perfect LEGO spaceship to Mars.

LEGO is currently accepting submissions through LEGO Ideas for space vehicles that are worthy of carrying LEGO people to Mars. Designers 13-years-old and up can submit their self-created designs either by submitting photos of their brick creation or designing one online with the LEGO Digital Designer.

photo: LEGO

Many LEGO Ideas submissions have been turned into actual LEGO sets, so your unique entry could very well end up in homes across the globe. One Grand Prize winner will definitely be awarded a stellar package of space-themed LEGO sets including LEGO City Lunar Space Station, LEGO Creator Expert Lunar Lander, LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V and several more. Two runner up prize packs will also be awarded.

If you need some inspiration for your entry, check out some of the creative entries that have already been submitted, including a pizza delivery ship and a space pirate ship.

photo: LEGO

Entries will be accepted until Aug. 1, 2019, at 6:00 a.m. EST and then the judging phase will begin. Winners will be announced no later than Aug. 22. Check out the complete rules of entry here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Courtesy of LEGO

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LEGO Is Launching New NASA-Themed Sets This Month & They’re Out of This World

LEGO Is Launching New NASA-Themed Sets This Month & They’re Out of This World

by Shahrzad WarkentinJune 9, 2019

If you’re looking to inspire those STEAM skills this summer, look no further. Mini master builders get ready to blast off for fun with new NASA-inspired LEGO sets.

With seven new space exploring LEGO sets, there is plenty of building and playing excitement to keep kids busy over the break. To ensure that the sets captured the details of real NASA rockets and equipment, LEGO designers made frequent visits to Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida to study the real life counterparts. Here’s a peek at all the new sets.

Satellite Service Mission

$9.99

Rover Testing Drive

$29.99

Mars Research Shuttle

$39.99

Lunar Space Station

$59.99

Deep Space Rocket and Launch Control

$99.99

Rocket Assembly and Transport

$149.99

People Pack – Space Research and Development

$39.99

All of the sets will be available in stores and online starting Jun. 23. In celebration of these new space-themed sets LEGO stores across the United States will be hosting Build & Play Spaceship games Jun. 3-30 and Build & Display prompts related to Mars exploration during the month of July. Check out your local store for more details.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of LEGO

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31 Ways to Grow Together As a Family in May

by Gabby CullenMay 1, 2019

This month, it’ll be easy to take advantage of beautiful weather, longer days and all the fun events happening in your community. We’ve collected 31 ways to spend quality time with your crew in May below. Keep reading to see them all.

1. Set up a stargazing station. The warmer nights make it easy to stay out late.

2. Make a trip to the playground new and exciting

3. Make something out of flowers.

4. Make and sail your own boat.

5. Get ready for summer by refreshing your backyard.

Photo courtesy Gratisography

6. Arrange for a neighborhood tricycle race (our favorite kind of race!).

7. Learn about the latest women to shake up Washington D.C.

8. Pack some snacks and have a picnic.

9. Set up an easy gardening project for your kids.

10. Or, build a toy car garage on a rainy day.

Samantha Hurley via Burst

11. Beat end-of-the-year wiggles with a few great ways to keep them busy after school.

12. Make a periscope.

13. Organize an American Ninja Warrior competition.

14. Find a food truck crush near you.

15. Go birding with our printable scavenger hunt.

iStock

16. Build an outdoor fort that’ll last the whole summer.

17. Make and sail your own boat.

18. Make a dessert inspired by everyone’s favorite summertime drink.

19. Read a book that takes Girl Power to another level.

20. Have a movie night with Mom in honor of her special day.

Jared Sluyter via Unsplash

21. Have a yes day with your kids.

22. Try your hand at food art.

23. Make a cardboard spaceship.

24. World Turtle Day is May 23, here’s how your kid can spend an afternoon as this sweet swimmer.

25. Set up a mini golf course in your backyard.

Elias Castillo via Unsplash

26. Design a costume for the furry member of your family.

27. Build with something that isn’t LEGO.

28. Shake up bathtime.

29. Help your kids appreciate the importance of trees.

30. Take an international trip without leaving the country.

31. Get ready to go camping with our ultimate checklist.

—Gabby Cullen

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Feature photo: Agung Pandit Wiguna from Pexels

Disney’s Epcot Park Is Going to Look a Whole Lot Different Very Soon

by Erica LoopFebruary 25, 2019

Calling all Walt Disney World fans: the soon-to-be new Play Pavilion at Epcot is one you’ll need to see to believe—and it’s part of a multi-year transformation.

The former Wonders of Life pavilion—home of the Body Wars ride that was closed and transformed into a seasonal festival space—is getting a major makeover. The area—which doesn’t have an official name as yet—will soon become an area that’s 100 percent devoted to play—and of course, fun!

So what can you expect from this exciting new Epcot area? The pavilion’s city will host interactive experiences galore. Your kiddo can meet and greet fave Disney characters, catch some awesome entertainment and get hands-on with all kinds of activities.

According to Zach Riddley, Walt Disney Imagineering portfolio executive, “This innovative, new pavilion is beyond anything we’ve ever created and is completely unique to Epcot.” Riddley also added, “Built on the power of play, it introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters. This is an experience worthy of our bold vision for Epcot—and another signature element of our transformation.”

When will Epcot’s play pavilion open? While there’s no official date, the grand debut will happen in time for Walt Disney World’s big 5-0! Along with the new pavilion city, other changes include a revamped main entrance, new fountain, plenty of additional green space and redevelopment between the Spaceship Earth attraction and the World Showcase Promenade.

—Erica Loop

All photos: Courtesy of Disney Parks

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The Latest LEGO Movie 2 Building Set Has Not 1, But 2 Chris Pratt Minifigures

by Shahrzad WarkentinJanuary 28, 2019

Master builders get ready to put those brick-building skills to the test. LEGO has just revealed a look at the new The LEGO Movie 2 building set and it is epic!

Clocking in at 1,826 pieces, LEGO’s newest set, The Rexcelsior!, is the totally awesome spaceship piloted by none other than Rex Dangervest. For the uninitiated, Rex is one of the new characters set to star in The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, voiced by Chris Pratt, who also voices the movie’s hapless hero, Emmet.

The new set, revealed at London Toy Fair last week, comes with two minifigures based on Chris Pratt’s characters, as well as two microfigures and five raptor figures. It also features a six-missile spring loaded shooter, for super sci-fi role play action with the completed set.

The LEGO Movie 2 hits theaters on Feb. 8 and The Rexcelsior! set will be available in stores later this summer.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of LEGO

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If You Grew Up in the ’70s You Probably Played with These Toys

by Allison SutcliffeApril 22, 2018

Sure your kids have hoverboards, virtual reality goggles, and LEGO sets you only dreamed of. But don’t forget, kid toys from the ’70s were cutting edge … in their day. So go ahead and relive those hours spent playing on the shag carpeting with this list of retro toys you’re sure to remember. Scroll down to see them all.

via ebay

You totally beat Han’s 12 parsec Kessel Run record when you captained Kenner’s Millennium Falcon Spaceship. Every time.

Mattel website

You puckered up alongside Kissing Barbie and planted lipsticked kisses on your unsuspecting kid brother.

via ebay

You used your Speak & Spell to practice spelling, but secretly wondered if it could really “phone home.”

via ebay

You blasted Asteroids and conquered Space Invaders on your Atari 2600 every chance you got. Curious about other games kids played back in the day? Find more favorites here.

via ebay

You went through all your Lite Brite peg sheets in one sitting and still wanted more. (Get the retro reboot for your kid on Amazon.)

Allison Sutcliffe

You were always on the winning team when you played electronic football.

via ebay

Snoopy was always invited to chill at Barbie’s place when you mixed and matched your Colorforms. (Get the retro reboot for your kid on Amazon.)

via ebay

If you concentrate real hard, we bet you can still conjure the smell of Strawberry Shortcake’s sweetly scented hair.

via ebay

You spun serious tunes on your Fisher Price record player. Jack & Jill, London Bridge and Edelweiss never sounded so good.

via ebay

You waffled between anticipation and terror every time you wound up Mattel’s Jack in the Box.

You never did answer the question “just how far can Stretch Armstrong stretch before he breaks?” But you got close plenty of times. (Get the retro reboot for your kid on Amazon.)

via ebay

You chucked Nerf balls at your friend’s head … indoors!

At least once a summer you’d beg your parents to please, please let you and your friends make a cherry red snow cone with your own Snoopy SnoCone Machine (Get the retro reboot for your kid on Amazon.).

via ebay

Shopping wasn’t your priority when you pulled out the Fisher Price Cash Register. Ringing up sales was.

via etsy

Strapping on skates and hitting the sidewalk was how you rolled on warm summer days. Psst ... find more nostalgic sidewalk toys here.

via ebay

Your parents were swimming in key chains from all the Shrinky Dinks you colored, cut and baked.

via ebay

When you played with your Fisher Price Sesame Street Playhouse, Mr. Snuffleupagus was still Big Bird’s imaginary friend.

via ebay

You did your best Swiss Family Robinson impression every time you played with the Tree Tots Family Tree House.

Did your favorite childhood toy make it on our list? If not, what would you add? Share your favorites in a comment.

— Allison Sutcliffe

Today Is UFO Day

by Tinybeans TeamMay 2, 2016

Daily

Today Is UFO Day

It’s unexplainable.

Go big or phone home with this easy guide to transforming your children into aliens .

Fly to infinity and beyond in a cardboard spaceship ready for blast off.

Make your own Unidentified Flying Object out of paper plates, like in old-school movies but with more bling.

{ Today’s ideas brought to you by Area 51 }

Drama

The Mandalorian

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 & 2

10 Things I Hate About You

Documentaries

The Imagineering Story

One Day at Disney

Free Solo

Throwbacks

The Parent Trap (1961)

The Flight of the Navigator

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Splash

Comedy/Cartoons

The Simpsons

Who Framed Rodger Rabbit?

Musicals

Newsies

Related reads

Related reads

Related reads

Related reads

Satellite Service Mission

Rover Testing Drive

Mars Research Shuttle

Lunar Space Station

Deep Space Rocket and Launch Control

Rocket Assembly and Transport

People Pack – Space Research and Development

Related reads

Related reads

Related reads

Related reads

You totally beat Han’s 12 parsec Kessel Run record when you captained Kenner’s Millennium Falcon Spaceship. Every time.

You puckered up alongside Kissing Barbie and planted lipsticked kisses on your unsuspecting kid brother.

You used your Speak & Spell to practice spelling, but secretly wondered if it could really “phone home.”

You blasted Asteroids and conquered Space Invaders on your Atari 2600 every chance you got. Curious about other games kids played back in the day? Find more favorites here.

You went through all your Lite Brite peg sheets in one sitting and still wanted more. (Get the retro reboot for your kid on Amazon.)

You were always on the winning team when you played electronic football.

Snoopy was always invited to chill at Barbie’s place when you mixed and matched your Colorforms. (Get the retro reboot for your kid on Amazon.)

If you concentrate real hard, we bet you can still conjure the smell of Strawberry Shortcake’s sweetly scented hair.

You spun serious tunes on your Fisher Price record player. Jack & Jill, London Bridge and Edelweiss never sounded so good.

You waffled between anticipation and terror every time you wound up Mattel’s Jack in the Box.

You never did answer the question “just how far can Stretch Armstrong stretch before he breaks?” But you got close plenty of times. (Get the retro reboot for your kid on Amazon.)

You chucked Nerf balls at your friend’s head … indoors!

At least once a summer you’d beg your parents to please, please let you and your friends make a cherry red snow cone with your own Snoopy SnoCone Machine (Get the retro reboot for your kid on Amazon.).

Shopping wasn’t your priority when you pulled out the Fisher Price Cash Register. Ringing up sales was.

Strapping on skates and hitting the sidewalk was how you rolled on warm summer days. Psst ... find more nostalgic sidewalk toys here.

Your parents were swimming in key chains from all the Shrinky Dinks you colored, cut and baked.

When you played with your Fisher Price Sesame Street Playhouse, Mr. Snuffleupagus was still Big Bird’s imaginary friend.

You did your best Swiss Family Robinson impression every time you played with the Tree Tots Family Tree House.

Related reads

Related reads