Best Animal Documentaries for Kids
Movies
Animal documentaries allow us to explore wild ecosystems around the world from the comfort of our homes.
They are truly a gift given to us by biologists, conservationists, photographers, and filmmakers who spend months in the wilderness documenting their discoveries. They encourage people of all backgrounds, professions, and interests to become animal experts and develop a love for nature.
There are a LOT of great animal documentaries out there. However, in my many years of binging
shows and movies about wildlife, there are a few that have stuck with me.
1. My Octopus Teacher
A few years ago, one of my ocean-loving students was raving about this octopus documentary she watched during our weekly Animal Trivia class. She insisted we all must watch My Octopus Teacher as soon as possible. I can’t say I was particularly invested in octopuses (at least no more than every other type of animal!), so I added it to my list of animal documentaries to watch when I had time. Well, I eventually had time and discovered exactly why my student was so excited about this film.
Over about a year, a filmmaker explored a small area of kelp forests off the coast of South Africa as he followed the life of a common octopus. He observes and records its behaviors as the octopus gets more and more comfortable with him. He documents the octopus as it hunts, evades predators, finds a mate, and produces eggs. While I don’t encourage anyone to interact too closely with wildlife, this footage provides valuable insight into the daily life of a common octopus.
One of the best parts of this documentary is the consistent observation. This filmmaker documents almost every day of this octopus’s life for a year, offering us a never-seen-before glimpse into their lives. However, my favorite part of this documentary is how it demonstrates the connection a human can have with nature, with an animal.
Fast Facts:
Recommended ages: 8+ (predator-prey interactions)
Air date: 2020
Length: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Where to watch:
- Netflix
2. Bird of Prey
If your kids are fascinated by powerful predators, this may be the perfect documentary for them. Created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Bird of Prey follows a pair of endangered Philippine eagles as they hunt, mate, produce an egg, and raise their chick.
This documentary is unique in that it doesn't just show clips of animals and share facts (though there is no shortage of incredible footage or facts). They discuss and show details of the filming process. They share how and why they could get so close to the eagle's nest and even interact with the chick. They remove the fourth wall, giving viewers a chance to see how professional wildlife biologists, photographers, and filmmakers work in nature.
My favorite scene of this documentary comes toward the end. A group of children at a school in the Philippines celebrate the Philippine eagle after learning about them as part of their education. Typically, the people who have the greatest impact when protecting endangered species are the people who live in or near their habitat. We can ensure Philippine eagles are protected by teaching local children and communities about their importance.
Fast Facts:
Recommended ages: 10+ (predator-prey interactions; environmental concerns)
Air date: 2021
Length: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Where to watch:
Youtube
3. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet
David Attenborough has been one of my greatest inspirations since I first heard his iconic voice blaring through my television speakers. He has taught me and millions of others so much about the wonders of nature and the power of human action. His incredible life experiences and his ability to share about them have influenced so much of my life. In David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, he shows a glimpse of his life like we've never seen before.
This documentary shares footage and stories of 97-year-old David Attenborough in the early days of his wildlife biology career. As he walks us through his unthinkable experiences with wildlife and nature, we see how much has changed. The ecosystems he visited in his youth altered or destroyed. He shows firsthand how humans have negatively impacted nature but, as always, reminds us that the power of human action can allow nature to rebuild and recover.
Fast Facts:
Recommended ages: 10+ (environmental concerns)
Air date: 2020
Length: 1 hour, 23 minutes
Where to watch:
Netflix
4. Jane
Standing right next to David Attenborough in my Greatest Inspiration lineup is, of course, Jane Goodall. I first learned about Jane Goodall in a standardized test reading prompt in middle school and she, and her mindblowing work with chimpanzees, have stuck with me ever since. I used to imagine what it was like when she first traveled to Africa. How lonely and scary it must have been in a new place with the path for her future dependent on her ability to make important discoveries. After watching Jane, I no longer had to imagine.
Similar to David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, Jane shares first-hand stories, photographs, and film from her first days in Africa studying chimpanzees. She explains the challenges she faced as a young woman in a male-dominated field. She tells us about her first discoveries, like seeing a chimpanzee use a tool, and how she used that to get more funding to continue her studies. She shows us how she paved the way for animal-loving women to follow their dreams.
Fast Facts:
Recommended ages: 8+
Air date: 2017
Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Where to watch:
- Hulu - Premium subscription
- Disney+
5. Puff: Wonders of the Reef
Judging by the cover image of this documentary, I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, to say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement.
I love the ocean (I mean really love the ocean) and have always been fascinated by coral reefs. I find corals to be one of the most confusing organisms in the world. Not only are the corals themselves confusing, but the intricate relationships of organisms that rely on them for survival are also confusing. I’ve always struggled to understand things that are too small to see.
In simplest terms, Puff: Wonders of the Reef magnifies these tiny, intricate organisms and relationships. The macro cinematography (in other words, super zoomed-in filming) takes organisms that are smaller than a centimeter and allows us to see them in full screen. This documentary does an amazing job demonstrating and explaining these confusing organisms and relationships in a way that is engaging to both kids and adults.
Fast Facts:
Recommended ages: 8+
Air date: 2021
Length: 1 hour, 2 minutes
Where to watch:
Netflix
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Science for Kids Who Love Animals
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