A little more control over family TV

The best streaming option for most families is a mix: PBS KIDS (free) for preschoolers, Disney+ or Netflix for a big all-ages library, and YouTube Kids only with its content settings locked down. Every major service below offers a kids profile, and most let you lock adult profiles with a PIN. Here is what each service does well for kids, and exactly how to set up its controls.

Prices are in USD as of September 2026 and change often; always confirm on the service's own plan page.

TV ratings, explained in 60 seconds

Most US TV shows carry a TV Parental Guidelines rating. Streaming services use these (or their own maturity levels mapped to them) to decide what shows up in a kids profile.

Content descriptors can be added: D (suggestive dialogue), L (coarse language), S (sexual situations), and V (violence). Ratings are assigned by the networks and producers themselves, not by an independent board, so treat them as a starting point.

Best services for kids at a glance

Service-by-service: what's good and how to set it up

PBS KIDS (free)

PBS KIDS is the easiest recommendation for young children: shows like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, and Alma's Way are built around learning goals, and there are no ads between episodes. The free PBS KIDS Video app runs on phones, tablets, and major TV platforms, and PBS KIDS also runs a free 24/7 channel [VERIFY app name and platforms]. PBS stations lost federal funding when Congress rescinded Corporation for Public Broadcasting money in July 2025 [VERIFY any effect on PBS KIDS programming], so check your local station's lineup.

Parental controls: The app is kids-only, so there is no adult content to filter. Use your device's own screen-time limits (iOS Screen Time, Google Family Link, or your TV's timer) to cap viewing.

YouTube Kids (free)

YouTube Kids is a separate app with a filtered version of YouTube. Filters are automated, so inappropriate videos can slip through. The safest setting is "Approve content yourself," which limits your child to videos, channels, and collections you pick.

Set up:

1. Download YouTube Kids and sign in with your Google account (parent).
2. Create a profile for each child and choose a content setting: Preschool, Younger, Older, or Approve content yourself.
3. Turn Search off so kids only see videos and channels verified by YouTube Kids.
4. Turn off Autoplay, and pause or clear watch history if you do not want recommendations to build up.
5. Set a timer and a custom passcode for parent settings, and block any video or channel you do not want.

These settings can also be managed from Google's Family Link app.

Official help: YouTube Kids parental controls. Teens who have outgrown YouTube Kids can use a supervised account on regular YouTube.

Disney+

Disney+ is the strongest all-in-one family library. Hulu's catalog now also appears inside the Disney+ app for bundle subscribers (the standalone Hulu app still exists, per Variety), which means more mature shows can sit in the same app, so locking adult profiles matters more than it used to.

Set up:

1. Go to Edit Profiles and select or add a profile for your child.
2. Turn on Junior Mode (kid-friendly interface with titles rated for younger viewers) or set Content Rating to a level like TV-Y7 or TV-PG.
3. On each adult profile, turn on Profile PIN and set a 4-digit PIN.
4. Turn on Restrict Profile Creation so kids cannot make their own profile.

Official help: Disney+ parental controls.

Netflix

Netflix has a deep kids catalog, including originals and preschool shows, and a kids profile with a simplified interface. Kids profiles show only titles rated for kids and also limit games by maturity rating. Whether ads appear in Kids profiles on the ad-supported plan: [VERIFY].

Set up:

1. Create a Kids profile for each child (Account > Profiles, or "Add profile" and tick Kids).
2. For any profile, open Maturity ratings (sometimes labeled viewing restrictions) and enter your account password.
3. Pick a maturity level (such as TV-Y7 or TV-PG) and block specific titles by name if you want.
4. Turn on Profile Lock for adult profiles and set a 4-digit PIN. You can also require a PIN to add new profiles.
5. Turn off autoplay next episode and autoplay previews for kids profiles, and check viewing activity from time to time.

Official help: Netflix parental controls.

Prime Video

Prime Video is included with Amazon Prime and has Amazon originals for kids, plus add-on channels (for example PBS KIDS via Prime Video Channels) [VERIFY availability]. Amazon also sells Amazon Kids+ separately for curated kids content on Fire tablets and Echo devices.

Set up:

1. On the web, go to Prime Video > Settings > Parental Controls.
2. Create a Prime Video PIN.
3. Set Viewing Restrictions by rating (Kids, Family, Teens, Adults) and choose which devices they apply to.
4. Add a Kids profile so younger children only see titles rated for kids.
5. Require the PIN for purchases.

Official help: Prime Video parental controls [VERIFY URL].

Paramount+ (Nickelodeon)

Paramount+ is the home of Nickelodeon streaming, including PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Blue's Clues & You!, plus Nick Jr. content.

Set up:

1. Create a Kids profile from the profile menu.
2. In Account > Parental Controls, turn on the PIN and choose the highest rating allowed without a PIN.
3. Kids profiles can also be set to Kids Mode (younger) or older kids' ratings [VERIFY labels].

Official help: Paramount+ Help Center (search "parental controls") [VERIFY exact article URL].

HBO Max

HBO Max (renamed back from "Max" in July 2025) carries classic and current Warner Bros. animation, Cartoon Network shows, and a Sesame Street library, though Sesame Street new episodes moved to Netflix and PBS in 2025 [VERIFY]. Because HBO Max also carries HBO's adult dramas, the PIN matters.

Set up:

1. Tap Add Profile and choose Kids Profile; pick an age-based rating limit.
2. On adult profiles, go to Settings > Parental Controls and create a 4-digit PIN.
3. Choose the rating level that requires the PIN.

Official help: HBO Max Help Center (search "parental controls") [VERIFY exact article URL].

Peacock

Peacock carries DreamWorks Animation series and films plus NBCUniversal kids programming.

Set up:

1. From the profile menu, add a Kids profile (limited to kid-appropriate content).
2. In Account > Parental Controls, set a PIN and a maximum rating for other profiles.

Official help: Peacock Help Center (search "parental controls") [VERIFY exact article URL].

Prices at a glance (as of September 2026)

Prices and catalogs change.

Parental controls that work across every app

• Device level: Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, Amazon Kids on Fire devices, and Roku's PIN for channel purchases add a second layer of protection.
• Autoplay: Turning it off on each profile is the easiest way to end "one more episode."
• Shared TVs: Kids can switch profiles. A PIN on every adult profile is what actually keeps them in their own.

FAQ

What is the best free streaming service for kids?

PBS KIDS is the best free option for young children because it is ad-free, educational, and runs on most devices. YouTube Kids is also free but relies on automated filters, so use "Approve content yourself" for young kids.

How do I stop my child from switching to my Netflix profile?

Turn on Profile Lock for your profile in Netflix account settings and set a 4-digit PIN. Kids will need the PIN to open it.

Does Disney+ have parental controls?

Yes. Disney+ lets you set a content rating per profile, turn on Junior Mode for young kids, add a PIN to adult profiles, and restrict profile creation.

What does TV-Y7-FV mean?

TV-Y7 means a show is designed for children 7 and older. The FV descriptor means it includes fantasy violence that may be more intense or combative than other TV-Y7 shows.

Are TV ratings assigned by the government?

No. The TV Parental Guidelines are applied by broadcast and cable networks and producers, overseen by an industry monitoring board. The government does not rate individual shows.

Can I block a specific show instead of a whole rating?

Netflix lets you block individual titles per profile. Most other services only filter by rating, so a PIN plus a kids profile is the practical alternative.

Sources

All accessed September 17, 2026.

• TV Parental Guidelines
• Netflix Help: Parental controls
• Disney+ Help Center
• YouTube Kids Help: Parental controls
• YouTube Help: Supervised experiences
• PBS KIDS apps
• Prime Video Help
• Paramount+ Help Center
• HBO Max Help Center
• Peacock Help Center
• Peacock Help: Price increase
• CBS News: Netflix raises its subscription prices (2026)
• Amazon: Prime Video Ultra
• TechRadar: Paramount+ changes in 2026
• HBO Max Help: Price changes
• Variety: Disney+ and Hulu price increases (Oct. 2025)
• Variety: Disney+ adds Hulu integrations, no current plan to phase out Hulu app (2026)