We all loved kids' cartoons, and we bet your kids adore them, too! With so many streaming options available today, your kids have plenty of places to watch free cartoons. Next time you're rewarding your kid with screen time or need to keep them entertained, try one of these picks.
Websites Where Kids Can Watch Cartoons for Free
There are a few places where you can find modern or classic cartoons to stream for free.
Tubi Kids
From family movies such as Small Foot and Leap! to classic shows like Pokémon, Tubi Kids (owned by Fox Corporation) is one of those streaming sites where you have a massive collection of shows from the 1960s to more current cartoons for free.
There's no account required, though creating an optional account (through Google, Facebook, or email registration) allows you to add shows to your kid's watch list. Choose from different genres or collections, like Preschool shows or Furry Friends.
Toonjet
Toonjet focuses on classic cartoons like Looney Toons, Tom and Jerry, and Betty Boop. Kids (or adults) can stream cartoons on the site for free, but registering for an account (ages 13 and up) is required to comment on cartoons or use their online chat feature.
SuperCartoons
Like Toonjet, SuperCartoons focuses on classic cartoons that are public domain. Show options to stream include Merry Melodies and The Pink Panther, among others. Though the site is simple to use and there is no account required, parents should be aware that large ads do pop up before the cartoons start playing.
Older cartoons can sometimes include violence or have questionable themes. Before setting kids loose on classic cartoon sites, parents may want to watch first and decide whether or not they're comfortable with kids watching the animated content.
Websites That Also Have Apps
Many modern cartoons for kids are available on both the website and app, so you have plenty of options when it comes to streaming some of your kid's animated favorites.
Nick.com
If your kids are fans of Paw Patrol, SpongeBob, or Shimmer and Shine, you might want to check out the cartoons available on Nickelodeon's Nick.com. There are limited episodes available to watch for free without an account, but locked episodes are only available by linking to your cable or streaming TV provider. Kids also play games and listen to Nick radio for free on the site.
Nick is a free mobile app that allows kids to view favorite Nickelodeon shows. There are several unlocked episodes of a variety of shows that are free to watch.
Disney Now
Disney Now has options for kids of all ages. Toggl their simple navigation menu between a list of all shows A-Z, or filter by Disney Junior shows (a great option for preschool and kindergarten-age children), Disney Channel, or Disney XD for older kids. There are limited episodes and shorts available. In addition to being able to watch some of their favorite characters, kids can also play games and complete activities.
You can also watch shows using the Disney Now App. You can activate it on the App Store, Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, Samsung Tizen, Android TV, or Roku.
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (geared towards kids aged 9+) offers limited online episodes and a large number of two- to three-minute shorts of shows for older kids (like Teen Titans or The Regular Show). To watch locked episodes online, parents will need to log in and connect to their cable or streaming TV provider.
The Cartoon Network App allows kids to watch clips of their favorite Cartoon Network shows or see full-length unlocked episodes. They can also get a personalized video mix and watch episode premieres.
YouTube Kids
YouTube Kids is an option with seemingly has endless cartoons available to stream online. An account is required, but it's simple to set up. Parents can log in using an existing YouTube account and create a profile for each child by entering their name, age, and birth. There is also an option for kids to sign in under adult supervision.
YouTube Kids is available as an app for iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.
You can control the access your child has by turning search on or off. By keeping search off, you can limit the cartoon or show access to set channels that have been verified by YouTube Kids.
KiDoodle
KiDoodle offers free limited episodes and shorts of popular kids' shows for a range of ages. It's free to use, but you'll have access to more features, like parental controls and viewing history when you sign up for a free account.
The KiDoodle app is available on Google Play and the App Store, as well as for Fire TV and Roku.
KiDoodle focuses on safe content for kids, and all of the shows on their platform are human-vetted.
PBS Kids
The PBS Kids website offers live TV (just click at the top to confirm your local station) as well as videos of select episodes of kids' cartoon favorites like Arthur, Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and more. There's no account required, and there are also free games and printables.
The PBS Kids Video app is also available for kids to watch their favorite shows on demand. They also have a wide range of other fun and educational apps based on specific shows. You can get the apps via the App Store, Google Play, Amazon, or the Windows Store or Windows Phone Store.
Popular Apps to Find Free Kids' Cartoons
There are also a few app-only options that offer free shows for kids. You can find these at either the iTunes or Google Play stores, plus some additional TV platforms.
HappyKids
HappyKids is an app with kids-only content, including select mainstream episodes from shows like Peppa Pig and Sonic along with shorts and original content. You can get the app for Apple or Android devices, or get the app through your TV platform like Roku or FireTV.
Sensical
Sensical, created by Common Sense Media, is a free app with shows geared for kids ages two through ten. The award-winning app is available for Apple and Android devices as well as through Roku, Amazon, or Vizio or Samsung smart TV.
Free Streaming TV Services With Cartoons
Another option to find free cartoons for your kiddos is with a free TV streaming service. A couple options include the following.
Crackle
You can watch shows and movies on Crackle for free, but in order to set up parental controls you'll need to sign up for a free account. There isn't a cartoon-specific category, but you can browse by a few other genres like Family and Anime to find kids' shows.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV is a free streaming service that focuses largely on live TV, however, they do have a Kids category with cartoons including Kung Fu Panda, Transformers, Lego, and more. You can watch without signing in, or create an account to access more features.
Get Fun & Free Access to Cartoons Kids Love
Cartoons can brighten our days. To have more of this feel-good energy when you bond with your children, you can rewatch favorite childhood shows or find low-stimulation and educational options that won’t negatively affect your child’s mood.
