Enjoyable all-family TV viewing -- I'm stuck!

[lizzietaylorreynolds]

We like to have a TV show to watch as a family (DS is 10, DD is 8). The one we all liked best is Channel 5's "All Creatures Great and Small" which was excellent, with terrific characters and lovely scenery. We're almost finished with "Anne with an E" on Netflix which we are mostly enjoying but a bit over the head of my 8 year old.

Any other suggestions? I can't find anything! It has to be wholesome and engaging. It can be period but doesn't have to be (DD would probably like something more modern, I think.) Reality shows like GBBO or Strictly, etc. don't hit the spot.

Doesn't have to be new, can be old but not offensive. Please help!

I watch Ghosts with my 8 year old, there is some innuendo but it goes over DS head.

I'd say Ghosts is for teens. Horrible Histories is great family viewing for younger kids though.

Ant + Dec, Gladiators - both cracking family shows but they've finished the season now and it's not the same watching after the event.

Agree with Outnumbered. Father Ted is another classic comedy that doesn't seem to age.

Loads of big 80s films are aimed at families watching together - Indiana Jones etc. Can't go wrong with a bit of Bond either.

On the iPlayer you've got all the Attenborough programmes, also I think they still have all of Michael Palin's travels. Great mind expanding stuff. Every single episode of Dr Who too.

Slightly different to some of the other suggestions, but my kids love anything with Steve Backshall in...especially the Expedition series. We loved it too! Also Walking with Dinosaurs and Mammals.

The Inbestigators and Little Lunch are both fun Australian kids' shows that adults can watch - rather than the other way round.

We watched Avatar (the cartoon series) when DD was younger, and Hilda.

Oh God yeah definitely Steve Backshall. His programmes are pitched just right for that age group and interesting enough for adults too. Fab guy.

Operation Ouch
Katie and Alexa
izzy’s Koala World
Is it Cake ? (Not like Bake Off etc much more watchable - my 7 year old loves it and even my son likes it)

Race across the world

Doctor Who

There is also the US version which is also on BBC iplayer - called Ghosts US.

Saying this very quietly, we actually liked the US version more than the UK version

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0dcfyxf/ghosts-us

Also, The Worst Witch is an entertaining children's show

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b09m8lyz/the-worst-witch

Race across the world

Shakespeare and Hathaway

Wow everyone, thank you!

Hetty feather on iplayer

My 10 year old and I have been enjoying watching Dr Who together. He doesn't get scared and finds it funny when I do.

We like Mr Bean box set! Also o have put on Brittas Empire from the early 90's x

Race across the world is a good one for all ages I would say

Definitely Dodger on BBC iPlayer! Loved watching this with my 10 year old and it has a superb cast! I've been swithering about Ghosts as I love it but did wonder about the innuendos. However, dd has recently discovered Miranda. She has loved the slapstick and the innuendos have gone right over her head. What about some golden oldie films such as Calamity Jane, Sound of Music or Annie etc?

Hits here have been
Dr Who
Horrible Histories
Ghosts (but younger one wasn’t interested)
Outnumbered
Young Sheldon
Downton Abbey (wait till they are older though)
Little Lunch
Round the Twist
Inbestigators
Spy Kids
Ballet Shoes
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Mallory Towers
Famous Five
Hetty Feather

I have teens 15, 13 so slightly older. Still, we like:

Another vote for Race around the world.

We watched “Alone” a survival series, too. The last one (Canada, Labrador) the women were incredible, so good role models too.

What I liked was it wasn’t rushed and crazy with teams, literally how do you successfully survive, and the contestants had bushcraft skills.

A Taste of Italy if your DC enjoy food?

My younger DS also liked Anne with an E

My favourite genre of films is quirky-out-of-town-motivational-teacher-turns-failing-class-around and there are some good family films of that ilk!

One piece on Netflix. My 10 year old loved it

We have enjoyed:

The film ( bath original and remake) of The Railway Children
The film of Swallows and Amazon and Coot Club
Anne of Green Gables series
Pollyanna

wholesome, delightful for all.

When my kids were younger, we all enjoyed Merlin and Atlantis.

OP, there's a website called Common Sense Media that might be of use to you.

It zgives a good age rating for things and can tell you if there's sex / drugs / violence etc but it also rates the "positive role models", and educational value.

Mine are 7 and 9yo and have enjoyed Outnumbered, Gladiators, Keeping Up Appearances, One Foot In The Grave, Dr Who, Dad's Army and that Greg Wallace programme where they show how different foods are manufactured. They are currently into documentary series that follow the police or investigate crimes (obviously not the grittier post-watershed options!). Consumer rights is another area of interest - I can imagine they would be Watchdog fans if it was still on! Police Interceptors is a favourite. They like shows such as Masterchef too.
They would love Taskmaster. I hadn't realised there was a beeped version, so will be checking that out!

How about Man vs Bee? That's very silly and funny, as you'd expect of Rowan Atkinson.

One to add as I haven't seen it mentioned, that's a bit different, BBC's Race Across the World. Contestants have to get from A to B without flights. I think there's at least 4 series. We've started watching with our 11 yr old and it's started some interesting conversations.

Just spotted it was mentioned!