good tv versus bad tv for kids

[tryingtobeagoodmum]

My children (11 and 9) love watching tv. I'm fed up with all the American import rubbish (Hannah Montana et al) and I want to find programmes that are fun but where they can learn too. Any suggestions? Little Einsteins is ok. National Geographic good but only natural world. Any other favourites that someone can recommend?

my 2 like Backyard Science and enjoy doing some of the experiemtns too.
They also like nature programmes.
And Dad's Army and Top Gear

But ds1 now spends all his pocket money on videos of Red Dwarf and Blackadder and Monty Python from the charity shops.

DS is 10 agrees that there is a load of rubbish on TV! though he does love 'Dave' for Top Gear and RedDwarf! Also watches You've been framed and TV burp when it's on or UKTV history (now called Tomorrow) We haven't got satellite so limited number of channels. At his sort of age they start to get too old for most childrens programmes but not old enough for some of the adult ones!
Mainly he just watches DVDs - anything from David Attenborrough, The Goodies (old one that!) Dr Who, Garfield, Braniac, scrapheap challenge, full metal challenge, robot wars....As mollyrogers says charity shops are always good for DVDs, or bootfairs etc

Oops DS will never forgive me - he's 11 now not 10....................

Little Einsteins for 11 and 9? Really?

Why are all the programmes aimed a little boys so violent? I know I liked a bit of kung fu growing up (aged 10?) but I can't find anything on sky that my sons like (6 & 5) that isn't about fighting or killing even if it is the bad guys. What's going on? Where is the adventure and mystery?

This is no help cos it's not on anymore (or at least we can't get it if it is) but we used to LOVE the Discovery Kids Channel.

Thanks TsarChasm - where did it go then?

I'm sure they stopped it for a while. It could be on again by the looks their website, but whatever we're signed up with doesn't seem to get it now.

It was very good though. Guilt free tv watching because it wasn't rubbish.

They did really fun and clever experiments sciencey type things. Dc loved it.

that is such a help - great suggestions. I think I'm looking for something educational that is sort of masquerading (convincingly) as fun - ie the children will watch it without thinking ...'uuugh, hold on a minute! this is too much like school - yuk!' Brainiacs is pretty good for this - quite funny and stupid but with real content. I think Horrible Histories has been made into a tv programme on CBBC - that's quite good for bringing learning and having fun together. My friend gave me a great DVD about van Gogh and Leonardo and Rembrandt etc for kids called Nowyouknowabout Artists. And then they wanted to go to look at the 'Sunflowers'! Amazing. Don't know where she got it. National Geographic is good but too 'natural world'. Looking for something a bit more general knowledge-y. Sometimes I'm too tired, or the kids are too tired to read a book.

No-one would want their kids to sit for hours in front of every junk programme going, but I agree with other posters that there is no harm in them watching a bit of rubbish to unwind.

Also I agree with the poster who pointed out that if you bin the TV then you risk the kids being excluded from alot of social interaction at school. I saw this when I was at school as one of the girls in our class had parents who disapproved of TV. She was effectively left out of all the morning conversations when the rest of the class discussed the previous night's viewing.

DD age 6 absolutely loves quiz programmes! If I don't record Golden Balls & Countdown everyday she freaks
I don't know if this obsession is normal but it certainly beats Disney in my book!

Our ds's nursery puts the telly on between 5-6pm if the weather is not good enough to be outside.

They see this hour as relaxation before mum and dads arrive to start home, dinner, bath bed etc

doesnt bother me .. an hour a day is fine .. its about what he gets at home

I am usually back well before the hour is up anywya

my similar aged children watch a lot of CBBC but otherwise will watch

Food / Property progs eg HOmes under the HAmmer, A place in the sun

Top Gear

Cop chase progs

Nature documantaries

JAmes Bond movies on dvd

there'd lot out there (helps if up have SKY) for that awkward in between age

My dc,c 8and 10 don't watch tv at all and they play with each other or neighbours, I never have to ask them to do home work. they are socially lively and speak to any kid tv watching or not. I can highly recommend this to anyone. They relax as children do naturally anyway reading and drawing and daydreaming sometimes. I am with Yurtgirl on this one.