Good TV series to watch with the kids?

[WitchOfTheWaste]

I have two DC aged 10 and 7, and left to their own devices they will always spend their screen time playing computer games. I don't have a problem with games, and I kind of think it's their downtime, their choice, but at the same time I don't want them to completely ignore TV and films, as I think they'll end up missing out. So - the new 'rule' is that at the weekend, we watch something together in the evening, and DH or I get to choose. I've got loads of films I want them to see, but I'm looking for inspiration on TV programmes. DH has more patience for reality TV than me, so he's watched Lego Masters with them and is planning to try Bake Off (they love cooking); so far I've watched the BBC 'Mountains' wildlife series with them, which they loved, and we're looking forward to Blue Planet II, and might try AutumnWatch. But I'd like some fiction as well as non-fiction. I was thinking of trying Merlin with them, but would really appreciate any other recommendations of good, engaging TV series that the kids would enjoy and I wouldn't find unbearable! They have quite a low peril threshold, so for example I think Dr Who would scare the bejesus out of them. TIA.

[MuchBenham]

We watched a programme on sheep (!) on bbc4 at the weekend with our 7yo. It was good, but I know what you mean about wanting to watch drama, so hoping for some suggestions on here!! My peril threshold is pretty low too

[NancyDonahue]

Hopefully Autumnwatch will start soon. We all love watching that as a family.

We like Strictly, Bake off, You've Been Framed, The Simpsons, The Middle, Would I Lie to You, Catchphrase.

Also cbbc shows such as Horrible Histories, Blue Peter, The Dumping Ground, Millie Inbetween.

[2014newme]

We like strictly, bake off, apprentice, saving lives at sea (but we fast forward some Of that)
Mine are 10
Also educating greater Manchester but through wouldn't be suit for 8 year old. Blue planet 2 starts Sunday

[WitchOfTheWaste]

Ooh, is Blue Planet this week, that's exciting! I will have a look at some of the suggestions here - Simpsons is a good thought, some of the others I haven't heard of - will check them out. Thanks. Any more ideas welcome!

[Taffeta]

Blue Planet 2 starts on 29th Oct.

Mine like Dragons Den & Call the Midwife - but they're slightly older.

[megletthesecond]

Grand Designs.
Dad's Army.
Saving lives at sea.
Some episodes of Horizon, especially the space and natural history ones. Even if we don't understand it all it's still enjoyable.

[Petalflowers]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantis_(TV_series)

Atlantis - we really enjoyed this

Star Trek

Police interceptors /traffic cops (although sometimes contains drug references)

[WitchOfTheWaste]

Like the look of Atlantis, I don't know that but it sounds right up their street. Is it suitable for younger ones? (By which I mean no more sex than Star Wars and only minimal violence!)

[Petalflowers]

I think it was shown on Sunday evenings so aimed at families. I don't recall anything too outrageous.

[Unihorn]

We've just started Star Trek Discovery on Netflix but the 7yo may find it a bit scary depending on peril threshold!

[imsorryiasked]

How about "My family and other animals"?
Re Merlin - I seem to think some of that was quite scary.

[NotAPenguin]

My kids love Outnumbered.

[pollywollydoodle]

Jamie Johnson was a good series recently...about a youth football team

[pollywollydoodle]

Oh and the Percy Jackson films about Greek gods living in modern day USA are good

[pollywollydoodle]

Oh, and Malcolm in the Middle is a good funny series for any age

[parkednearby]

Some of the old sitcoms - my dd was enthralled by those. Open all Hours, Porridge, Hi-de-Hi, Dads Army.
'Allo 'Allo is still a particular favourite, as is Red Dwarf for sheer silliness.

[CountFosco]

Strictly, nature documentaries, science programmes, BBC4 history programmes. DD1 (9) likes some of Doctor Who but wouldn't watch the monks. They mainly watch factual programmes on cbbc though.

[Vagndidit]

I know you're trying to get them away from personal screens and gaming but DS10's favourite show to watch recently with us is Go 8 Bit. He also enjoyed Sing at the weekend, an acapella competitive singing reality show type thingie.

[mamaduckbone]

Merlin is brilliant - I loved watching it with mine. Also, if you have Netflix their version of A Series of Unfortunate Events is good.
Sadly, mine are both watching reruns of old Top Gear at the moment which is truly tedious!

[parrotonmyshoulder]

A series of unfortunate events - some peril though.

[BirdyBedtime]

Agree with recommendations for Atlantic- we watched as a family as DS was probably 5 or 6. The Herculean character is quite funny. There is peril though.
The recent Gordon Buchanan series on BBC was awesome
I wondered about the new Discovery but Googled reviews which said more like 15 rating and DCS are 12 and 8 now so might give it as miss.
Mine are excited about Blue Planet.

[WitchOfTheWaste]

Thanks everyone, some brilliant recommendations .

[faceremovinghaircream]

We have been watching a series called Yonderland, it's by the same writers/cast as horrible histories. Funny for kids but plenty of adult humour. There are 3 series so far, has been on sky. We watch with a now tv box.

[AnneEtAramis]

We loved Merlin and mine are now 11, 9 and 6 and it was last year. They also like BbC Musketeers but I think really only series one is totally reasonable family watching, there is dodgy stuff in the others. They like simple history docs so The Great Fire with Dan Jones, Castles with Dan Jones and 1066 most recently - with Dan Jones :-) we also watch Strictly.

There was a Russian Revolution doc on bbc 2 last night that we watched together so you might want to take what I say with a pinch of salt.

[AnneEtAramis]

Oh yes and Horrible Histories. We watch them repeatedly. They never get old.