'Family' sitcoms/dramas for 9+

[Meeko505]

Hi

We've been lamenting not really watching TV together as a family, especially when I remember that when I was a kid you just ended up watching things like The Bill because it was all that was on and there was only one TV. Now I feel like we watch adult TV while the kids go off and watch cartoons on their tablets and we never watch the same thing together and the kids have no interest in slightly more mature shows.

Ideally I would like to find some shows that we can all watch - me, DP, and two kids who are 7 and 9, although also open to things that only the 9-year-old will want to see. I will also say they're both pretty resilient and I'm fairly liberal about what they watch, though obvs minimal swearing/no sex/little violence.

I also do not really enjoy shows like Strictly/Bakeoff, would rather something plot-based. Stranger Things is a consideration for the older one, for example, at least in the next year or so. We also quite enjoy things like The Simpsons and Bob's Burgers, but would like the kids to try something a little more grown up too.

Are there any other family TV shows that we could try? open to sitcoms, dramas, sci fi, etc. but simple enough for at least the 9yo to follow. BBC, Netflix, Apple TV, Prime, and Disney+ all fine.

Please help me! I need all the recs I can get.

BBC's Ghosts fits the bill. My 9 and 12yo also watch Brooklyn 99, superstore, modern family and fresh off the boat with me, though the first three can be a bit inappropriate in places. They also both like sort your life out with Stacy Solomon.

Switching it round, I quite like watching the kids' shows the thundermans and Sam and cat with them.

One piece on Netflix is good.
We also watch friends and the big bang theory together
Or young Sheldon.

Outnumbered

My favourite sitcoms (and have been since I was a child):

2.4 Children

Only Fools & Horses

Open All Hours

Keeping Up Appearances

You could try Mr Bean, as there’s very little dialogue it doesn’t require much following.

My son really liked the race around the World Series. We also watched some grand designs with him, some of the david Attenborough newer series, he also liked hack my home on Netflix. Haven’t tried any sitcoms yet! He’s just turned 9.

Agree with Young Sheldon
Adams Family - there is a tv series
Just William

His dark materials was very good a couple of years ago

Stranger things would be quite a lot. If you want a heavy fantasy theme but age appropriate His Dark Materials on iPlayer is good.

You could just try silly stuff as well and don't worry about if it's older. Silly tv like Miranda might be good.

Also even if there's the slightest incling of interest in sport Ted Lasso is fantastic, it's based around football but you don't need to enjoy football to watch it. I can't remember how heavy it was on swearing though so maybe test the water before watching it.

Also Saturday night TV used to be great before our little ones on BBC, check out early new Doctor Who, Robin Hood and Merlin's all on iPlayer

Ghosts was good. Ghosts US is aimed slightly higher age group though. However there is the odd episode which is a bit more explicit than others (implied rather than actual)

Dr Who? Might be a bit scary in places

We liked Young Sheldon, Malcolm in the middle and Modern Families. Odd bits of Malcolm in the middle needed skipping though, but not much worse than The Simpsons!

How about the 70s comedies like Porridge and Dad's Army? Classics and definitely suitable age wise.

We got into the secret Benedict society, the middle, young sheldon, Malcolm in the middle, Wednesday . Stranger things might be ok for your eldest but not youngest? Also we watch only fools and horses, the Simpsons (but not all of them as sex!)

Outnumbered

DS watches with us: Ghosts, Taskmaster (Bleeped), Doctor Who, Survivor, The Simpsons.

He also likes Strictly and some quiz shows like The Wheel.

My 8 year old absolutely loved goodnight sweetheart.. we watched all the box set as a family and loved it.

Ted Lasso is heartwarming and generally positive but it has some pretty sex heavy plot points and dialogue! I’d say 14 at a push- 12 a bit too young and definitely not suitable for a nine year old!

Young Sheldon
Malcolm in the Middle

My dd loved outnumbered

We enjoy Ghosts, (the two programmes you don’t like!), Stacey Solomon or the Nick Knowles one that’s the same. Catchphrase! Also Bear Grylls choose your own adventure on Netflix

Mine loved watching Time Team at that age. They're all on Channel 4catch up.

All our family like Dodger - It's a CBBC drama production on BBC iPlayer.

Whoops thank you, knock that off the list. Years ago we watched it and I've clearly remembered the less sex driven bits haha

Horrible Histories is entertaining for the whole family - DH and I used to love trying to work out which classic 80s hits the songs had been based on 😆

Another vote for outnumbered. There are a few swear words but we're not fussed about them. DD(8) thought it was brilliant. Also - it's really quite old now so we've forgotten what happens.