These days, family time is sacred. Between everyone’s busy (and sometimes clashing) schedules, it can often feel impossible to gather everyone together under the same roof and at the same time.
Then, when it does magically happen, you can feel this enormous pressure to suggest an activity that everyone would enjoy doing together. If you have a wide variety of ages in your home, then this can be a tricky challenge!
However, one way in which you can bring your loved ones together is through family-friendly TV shows. Even if it’s just for half an hour, sitting down and enjoying the same series together can truly be a bonding experience.
Below, we have curated a list of 10 entertaining and captivating TV shows that everyone in your household will love. So, whether you have a few moody teenagers or a gang of little ones to entertain, we guarantee that there is something on this list that will bring your family together:
Modern Family
Even though this sitcom wrapped back in 2020, Modern Family is still renowned for being a great watch with your nearest and dearest. Follow patriarch Jay Pritchett and his wider relatives as they navigate the trials and tribulations of being a blended family. Each episode focuses on Jay with his new wife and stepson, his daughter Claire and her family-of-five, as well as Jay's son Mitchell, who decides to adopt a baby girl with his partner Cameron. We guarantee that you’ll have a few laughs with the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan!
One Day at a Time
Justina Machado plays Penelope Alvarez, a retired veteran and a single mum to two kids, Elena and Alex. Throughout the course of three seasons, follow Penelope as she deals with the hecticness of her work life, the complexities of bringing up teenagers single-handedly, and dealing with the interjections of her mother Lydia and her landlord Schneider. This show is a brilliant watch for families with growing kids as it also focuses on important topics such as LGBTQ+ relationships, misogyny, immigration and mental health.
Gilmore Girls
If you have a special relationship with your daughter, then Gilmore Girls will be such a meaningful watch for both of you. In short, the series tells the tale of Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her teenage daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel), whom Lorelai gave birth to when she was 16 herself. Living in the quirky Connecticut town of Stars Hollow, Lorelai and Rory get involved in all sorts of eccentric town mishaps, as well as dealing with their complicated love lives and tricky family disagreements.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who recently celebrated its 60th birthday, and although it might appear to be ‘old’, it still remains fresh and vibrant for families of all ages to watch together. Whether you go right back to the beginning or choose to tune into the more recent ‘eras’ with the likes of David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker, there are plenty of episodes to keep you all entertained. If you have a few sci-fi lovers in your household, they won’t be able to get enough of this!
Bluey
This might primarily be an animation show for little ones, but older kids and adults might be surprised by how much they can enjoy Bluey! Join adorable puppy Bluey, his younger sister Bingo, and the rest of their friends as they go on endless, fun-filled and hilarious adventures together. A hit with both young and old with its subtle jokes, moral messages and educational values, it’s no wonder that many households have fallen in love with Bluey.
The Traitors
If you want to get into a new reality show with your older kids, then The Traitors is the one to watch at the moment! Claudia Winkleman hosts 22 strangers in a lavish Scottish castle, where they must play the ultimate game of deception. The group is divided between Faithfuls and secret Traitors, whose job it is to secretly ‘murder’ one Faithful each night. With a cash prize of up to £120,000 at stake, will the Faithfuls be able to uncover the Traitors before it’s too late?
Abbott Elementary
If you’re a fan of shows such as The Office and Parks and Recreation, then the whole family will thoroughly enjoy Abbott Elementary! This mockumentary sitcom follows a group of dedicated and passionate teachers (and a difficult principal) as they are thrown into an underfunded school in Philadelphia. Even though the odds are stacked against them in the school community, the teachers band together to help bring positivity, hope and confidence to the pupils of Abbott Elementary.
Young Sheldon
If your family are fans of The Big Bang Theory, then they’ll thoroughly enjoy this prequel series! Narrated by the one and only Jim Parsons, this series travels through the younger life of his character Sheldon Cooper (this time, played by Iain Armitage). Set in the late 1980s and early 1990s, get to know Sheldon in his early days as he grapples with his awkwardness and anxieties of being a young genius. Plus, you truly get to know Sheldon’s family, which is a treat for any Big Bang Theory lover.
Heartstopper
Heartstopper is such a beautiful show if you want to help your teens and tweens through figuring out their identities. Based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman, the series follows teenager Charlie (Joe Locke) as he develops a crush on popular rugby lad Nick (Kit Connor). All of Charlie’s friends repeatedly tell him that Nick identifies as straight, but Charlie can’t help but have a little bit of hope. Luckily for him, what Charlie doesn’t realise is that his affections for Nick aren’t unrequited at all.
The Great British Bake Off
Last but not least, nothing is more wholesome than Bake Off! Gather the family around and watch as Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood annually put a fresh batch of 12 bakers to the ultimate test. From dazzling desserts to mouth-watering breads, you and your little ones are bound to get some great baking inspiration with each episode of GBBO.
