Scholastic has a history of publishing some must-read books for kids. Were these the early antics of the giant dog? Clifford or the first teenage taste of horror with Goosebumpsthey have published some of the most popular books you can aspire to at book fairs. And they didn't stop there.
Scholastic has also dabbled in film and television, adapting some of its most popular games for the big and small screens. If you've been wanting to revisit some of these classics or introduce them to your kids, you won't have to look far to stream them. The Scholastic brand now has a free streaming service specifically designed for kids and parents.
Using the Scholastic Streaming Service
I downloaded the Scholastic streaming service onto my Roku and it opened pretty smoothly. No login prompts are required as this free streaming servicebut rather the question is who will watch. You can choose whether you're looking for programs for preschoolers, toddlers, older kids, or family favorites. I didn't have a preference and wanted to see everything, so I decided to skip this step, which will likely appeal to older viewers or parents who are curious about what the app has to offer.
The layout is similar to Prime Video, but it's much easier to navigate. Each row features different seasons of different shows where you can quickly select an episode. There is no need to open a show page or a separate page to launch the episode you select. One touch and the series loads immediately after a short advertisement. This is a good setting not only for quickly finding what to watch, but also for easily jumping to your favorite episode. For example, I liked the space episode Magic School Bus and found it in 10 seconds with a few button presses.
The selection can be further refined in the left sidebar for a specific demographic group, as shown earlier on the introductory page. These categories do not change the layout and only group shows that are most appropriate for certain age groups. Barney and friends for preschoolers and Goosebumps for older children. There's also a search function, but you honestly won't need to use it. The selection at Scholastic isn't that big and you can easily find everything in the main menu without having to scroll too much.
What shows does Scholastic have?
On the main screen, Scholastic's two main attractions took center stage: Clifford And Magic School Bus. These were two book titans, and their cartoon adaptations are no less revered. Clifford has a colorful softness, and the joy of science can be felt in Magic School Bus insightful yet entertaining adventures just as wonderful as I remember when they aired on PBS Kids And Fox Children. More than just the nostalgia that many parents immediately gravitate toward, these shows offer valuable information for kids who want to learn more about how our world works.
Another charming addition to the platform is Garfielda staple of reading when I was growing up. Insidious humor Garfield and friends is there for everyone, but what excites me is the inclusion Garfield holiday specials. Like many millennials, I fondly remember the Halloween and Christmas specials that aired on prime time television. Garfield's dry wit is still relevant, and the platform boasts everything from his early 2D animated adventures to his latest CGI adaptation.
For children as they get older, there are more exciting live-action programs such as Goosebumps And Animorphs. Goosebumps has a strange fascination with creepy stories that aren't too scary, with the obvious comparison being the scarier Nickelodeon series. Are you afraid of the dark? The stories are decently adapted and surprisingly entertaining despite how cheesy they seem. Regarding AnimorphsIt's a pretty quirky sci-fi adventure series where kids turn into animals. The show was obviously on a limited budget given the effects, but it's worth watching if only to introduce your kids to the books that go into some of the wilder places.
Is this a good family streaming platform?
Scholastic's streaming service is incredibly easy to use given its simple structure. Any family who has used Netflix and Disney+ will have no problem finding something to watch and will be less intimidated by the simplified menus and lack of autoplay previews. There's no need to search through endless categories or even the search function. The age categories are just to make the menu even more sophisticated for children who want to jump right into Barney.
Apart from the advertisements before the programs (which are aimed at children, given the toy advertisements I was shown), this is a service that children can navigate on their own. You won't have to worry about your kids watching something too mature. At worst, young children will be frightened Goosebumps. Considering how many of these shows millennials grew up with, watching them with your kids can also be a nostalgic experience for parents. Magic School Bus it's still a delightful cartoon, and Garfield never goes out of style.
A useful aspect of this streaming service is the encouragement it can offer for reading. Since the programs are based on books, it is possible to generate interest in reading more books at the local library. If preschoolers find Clifford the dog comedy is compelling, they might want to try reading his books, which are perfectly written for first-time readers. If young children are amazed by adventures Magic School Busthey can look for classics or, better yet, science books to appear as smart as those kids who call the producer at the end of every episode.
Although my child is too old for the Scholastic streaming platform, she would love to use the service. Magic School Bus And Garfield have been family favorites, but keeping track of these shows while switching streaming services has become a challenge. Having all these golden classics in one place will be a lifesaver for those looking for quality TV shows that the whole family can watch that aren't mindless entertainment and won't cost you a penny.
