What fairy tales to watch with children? Tips for the best fairy tales + colouring pages
A great overview of tips for fairy tales for children (and colouring pages for them)
Choosing the right fairy tale for children is not always easy. Parents are often looking for inspiration that will not only be entertaining, but also valuable - one that develops imagination, empathy and creativity.
The supply is huge - new animated films are added every month, streaming services are full of series but not all of them are of good quality and suitable for children. Parents are therefore often looking for an answer to the question: what fairy tales to watch with children, to be not only fun, but also to develop imagination, empathy and creativity.
A good children's story should:
- captivate from the first minutes
- offer positive behavioural role models
- encourage imagination
- and ideally also motivate children to do other activities off-screen
That's why we've prepared this big overview tips on fairy tales for children, where you can find modern hits and proven classics. We've also added links to themed colouring pages for printing, so that children can play with their favourite characters after the movie is over.
Colouring books are a great addition to watching fairy tales - they help develop fine motor skills, creativity and concentration, while giving the eyes a break from the TV or tablet.
Whether you're looking for fairy tales for younger children, preschoolers or older kids, you'll find inspiration for the whole family in this article.
Zootropolis - when dreams come true even for little rabbits
Fairy Tale Zootropolis (Zootopia) is one of the modern animated classics. It follows the story of Judy Hopps, a little rabbit who decides to become a policewoman in a big city full of animals. A city full of animals and adventure, where the little rabbit Judy Hopps longs to become a policewoman. Kids love the humor, colorful characters and strong message of courage, tolerance and striving to achieve your dreams. The film also encourages critical thinking about society and teamwork.
Why kids love it:
- a lot of humour
- colourful characters
- thrilling story
- a strong message of courage and perseverance
👉 After watching you can also download Zootropolis colouring pages:
Bluey - short episodes, big emotions
Australian series Bluey is an absolute phenomenon among both parents and children. Each episode is only a few minutes long, but it manages to beautifully show family life, children's imagination and ordinary situations from a child's point of view. The short episodes teach empathy, creativity, problem solving and the importance of family bonds. Ideal for younger children, but fun for parents too.
Ideal for:
- smaller children
- joint family tracking
- development of empathy
👉 Here you will find themed Bluey colouring pages.
Mimons - chaos, laughter and bananas
If you're looking for pure entertainment, Minions are a safe bet. Their incomprehensible speech, crazy ideas and nonstop movement will make both children and adults laugh. Their incomprehensible speech and ever-new ideas will make you laugh while non-violently teaching friendship and cooperation. The visual humor is simple and easy to follow.
Why include them among the tips on fairy tales for children:
- minimum of dialogues
- lots of visual humour
- also ideal for smaller children
👉 Print also Mimoni colouring pages:
Lilo & Stitch - friendship, family and a little bit of aliens
Disney classics Lilo and Stitch is a beautiful story about a lonely little girl and an alien creature who learns the meaning of family. The story of a lonely little girl, Lilo, and an alien creature, Stitch, teaches the values of family, friendship, and acceptance of differences. An adventurous yet emotional film that will appeal to children and adults alike.
A fairy tale teaches:
- tolerance
- acceptance of differences
- the power of friendship
👉 After the movie we recommend Lilo and Stitch colouring pages:
Huntrix - modern style for older children
An action-packed animated series for older children. Strong heroes, fast-paced storylines and thrilling adventures are perfect for kids who love epic stories and fantasy worlds.
Huntrix (or similar live-action animated series) will especially appeal to older kids who like:
- dynamic plot
- strong heroes
- the struggle of good against evil
👉 Related Huntrix colouring pages:
Other great fairy tales for children that we recommend
If you're looking for more tips on fairy tales for kids, be sure to consider these as well:
Labková patrola (Paw Patrol)
Ideal for the little ones. Each episode has a simple message and teaches children to work together.
Ice Kingdom (Frozen)
Elsa, Anna and Olaf are among the most popular fairy tale characters of recent years.
The Lion King
A timeless classic about courage, loss and growing up.
Cars / Cars
Lightning McQueen and his pals are perfect for kids who love cars.
Peppa Pig / Peppa Pig
Simple stories from the life of a little piggy - perfect for preschoolers.
Pixels
When classic video game characters spiral out of control and threaten the Earth, a group of players must save the world. Pixels is full of humor, action and nostalgia for adults, while teaching kids to problem solve and work together.
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Ralph and Vanellope venture into the world of the internet. The adventure shows the value of friendship, perseverance and embracing change. Visually engaging and entertaining for children and adults alike.
Toy Story
The magical world of toys that come to life when people can't see. The Toy Story series teaches loyalty, friendship and gradual coming of age. The characters are strong and the stories suspenseful, yet playful and emotional.
Inside Out / Inside your head
An animated film that teaches children to understand their emotions. Each character represents a different emotion and shows that they are all important. Great for developing empathy and emotional intelligence.
The Loud House Movie
The story of the Loud family and the adventures of the children with carefully developed characters. An entertaining and informative film that teaches cooperation and conflict resolution between siblings.
Finding Nemo
The unforgettable story of a father-turned-headhunter searching for his lost son. The film teaches courage, love of family and trust, while developing an understanding of marine animals.
Monsters, Inc. / Monsters University
The world of the monsters who work in the children's scare factory is full of humour and fantasy. The film teaches friendship, responsibility and creativity.
How to Train Your Dragon
An adventure about a Viking boy and his dragon shows the value of friendship, trust and courage. The film is epic, visually striking and motivates children's imagination.
Ice Age
The adventures of Manny the mammoth, Sid the sloth and Diego the tiger bring humour and thrilling situations. The film teaches cooperation, friendship and overcoming differences.
Shrek
An unusual story about Shrek the ogre that teaches the importance of intrinsic value and friendship. Humor and adventure will appeal to all ages.
Encanto
The story of a family with magical abilities in Colombia. The film encourages the development of imagination, family values and respect for the uniqueness of the individual.
Moana
Moana's adventure shows courage, perseverance and man's connection with nature. A great film for developing imagination and inspirational thinking.
Super Mario
The animated world of Super Mario and his friends is full of humour, action and logic puzzles. The film is suitable for older children and fans of games.
Sonic the Hedgehog / Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Fast Sonic the Hedgehog has adventures full of humour and suspense. The film teaches friendship, perseverance and courage, while entertaining children with visually dynamic scenes.
The Secret Life of Pets
What do pets do when they are home alone? The film is full of humour, interesting situations and teaches children empathy towards animals.