Whether your child loves animals or a budding veterinarian, this list of 5 best animal movies for kids should help you keep them busy with a positive film. Thanks must go to Diana from How I Got into Veterinary School for this post today in our 31 days of activities articles.
This is a collaborative post.
My favourite movies always involved a heart warming story with an animal front and centre as a child. There is no shortage of animal movies for kids! Sometimes animal movies trigger strong emotions, often sad emotions, but these types of films help shape us.
1.Babe
Who knew a movie about the friendship between a pig, saved from slaughter, and a border collie could become such a worldwide hit. While the film starts on a dark note, it redeems itself in such a heartwarming way. The sequel, Babe Pig in the City, is just as good. Be prepared to snuggle under the blankets with a box of tissues crying your eyes out.
Babe is one of those movies that will make you cry. On the other hand it will leave you contemplating life and wanting to do good in the world. Films that spark a child’s essential beginning skills at critical thinking and how the world works are imperative!
2. Microcosmos
Dive deep into the insect world with this beautiful educational film. Be aware that there is not a lot of audio in this movie, so the education comes from visualising the world of insects and sparking a sense of curiosity. If your kids are very inquisitive about the world around them this is a great movie to satisfy anyone’s curiosity.
The world of insects is vast and it’s easy to forget or overlook this. The detailed cinematography will capture the attention of any audience (kids or adults). Some people have told me that they play this for their infant babies and the film has them entranced.
3. Free Willy
Often animal movies for kids involve a child befriending an animal, and Free Willy is no exception. The film follows a young boy, Jesse, going through some tough times. A whale named Willy helps Jesse overcome many challenges, and both Willy and the boy are off to a beautiful friendship. Willy and Jesse each help one another overcome some tough challenges in their lives.
Many children going through a tough time can relate to animals. More importantly, Animals and animal-themed movies for children can spark empathy. Empathy is an important quality learned, so no better place to start than with animal movies.
4. The Secret of Roan Inish
The cinematography in this movie will captivate and entrance you. It’s one of those films that you will watch every few years. This film takes place on a lush Irish landscape that brings out the magic around us in everyday life.
This magical fantasy movie is about a young girl solving a mystery about a group of seals.
Fiona is a 10-year-old girl who gets sent to live with her grandparents. She learns about a legend that an ancestor of hers married a Selkie. The legend says these Selkies are seals that can turn into humans. The story follows Fiona to find her long lost brother, who seals on an island are raising.
5. Ratatouille
Recently I listened to a podcast that interviewed an urban rodentologist named Bobby Corrigan, and he approved of this rat themed animal movie for kids!
Ratatouille is a tale about a friendship between a rat named Remy and a French chef! Remy, the rat, finds himself feeling like an outsider, to which many kids can relate. This great animal-themed movie for kids showcases a moral dilemma that Remy faces between his family ties and his ultimate life desires.
Ratatouille is a heartwarming, unique tale about a rat working in a French restaurant! You might even feel a sense of love for rats that you never imagined after watching this film.
6. Quill: Life of a Guide Dog
This movie follows Quill, a guide dog puppy into adulthood. It’s a fictionalised account of the entire life of guide dogs and why they are so important. Keep in mind that there are subtitles; the story is so engaging that it would make an excellent first subtitled movie for a child to experience.
Note: This was a US release.
Quill: Life of a Guide Dog showcases how a guide dog spends the first year of its life learning the basics with a foster family. This movie might spark your little one’s interest in the science of animal training!
We hope that this list gives you a few ideas for movies for the kids. If you want loads of fun activities, then don’t forget to sign up for our Time to Pee newsletter.
We have more film resources on the site that you may enjoy so do have a look at these posts.
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Thanks so much for stopping by,
Helen
Diana Ludwiczak
Diana Ludwiczak, is a certified dog trainer and CEO of a NYC K9 scent detection company called Doctor Sniffs Bed Bug Dogs. She attended veterinary school and certifications through CCPDT, NYPMA, PPG, WDDO, and NESDCA.
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