Great shows on Netflix to explore and inspire kids this summer break

 

The school year is pretty much done. My teen has just finished exams and has turned off his alarm clock. The little guy has less than a week left and counting down the days. Both are looking forward to some downtime after a year of hard work and heavy backpacks. They would tell me that they can't wait to do nothing...but we all know that will last about a day until they start asking "what are we doing today?"

Older kid tells us he wants to catch up on some of his favourite shows on Netflix. He's 17 so when I asked him what's on his must-finish-watching list he had mentioned what I had expected: Riverdale, 13 Reasons Why, Mr. D., Brooklyn Nine Nine, and Prison Break. Why these shows? Riverdale, 13 Reasons Why and Mr. D. are situated in a high school environments... #relatable.

Our younger 12-year old enjoys shows on nature, science, food and travel. Mind of a Chef, Brain Games, Blue Planet, and Human Planet have served his curious mind and shows we've enjoyed as a family. 

We've put together a "Passport" of adventures inspired by our favourite Netflix shows for days when we want to explore further. We've done this over the past summers with friends as well and it's been a real hit. Have the kids craft their own adventure passport for the season to keep track. Collect ticket stubs, programs and images just like most of us would when we travel and explore. Throw them into an album and there's your summer photobook! 

ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM (ROM) is currently featuring the Blg Blue Whale exhibit. Here you'll find a jaw-dropping display of a blue whale skeleton. Aside from learning about the majestic whale and what researchers and scientists are doing to preserve the species, their is a great display of hearts to put in perspective just how massive this creature really is. Walk into the jaw of a whale dressed as a krill for the best summer photo. NETFLIX WATCH: Blue Planet takes viewers to the deep sea to swim with glorious and mysterious creatures. This series takes viewers on a journey exploring the ocean life and to show life we've never seen before. 

 

Also at the ROM is the new Anishinaabeg: Art & Power exhibition that explores the Indigenous culture and history. This beautifully curated exhibit includes legends, arts, and everyday artifacts with many great stories that have been told to several generations. A great way to learn about part of Canada's history. NETFLIX WATCH: First Contact: Lost Tribe of the Amazon is a fascinating discovery of Indigenous groups that live deep in the Rainforest and it's initial contact to the outside world. This documentary has given us pause and much thought to what it would have been like to have first contact with others and see how this culture survives without the use of everyday conveniences and technology that we think we can't live without. 

Of course young kids (like my 6-year old nephew) never get tired of visiting dinosaur exhibits and many museums around the world have some display to visit. NETFLIX WATCH: The Good Dinosaur is a heartwarming Disney Pixar movie about a boy and his unlikely dinosaur pal. The film asks the question "what if the asteroid that changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct?"

If any of your travels this summer include a visit to a local ZOO, then there are tons of shows to tie-in fun learning about the creatures who share our planet. NETFLIX WATCH: Happy Feet is an animated film about Emperor Penguins who find their soul mates through song. However, one penguin was born who cannot sing but discovers he certainly can dance! In the series Nature's Weirdest Events viewers learn about the oddest events Mother Nature has ever created including including a village overrun by tiny crabs. 

Places like Ripley's Aquarium of Canada are popular to learn more about everything under the sea for all ages. NETFLIX WATCH: Chasing Coral premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and was also selected to screen at the Toronto Hot Docs Festival recently under the Scotiabank Big Ideas programme. This film taps into the collective will of an ad man, a self-proclaimed coral nerd, top-notch camera designers, and renowned marine biologists as they invent the first time-lapse camera to record bleaching events as they happen. Unfortunately, the effort is anything but simple, and the team head to deal with battles of technical malfunctions as well as the force of nature in pursuit of documenting the transformation below the waves. Great for families with older kids. 

Have a foodie in the house? In most cities we can experience different types of cuisines at restaurants, food festivals or even at home in our own kitchens now that more international ingredients can be sourced at our local grocers. Summer is a great time to explore different foods. NETFLIX WATCH: Mind of a Chef is a documentary series produced and narrated by Anthony Bourdain that takes viewers behind the scenes and examines the creativity of well-known international chefs. There are four seasons but we definitely encourage starting at Episode 1/Season 1 where Chef David Chang (Momofuku) travels to Japan to discuss various noodles. Then take your little foodie to a ramen shop or try this simple recipe for Instant Ramen Cacio e Pepe. 

Happy Summer break!