When the school holidays roll around, our family has started a little tradition: we subscribe to iQIYI and enjoy a few weeks of language-rich TV together. Since we don’t have Netflix or Disney Plus at home, iQIYI feels like a real treat — one that doesn’t break the bank either! For just a few dollars, you get access to a huge library of Chinese shows, from classic cartoons to epic dramas.
And honestly? It’s been such a fun (and affordable) way to expose the kids to more Chinese. We’ve done it twice now, and looking forward to much more. This post contains our current picks of iQIYI shows for kids.
What is iQIYI?
Think of iQIYI as China’s answer to Netflix. It’s a leading online entertainment platform offering everything from movies and dramas to original cartoons. There’s some content available for free on their site, but the real magic happens when you subscribe through their app: ad-free viewing and access to their full catalogue.
Here in Singapore, signing up is easy. You can do it directly online or even via Starhub and Singtel. With their overseas headquarters based in both Beijing and Singapore, help is just an email or phone call away if you need it.
Our Favourite Shows on iQIYI
Here are some series my kids (and sometimes I!) have enjoyed on iQIYI — along with a few quirky ones worth exploring.
⭐ GG Bond (猪猪侠)
- Target audience: Lower primary
- What it’s about: A mischievous humanoid pig navigating fairy-tale-meets-modern-life adventures.
- Why we like it: Fun, fast-paced comedies with hidden lessons about courage, integrity, and even environmental protection. Plus, there’s a comic series to extend the reading experience.
⭐ Deer Squad (无敌鹿战队)
- Target audience: Kindergarten / Lower primary
- What it’s about: Four deer friends protect their forest and community from trouble.
- Why we like it: It’s an iQIYI original that became the first Chinese cartoon to air on Nickelodeon — a fun point of pride when watching the Chinese version.
⭐ Cloud Bread (云彩面包)
- Target audience: Kindergarten / Lower primary
- What it’s about: Two kittens discover a magical cloud that gets baked into bread, sparking whimsical adventures.
- Why we like it: It’s slow-paced and gentle — no CGI explosions! While my kids aren’t huge fans, I find it refreshingly calm. It’s adapted from a beloved Korean picture book written by Baek Hee-na.
⭐ Pleasant Goat and Big Wolf (喜羊羊与灰太狼)
- Target audience: Lower primary
- What it’s about: Goats vs. a bumbling wolf — a staple in Chinese children’s entertainment since 2005.
- Why we like it: It’s a classic! The stories stretch across multiple episodes, and there are comics and books to go along with the cartoon. Disney even bought the rights at one point.
⭐ Wonderkeepers (奇幻守护者)
- Target audience: Lower primary
- What it’s about: Gerda, a superhero girl, teams up with a talking weasel to save their magical land.
- Why we like it: The 3D animation is stunning, even if the storyline is a little “out there.” A co-production with Russia’s Wizart Animation.
⭐ New Happy Dad and Son (新大头儿子和小头爸爸)
- Target audience: Upper primary
- What it’s about: A quirky father-and-son duo navigating everyday adventures.
- Why we like it: It’s been around for over 30 years! Some seasons are better than others, but it’s fun to see how the series has evolved.
⭐ Oh no, here comes trouble (不良执念清除师)
- Target audience: Lower secondary
- What it’s about: The plot follows a high school student who gains supernatural powers after waking up from a coma, caused by a near-fatal car accident.
- Why we like it: Taiwanese television series which my secondary daughter can binge watch – note there is a lot of anime gore, from the opening scenes. Not for the faint hearted!
⭐ Hikaru No Go (棋魂)
- Target audience: Upper primary / lower secondary
- What it’s about: A boy finds a haunted Go chessboard and gets possessed by an ancient chess master.
- Why we like it: My kids find it hilarious. It’s a drama (not a cartoon), so it feels a bit more “grown up.” Do note: it contains a large dose of anime-style gore and violence, so best for older kids. They can binge watch this series for a long time.
⭐ Fangs of Fortune ( 大梦归离)
- Target audience: Lower secondary
- What it’s about: A dark, fantastical drama where demons hunt demons and chaos erupts after a goddess’s accidental death.
- Why we like it: My older one just says it’s “nice” — but the cinematography and fight scenes are genuinely impressive. Definitely one for teens, not little ones, as dark humour runs throughout.
Bonus Pick: Nezha (哪吒)
Not a series, but if you’re subscribing to iQIYI, don’t miss watching the 2019 box office animated film Nezha. It’s a breathtaking retelling of the legendary child-god, packed with action and heart (if you haven’t heard of Nezha, let me share it’s currently still the highest grossing animated film of all time globally!).
Final Thoughts
Subscribing to iQIYI for kids shows during school holidays has become a fun ritual for us. The kids get to enjoy shows that feel different from what’s on English streaming platforms, and I get the peace of mind that they’re soaking in some language and culture while being entertained.
Not every series will be your family’s cup of tea, but with the variety and affordability, there’s always something worth discovering.
So if you’re looking for a fresh alternative to Netflix or Disney+, give iQIYI a try — your kids might just find their new favourite show (and you might too!) on iQIYI. You can also find regular shows like Super Wings, Boonie Bears, etc on iQIYI, if you want to replace another subscription you have.
If you enjoy these, perhaps you might also like other things our family is vibing with which are free on YouTube and MeWatch from earlier posts: