Ok, we know most kids don’t want to even *think* about school during their summer break. But they’ll forget all that when they see this collection of short documentaries. The quick-paced narratives illustrate how local environment and a little ingenuity can be combined to create one-of-a-kind classrooms, such as a school where lessons are taught by solar-powered lanterns. Not rated. Ages 5 and up

The 11-episode BBC special is the perfect launching point for dreams (and a bit of learning) about far-off places. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, the series features breathtaking cinematography of natural habitats and animals spanning 62 countries. Not rated. Ages 7 and up

Chuckie and his gang head out on an adventure to the City of Lights. The kids see the sights between pint-size chase scenes (an out-of-control animatronic dinosaur) and attempts to keep Mr. Pickles from marrying the wrong woman. Rated G. Ages 5 and up

Deserted on a tropical island, the title quintet transforms their misfortune into an enviable paradise. Even an impending attack from a nasty pirate ship can’t dim the wonder of a backyard zooful of animals (lions and tigers and zebras, oh my!) and arguably the best treehouse of all time. Rated G. Ages 6 and up