Kiri and Lou
Top marks all round
Ages 2–6First shown 2019
Kiri and Lou is an animated series about empathy, hand-crafted in stop motion with creatures made of clay, in a forest of cut out paper. Each five minute story is told with humour and joy, about the friendship of two prehistoric creatures and their adventures in the forest a long, long time ago. Kiri and Lou laugh and sing and play all kinds of games with their friends, as they learn to deal with the emotions of childhood.
Our verdict
- Good influence 5/5
- Parent appeal 5/5
- Well made 5/5
Calm and gentle No grating audio
Kiri and Lou is widely celebrated for its gentle pacing, artistic stop-motion animation, and emotionally intelligent storytelling. Reviewers frequently highlight the show's dry humor and sophisticated music as major draws that make it just as entertaining for adults as it is for its young audience.
Why these scores
Good influence
Does it show behaviour you'd be happy to see copied?
5out of 5
The series is highly praised for modeling empathy, kindness, and emotional regulation through its central friendship. Reviewers note that characters take responsibility for their mistakes and demonstrate sincere apologies and emotional repair without the show feeling preachy or heavy-handed.
Parent appeal
Will you enjoy watching it with them?
5out of 5
This is a rare preschool show that parents actively enjoy, with many reviewers noting they would watch it even without children present. The dry, deadpan comedy and witty musical numbers provide genuine entertainment and laughter for adults.
Well made
Are the writing, animation and sound made with care?
5out of 5
The production is frequently singled out for its exquisite, handcrafted stop-motion animation and unique paper-cut backgrounds. Almost all commentary highlights the exceptional quality of the music, writing, and voice acting, which have earned the show prestigious award nominations.
Watch-outs
Calm and gentle
The show is explicitly described as a calm, low-stimulation alternative to typical frantic children's programming. Reviewers consistently highlight its gentle pacing, quiet tone, and muted palette as being ideal for winding down.
Toy-led: not enough data
We haven't found enough independent sources to say yet.
No grating audio
Parents find the music and voice work to be a highlight rather than a nuisance, with many choosing to listen to the soundtrack albums independently. The songs are described as melodic, witty, and soothing rather than whiny or repetitive.
Where to watch
Stream for free
Stream with a subscription
Rent or buy
- Not that we know of
DVD and Blu-ray
Streaming availability from Watchmode.
Last updated 11 October 2026.