The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has unveiled the nominations for the 4th Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. This awards ceremony is set to take place in New York City for the first time on March 1 and 2, 2026 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.
“We’re excited to honor the extraordinary individuals and teams who bring children’s and family television to life every day,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. “As the landscape continues to grow — and as studies highlight the positive impact educational programming has on young children — we look forward to coming together to celebrate this meaningful and inspiring work.”
Nominations were announced live on NATAS social platforms, plus in-person in a NATAS membership event in partnership with the Children’s Media Association New York chapter. The nomination announcement featured video messages from stars across the children’s programming landscape including Ms. Rachel and Mr. Aron (Ms. Rachel), Bob Bergen (Looney Tunes), John Tartaglia (Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock), Josh Dela Cruz (Blue’s Clues & You!), Gobo Fraggle (Fraggle Rock) and Donkey Hodie (Donkey Hodie). This presentation will be available to stream on watch.theemmys.tv and via The Emmys app on November 19.
The full list of nominees is available at theemmys.tv/children; animation and related categories listed below.
Outstanding Preschool, Children’s or Family Viewing Series
Jane – Apple TV+ [Sinking Ship Entertainment]
Kids Baking Championship – Food Network [Sonic Dog]
Ms. Rachel – Ms. Rachel – Toddler Learning Videos YouTube Channel [Songs For Littles, LLC | Lifeboat Productions]
Odd Squad – PBS Kids [Sinking Ship Entertainment | BBC Studios | Fred Rogers Productions]
Sesame Street – HBO Max [Sesame Workshop]
Tab Time – Tab Time YouTube Channel [Kids At Play]
Outstanding Preschool Animated Series
Carl the Collector – PBS Kids [Spiffy Pictures | Fuzzytown Productions | Yowza! Animation]
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood – PBS Kids [Fred Rogers Productions]
Molly of Denali – PBS Kids [GBH Kids | Atomic Cartoons]
The Tiny Chef Show – Nickelodeon
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum – PBS Kids [9 Story Media Group | Brown Bag Films]
Outstanding Children’s or Young Teen Animated Series
Big City Greens – Disney+ I Disney Channel
Dream Productions – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Win or Lose – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Wolf King – Netflix [Lime Pictures Limited]
Wylde Pak – Nickelodeon
Outstanding Animated Special
An Almost Christmas Story – Disney+ [Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj | Titmouse | Maere Studios]
Kiff: The Haunting of Miss McGravy’s House – Disney+ | Disney Channel [Titmouse, Inc.]
Kiff: Lore of the Ring Light – Disney+ | Disney Channel [Titmouse, Inc.]
That Christmas – Netflix [Locksmith Animation]
Ultraman: Rising – Netflix [Tsuburaya Productions]
Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
Acoustic Rooster: Jazzy Jams – PBS Kids [GBH Kids | Global Mechanic]
Count on June Bug – Thirteen
Daffy in Wackyland – HBO | Max [Warner Bros. Animation]
Eva the Owlet – Apple TV+ [Brown Bag Films | Scholastic Entertainment]
How Not to Draw – Disney+ I Disney Channel
Road Trip – Disney+ I Disney Channel
Outstanding Puppetry Performer
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph as Abby Cadabby & Tango – Sesame Street – HBO Max [Sesame Workshop]
Frankie Cordero as Purple Panda, Turtle-Lou & Penguin Referee – Donkey Hodie – PBS Kids [Fred Rogers Productions | Spiffy Pictures]
Stephanie D’Abruzzo as Duck Duck, Harriett Elizabeth Cow, Mama Panda & Doc Skunk – Donkey Hodie – PBS Kids [Fred Rogers Productions | Spiffy Pictures]
Ryan Dillon as Elmo & Felix – Sesame Street – HBO Max [Sesame Workshop]
Carmen Osbahr as Rosita – Sesame Street – HBO Max [Sesame Workshop]
Outstanding Voice Performer in a Preschool Program
Pamela Adlon as Aunt Lola – SuperKitties – Disney+ | Disney Jr. [Sony Pictures Television Kids]
Dee Bradley Baker as Nubs & Zeepohz – Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures – Disney+ [Lucasfilm Ltd.]
Ana Gasteyer as Crabitha – RoboGobo – Disney+ | Disney Jr. [Brown Bag Films]
Jay Thomas Manuel as Jeff Mouse – Donkey Hodie – PBS Kids [Fred Rogers Productions | Spiffy Pictures]
Amber Riley as Ursula – Disney Jr.’s Ariel – Disney+ | Disney Jr. [Wild Canary]
Outstanding Single Role Voice Performer in a Children’s or Young Teen Program
Erik Todd Dellums as Aaravos – The Dragon Prince – Netflix [Wonderstorm I Bardel Entertainment | MWM]
Cynthia Erivo as The Slink – RoboGobo – Disney+ | Disney Jr. [Brown Bag Films]
Ernie Hudson as Marlon – Angry Birds Mystery Island – Prime Video | Amazon Kids+ [Titmouse Animation | Snipple Animation]
John Lithgow as Bolinar – Spellbound – Netflix [Skydance Animation]
John C. Reilly as The Folk Singer – An Almost Christmas Story – Disney+ [Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj | Titmouse | Maere Studios]
Maya Rudolph as Jean – Dream Productions – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Outstanding Multiple Role Voice Performer in a Children’s or Young Teen Program
Eric Bauza as Daffy Duck & The Do-Do – Daffy in Wackyland – HBO | Max [Warner Bros. Animation]
H. Michael Croner as Barry Buns, Rat, Chubbles Wubbington, Soda Jerk & Buffalo Security – Kiff – Disney+ | Disney Channel [Titmouse, Inc.]
David Errigo Jr. as Hamton J. Pig & Plucky Duck – Tiny Toons Looniversity – HBO | Max [Warner Bros. Animation]
Kate Mulgrew as Admiral Janeway & Hologram Janeway – Star Trek: Prodigy – Netflix I CBS Studios [Nickelodeon Animation Studios]
Kari Wahlgren as Evelyn & Mrs. Grant – Legends of Evergreen Hills – Chick-fil-A Play App [Bento Box]
Outstanding Younger Voice Performer in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program
Summer Rose Castillo as Alma – Alma’s Way – PBS Kids [Fred Rogers Productions]
Vanessa Huszar as Zuri – Wonder Pets: In the City – Apple TV+ [Nickelodeon Animation]
Christopher Sean Cooper Jr. as Tate – Wonder Pets: In the City – Apple TV+ [Nickelodeon Animation]
Chanel Stewart as Kai – Win or Lose – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Kensington Tallman as Riley – Dream Productions – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Alkaio Thiele as Peter Parker – Marvel’s Spidey & His Amazing Friends – Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Marvel Studios | Atomic Cartoons]
Ja’Siah Young as Dax – RoboGobo – Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Brown Bag Films]
Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Series
Daniel Finds Out What’s Fair – Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood – PBS Kids [Fred Rogers Productions]
The Fall – Carl the Collector – PBS Kids [Spiffy Pictures | Fuzzytown Productions | Yowza! Animation]
Save the Runaway Egg – Wonder Pets: In the City – Apple TV+ [Nickelodeon Animation]
Thanks-For-Giving – Molly of Denali – PBS Kids [GBH Kids | Atomic Cartoons]
Tiny Chef’s Spooky Stump Spectacular – The Tiny Chef Show – Nickelodeon
Outstanding Writing for a Children’s or Young Teen Animated Series
Crushed – Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur – Disney+ I Disney Channel [Flying Bark Productions]
The Devourer of All Things, Part I – Star Trek: Prodigy – Netflix I CBS Studios
Frand or Foe – Goldie – Apple TV+ [Mercury Filmworks]
Pickle – Win or Lose – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Worst Birthday Ever – Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld – Netflix
Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Series
Auntie Freeze! | Goin’ Camping! – Super Duper Bunny League – Nickelodeon [Nickelodeon Animation Studios | Gigglebug Entertainment | Scull & Belt]
The Battle of Tenoo – Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures – Disney+ [Lucasfilm Ltd.]
Save Tate? – Wonder Pets: In the City – Apple TV+ [Nickelodeon Animation]
Tiny Chef’s Spooky Stump Spectacular – The Tiny Chef Show – Nickelodeon
The Ulti-Bat Rises – Batwheels – HBO | Max [Warner Bros. Animation]
Outstanding Directing for an Animated Series
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur – Disney+ I Disney Channel [Flying Bark Productions]
Home – Win or Lose – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Part 4: A Night to Remember – Dream Productions – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
The Rise of the Wolf – Wolf King – Netflix [Lime Pictures Limited]
Welcome to Byjovia – Max & The Midknights – Nickelodeon
Worst Birthday Ever – Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld – Netflix
Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series
Francis Wants to Be Alone | The Sash – StuGo – Disney+ I Disney Channel [Titmouse Animation]
If This Be My Destiny… – Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man – Disney+ [Marvel Studios]
Petey the Stargazer – Goldie – Apple TV+
Save the Roly Poly! – Wonder Pets: In the City – Apple TV+ [Nickelodeon Animation]
Shoot for the Moon – Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur – Disney+ I Disney Channel [Flying Bark Productions]
Up All Night | Rotten Banana – Kiff – Disney+ I Disney Channel [Titmouse, Inc.]
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program
Heart – WondLa – Apple TV+ [Skydance Animation]
Part 4: A Night to Remember – Dream Productions – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Spellbound– Netflix [Skydance Animation]
That Christmas – Netflix [Locksmith Animation]
There’s Always a Fortune in the Cookie Factory – Gremlins: The Wild Batch – HBO | Max [Warner Bros. Animation]
Outstanding Editing for a Preschool Animated Program
Adventure Night – Eva the Owlet – Apple TV+ [Brown Bag Films | Scholastic Entertainment]
The Battle of Tenoo – Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures – Disney+ [Lucasfilm Ltd.]
Moon Girl and the Dino Dilemma | Hulk’s Squirrely Switch – Marvel’s Spidey & His Amazing Friends – Disney+ | Disney Jr. [Marvel Studios | Atomic Cartoons]
Pillow Can’t Sleep – Gabby’s Dollhouse – Netflix [DreamWorks Animation]
The Spider’s Stolen Silk – The Creature Cases – Netflix [Silvergate Media | TeamTO | Netflix]
Tiny Chef’s Spooky Stump Spectacular – The Tiny Chef Show – Nickelodeon
The Ulti-Bat Rises – Batwheels – HBO Max [Warner Bros. Animation]
Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program
An Almost Christmas Story – Disney+ [Disney Branded Television | Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj | Titmouse | Maere Studios]
Mixed Signals – Win or Lose – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Part 4: A Night to Remember – Dream Productions – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Spellbound – Netflix [Skydance Animation]
That Christmas – Netflix [Locksmith Animation]
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program
The Battle of Tenoo – Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures – Disney+ [Lucasfilm Ltd.]
I Am Gwen Ifill | I Am Matthew Henson – Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum – PBS Kids [9 Story Media Group | Brown Bag Films]
Moon Girl and the Dino Dilemma | Hulk’s Squirrely Switch – Marvel’s Spidey & His Amazing Friends – Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Marvel Studios | Atomic Cartoons]
Music Meister Mayhem – Batwheels – HBO Max
Stop Those Cars! | Self-Destruct – Hot Wheels Let’s Race – Mattel Studios [OLM Digital | Sprite Animation Studios]
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for an Animated Program
Dying Light – The Dragon Prince – Netflix [Wonderstorm I Bardel Entertainment | MWM]
Fire in the Piazza – Jurassic World: Chaos Theory – Netflix [DreamWorks Animation]
Home – Win or Lose – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Part Two – LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Disney+ [Lucasfilm Ltd.]
Ultraman: Rising – Netflix [Tsuburaya Productions]
Welcome to Byjovia – Max & The Midknights – Nickelodeon [Jane Startz Productions]
Outstanding Original Song for a Preschool Program
“Grow Your World” – Rise Up, Sing Out – Disney+ I Disney Jr.
“I’m on My Way” – Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band – PBS Kids [GBH Kids | Global Mechanic]
“I Want To Go Home” – Kindergarten: The Musical! – Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Oddbot Inc]
“Music, Music” – Sesame Street – HBO Max [Sesame Workshop]
“One Colorful Ocean” – Disney Jr.’s Ariel – Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Wild Canary]
“The Show Will Go On” – RoboGobo – Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Brown Bag Films]
Outstanding Original Song for a Children’s or Young Teen Program
“It’s Okay” – Zombies: The Re-Animated Series – Disney+ | Disney Channel
“No Better” – Ultraman: Rising – Netflix [Tsuburaya Productions]
“Red” – Descendants: The Rise of Red – Disney+ [Disney Branded Television]
“Red Christmas” – Descendants: The Rise of Red – Disney+
“Still Haunted By You” – Girl Haunts Boy – Fifth Season [Wonder Worldwide]
“The Way It Was Before” – Spellbound – Netflix [Skydance Animation]
Outstanding Show Open
Dream Productions – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
Goosebumps: The Vanishing – Disney+ [Sony Pictures Television | Sarofsky]
Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld – Netflix
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew – Disney+ [Lucasfilm Ltd.]
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man – Disney+ [Marvel Studios]
Outstanding Visual Effects for a Live Action Program
Goosebumps: The Vanishing – Disney+ [Sony Pictures Television]
Henry Danger: The Movie – Nickelodeon
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew – Disney+ [Lucasfilm Ltd.]
Sweet Tooth – Netflix [Warner Bros. Television]
Time Bandits – Apple TV+ [Paramount Television Studios | Anonymous Content | MRC Productions]
Outstanding Casting for an Animated Program
An Almost Christmas Story – Disney+ [Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj | Titmouse | Maere Studios]
Dream Productions – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
RoboGobo – Disney+ I Disney Jr. [Brown Bag Films]
Spellbound – Netflix [Skydance Animation]
Win or Lose – Disney+ [Pixar Animation Studios]
