10 Best Star Trek: TNG Episodes For Kids To Watch

March 30, 2024, 4:30 p.m.

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10 Best Star Trek: TNG Episodes For Kids To Watch

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Summary Star Trek: The Next Generation offers family-friendly episodes with relatable characters for kids new to the franchise.

Episodes like "A Fistful of Datas" and "The Game" provide humorous and adventurous storylines perfect for young viewers.

Through themes of friendship, grief, and imagination, TNG introduces children to moral dilemmas in a entertaining way.

Star Trek: The Next Generation may not have been geared toward children, but the Star Trek franchise has always been relatively family-friendly. While shows like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Discovery might be too dark for children, TNG has many episodes that are the perfect entry point for kids discovering Star Trek for the first time. Following the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-D, TNG has something for everyone, including the youngest among Star Trek viewers.

Several Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes feature stories involving children, providing kids with characters they can more easily relate to. Among the main cast, Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) is a favorite of children, with his endearing android quirks and antics. As the youngest main cast member, Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) is another character kids may see themselves in, and recurring troublemaker Q (John de Lancie) never fails to make an episode more fun. Whether kids want to see others like themselves on the Enterprise or just laugh at the hijinks the crew gets into, here are 10 episodes sure to be crowd-pleasers for young Trek fans.

Related Best Star Trek: TNG Episode From Each Of The Show’s 7 Seasons In its seven-season run, Star Trek: The Next Generation produced some truly amazing episodes of sci-fi television but which ones truly stand out?

10 "A Fistful of Datas"

Star Trek: TNG Season 6, Episode 8

Star Trek: The Next Generation's "A Fistful of Datas" takes Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn) and his son Alexander (Brian Bonsall) to the Wild West via the USS Enterprise-D's holodeck. Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) joins Worf and Alexander, as the three become lawmen in the town of Deadwood. When an energy surge passes through the Enterprise while Data is connected to the ship's systems, the android and the holodeck get their wires crossed.

"A Fistful of Datas" has plenty of humorous moments kids will love.

Data begins exhibiting the mannerisms and speech of an Old West hero, and all of the outlaws in Worf's holodeck program take on the appearance of Data, complete with his android abilities. Worf, Deanna, and Alexander then play through the Western scenario, while Data and Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) work to fix the problem. "A Fistful of Datas" has plenty of humorous moments kids will love, and also features the young Alexander trying to get his dad to play with him.

9 "The Game"

Star Trek: TNG Season 5, Episode 6

When Wesley Crusher returns to the Enterprise on a break from Starfleet Academy, he finds the entire crew has become addicted to a strange video game. After realizing that Captain Picard has already become addicted to the game, Wes enlists the help of Ensign Robin Lefler (Ashley Judd). Wesley and Robin work on a plan to revive Data, who had been previously shut down due to his immunity to the game.

The addicted crew members eventually capture Robin and then Wes, forcing them to play the game. Thankfully, they were able to reactivate Data before they were caught. Data then finds a way to free the crew and thwart the Ktarian's plan to take over the Enterprise. Many kids will likely enjoy seeing Wes and Robin as protagonists, as they work together to save the day (with Data's help), while also developing a sweet romance.

Parents may want to note that the opening scene on Risa is suggestive, and the scene where the crew force Wesley to play the game could frightening for some.

8 "Imaginary Friend"

Star Trek: TNG Season 5, Episode 22

When a young girl named Clara (Noley Thornton) moves to the Starship Enterprise with her father, she creates an imaginary friend for herself named Isabella (Shay Astar). Clara is surprised when Isabella appears before her one day, seeming as real as any other child. Clara later grows frightened of Isabella, and Counselor Troi, believing Isabella to be imaginary, tries to help Clara work through her fear.

When Isabella appears and attacks Troi, however, the USS Enterprise-D crew learns that she is actually an energy being who wants to get rid of the adults on the ship. To save the day, Captain Picard gives Isabella a speech that's a bit on the nose, but would likely be easy for kids to grasp. "Imaginary Friend" not only offers insight into childhood friendships, but also touches on the loneliness children sometimes experience when moving to a new place.

7 "Hero Worship"

Star Trek: TNG Season 5, Episode 11

In Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Hero Worship," Lt. Commander Data rescues a young boy named Timothy (Joshua Harris) from a damaged research vessel. As the only survivor, Timothy begins mimicking Data after he learns that the android does not experience emotions. At the advice of Counselor Deanna Troi, Data shares with Timothy how he would gladly experience the negative feelings that come with being human if he could also experience the good parts.

Timothy believes he accidentally killed the crew by leaning against a control panel, but Data assures the young boy that this is not possible.

When intense shock waves hit the Enterprise, the crew realizes that this is what damaged the research vessel. In the end, Timothy's memories of the event help the Enterprise avoid the same fate. Timothy's story deals with the tough topics of grief and losing a parent, but his friendship with Data keeps "Hero Worship" from being overly sad.

6 "Deja Q"

Star Trek: TNG Season 3, Episode 13

With his often silly antics, Q (John de Lancie) never fails to liven up an episode, and Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Deja Q" is one of his funniest outings. After Q randomly appears on the bridge of the Enterprise claiming to have lost his powers, Picard reluctantly grants him asylum. When gaseous entities known as the Calamarain discover that Q has lost his powers, they attack the Enterprise trying to get to him.

After the Calamarain harm Data, Q leaves the Enterprise in a shuttlecraft. This surprising act of selflessness prompts the Q Continuum to restore his powers. Q then takes care of the Calamarain and gives Data the gift of laughter, thanking the android for helping him learn how to be human. "Deja Q" is an incredibly fun and entertaining episode, thanks in large part to the unexpected pairing of Data and Q, which is sure to be a hit with kids.

Related Every Q Star Trek Appearance Ranked Worst To Best John de Lancie's god-like Q became one of Star Trek's most popular recurring characters, and here are all of his appearances ranked worst to best.

5 "The Bonding"

Star Trek: TNG Season 3, Episode 5

When an Enterprise officer is killed on an away mission, her young son Jeremy (Gabriel Damon) is left an orphan. Captain Picard must deliver the tragic news to the young boy, and then Counselor Troi, Wesley Crusher, and Worf all try to help Jeremy process his grief. Having lost his father on an away mission, Wesley speaks to Jeremy about his own experience and how he dealt with his father's death.

Jeremy blames Worf for his mother's death, but Worf shares that he is also an orphan, and the two later perform a Klingon bonding ritual called R'uustai. "The Bonding" also features an energy alien that appears to Jeremy in the shape of his mother, but the alien eventually realizes that Jeremy will be fine on his own. Like "Hero Worship," "The Bonding" depicts the realities of death, but the episode also includes captivating visuals and great character moments.

4 "Disaster"

Star Trek: TNG Season 5, Episode 5

When a mysterious force disables most of the Enterprise's systems, the ship's crew members must adapt to accomplish jobs outside of their normal duties. Captain Picard, who does not care for children, ends up stuck on a turbolift with three young kids. With an injured ankle, Picard must keep the children calm, as they work to climb out of the turbolift. In Ten Forward, a very uncomfortable Worf helps Keiko O'Brien (Rosalind Chao) deliver her baby.

Elsewhere on the ship, Data and Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) make their way to Engineering to restore the ship's systems. When an electrical discharge renders Data's body inoperable, Riker removes the android's head and takes it with him to engineering, where the two begin repairs. Not only does "Disaster" feature a charming subplot with Picard and the kids in the turbolift, but it also has plenty of action and gives every character a moment to shine.

3 "Rascals"

Star Trek: TNG Season 6, Episode 7

In Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Rascals," a transporter accident turns Captain Picard, Keiko O'Brien, Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg), and Ensign Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes) into 12-year-old kids. Despite still retaining his adult mind, Jean-Luc (David Tristan Birkin) temporarily steps down from command, as the crew struggles to take him seriously. Ro (Megan Parlen) and Guinan (Isis Carmen Jones) come to embrace their return to childhood and spend their time playing.

As Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) works to find a way to reverse the de-aging effects, Ferengi pirates take over the Enterprise. While Riker confuses the Ferengi with nonsensical technobabble, Picard and the other children help thwart the pirates. While "Rascals" makes some of the adults on the Enterprise look a bit incompetent, it's fun seeing the kids be the ones to save the day, and the child actors do an admirable job embodying their adult counterparts.

Related Ensign Ro Was One Of TNG’s “Greatest Accomplishments”, Says Star Trek Showrunner Bajoran Ensign Ro Laren was created for TNG season 5 to provide one thing the rest of the Enterprise crew couldn't, and it made Ro a great character.

2 "Data's Day"

Star Trek: TNG Season 4, Episode 11

In one of Data's best episodes, the android records the events of a normal day in a letter to cyberneticist Dr. Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy). Data spends much of the day preparing for the upcoming wedding of Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) and Keiko, where he will be giving away the bride. Data gets a dance lesson from Dr. Crusher and seeks advice from Geordi and Counselor Troi.

"Data's Day" includes many charming moments that will appeal to kids.

In the midst of wedding preparations, Data also deduces that the visiting Vulcan Ambassador T'Pel (Sierra Pecheur) is actually an undercover Romulan. Featuring a simple plot narrated by Data himself, "Data's Day" is genuinely funny and offers insight into Data and his quest to be human. "Data's Day" includes many charming moments that will appeal to kids, not only in terms of plot, but also within Data's narration.

Gates McFadden choreographed the dance scenes and she performed all of her own dance moves. Before taking on the role of Dr. Crusher, McFadden was a well-known Hollywood choreographer.

1 "Pen Pals"

Star Trek: TNG Season 2, Episode 15

In another Data-centric episode, the android befriends a young alien girl named Sarjenka (Nikki Cox) and saves her planet from destruction. When Data hears a voice from the nearby planet Drema IV asking if anyone is out there, he responds. Data later learns that Sarjenka's planet will soon become uninhabitable, and he alerts Captain Picard to the situation. After discussing it with his senior staff, Picard eventually agrees to violate the Prime Directive and save the planet.

When Data cannot contact Sarjenka, he beams down to Drema IV and then has to bring Sarjenka up to the Enterprise. Sarjenka adorably refuses to leave Data's side, even on the Enterprise bridge, where she sees her planet from orbit for the first time. Data's friendship with Sarjenka is simply delightful and "Pen Pals" offers a simple, but classic Star Trek story, making it a perfect episode to introduce children to the world of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Star Trek: The Next Generation is available to stream on Paramount+