I love the PBS apps too, those will be a permanent install on our kids’ devices. I’ll check out Epic too.

Like OP, I’ll try to avoid the worst of Google Play Store and YouTube Kids for as long as possible. My oldest is still a toddler so we’re still in control of what she sees and does. It’s inevitable that they’ll encounter that stuff at school or other houses, but I hope they’ll be disinterested and watching some YouTube slop will only be a curiosity rather than an addiction/coping mechanism.

My wife and I recently rewatched an episode of the original Power Rangers series and my god was that terrible. It was my favorite show when I was 7, but at least it fostered an early love for mecha shows. ;)