How Kids’ Shows Have Evolved Over the Years
What did you grow up watching? While the cartoons of the ‘90s that you’re familiar with likely remain dear to your heart, chances are, your kids are watching completely different shows now. Curious to see how times have changed and if it matches your experience? Here are 10 OG children’s shows you probably binged growing up—and 10 new favorites of today’s generation.
1. Dora the Explorer
Dora the Explorer is definitely a show most kids will remember watching growing up. Heck, it’s still popular even now! This kids’ show series, which debuted its first episode on August 14, 2000, features a Latina girl and her monkey, Boots, as they go on various adventures and solve puzzles with the help of the viewer.
Håkan Dahlström from Malmö, Sweden on Wikimedia
2. Blue’s Clues
“It’s a clue! It’s a clue!” If there’s a line every kid remembers from their childhood, the songs and tunes from Blue’s Clues likely spring to mind. While various hosts have led the show over the years since its debut in 1996, no one comes close to the OG, Steve Burns.
Valder Beebe Show on Wikimedia
3. Barney & Friends
Millennials and Gen Zs certainly remember the big purple dinosaur who, along with his dino-pals, sang and danced their way into our hearts. The show aired its first episode on April 16, 1992, and ended on November 2, 2010, though reruns were still broadcast on other networks until 2020.
4. Sesame Street
Another show featuring memorable fuzzy characters was Sesame Street, and most of us who watched this growing up will probably remember learning colors, numbers, and the alphabet from it. Having first aired in 1969, you might be surprised to know that it’s still ongoing.
US Air Force from USA on Wikimedia
5. SpongeBob SquarePants
Who knew a yellow sea sponge could capture the hearts of so many young children? Admit it—if you grew up watching this, you probably still remember iconic lines, episodes, and catchy songs. You likely still remember how to sing the entire opening. (“Are you ready, kids?” “Aye, aye, captain!”)
Nickelodeon (NickRewind) on Wikimedia
6. Teletubbies
If it’s not the giant baby sun you remember, it’s the funny names each Teletubby had that have stayed fresh in your brain. Sure, some of us who watched this growing up often wondered if it was a kids' show or a horror series (some of the Teletubbies’ expressions were rather eerie), but it’s iconic nonetheless.
jill, jellidonut... whatever on Wikimedia
7. Rugrats
Ever wanted to see the world from a baby’s point of view all over again? Rugrats has you covered! Following a toddler by the name of Tommy Pickles, those who watched this as kids will likely remember Angelica, the mean antagonist, who liked to terrorize her cousin and his friends.
8. Arthur
Even if you didn’t watch aardvark Arthur Read, his friends (like rabbit Buster Baxter) and his menace of a sister, DW, growing up, you’re probably still familiar with it due to scenes of the show resurfacing on social media. And that’s no surprise—there were so many hilarious lines in this iconic series that make it so unforgettable!
9. Hey Arnold!
If the show’s name doesn’t ring a bell, “football head” might. Featuring a fourth-grader nicknamed Arnie with a, well, football-shaped head, Hey Arnold! is another classic you probably remember watching from the ‘90s to early 2000s. Though many episodes revolve around the eccentric urban life Arnie and his friends go through, the show also touches on some more serious, real-world themes, like poverty and loss.
10. The Big Comfy Couch
Canadians will likely remember the OG shows on Treetown, such as The Big Comfy Couch, Max & Ruby, Timothy Goes to School, and many others. The Big Comfy Couch, in particular, features a clown named Loonette and her doll Molly as they read, stretch, sing, and do other activities together.
These are the shows you grew up watching, but how do they compare to the ones your kids watch now? Let's take a look at 10 popular favorites from today's generation
1. Blippi
Fitting for the new generation, Blippi is an educational series first hosted on YouTube and debuted in 2014. Created by Steve John, Blippi takes kids on adventures to various places, like parks and zoos, and asks educational questions while explaining different concepts.
2. Peppa Pig
A British animated series that started in 2004, Peppa Pig features a playful piggy, Peppa, her family, and her other animal friends at school. Despite being such a long-running show, where the voice actors for Peppa even changed multiple times, it remains a classic and a favorite of kids today.
3. Gabby’s Dollhouse
Another show with a cast of animals—this time cats—Gabby’s Dollhouse centers around Gabby, the show’s host, as she shrinks down to miniature size to play with her feline friends inside the dollhouse. Fans of Blue’s Clues might be familiar with the creators of Gabby’s Dollhouse, Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey, who were involved with the production of the older hit series.
4. Bubble Guppies
Ever wonder what merpeople did in the water? Attend school, of course! At least, that’s what’s depicted in Bubble Guppies, which follows a group of preschoolers as they sing, explore, learn, and go on underwater adventures.
Tito Wikipedicreatorpage on Wikimedia
5. CoComelon
Every parent is probably familiar with the CoComelon phenomenon—play the tune and your child’s eyes immediately light up. A YouTube channel consisting of 3D-animated babies and toddlers, coupled with traditional nursery rhymes and catchy original music, it’s easy to see why CoComelon has become such a kids’ favorite.
6. Bluey
Because you can never have enough kids’ shows featuring cute animals, the Australian animated series Bluey is another popular hit in today’s young generation. Following an energetic puppy (whose character design was inspired by the Australian Cattle dog, known also as a Blue Heeler), viewers explore and have fun with Bluey as she and her family go on exciting adventures.
7. Paw Patrol
Another show about puppies your kids might be watching is Paw Patrol, which revolves around a boy named Ryder and his crew of search and rescue dogs. Each pup has a different set of skills, and together they help thwart danger and complete missions around the city.
8. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Created by Angela C. Santomero, co-creator of Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is based on Fred Rogers’ Mister Rogers, an educational children’s series that ran from 1968 to 2001. In particular, the show centers around the characters from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, and aims to teach kids emotional intelligence, respect, and kindness.
LBJ Library from Austin on Wikimedia
9. Molly of Denali
Molly of Denali is America’s first nationally distributed children’s show to have an Alaska Native as the protagonist, in the form of 10-year-old Molly Mabray. Along with her dog, Suki, and her friends Tooey and Trini, Molly and her crew take on epic adventures in the rugged, beautiful state of Alaska.
Denali National Park and Preserve on Wikimedia
10. Alma’s Way
Set in The Bronx, New York, Alma’s Way features a six-year-old Puerto Rican girl named Alma Rivera as she teaches viewers decision-making and social awareness skills. As she goes through daily challenges, Alma pauses to think methodically to see how she can best solve these problems.
