Nobody has benefited more from PBS than the kids. Public broadcasting’s afternoon and morning lineups have given children an invaluable resource for education and entertainment. It was the TV equivalent of the cereal Kix: kid-tested, mother-approved.
As someone who grew up with PBS, I believe these shows were foundational for everything academic and social. They were also genuinely wholesome and entertaining TV shows I still enjoy today. ThesePBS Kidsshows make the service most essential for the most impressionable minds.
2008-2013
2
67
Status
Ended
Combining motion-capture puppetry with computer graphics,Sid the Science Kidis a musical show about the curiosity that inspires scientific discovery. Each episode follows the young kid Sid, who begins the day with a question about how the world works and tries to answer it throughout his routine. These sources will include surveys with his classmates, activities with his teacher, and insight from his parents and grandma.
Loaded with musical numbers and uniquely fluid animation, this show is a great way to inspire kids with the scientific method. By posing Sid as the one asking the question and using the resources around him for answers, kids can actively take a role in learning about the world. With revolutionary computer animation techniques, the show is also an impressive visual showcase of how well the Jim Henson Workshop’s puppetry skills can translate into another medium.
PBS Kids
Sid the Science Kidis a fun show that combines music and scientific discovery.
1994-1997
4
52
Based on the coolest books at the Scholastic book fair,The Magic School Busfollows the luckiest class ever. Ms. Frizzle’s class is always going on field trips to learn about all sorts of sciences, thanks to the magical powers of her bus. The bus’s magic allows the class to take off into outer space to learn about planets or shrink down to explore the wonders of the human body.
With Lily Tomlin perfectly cast as Frizzle,The Magic School Busmatched the informative adventures of the books with relatable kid characters and eye-catching animation. One of the best aspects of the episodes was the epilogue segment, in which kids called the show’s fictionalized producers and questioned the accuracy of the science being discussed. It was a cartoon that could exaggerate some of the science for fun, but also be honest about the facts when the episode ends.
Tubi
The Magic School Busfollows the adventures of a class learning about science with a transforming magic school bus.
1994-1999
6
100
Boasting an iconic bowtie and lab coat, Bill Nye made science exuberant and exciting in the 1990s. His show,Bill Nye the Science Guy, staged scientific topics through amusing experiments, quirky skits, and interviews with experts in science and engineering. The slick editing and knowing humor made episodes involving gravity, magnetism, and nutrition more entertaining than clinical.
Bill Nye’s bombastic show was wild enough to maintain the attention of young viewers easily bored by science. The elaborate set designs and clever skits make the show filled with as much energy as it does useful information. The presence of kids hosting specific experiments you could do at home made the show more engaging. Nye’s natural charisma for science made him an icon, big enough to warrant his more adult show,Bill Nye Saves The World.
Amazon Prime Video
Bill Nye the Science Guymade science fun and exciting in the 1990s.
15
148
Ongoing
For the tricky topic of math,Cyberchasehas kids covered. The trio of Matt, Jackie, and Inez enters a digital world to solve the many math problems and puzzles of this weird cyber world. With the aid of the talking bird Digit (Gilbert Gottfried), they can stop the evil plans of the villainous Hacker (Christopher Lloyd).
With additional live-action segments teaching more common math problems,Cyberchasehas an old-fashioned approach to topics ranging from division to fractions, akin to the many educational mathPC games I played in the 1990s. Made in association with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the show is presented more like a game show, with its math problems solved by the heroes. While also addressing aspects of environmentalism in later seasons, the early episodes are a lot of fun for the voice acting of Gottfried and Lloyd.
2007-2015
8
128
For older kids who have graduated from basic spelling,WordGirlis an animated comedy about expanding vocabulary. The series follows the superhero exploits of 10-year-old Becky Botsford, who secretly assumes the role of the superhero WordGirl. As an alien from the planet Lexicon, she defeats villains with her superpowers and her ability to correctly use appropriate words in ideal situations, clearly explaining them for kids to use in their everyday lives.
While the show’s abundance of vocabulary words makes it educational, the abundance of comedic voice actors also makes it fun. Notable voices include Patton Oswalt, Tom Kenny, Maria Bamford, Chris Parnell, H. Jon Benjamin, and Fred Stoller, among others. With its colorful animation and witty humor,WordGirlis a cartoon that perfectly blends important reading education with a genuinely funny superhero comedy for all ages.
WordGirldepicts the superhero adventures of a girl with the powers of vocabulary.
7
152
As a spin-off toMister Rogers’ Neighborhood,Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhoodis set in a slightly more grounded animated depiction of the Land of Make-Believe. The young Daniel learns about routines and new things in his small-town stories of attending preschool and hanging out with his family. He’ll also directly address the audience by asking questions and engaging with the young crowd, finding the relatable through familiar situations and sweet songs.
This show preserved Fred Rogers’s teachings for the next generation through gentle, relatable, and wholesome animated storytelling. The animation has a pleasing quality, and the voice acting is confident enough to establish a more unique voice rather than replicate the voices Rogers gave to his characters. With core values of compassion, empathy, and encouragement of exploration, Daniel Tiger is a soothing dose of cartoon comfort with an enriching level of education present.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhoodfollows the relatable day-to-day adventures of the young Daniel as he learns valuable life lessons.
1983-2006
21
155
Reading Rainbowwasn’t so much a show that taught reading as it did hype it up. LeVar Burton appeared as himself to open up young viewers to the wonders of the world and how those marvels could be found at their local library. You didn’t even need to take his word for it, as kids would appear on the show to deliver their reviews of their favorite books.
With a catchy theme song and enthusiastic host,Reading Rainbowstressed the fun that could be had with books. From the kid-based reviews to the narrated reads, it was enough to inspire any kid to go out and grab a book or two from the library. What makes the show hold up even more is that Burton was as earnest as Fred Rogers, willing to go from discussing the behind-the-scenes techniques ofStar Trek: The Next Generationto the historical racism within his role onRoots.
PBS
Reading Rainbowis a reading encouragement show hosted by LeVar Burton that celebrates the power of books.
1996-2022
25
253
Based on Marc Brown’s books,Arthurfollows the suburban and relatable stories of the titular tween aardvark. With his annoying little sister D.W. and funny friend Buster, Arthur endures all the familiar situations that any kid experiences. These situations include familiar stories from the books, such as getting used to a new teacher or wearing glasses for the first time.
While the show initially started off with straight adaptations of Brown’s books, Arthur grew confident enough to find its own brand of knowing comedy and refreshing honesty. The episodes became more mature, discussing everything from peaceful protests to cancer diagnosis to autism. For a cartoon with anthropomorphic animals, the show felt most relatable for kids, especially addressing such unique topics as plagiarism and feeling awkward about liking TV shows seen as childish (complete with a cameo by Fred Rogers himself).
Arthur, based on the popular book series, depicts the slice-of-life lessons of a kid living in the suburbs.
1968-2001
31
912
He was the TV neighbor you always wanted to visit. InMister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Fred Rogers invited you into his TV set home and addressed the viewer directly as he spoke towards the camera. He always had something interesting to show you, whether it was a fascinating item in his living room or a story he wanted to tell with his puppets in the Land of Make-Believe.
What made Fred Rogers such an enduring TV pal was his kindness and honesty. He wasn’t afraid to talk with his kid audiences about any topic, whether it was as simple as how a musical instrument works or dealing with the death of a pet fish. With his warm presence and charming music, Fred Rogers made every day in his neighborhood beautiful.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhoodfeatures Fred Rogers as a kind TV neighbor with plenty to discuss.
55
4731
With puppets, animation, and catchy songs,Sesame Streetis one of the best kids shows PBS offers. Set on a relatable urban street, the show features a neighborhood’s many people and monsters learning about all things academic and social. Aspects of getting along and counting are made more fun with Cookie Monster’s hungry cravings and the infectious laughter of the number-obsessed Count.
It’s no surprise thatSesame Streethas been the longest-running early education program on television. While it is an invaluable resource for prepping young kids for kindergarten, the show is still fun with celebrity cameos, clever comedy, and parodies. It was built almost exclusively for parents to watch with their kids (or alone). Despite the show’s struggles to retain funding, it remains one of the most important kids' programs for its strong teaching methods and charming production, which is why it’s a relief thatNetflix picked up the show’s contract.
Sesame Streetfeatures monster puppets teaching valuable lessons, both academic and social.
The kids' shows on PBS have a legacy of being the best TV for providing free, fun, and informative entertainment. I grew up on most of these shows and still delight in tuning in for a comical dose of Cookie Monster or a relatable problem in Arthur’s life. My kid has grown up with these programs as well, and likely the next generation will delight in edutainment that doesn’t feel like a tedious classroom assignment.
