Best TV Shows for Kids from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s

I can remember as a kid growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, there were only 4 or 5 channels to choose shows from. TV has certainly come a long ways since then but the kids TV shows of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s are some of the best around.

1970’s

Zoom- Zoom aired on PBS from 1972-1978 and was an educational show that was mostly unscripted. The show featured a cast of kids called Zoomers that performed various activities like science experiments, jokes, songs, recipes, poems and games.

The Electric Company- The Electric Company aired from 1971-1977 on PBS. The show was geared towards children ages 5-12 and helped them develop reading and grammar skills. The original cast featured Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby, Rita Moreno and Lee Chamberlin.

1980’s

Small Wonder- Small Wonder was a science fiction sitcom that aired from 1985-1989. The show featured a dad who was a robotics engineer that created a robot that looks like a real human girl. She has real hair, realistic skin and superhuman speed and strength. Her name is VICI, short for Voice Input Child Identicant and she gradually learns human behavior.

Pee-Wee’s Playhouse- Pee-Wee’s Playhouse aired on Saturday mornings on CBS from 1986-1990. Paul Reubens played the child-like character of Pee-Wee Herman. Pee-Wee lived in a wacky, fun and wild playhouse that featured human characters like Cowboy Curtis and Captain Carl, puppet characters such as Conky the Robot and Jambi the Genie along with toys, gadgets and talking appliances and furniture.

1990’s

Rugrats- Rugrats aired from 1991-2004 and centered around the day to day activities of toddlers Angelica, Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil. Later on in the shows, the characters of Dil, Kimi and Susie were added. Rugrats aired on Nickelodeon and each episode featured a moral lesson that the toddlers learned from their explorations.

The Magic School Bus- The Magic School Bus aired on Saturday mornings on PBS from 1994-1997. The show combined education and entertainment to teach science lessons. Lily Tomlin played the role of Ms. Frizzle, a teacher at Walkerville Elementary. Liz is a class pet chameleon who is mute and often goes on the field trips with the class. Students include Arnold, Carlos, Dorothy Ann, Keesha, Phoebe, Ralphie, Tim, Wanda and Janet.