The 90s were a crazy time, filled with floppy disks, lots of neon, very large TVs, gel pens and a bunch of other items that didn’t stand the test of time. One product of the 90s that does hold up is the TV shows. From The Magic School Bus to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, these series are just as entertaining and educational as they were 20 years ago. Not all kids will be able to look past the fashion or standard definition graphics, but there’s still a lot to love in these 18 anime for your kids shows from the 90s.
90s Shows for Toddlers
Barney
“In a Mr. Rogers-ish way, Barney creates a safe, snug world for young children–ages 2 to 6–and reassures them that they are special and capable people.” – Lynne Heffley, LA Times
Lamb Chop’s Play Along
“Lamb Chop is very likable. She is a really honest, truthful character. I think people appreciate her, especially for her honesty.” – Mallory Lewis, in an interview with Huffington Post’s Ann Brenoff
The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
“Although these are supposed to be the “new” adventures, the lessons are just as classic and time-tested as the characters… These touches probably make the show a little more relatable to today’s generation, but the messages — such as the importance of friendship, sharing, and believing in yourself — will always hold up.” – Tara Swords, Common Sense Media
90s Shows for Little Kids
Arthur
“Bonus points for the fact that they cover not only tough issues like mental health and cancer, but also timely pop culture issues: a real episode from 2014 was focused on whether Muffy starring in a reality series was a bad idea.” – Beejoli Shah, Nerve
The Magic School Bus
“The show features an ethnically diverse group of students who take fantastic field trips on a yellow school bus piloted by their teacher, Ms. Frizzle. Each adventure is exotic enough to keep young viewers glued, plus there’s a steady flow of information.” – John P. McCarthy, Variety
Reading Rainbow
“LeVar Burton was the best kind of host: as enthusiastic and genuinely interested as a friend, but with the reassuring presence of an adult. And the older kids who got to read the book reviews were something to aspire to: smart, poised, independent… In later years, the show took on real issues: 9/11, poverty, incarceration — with a directness and lack of condescension that had always characterized the program.” – Sadie Stein, Jezebel
90s Shows for Big Kids
Sabrina, The Teenage Witch
“Sabrina: The Teenage Witch represents one of those unique moments in time where a female comic book character was able to draw the attention of girls and boys. Its enormous success on kids’ TV in the 1990s and early 2000s still resonates today…” – Rob Ó Conchúir, HeadStuff
Wishbone
“Most of the novels featured in ‘Wishbone’ episodes are above the reading level of most viewers. However, the little dog compels children to be intrigued by and familiar with the stories, so when they are old enough they will delve into the books on their own. ‘Wishbone’ also teaches fundamental lessons like honesty, charity and hard work.” – Jessica Messmann, Deseret News Family
ZOOM
“Based on the popular 1970s television series, ZOOM re-emerged in the late 1990s with a new focus on science. The show is hosted by a diverse group of seven kids who explore ideas submitted by viewers from across the country.” – National Science Foundation
90s Shows for Tweens
Ghostwriter
“The problems they encountered were often quite weighty: vandalism, arson, computer hacking, drug addiction, homelessness, and poverty. But in dealing with these more mature subjects, the show also indicated that it took its audience seriously.” – Nick Ripatrazone, The Atlantic
Pirates of the Dark Water
“Lush, realistic animation and complex, coherent storytelling — a quest tale in the tradition of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings — make Pirates the classiest new cartoon show on the networks. Kids will get caught up in the seagoing adventures of the teenage Ren as he travels the world, battling grungy pirates and seeking his goal: the so-called Thirteen Treasures of Rule.” – Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly
Batman: The Animated Series
“There have been quite a few bat-toons out there and each provides something different… Older shows include Batman: the Animated Series… They can be a little dark at times, but overall are great quality shows. They are thought by most to best represent Batman in animated form in the way of depth of characters and storytelling.” – The Parents Guide to Batman, Legions of Gotham
90s Shows for Teens
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
“The show provides compelling stories with deeper meaning. [Teens] want top-notch entertainment but they also want to connect. Buffy takes their lives and struggles seriously. In addition, they are attracted to a world where, supernaturally, there’s more than meets the eye.” – Todd Hertz, Christianity Today
Bug Juice
“…Bug Juice begins as a show mixing different people and asking them to socialize in a confined space, but soon becomes a look at human nature itself. Though much of the content is edited for the sake of a ‘G’ rating (there’s heavy implications of swearing throughout the show), it’s interesting to see how the social dynamic plays out.” – Felix Vasquez Jr., Strange Kids Club
That 70s Show
“That ’70s Show is about the smaller stuff, the truly memorable moments of adolescence unseen in the history books.” – Erik Adams, A.V. Club
90s Shows for The Whole Family
Bill Nye the Science Guy
“Bill Nye was both hilarious and educational, and it’s no wonder it stuck around for so long. It even won a whopping 19 Emmys during its five-year run… Featuring funny sound effects and clever musical parodies, Bill Nye the Science Guy is the kind of show that hooks kids, teens, and adults alike.” – Karen Rought, Hypable
Zaboomafoo
“Meeting animals is the ‘foundation activity’ of this show, but that is only the beginning. Zoboomafoo is more than a show about animals… Life lessons like sharing, cooperation, making friends, playing fair, learning to swim, and keeping clean are readily woven into this show.” – Family Fun, PBS Kids
Eerie, Indiana
“Because the subject matter changes with each episode and your kids’ sensitivity to one topic might be a bigger concern than to another, you might want to preview them before sharing them with your younger kids. For older kids, though, Eerie, Indiana is a fun, off-the-beaten-path throwback that’s so entertaining you’ll want to take in with them.” – Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
