Top 10 Kids Shows of the ’90s

10. Double Dare 

Ah yes, the quintessential competition show.  It was not the only one around, but was the most famous of them all. Two teams would compete against each other in various challenges, whether of the trivial or physical variety, like catching pies in your pants. Classy stuff.

9. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers 

This show is admittedly not standout television.  The acting was often ridiculous.  But I defy you to find a kid who didn’t want to be a power ranger after watching it.  I wanted to kick butt like Kimberly, the pink ranger.  It’s morphin’ time! Pterodactyl!  Why are they dinosaur powers, Zordon?!  As Alpha 5 would say: ay yi yi yi yi!

8. Bill Nye 

The ‘90s were nothing if not a time for educational and entertaining programming.  Aside from Bill Nye, there was also Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, Captain Planet, Wishbone… But Bill Nye?  Bill Nye made science cool.  Just watch the video on illusions .  Science rules!

7. Doug 

With characters named Doug Funnie and Patti Mayonnaise, how could you not like this quality program?  There were whole episodes about Quailman, an alter ego of Doug’s, who wore his underwear on top of his shorts and a belt on his head.  Come on.  And The Beets!  “Killer Tofu!”

6. The Adventures of Pete and Pete 

A quirky show about two brothers named Pete. You know you’re in for something special when a kid’s arm tattoo and a plate in someone’s head get their own spots in the opening credits. While the absurd nature of some of the storylines would turn some people off, others flocked to the surrealism of bowling balls attacking jugulars and girls becoming dots.

5. The Ren & Stimpy Show 

This show was so demented, it’s a wonder it was ever really considered kids television at all.  The totally out there humor came thanks to Ren the (really) psychotic Chihuahua and Stimpy, his dumb cat best friend.  Not to mention some guest stars like Powdered Toast Man and Mr. Horse.  And who can forget “Happy Happy Joy Joy?”

4. Clarissa Explains It All

I don’t think you’ll find a girl who grew up in the ‘90s who didn’t aspire to be as cool as Clarissa Darling. She had a cool guy best friend who got a guitar riff on the soundtrack every time he climbed a ladder into her bedroom! And who can forget all of her pranks on her annoying brother, Ferguson, aka Ferg-Face? The time she pretended to be in the television? Classic.

3. Salute Your Shorts 

For those of us kids who never went to summer camp, Camp Anawanna made us feel like we had the experience anyway. Remember the time Budnick fell for Dina? How about when Pinsky first came to camp and wasn’t even bothered by Budnick stringing up his shorts on the flagpole? Camp Anawanna, we hold you in our hearts.

2. Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, I bring to you: Are You Afraid of the Dark? A Twilight Zone for the youngsters, AYAOFD featured a group that gathered around every week to tell scary stories.  Sometimes they were takes on famous tales like The Monkey’s Paw, other times they were just plain old ghost stories.  No matter what, though, someone always learned something.  Scary stories with moral lessons!

1. All That 

An ensemble sketch-comedy show, All That was Saturday Night Live for Generation Y and featured a lot of talented, funny kids.  It even spawned the spinoffs with Kenan & Kel and The Amanda Show.  And I know you will never forget “Good Burger, home of the Good Burger” (can I take your order?).  I’m really just talking about the first five seasons of the show here.  It went downhill after that, and it wasn’t even in the ‘90s anymore.  Long live the ‘90s!
 

What were your favorite kid shows of the ’90s?  Believe me, this was not an easy list to make!

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