Children’s entertainment has occupied a special place in television since the early Saturday morning cartoons of the 1930s. Beginning with classic Disney and Looney Tunes characters, almost a century later, children’s television has earned a reputation for fun, escapist, and wholesome storytelling. Recent decades have also seen the rise of more mature kids’ TV series, some of which have maintained the love of audiences well into adulthood.

Kids’ shows can range from all-ages cartoon sitcoms to superhero stories, encompassing some of the most iconic franchises in media. Thanks to a combination of quality and nostalgia, many of these series transcend generations and genres, standing out as some of the best shows on television. From its bright, engaging characters to its timeless, enjoyable fun, children’s entertainment has something to love for everyone.

Adventure Time

The wacky and colorful world of Adventure Time instantly enthralled audiences upon release. Beyond its veneer of quirky humor, the series has a foundation of intricate worldbuilding and complex themes that have engaged both children and adults alike throughout its impressive 10 seasons. In addition to being beloved by its viewers, it has also garnered critical acclaim and received numerous awards.

Given how much of a hit Adventure Time was for Cartoon Network, it’s no surprise that the series has gone on to greatly influence the animated shows that have come after it. This is in part due to the fact that many of the creatives who worked on Adventure Time then started their own series, which popularized the style in a way that has become prevalent in modern animation. Along with its great strides in representation, the show can be considered groundbreaking in several respects.

The Secret Saturdays

The Secret Saturdays is a show that encapsulates what it means to be a family. Protagonist Zak Saturday has an unusual one, to be sure; cryptozoologist parents, a Komodo dragon, a Pteranodon, and a gorilla-cat named Fisk might seem to be an unwieldy combination, but the love they all share for each other is evident in every aspect of the show. Together, the Saturdays embark on globe-trotting adventures to keep the secret world of cryptids safe from human interference.

For a series based on such an unusual concept, The Secret Saturdays has some of the best writing of any children’s cartoon out there. Its compelling villain, V.V. Argost, keeps the heroes and audience on their toes, and the core cast’s science-based background makes for innovative and engaging characters. With its penchant for showcasing cultures from around the world in every episode, The Secret Saturdays is the perfect adventure show for almost any age.

Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends

Imaginary friends are a concept familiar to most children, and the series Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends taps into that in a way that connects with its core audience. Though Mac’s mother tells him that he needs to outgrow his imaginary friend Bloo, their fellowship is so strong they find an arrangement to keep it going even as Bloo is relocated to an orphanage tailor-made for imaginary friends.

Related The 30 Best Old Cartoon Network Shows of All Time Cartoon Network shows like Adventure Time, Johnny Bravo and Dexter’s Laboratory are more iconic thanks to their unique humor and amazing characters.

Mac and Bloo make many other friends while spending time at Foster’s. The way these lonely characters looking for companionship all come together is the show’s heart, sending the message that anyone can find the right people and place for themselves in the world, even if that prospect initially seems hopeless. Along with the heartfelt themes, the series also has humor in spades, making it both an engaging and informative watch for kids.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Star Wars has been a hugely successful and iconic franchise since George Lucas’ original 1977 film A New Hope became a smashing box office hit. After two film trilogies, Lucas further explored the franchise in The Clone Wars animated series, set between Episodes II and III. The show follows Anakin and Obi-Wan as they lead the Republic’s clone army against the Separatists, clashing with the likes of Count Dooku and Darth Maul along the way.

Although The Clone Wars can feel incredibly dark in certain episodes, the series is effective in translating George Lucas’ world to a kid-friendly action series. In the earlier seasons, the series maintains a lighthearted and even slapstick tone, with the likes of Jar Jar, C-3PO, R2-D2, and the rookie clones giving the war some comic relief. However, as The Clone Wars approaches the events of Revenge of the Sith, its intensity quickly starts to pick up, reflecting the growth of its audience along with the progression of the series.

Scooby-Doo

Scooby-Doo has been a treasured Saturday morning cartoon series since its 1969 debut and has gone on to spawn thirteen television adaptations. Its various series follow the talking dog, Scooby, and his gang of friends as they travel the world solving mysteries. In each episode, Mystery Inc. takes on masked criminals posing as a variety of monsters such as zombies, ghouls, and vampires, always revealing them to be petty crooks in the end.

Related 10 Weirdest Scooby-Doo Villains of All Time (& Why They’re Great) Scooby-Doo has cracked the cases of thousands of monsters over his many movies and shows, and some are incredibly weird.

Scooby-Doo is one of the richest children’s franchises in terms of genre diversity and quantity of content, with fifty years of history and dozens of movies to go along with it. Shows like What’s New, Scooby-Doo? and Mystery Incorporated successfully brought the franchise to new generations, giving the gang a variety of modern foes to take on. The team-up of Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Fred, and Daphne has proven to be one of TV’s most beloved animated casts, holding the attention of viewers for half a century.

Looney Tunes Is Without Equal

Looney Tunes has endured as the face of Saturday morning cartoons for almost a century, with the likes of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Elmer Fudd bringing children a slew of humorous short stories. Presenting the trials and tribulations of a variety of cartoon animals, the franchise laid the foundation for slapstick animation and has continued to captivate kids ever since.

Whether it’s the sheer volume of content available to kids, the creative and whimsical characters, or the iconic rivalries, Looney Tunes is the king of kids’ entertainment — and it isn’t even close. Many of the characters also have great spin-offs within the franchise, such as Duck Dodgers, Sylvester and Tweetie Mysteries, and Baby Looney Tunes. There’s enough Looney Tunes out there to have something for everyone, ensuring its lasting appeal.