'90s TV Flashback

Last updated: March 11, 2025

The 1990s was an era of great tween and teen television, from Melissa Joan Hart as Clarissa to the 90210 clan. Blossom, Buffy, Friends? Check. But will today's teens be interested in a bunch of oddly dressed characters from three decades ago? If you want to test it out on your family, here are a few of our original favorites. Some of these hits have even gotten reboots, so for updated takes on these classic stories or characters, be sure to check out our TV Reboots list. Need more '90s in your life? We rounded up the Best '90s Movies for Kids for you as well!

Filter by:

Sort by:

Gullah Gullah Island TV show: Poster

TV

Gullah Gullah Island

age 2+

Classic show offers culture, music, life lessons.

Nick Jr. , Paramount+ Kids Musical TV (1994)

See full review

Bear in the Big Blue House Poster Image

TV

Bear in the Big Blue House

age 3+

Cooperate and share with Bear! Great for kids.

Disney Channel Kids' Animation (1997)

See full review

Blue's Clues Poster Image

TV

Blue's Clues

age 3+

Engaging fun for young ones (and parents, too!).

Nickelodeon Kids' Animation (1996)

See full review

The Big Comfy Couch Poster Image

TV

The Big Comfy Couch

age 3+

Gentle, low-tech show with a good heart.

PBS Kids Musical TV (1995)

See full review

Arthur Poster Image

TV

Arthur

age 5+

A thoughtful cartoon for kids to grow up on.

PBS Kids' Animation (1996)

See full review

The Magic School Bus Poster Image

TV

The Magic School Bus

age 5+

A fun, frantic, and educational ride for kids.

ION , NBC , qubo Kids' Animation (1994)

See full review

Doug Poster Image

TV

Doug

age 6+

Low-key '90s cartoon has good lessons for grade-schoolers.

Nickelodeon Kids' Animation (1991)

See full review

Legends of the Hidden Temple Poster Image

TV

Legends of the Hidden Temple

age 6+

'90s game show offers family-friendly adventure.

NICK GAS Game Shows (1993)

See full review

Rugrats Poster Image

TV

Rugrats

age 6+

Babies go adventuring in this Nick favorite.

Nickelodeon Kids' Animation (1991)

See full review

Animaniacs Poster Image

TV

Animaniacs

age 7+

Clever 'toon is bursting with fun for kids and adults.

WB Kids' Animation (1993)

See full review

Bill Nye the Science Guy Poster Image

TV

Bill Nye the Science Guy

age 7+

Fantastically fun classic is perfect formula for learning.

PBS Kids Educational (1998)

See full review

Hey Arnold! Poster Image

TV

Hey Arnold!

age 7+

Strong storytelling and characters mark worthwhile cartoon.

Nickelodeon , Nicktoons Kids' Animation (1996)

See full review

Home Improvement Poster Image

TV

Home Improvement

age 7+

Laughs and lessons abound in whole-family sitcom.

Syndicated Comedy (1991)

See full review

KaBlam! Poster Image

TV

KaBlam!

age 7+

'90s animated sketch show has quirky characters, cool style.

Nickelodeon Kids' Animation (1996)

See full review

Recess Poster Image

TV

Recess

age 7+

Engaging cartoon celebrates playground time.

ABC Kids' Animation (1997)

See full review

Step by Step Poster Image

TV

Step by Step

age 7+

Family steps up to the task of blending lives.

Freeform Comedy (1991)

See full review

Clarissa Explains It All Poster Image

TV

Clarissa Explains It All

age 8+

Fun '90s show deals thoughtfully with coming-of-age issues.

Nickelodeon Comedy (1991)

See full review

Family Matters Poster Image

TV

Family Matters

age 8+

Urkel and company still offer lots of family fun.

Freeform , Nickelodeon , Syndicated Comedy (1989)

See full review

Kenan & Kel Poster Image

TV

Kenan & Kel

age 8+

Mischievous adventures of two teens is all about the laughs.

Nickelodeon Comedy (1996)

See full review

Saved by the Bell Poster Image

TV

Saved by the Bell

age 9+

Classic teen sitcom still entertains. Tweens OK.

TBS Comedy (1989)

See full review

About the Author

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.