TV Dads We Love

Last updated: November 4, 2024

Although kids hate to admit it, everyone needs a good dad joke now and then! These all-star fathers are great for a laugh and so much more. From the stoic wisdom of Ward Cleaver to the quirky charm of Modern Family's Mitch and Cam, our favorite TV dads are full of life lessons and a whole lot of love. So grab your favorite spot on the couch and settle in for a perfect family TV night or Father's Day marathon. For even more memorable on-screen fathers, check out our picks for Best Father-Daughter Movies and Movie Dads.

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Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Poster Image

TV

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

age 3+

Excellent lessons from Mister Rogers' next generation.

PBS Kids Educational (2012)

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Bluey Poster Image

TV

Bluey

age 4+

Positive family, social themes in Aussie pup's adventures.

Disney Junior , Disney+ Kids' Animation (2019)

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Lily's Driftwood Bay Poster Image

TV

Lily's Driftwood Bay

age 4+

Girl's simple, homegrown adventures celebrate imagination.

Universal Kids Kids' Animation (2014)

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Leave It to Beaver Poster Image

TV

Leave It to Beaver

age 6+

Classic '50s sitcom is dated but still appealing.

TV Land Comedy (1957)

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My Dad the Bounty Hunter poster: Family, shown in color, stands above a grey-scale outerspace planet with space ships next to them.

TV

My Dad the Bounty Hunter

age 6+

Funny series about intergalactic family bonding time.

Netflix Kids' Animation (2023)

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The Andy Griffith Show Poster Image

TV

The Andy Griffith Show

age 6+

Cheery classic has positive, kid-friendly lessons.

TV Land Comedy (1960)

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Full House Poster Image

TV

Full House

age 7+

Three men and three babies (er, girls).

Nickelodeon Comedy (1987)

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Happy Days Poster Image

TV

Happy Days

age 7+

Aaaaay! Classic feel-good sitcom is hokey but fun.

Syndicated , Discovery Family Channel Comedy (1974)

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Home Improvement Poster Image

TV

Home Improvement

age 7+

Laughs and lessons abound in whole-family sitcom.

Syndicated Comedy (1991)

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The Brady Bunch Poster Image

TV

The Brady Bunch

age 7+

Oh, my nose! '70s icon is family-friendly fare.

Syndicated Comedy (1969)

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Growing Pains Poster Image

TV

Growing Pains

age 8+

'80s favorite offers laughs and life lessons.

ION , Nickelodeon , Syndicated Comedy (1985)

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Diff'rent Strokes Poster Image

TV

Diff'rent Strokes

age 10+

Classic series with a sense of humor tackles racial issues.

NBC , ABC Comedy (1978)

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Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Poster Image

TV

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.

age 10+

Teen doc's adventures are poignant, funny in great reboot.

Disney+ Drama (2021)

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Black-ish Poster Image

TV

Black-ish

age 11+

Race is tackled gently in fresh family friendly sitcom.

ABC Comedy (2014)

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Family Ties Poster Image

TV

Family Ties

age 11+

Classic 1980s sitcom's messages still ring true today.

Syndicated , Discovery Family Channel Comedy (1982)

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Little House on the Prairie TV poster: Ingalls family in a field

TV

Little House on the Prairie

age 11+

Rape and abuse in thought-provoking historical family drama.

Hallmark Channel , Syndicated Drama (1974)

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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Poster Image

TV

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

age 11+

Good-natured sitcom that the family can enjoy together.

Nickelodeon , Syndicated , TeenNick Comedy (1990)

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Wednesday TV show poster: Wednesday stares into the camera; a disembodied hand sits on her shoulder

TV

Wednesday

age 11+

Dead bodies, spooky imagery in darkly comic drama.

Netflix Drama (2022)

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A Small Light TV show: A closeup of a woman holding a candle in the dark with the words "Risk Everything" across her face.

TV

A Small Light

age 12+

Moving tale of woman who hid Anne Frank's family from Nazis.

National Geographic Channel Drama (2023)

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Fresh Off the Boat Poster Image

TV

Fresh Off the Boat

age 12+

Fierce memoir about Asian family makes fresh, sweet sitcom.

ABC Comedy (2015)

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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.