Kids' 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 of 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, some of which have maintained the love of audiences well into adulthood.

Kids shows can range from all-ages cartoon sitcoms to superhero stories, and encompass some of the most iconic franchises in the media. Thanks to a combination of quality, storytelling, and nostalgia, many of these series transcend generations and genres, standing out as some of the best, most enjoyable shows on TV. From their bright, enjoyable characters to timeless, wholesome fun, children's entertainment maintains a great reputation.

10 Spider-Man The Animated Series Was A '90s Icon

Spider-Man has been a favorite superhero among kids since his 1960s debut and one of Marvel's most successful heroes across comics, movies and TV. While the Sam Raimi live-action movies were great, the 1994 animated series is the definitive exploration of the young hero and his world. The series alternates between Peter Parker's civilian and romantic life, and his responsibilities as Spider-Man, taking on villains like Kingpin and Green Goblin to keep the city safe.

The 1994 Spider-Man series came along during a golden age of animated superhero shows and did a great job of showing why Spidey is among the best. The series made for a fun and faithful adaptation of Marvel's comic book series, with a revolving door of eccentric, colorful villains and their origins gracing the small screen.

9 Transformers Spawned A Blockbuster Franchise

Transformers begins by taking viewers to the heart of a civil war on the alien planet, Cybertron. There, the heroic Autobots under the leadership of Optimus Prime battle the tyrannical forces of Megatron, the Decepticons. After an attempted evacuation of the planet, the two sides clash on the Autobot starship, which later crashes on Earth, where the robotic organisms lay dormant for millions of years. When they finally wake, their war begins anew, this time with the Decepticons attempting to harvest Earth's energy.

The original 1984 The Transformers series turned into one of the most successful kids franchises of all time, growing into a multi-billion dollar box office hit. The concept of robots who can disguise themselves as machines turned out to be something that appealed to all ages, and the ensemble of treasured characters like Optimus Prime and Bumblebee continues to appeal to fans today.

8 Phineas And Ferb Is Carried By Its B-Plot

Phineas and Ferb tells the story of its titular step-brothers and their antics over summer vacation. As surprisingly intelligent inventors, the two construct everything from theme parks in their backyard to a time machine and annoy Phineas' sister, Candace, who is committed to exposing their activities.

Phineas and Ferb is one of the few kids shows that's actually made great by its recurring sub-plots, the adventures of Perry the Platypus and his feud with the evil genius, Doctor Doofenshmirtz. Revealed to be a secret agent working for the government, Perry often foils the machinations of Doof, who schemes to take over the world. The series is a fun blend of childhood antics and espionage, and overall, it's an entertaining watch for kids of all ages.

7 SpongeBob SquarePants Is Childhood Innocence At Its Finest

SpongeBob SquarePants takes place in the undersea town of Bikini Bottom, populated by a wide variety of sea life. Centered around the upbeat fry cook, SpongeBob, the series follows its protagonist through weekly mishaps and adventures, from his antics with his best friend, Patrick, to his attempt to befriend his pessimistic neighbor, Squidward.

SpongeBob SquarePants has managed to appeal to families for the two decades it has been on the air, with virtually everyone finding a character to identify with. From the ruthless capitalist Mr. Krabs to the oddly-relatable Squidward, the series takes the mundane nature of life and turns it into a funny sitcom for kids.

6 The Simpsons Is A Fun Sitcom For Older Kids

The Simpsons takes place in the town of Springfield, and focuses on the Simpson family. Headed by the well-meaning idiot Homer, the family each gets in a series of misadventures as they navigate life in the town, which is an exaggerated microcosm of American life. From the greedy industrialist, Mr Burns, to the endlessly helpful neighbor Ned Flanders, the Simpsons all find themselves in awkward, difficult or funny situations with those around them.

The Simpsons often uses satire of America, which can fly over kids' heads at times, but it is always adapted in a way that makes kids laugh. To call the show's characters the most recognizable figures in American animation would undersell the cultural touchstone the series has become over its more than thirty-season run. The show explores the difficulties of parenthood, relatable workplace situations and the angst of school life, giving something for anyone to identify with.

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