5 kids' TV shows adults can enjoy


Save Story

Show 3 more videos

Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — For many parents, TV time for kids is work or relaxation time for adults. When the TV goes on, mom and dad can usually catch their breath for a minute and have some free time.

Some parents, though, find themselves sitting down with the kiddies and watching a show or two, especially if what's on the tube is appealing to more than just a juvenile audience. Here are five shows made for kids that parents may find surprisingly entertaining.

Phineas and Ferb

Now in it's third season, "Phineas and Ferb" is definitely one to sit down and watch with the kids. This show is quirky, intricately well-written and hilariously executed.

The plot follows the same formula for each episode: two brothers (the show's namesakes) devise creative and amazingly over-the-top plans to keep themselves entertained over summer vacation. Throw in a high-strung older sister, an endearing supervillain and an undercover house pet and this show is sure to entertain both young and old alike (Be warned, you will get the theme song stuck in your head).

Yo Gabba Gabba
Yo Gabba Gabba

Yo Gabba Gabba

Admittedly one of the most spastic kids' show out there, "Yo Gabba Gabba" dazzles with original music, a host of celebrity visitors and a cast of characters that are as eccentric as they are likable. Parents may initially reject this show as just another one of the hyper-inducing children's programs that permeates most of youth-centered broadcasting nowadays.

After subsequent viewings, however, many adults find themselves pulling up a chair and humming along to original songs and enjoying guest stars like Jack Black, The AquaBats, Weird Al Yankovic and Andy Samberg.

Curious George
Curious George

Adventure Time

"Adventure Time" may be the only program on the list that is geared more for an older audience than for children. The show is not for everyone and is, at times, both bizarre and unsettling. Many youngsters may be drawn to the show's concept: a talking, shapeshifting dog and his sword-wielding human cohort. Be warned though, some of the themes and images can be dark, and it might not be ideal for family viewing.

Parents would probably be well served to watch a few episodes first and determine if their brood is ready for a vampire princess, a creepy wizard and an elephant who sounds like a seedy southern debutante. Moving past its absurd plot lines and intense images, "Adventure Time" is, at its core, amazingly creative and entertaining.

Curious George

Adults may not be immediately interested in watching a show aimed at very young viewers. Curious George is soft, slow and bereft of the usual blaring tone of it's louder counterparts. What is surprising about a show created to entertain young kids (probably an 18 month - 4 years demographic) is how well each episode is written and animated.

Sesame Street Classic
Sesame Street Classic

Each character has his or her own depth, subplots and emotional dimension. This is rare for shows in this category that usually go for hyped up songs, simple and almost mind-numbing plot lines and hap-hazard sub-characters. George, on the other hand is surrounded by a group of friends who are relatable and endearing. Adults may end up shutting their laptops and putting away projects to sit with the kids on the couch and take in an episode or two.

Sesame Street Classics

A year or so ago Netflix released "Sesame Street Classics" — old episodes of the long-running muppet show from the 1980s and 1970s. Many adults will remember bygone characters like Mr. Hooper, Kermit the Frog and Guy Smiley. Sesame Street purists will also enjoy a scarcity of Elmo and a healthy dose of a Cookie Monster who could still eat cookies, an Oscar the Grouch who was still very grouchy and a Snuffy with a little less of a guttural voice.

Classic episodes are a fun way for parents to bond with their kids over all things muppet and spend a few minutes going back in time to what many consider to be the Golden Age of "Sesame Street."

Related links

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

UtahFamilyEntertainment
Robynn Garfield

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast