StrawPoll

The Most Successful Educational Children's TV Show: An Exclusive Ranking

Choose the show you think is the most successful!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 1, 2023 13:50)
Welcome to StrawPoll, where your opinions matter and curiosity meets discovery! Are you ready to embark on a nostalgia trip through the realms of the most successful educational children's TV shows? Our latest ranking is a celebration of these timeless classics that not only entertained us but also taught us valuable life lessons. Journey with us as we rediscover the magic of learning through the colorful characters and engaging storylines that have left an indelible mark on generations of young minds. So, hop on board, and let's stroll down memory lane together! Cast your vote for your all-time favorite, or champion the unsung heroes by suggesting a missing title. Because here at StrawPoll, we believe in the power of knowledge, creativity and, of course, your voice!

What Is the Most Successful Educational Children's TV Show?

  1. 1
    96
    votes
    Sesame Street
    עדירל · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Sesame Street

    Joan Ganz Cooney
    Sesame Street is the most successful educational children's TV show. It has won multiple awards, including 193 Emmy Awards, and has been broadcast in over 140 countries. It features a diverse cast, teaches numeracy, literacy, and social skills, and has been on the air since 1969.
    Description
    Sesame Street is a beloved educational children's television series that combines live-action, animation, and puppetry to entertain and educate young viewers. It features a diverse cast of characters, including iconic favorites like Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch. Each episode of Sesame Street explores various themes and concepts, such as numbers, letters, shapes, colors, emotions, and social skills, through playful skits, songs, and interactive segments. The show aims to promote early childhood development, literacy, and inclusivity in a fun and engaging way.
    • First aired: November 10, 1969
    • Format: Children's television series
    • Running time: Approximately 30 minutes per episode
    • Episodes: Over 4,500 episodes (as of 2021)
    • Language: English
    Sesame Street in other rankings
  2. 2
    34
    votes

    Blue's Clues

    Blue's Clues is a children's TV show that aired from 1996 to 2006. It won multiple awards and was praised for its interactive format and educational content, which focused on problem-solving, critical thinking, and social skills.
    Description
    Blue's Clues is an American children's television show that features a blue spotted dog named Blue and her human friend, Steve or Josh, who solve puzzles and go on interactive adventures in their animated world. The show incorporates a unique blend of animation, live-action, and audience interaction to engage young viewers and promote problem-solving skills.
    • Genre: Children's television show
    • Format: Animation, live-action, interactive
    • Target audience: Preschool children (ages 2-5)
    • Original language: English
    • Original network: Nickelodeon
    Blue's Clues in other rankings
  3. 3
    21
    votes

    Dora the Explorer

    Dora the Explorer is a children's TV show that aired from 2000 to 2014. It featured a bilingual Latina protagonist who taught children Spanish and English, problem-solving skills, and cultural awareness. It was praised for its representation of diverse characters and won numerous awards.
    Description
    Dora the Explorer is a popular animated children's television series that follows the adventures of a young girl named Dora and her talking backpack. The show focuses on interactive problem-solving and learning through Dora's quests with her monkey friend, Boots.
    • First aired: August 14, 2000
    • Genre: Educational, Adventure
    • Target audience: Preschoolers
    • Running time: 22 minutes
    • Main character: Dora
    Dora the Explorer in other rankings
  4. 4
    28
    votes

    Arthur

    Arthur is a children's TV show that has been on the air since 1996. It features an anthropomorphic aardvark and teaches children about social skills, literacy, and science. It has won numerous awards and has been praised for its inclusivity and representation of diverse characters.
    Description
    Arthur is a popular male name in Belgium and has a rich historical significance. It is derived from the Celtic word 'artos,' which means bear. The name Arthur is associated with strength, bravery, and leadership. It gained popularity in Belgium due to its royal and noble connections.
    • Origin: Celtic
    • Meaning: Bear
    • Popularity: High in Belgium
    • Historical Significance: Associated with legends and mythologies
    • Royal Connections: Belgian royals, such as King Albert I and King Philippe, had the name Arthur
  5. 5
    17
    votes

    Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

    Fred Rogers
    Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was a children's TV show that aired from 1968 to 2001. It was hosted by Fred Rogers, who taught children about empathy, self-esteem, and social skills. It has won multiple awards and has been praised for its impact on children's development.
    Description
    Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is a beloved educational children's TV show that aired from 1968 to 2001. It was created and hosted by Fred Rogers, an American television personality, musician, puppeteer, writer, producer, and Presbyterian minister.
    • Year of airing: 1968-2001
    • Genre: Educational
    • Target audience: Children
    • Protagonist: Fred Rogers
    • Format: Live-action and puppetry
  6. 6
    17
    votes

    The Magic School Bus

    The Magic School Bus is a children's TV show that aired from 1994 to 1997. It featured a science teacher who takes her class on educational field trips in a magic school bus. It taught children about science, history, and social skills and has won multiple awards.
    Description
    The Magic School Bus is an educational children's TV show that combines entertainment with science education. The show takes a group of students and their eccentric science teacher, Ms. Frizzle, on exciting field trips in a magical bus that can transform into any form of transportation. Each episode explores various scientific concepts and engages young viewers through interactive storytelling and lively animations.
    • Genre: Educational, Children's
    • Target Age Group: Ages 6-12
    • Format: Animated series
    • First Aired: September 10, 1994
    • Number of Seasons: 4
  7. 7
    13
    votes

    Reading Rainbow

    LeVar Burton
    Reading Rainbow was a children's TV show that aired from 1983 to 2006. It encouraged children to read and taught them about literacy, critical thinking, and creativity. It has won multiple awards and has been praised for its impact on children's reading habits.
    Description
    Reading Rainbow is a highly successful crowdfunding project that aimed to bring back the joy of reading to children through a digital platform. The project was launched by LeVar Burton, an actor and education advocate best known for his role in Star Trek: The Next Generation. It allows children to access a library of interactive e-books and video field trips to enhance their reading experience. The Reading Rainbow project exceeded its initial crowdfunding goal and raised over $5 million in total.
    • Launch Date: May 28, 2014
    • Funding Goal: $1 million
    • Total Funding Raised: $5.4 million
    • Platform: Digital (Website and App)
    • Content: Interactive e-books and video field trips
    Reading Rainbow in other rankings
  8. 8
    9
    votes

    Bill Nye the Science Guy

    Bill Nye and Erren Gottlieb
    Bill Nye the Science Guy was a children's TV show that aired from 1993 to 1998. It featured a science educator who taught children about science, technology, and engineering. It won multiple awards and has been praised for its impact on science education.
    Description
    Bill Nye the Science Guy is a highly acclaimed educational children's TV show that combines comedy and science to make learning fun. Each episode presents scientific concepts in a playful and engaging way, using experiments, demonstrations, and catchy songs. The show encourages a hands-on approach to learning and aims to instill a love of science in its young viewers.
    • First Aired: September 10, 1993
    • Last Aired: June 20, 1998
    • Number of Episodes: 100
    • Average Episode Length: 30 minutes
    • Target Audience: Children aged 7-12
  9. 9
    0
    votes

    The Electric Company

    Joan Ganz Cooney
    The Electric Company was a children's TV show that aired from 1971 to 1977. It taught children about literacy, numeracy, and social skills through music, comedy, and animation. It has won multiple awards and has been praised for its impact on children's education.
    Description
    The Electric Company is a highly successful educational children's TV show that aired from 1971 to 1977. It aimed to improve literacy among children aged 6 to 10 by using engaging skits, music, and animations. The show was a joint production between the Children's Television Workshop (now known as Sesame Workshop) and the BBC.
    • Target audience: Children aged 6 to 10
    • Years active: 1971-1977
    • Genre: Educational
    • Production company: Children's Television Workshop, BBC
    • Main focus: Improving literacy and reading skills
  10. 10
    9
    votes

    Peg + Cat

    Peg + Cat is a children's TV show that has been on the air since 2013. It features a young girl and her cat who solve math problems and teach children about numeracy, critical thinking, and social skills. It has won multiple awards and has been praised for its educational content.
    Description
    Peg + Cat is an animated children's television show that airs on PBS Kids. It follows the adventures of a little girl named Peg and her pet cat, Cat, as they solve various mathematical problems and help their friends along the way.
    • Genre: Educational
    • Target audience: Preschool children
    • Premiere date: October 7, 2013
    • Number of seasons: 3
    • Number of episodes: 80
    Peg + Cat in other rankings

Missing your favorite show?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for successful show

  1. Educational Value
    The show's ability to educate and teach important skills and concepts in a fun and engaging way.
  2. Popularity and Fame
    The show's overall popularity and cultural impact on children and society as a whole.
  3. Reach and Distribution
    The show's ability to reach a wide audience and be distributed across various media platforms.
  4. Relevance
    The show's ability to remain relevant and timely, staying up-to-date with current trends and issues.
  5. Production Quality
    The show's overall production quality, including visuals, sound, animation, and writing.
  6. Positive Impact
    The show's ability to have a positive impact on children's social-emotional and cognitive development.
  7. Longevity
    The show's ability to sustain interest and maintain a loyal fan base over multiple seasons or years.
  8. Awards and Recognition
    The show's industry recognition and awards earned by critics or viewers.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful educational children's TV show. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or show is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2420 views
  • 244 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each show once every 24 hours. The rank of each show is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful educational children's tv show

Children's TV shows have been a staple in many households for decades, providing entertainment and education for young viewers. Educational children's TV shows, in particular, have become increasingly popular in recent years, with parents and educators recognizing the benefits of these programs in promoting learning and development in children. From teaching basic literacy and numeracy skills to introducing children to science, history, and other subjects, educational children's TV shows have a lot to offer. But with so many shows to choose from, which one is the most successful? Let's take a closer look at some of the most popular educational children's TV shows and see which ones have had the most impact on young viewers.

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