The Top Five PBS Kids Shows
A definitive ranking from someone who didn’t have access to cable television until middle school
By: Beryl Belmonte
From providing an endless supply of memes to being the first PBS cartoon to feature a gay wedding, “Arthur” is nothing short of a cultural relic. It had everything a kid could ever ask for: a catchy theme song, celebrity guest stars, and snappy retorts delivered by the iconic D.W.
As a former iPad kid and burnt-out “gifted” kid, it’s no surprise that “Cyberchase” is next on my list. This show pioneered the movement for diversifying the STEM field, with two women of color as lead characters. Extra points for the queercoded outfits and gender envy I had for Motherboard.
When it comes to early 2000s nostalgia, “Dragon Tales” definitely takes the cake. With its creative worldbuilding, colorful animation, quirky characters, and musical masterpieces, it’s no wonder that my elementary school friends and I would always dream of traveling to our own magical Dragon World.
Nothing warms my heart as much as “Curious George.” The friendship between George and The Man With the Yellow Hat radiates wholesome energy, and the silly adventures they go on never fail to put a smile on my face. This is a comfort show that only gets better with time.
“The Magic School Bus” isn’t just a show—it’s an experience. It looks camp right in the eye, with Miss Frizzle’s exaggerated outfits and ironically named devices like the “bingbongifier.” It also takes immersive learning to a whole new level, with some episodes quite literally giving us an inside look at our physiology.